“The October 7 Attacks Backfired on Us,” Admits Senior Hamas Leader

A senior Hamas leader based in Türkiye described the October 7 attacks as a failure, saying the operation “backfired on the organization.” As Hamas marks its 37th anniversary, the official also spoke of a “real crisis of leadership.” “Gaza has been completely destroyed,” the Hamas official told Ilaf, a Saudi newspaper, adding that the organization now pins its hopes on a prisoner deal to “save the honor of the Al-Flood leaders.” Aqsah.”

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria further worsens Hamas’ situation. The Syrian authorities have ordered the Palestinian factions to close their offices, hand over their weapons and leave the territory as soon as possible. Muhammad Nasser, an important Hamas executive, is said to have fled Damascus with Iranian “experts”, as did Ziad Nakhla, leader of Islamic Jihad.

These leaders, now refugees in Tehran, fear for their security after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, former head of the Hamas political bureau, in the Iranian capital.

In Qatar, Hamas activities are heavily restricted. Its leaders, forced to stay on site, must maintain a low profile: meetings, gatherings and contacts with the foreign press are banned. Qatar, however, has resumed a mediating role in negotiations over the hostages and a possible ceasefire with Israel.

At the same time, Hezbollah, through its Secretary General Naim Qassem, acknowledged having lost its military supply routes through Syria, while expressing the hope that the new Syrian regime will maintain a hostile stance towards Israel.