Hamas: we deal with the ANC, not SA’s government

[Nat Quinn]

Hamas, the Palestinian group running Gaza and which is currently involved in a shooting war with Israel claims that its South African links are with the ruling African National Congress, not with the country’s government. They also have relationships with various civil society and interest groups.

This is according to a report in The Citizen, which posed a number of questions to Emad Saber, head of Hamas’s office in South Africa, as a delegation from the organisation which is controversially visiting South Africa.

Saber denied that Hamas had killed women and children during its attack on Israel on October 7.

‘There is no such evidence. If the media has such evidence, we would be happy to review it and respond. But, to date, neither the Israeli authorities nor the Israeli media have provided such evidence.’

He said that Israeli civilians were killed by Israeli forces.

He also denied that Hamas had taken hostages or targeted Israeli civilians as hostages, as this would be contrary to Islamic law: ‘Let us be clear that Hamas fighters were given clear instructions, as per our policies and Islamic standards of warfare, that no civilians should be targeted – either killed or captured. All our targets were military – and this is our right under international law.’

He claimed that hostages taken were seized by other groups and by Gazan civilians.

These claims have been made by former defence minister and prominent pro-Palestine activist, Ronnie Kasrils.

Saber thanked supporters globally for their aid. ‘We welcome this global support, and with its intensification, we will move closer to our liberation. We call on supporters of the Palestinian people all over the world not to slow their protests. The demand for a ceasefire must be strengthened until the bombs stop raining down on the heads of Palestinians in Gaza.’

 

source:Hamas: we deal with the ANC, not SA’s government – Daily Friend

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