Hamas' denial of October 7 opens a new front in its existential war against Israel – opinion

A recent interview with senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, where he denied Hamas intended to kill civilians on October 7, highlights a new front in Hamas's conflict with Israel: historical revisionism. Despite extensive evidence, including self-filmed videos, Hamas is attempting to reframe the events of October 7, believing the world will be receptive to these denials due to shifting media attention towards the devastation in Gaza. Hamad stated, "No evidence" for accusations of "utter barbarism." This strategy aims to blur the massacre into a broader narrative of endless violence, thereby weakening Israel's position. The article argues that both Hamas and, for different reasons, the Israeli government under Netanyahu, benefit from downplaying October 7. It concludes that preserving the historical record of the massacre is a strategic imperative for Israel's future government, advocating for a commission of inquiry, archives, and educational initiatives to counter this revisionism.