By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2025-01-16 23:10:06 | Updated at 2025-01-17 06:40:40
7 hours ago
A senior Hamas leader praised the Oct. 7 terror attack as a “miraculous military and security achievement,” while promising “justice” for those who committed so-called “genocide” in a stunning speech just after the cease-fire deal was announced.
Khalil al-Hayya’s televised remarks were delivered from Qatar on Wednesday just hours after a long-awaited and widely celebrated cease-fire deal was reached between Israel and Hamas.
“What occurred on October 7 – a miraculous military and security achievement by the elite Qassam Brigades – will remain a source of pride for our people,” al-Hayya said in the speech, according to a translated video shared by Israeli diplomat David Saranga.
“It struck the heart of the enemy and will lead, Allah willing, to the restoration of all our rights,” he said – accusing the Jewish state of “genocidal wars, Nazi crimes, and acts of inhumanity,” according to the translation.
“We will never forget or forgive those who participate in this genocide … Justice will be served to these criminals, even if delayed” he was quoted saying.
“Our enemy will see no moment of weakness or surrender from us.”
Hamas is still holding about 100 hostages, including seven Americans, in Gaza following the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, where extreme violence and bloodshed claimed the lives of at least 1,400 Israelis.
The Hamas leader, who also serves as the terror group’s top negotiator, also hailed the cease-fire hostage deal as a “historic moment.”
The breakthrough peace deal was struck Wednesday after an intense 96 hours of negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. It was briefly scuttled Thursday due to a “last-minute blackmail attempt” by Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, but the deal got the go-ahead again later in the day.
The three-phase agreement will halt fighting for 42 days with 33 Israeli hostages incrementally freed from captivity in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
There are 97 hostages — civilians and soldiers — in captivity, but only 60 are believed to be alive.
The deal outlines a six-week initial cease-fire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed over the past 15 months.
The current deal, which requires approval from Israel’s cabinet and government, would go into effect on Sunday, if implemented.
The deal would also bring a surge of humanitarian aid to help the population living within the battered Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s cabinet is set to meet Friday to approve the deal.
