Senior Hamas official says he 'cannot reassure anyone' that hostages in Gaza are safe

[ripcord]

A senior Hamas official told CNN that he cannot provide any assurances about the wellbeing of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, but rejected a United Nations special representative’s finding that there is “clear and convincing information” that some of them have been sexually abused.

“I cannot now reassure you, anyone, because all these war prisoners are facing the same bombardment and starvation our people (are) facing on the ground,” said Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, even as he “absolutely” denied the allegations of sexual abuse.

In a wide-ranging and sometimes contentious Zoom interview from his office in Istanbul, Turkey, Naim spoke to CNN on Wednesday about the state of ceasefire negotiations with Israel, the fate of 130 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, and Hamas’ share of responsibility for the widespread devastation unleashed by the Israeli military in Gaza in response to the October 7 terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,200 people.

During the interview, Naim rejected defining Hamas’ attacks as terrorism, falsely claiming that his organization does not target civilians. Instead, he blamed Israel for carrying out what he claimed is “state terrorism” in Gaza and reiterated Hamas’ calls for Palestinians to join in “armed resistance” against Israel during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Sunday night.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/15/middleeast/hamas-interview-diamond-hostages-ceasefire-intl/index.html

No more negotiations until the Red Cross gets to visit each hostage to determine their treatment and frankly to make sure they are alive.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Utter bullshit from this monster

Naim rejected defining Hamas’ attacks as terrorism, falsely claiming that his organization does not target civilians.

At least ISIS and al-Qaeda took responsibility for their actions. Israel has to find a way to take this gaslighter out.

[sarisataka]

2. In their eyes, no Israeli is a civilian

All are "current or future members of the IDF".

[JustAnotherGen]

7. And folks can't see the dehumanization in that

At the same time, there are people globally who run around accusing Israel of committing a genocide. And always make distinctions between Hamas and Civilians.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

11. Not only globally, but right here on DU.

I see post here quite frequently how Israel is committing "genocide" when they quite obviously don't know the meaning of genocide.

[multigraincracker]

3. One county terrorist is another

countries Freedom Fighter.

[maxsolomon]

4. Which country considers 10/7 "freedom fighting"?

Palestine isn't yet a nation.

[sarisataka]

5. Just like Nelson Mandela

[Cha]

9. Asshole Sadistic Gang Raping Butchers of HAMAS were NOT

"freedom fighting" on October 7, 2023.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Just like those brave hostages of January 6th!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

12. So you're saying that Hamas are "freedom fighters"?

I truly hope not, otherwise that is a sick, perverted view on what happened on 10/7.

[BannonsLiver]

15. It seems like Jew hating comes easier than expected for a lot of folks.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

16. Yes it does, and right here on DU for pete's sakes. nt

[multigraincracker]

20. Not at all.

I condemn all those that use religion as a weapon. I have no use for violence from either side. I condemn Hamas and BiBi and his Ultra Conservative fighters equally.
I condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia too.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

21. +100.

As do I. but I certainly don't consider Hamas, who raped and murdered innocent civilians for a political message as "freedom fighters".

[multigraincracker]

22. I'm all for a peaceful 2 State solution.

But, the fundamentalist on both side are against it.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

25. Right there with you,

until religion is banished from the solution, there will be no solution on either side.

[BannonsLiver]

14. "Just like Mandela."

That’s how one of our more active members put it a while back in a thread about how evil the west is.

[maxsolomon]

6. Red Cross isn't going anywhere close to an Israeli hostage.

Red Crescent, either.

Ceasefire negotiations have to proceed without any guarantees of which hostages still live. I doubt Hamas even knows.

[ripcord]

13. Then negotiations shouldn't continue

Is it really negotiating when everyone knows only one side will live up to the agreement?

[maxsolomon]

19. They have to continue. Israel has to bend on their demand of an accounting.

There needs to be a pause so famine doesn't kill thousands. Hamas will deliver some hostages in the categories agreed to. Israel won't free their prisoners without them.

[PCIntern]

8. These bastards are in fact cowardly...

Big talkers about “eradicating ” Israel and the Jews from “their” land. Now that they’ve found out to some degree what that word means when applied to their Organization and their people, they’re all mealy-mouthed.

And scared to death despite their bullshit bravado.

One more thing: the Israelis will eventually find and kill all those who were involved in the plotting. It won’t matter where they’re hiding.

[SoFlaBro]

18. All the Hamas lovers and "blame Israel" members will chime in 3.....2.......1.....

[Mossfern]

23. I think

they're staying clear of this thread...

[SoFlaBro]

24. All the "Israel haters" are pretty quiet these days.