“We knew that there were [Israeli] plans to launch a massive attack against us after the [Jewish] holidays. We preempted it by surprising the commanders of the Southern Command.”Gianluca Pacchiani, “Hamas deputy chief lies: We don’t target civilians, we only attacked IDF,” Times of Israel, October 12, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-deputy-chief-lies-we-dont-target-civilians-we-only-attacked-idf/.

Speaking to Al Jazeera:

“The Al-Qassam attack was a well-organized and disciplined operation, with instructions to target the Israeli military’s Gaza Brigade.

“We preempted an Israeli attack by surprising the leadership of the Israeli military’s Southern Brigade, which quickly collapsed.

“1,200 members of the Al-Qassam Brigades entered the settlements and quickly took control of the Israeli military’s Gaza Brigade. We were surprised that the Gaza Brigade collapsed in less than three hours, faster than we expected.

“The Hamas leadership’s instructions to the fighters were clear: not to kill children and women. It was not part of Al-Qassam’s plan to harm or kill civilians. Hamas cannot target civilians or prisoners, and we act in accordance with international laws of war.

“The occupation knows that its invasion of Gaza will turn the battle into a catastrophe for its army. Before our operation began, the defensive plan was ready, and it is much stronger than the offensive plan. For every action taken by the occupation, we have a plan.

“All possibilities are open, and we have our calculations in all areas. We have stated our position that after the battle, discussions will take place regarding the prisoners.

“We do not see a future for this battle except victory.”“This is What Happened in the First Three Hours of ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’: Saleh al-Arouri Reveals,” Palestine Chronicle, October 12, 2023, https://www.palestinechronicle.com/this-is-what-happened-in-the-first-three-hours-of-al-aqsa-flood-saleh-al-arouri-reveals/.

“Today, our fighters managed to capture a large number of prisoners from the enemy forces and bring them to the Gaza Strip. Our fighters managed to reach the Mavki’im area and engaged in fierce clashes that resulted in the killing and injury of a significant number of enemy forces.”Eyad Kourdi, Ibrahim Dahman, and Jonny Hallam, “Hamas claims to have taken more Israeli hostages Sunday,” CNN, October 8, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-gaza-attack-10-08-23/h_1701ce668036414bc9e55a28d54f364d.

In an interview with Al Jazeera following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel that day:

“We will continue to fight until we are rewarded with victory, freedom and independence.”“Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners,” Al Jazeera, October 7, 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners.

In an interview with Al Jazeera following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel that day:

“This is not a [hit-and-run] operation; we started an all-out battle. We expect fighting to continue and the fighting front to expand. We have one prime target: our freedom and the freedom of our holy sites.”“Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners,” Al Jazeera, October 7, 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners.

In an interview with Al Jazeera following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel that day:

“We managed to kill and capture many Israeli soldiers. The fighting is still on. Our detainees in [Israeli] prisons, their freedom is looming large. What we have in our hands will release all our prisoners. The longer fighting continues, the higher the number of prisoners will become.”“Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners,” Al Jazeera, October 7, 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners.

“Enough is enough, the cycle of intifadas and revolutions in the battle to liberate our Palestinian land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons must be completed.”Matt Drake, “How Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh watched attack on Israel on TV from his office in Qatar as he celebrated with other officials,” Daily Mail (London), October 8, 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12608271/How-Hamas-leader-Ismail-Haniyeh-watched-attack-Israel-TV-office-Qatar-celebrated-officials.html.

“Our righteous mujahideen, this is your day to make the enemy understand that his time is over. They attacked and desecrated Al-Aqsa, and we had previously warned them.”Seth J. Frantzman, “Hamas terror commander Deif calls for all out war on Israel,” Jerusalem Post, October 7, 2023, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-762052.

Statement encouraging attacks on Europe released via AQAP’s magazine Sada al-Malahim

“Sweden, France and other countries that fight God (...) do not simply understand abstract words. They do not understand the language of dialogue and communication (...). They will not understand and will not take into account, until they hear news like the Swedish embassy was razed following a violent explosion or an armed attack against a ministry in Paris.”“Al-Qaïda menace la France d’une nouvelle attaque terroriste,” Le Parisien, September 15, 2023, https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/al-qaida-menace-la-france-dune-nouvelle-attaque-terroriste-15-09-2023-QPZHQSXX6BHTFERXPCZKBJ3AJY.php.

“The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas rejects UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ labeling of Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation as ‘violence’.

“Hamas confirms that such a misnomer is not compatible with a genuine human right – i.e. the right to self-defense against the aggression inflicted by an occupying power. This right to self-defense is a legitimate right in consonance with international laws and norms.

“The Palestinian people will never abolish such a right and will continue to fight the Israeli occupation and its Judaisation schemes until they liberate their homeland.

“The Palestinian resistance movement affirms that the terms ‘violence’ and ‘terrorism’ apply exclusively to the Israeli occupation and fascist colonial settlers, who bear full responsibility for escalating the situation, disrupting the lives of the Palestinian people, and denying them their national rights.”“Hamas rejects UN chief labeling Palestinian resistance as ‘violence,’” Hamas, September 14, 2023, https://hamas.ps/en/post/4931/Hamas-rejects-UN-chief-labeling-Palestinian-resistance-as-violence.