Full Breakdown
Hamas Leader Osama Hamdan Defends October 7 Attack and Denies Civilian Casualties
2/11/2026, 9:21:12 PM
Hamas's Stance on Disarmament and Future Role
In a recent interview with Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, senior Hamas leader Osama Hamdan stated that the group will not disarm unless Israel returns to pre-1967 borders, including Jerusalem. This interview, conducted in Istanbul, marks Hamdan's second appearance on NRK since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. He asserted that Hamas remains a crucial part of the Palestinian identity and expressed willingness to transfer political power to a technocratic committee proposed in the second phase of the Trump deal, but reiterated that disarmament is not an option for the group.
Claims of Success and Diplomatic Isolation
Hamdan expressed pride in the October 7 attack, framing it as a continuation of resistance against what he termed 75 years of occupation. He claimed that one of the primary outcomes of the attack was the diplomatic isolation of Israel, which he described as a strategic goal. According to Hamdan, the international community now views Israel not only as an occupier but also as a state committing genocide. He dismissed concerns about the devastation in Gaza, arguing that the pursuit of freedom outweighs the costs incurred.
Controversial Assertions and Reactions
During the interview, Hamdan denied that Hamas militants were responsible for the violence at the Supernova festival, attributing the attack to Israeli forces. This claim was met with skepticism from NRK presenter Yama Wolasmal, who questioned the validity of Hamdan's assertions. Hamdan also maintained that Hamas's legitimacy stems from its electoral victory in 2006, asserting that the group does not require new elections. He justified the execution of alleged collaborators as legal under Palestinian law, referring to them as "field trials for traitors."
Criticism of the Interview and Platforming Hamas
The interview has drawn criticism for providing a platform to Hamdan, with Israel's embassy in Norway condemning NRK for allowing him to disseminate what they termed propaganda. Norwegian Jewish community leader Ester Nafstad expressed concern that Hamdan's claims, which she described as demonstrably false, are gaining traction in public discourse in Norway. She emphasized the need for responsible journalism that challenges such narratives more rigorously.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding the portrayal of the October 7 attack and its aftermath. While Hamdan claims that the attack has led to Israel's diplomatic isolation, critics argue that Hamas itself remains sidelined in international negotiations. Furthermore, the legitimacy of Hamas's actions and its representation of the Palestinian people is contested, particularly given the lack of recent elections since 2006.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are an important part of the Palestinian people. We still have the support of the Palestinian people.” — Osama Hamdan, Senior Hamas Leader
- “The first achievement is that Israel has been isolated. The international community thinks that Israel is not just an occupier but a state that commits genocide,” — Osama Hamdan
- “Field trial for traitors is legal under Palestinian law,” — Osama Hamdan
- “These aren’t just his perspective, they are core elements of Hamas propaganda,” — Ester Nafstad, Norwegian Jewish Community Leader
This interview highlights the complexities surrounding Hamas's narrative and the broader implications for Israeli-Palestinian relations.
