Hamas Denies Iran's Claims October 7 Attack Revenge for Killing of IRGC Quds Force Commander
JAKARTA - The Palestinian militant group Hamas on Wednesday denied claims by Iran's elite military wing that their attack on October 7 against Israel was carried out in revenge for the killing of a commander of Tehran's elite forces four years ago.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ramadan Sharif on Wednesday claimed Hamas' attack on Israel was a response to the killing of IRGC Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020 in a United States airstrike, according to Iranian news agency IRNA.
"The Hamas Resistance Movement denies the validity of the statement by the spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Ramadan Sharif, regarding Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and its motives," Hamas said in a statement, reported by CNN, December 28.
"All acts of Palestinian resistance occur in response to the continued presence of occupation and aggression against our people and our sanctity," he continued.
Previously, the IRGC spokesman's claim on Wednesday came after IRNA reported another Iranian military commander, Seyyed Razi Mousavi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Syria on Monday. The Israeli military declined to comment on the report.
Brigadier General Sharif on Wednesday repeated threats from Iranian officials to retaliate against Israel.
Iran will respond appropriately to "the Israeli regime for the killing of a senior military adviser in Syria," and will take revenge for "terrorist attacks at different times and places," he said.
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It is known that the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which left 1,200 people dead and 240 others taken hostage, was met with Israeli bombardment and blockade of Gaza, leaving around 21,100 people dead and 55,243 injured as of Wednesday, according to the local health ministry, quoted from Al Jazeera.
Iranian officials have previously denied direct involvement in the Oct. 7 attack, although Tehran provides support and financial assistance to Hamas and other proxy groups.