By Nidal al-Mughrabi
CAIRO (Reuters) – The Hamas assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza battle has stirred debate among the many enclave’s Palestinian clerics, with some saying it was not definitely worth the heavy civilian dying toll and others declaring the Oct. 7, 2023 assault was a Muslim responsibility.
Responding to questions despatched by Gazans on an internet messaging platform, distinguished preacher Suleiman Al-Dayya stated Muslim leaders ought to keep away from going into battles if the hurt inflicted upon civilians was higher than the good points.
He stated warriors ought to query the knowledge of preventing if it elevated the hurt to faith, life, honour, youngsters or wealth or the seizure of land, not to mention the destruction of the “foundations of life”.
Dayya’s views are properly revered in Gaza amongst each unusual residents and Islamists, and he additionally has affect with Palestinians within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution.
A former senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood, the oldest Islamist motion within the Arab world, he was additionally near Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, co-founder and chief of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, earlier than pursuing a extra reasonable type of Islam.
“When it becomes highly likely that the objectives and aims of jihad will not be achieved due to the absence or deficiency of its pillars, causes, or conditions, it must be avoided,” stated Dayya.
The 2023 assault on Israel, which shattered Israel’s aura of invincibility, marked the nation’s bloodiest day in its historical past, with 1,200 folks killed and over 250 taken hostage, in response to Israeli tallies.
Israel responded with its most damaging offensive in Gaza, killing almost 44,000 folks and wounding 103,898, in response to the Gaza well being ministry, and turning the Strip right into a wasteland of rubble with tens of millions determined for meals, gasoline, water and sanitation.
Late on Monday, an announcement issued within the identify of “a group of clerics” in Gaza defended the assault as a “legitimate act and a fulfillment of the duty of jihad, with no doubt about its legitimacy.”
“However, was the timing of the decision a mistake in judgment, as it led to this destructive war afterward, or was it appropriate due to specific circumstances known to the fighters, for example? This is a matter open to consideration,” the assertion stated.
“But such consideration and placing of blame are not appropriate during the war; they should come afterward, as it serves no purpose now and rather harms,” it added.
Of their assertion, the clerics’ group stated they appreciated Dayya’s opinion and spiritual standing however they cautioned his verdict may very well be misunderstood and will have an effect on the spirit of unusual Palestinians in addition to fighters.
Some Gazans are additionally questioning the knowledge of Hamas staging an assault that led to Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza, which was already combating widespread poverty and excessive unemployment earlier than the battle erupted.
For Israelis and their Western allies, Hamas is a terrorist group which has fired missiles at them and staged suicide bombings.
Hamas’ supporters regard its fighters as heroes main the battle for Palestinian statehood, which had drifted off the worldwide agenda.
Israel, which has assassinated a number of prime Hamas leaders, has vowed to destroy the group.
