A notable Hamas figure grew agitated and departed abruptly from a live interview after persistent questioning regarding the October 7, 2023, attacks and the severe repercussions of the ensuing conflict in Gaza.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, Hamas’s long-serving foreign-relations head and a co-founder of the group, sought to legitimize his organization’s actions, asserting in an Arabic television interview that Hamas “fulfilled its national duty” and served as “resistance to occupation.”
The interviewer countered, inquiring whether the Hamas offensives had advanced the Palestinian cause and whether they had brought any significant benefits for the Palestinians, according to reports.
“Were your actions on October 7 intended to guide Palestinians toward liberation?” the host questioned during the Friday evening interview.
Marzouk, a founding member of Hamas residing in Qatar, reacted defensively, asserting the question lacked decorum and that a limited contingent of fighters could not “liberate” Palestine by themselves.
“No rational individual would contend that on October 7, with merely a thousand or so combatants, the liberation of Palestine was feasible,” he stated.
The journalist then proceeded, remarking: “I am posing the inquiries that are being raised by the populace of Palestine, particularly by the residents of Gaza.”
As the dialogue became more strained, Marzouk lost his composure.
“These are *your* questions! Exhibit some self-respect. I do not wish to speak with you. I do not wish to see you. Stop it. Stop it. Go to hell!” he exclaimed.
Marzouk’s remarks, broadcast on the Egyptian Pan-Arab channel Al-Ghad’s program “With Wael,” rapidly circulated across social media and emerged amidst escalating internal disputes and disarray within Hamas as the
Formerly viewed as a refined Hamas spokesperson, Arab analysts perceived his televised eruption as an indication of an expanding division among the organization’s leadership while Gaza remains in devastation.
Jamal Nazzal, a representative for Fatah, the Palestinian political and nationalist movement, sharply condemned Marzouk’s statements.
Nazzal stated his comments constituted “a dishonor that reveals the moral and political insolvency of a disintegrating faction no longer able to face people,” as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
Earlier this year, Marzouk conveyed remorse regarding the October 7 attacks, indicating that he would not have endorsed the assault had he foreseen the extensive destruction it would inflict upon Gaza.
“Had it been anticipated that these events would transpire, Oct. 7 would not have occurred,” he affirmed.
Marzouk has been characterized in numerous accounts as a billionaire, though the precise extent of his wealth is yet to be determined.
In a declaration released subsequent to The New York Times’ report, Hamas contended that the remarks were “incorrect” and had been distorted by being presented out of context.
The Israeli government sanctioned and formally enacted the initial phase of the President -mediated ceasefire agreement in Gaza on Thursday night. The accord entails the liberation of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees.