Israel-Hamas war: Hamas official 'doesn't know' if hostages are alive

Hamas's head of political and international relations has told Sky News that he doesn't know if the 199 civilians taken hostage are still alive.

In a combative interview, Dr Basem Naim said this was "impossible" to verify because Gaza is under heavy bombardment.

"We have told all the mediators we are ready to release all the civilian hostages at the time the aggression against our people is stopped," he told Sky News presenter Mark Austin.

[supernoodles]

So let me get this 'doubting' that the terrorists who ruthlessly slaughtered civilians were really Hamas, yet he acknowledges that Hamas took hostages? Can he not see how ridiculous his argument is?

[schopen-hauer]

what he actually said was: we already killed all the hostages, we will blame israel for it, and we will now try to save our own asses using civilian shields.

[Crypto_Prophets]

They attack Israel and then they pull the victim card. This man really shows what hamas is about

[loverofallthingsgoodandpure]

The fact that he shuts his eyes to blind himself to the truth and raises his voice to drown out all other voices while shouting out more lies perfectly summarizes the Palestinian movement.

[k.]

This dude is outrageous, he can not answer a simple question, only diverting attention and responsibility.

[monicad]

Isn’t it amazing how they never answered the questions that they asked, all they do is deny and deny and blame on others.

[jessicashearer]

The 3 Ds of avoiding accountability:

1. Denial of the situation
2. Deflection of responsibility
3. Diffusion of the problem

[EpicPlayzthaLord]

He can't comply with the rules of an interview but we're all supposed to believe that this same person and the rest of hamas can be ethical and calm elsewhere and are just looking for peace for their people? His actions he chose in this interview says it all about this group. The recent attacks on hamas is literally their fault and coincidentally just in time for Sukkot with so many Jews from around the world who simply came to partake in the holy days. This was an orchestrated, thought out and planned attack on all Jews, not just the ones residing in Israel.

[Shlin]

It is clear, that this man does not seek solutions, he does not care an inch for even his own people.

[ashlaunicaalpari]

This is a great interview that completely highlights how unreasonable the Hamas are.
Great job to the interviewer.

[ICMagDancer]

I've noticed that the spokesmen are always really well fed, while the average Palestinians are hungry..

[mariojane]

Hamas is so manipulative and irresponsible that its representative doesn’t know about the hostages. These guys are just EVIL.

[dharmaboy]

What a disturbed human being Mr Basem Naim is. 1400 murdered and he will not even admit it. His psychopathic ranting is disturbing.

[hgmet]

If this is the 'head' of 'political and international relations', I can't fathom how deranged and unreasonable an average member of his group is.

[annie-k]

They NEVER acknowledge their evil actions, unless they want to brag about it from a safe distance.

[JINKJ]

Unbelievable, he is saying that it is not Hamas in the videos showing the barbarity yet he is willing to release the hostages, cannot believe a word that comes from their mouths.

[anatmoolmuang]

He just demonstrated how irresponsible and blindful a grown man can be.

[vdestiny]

If he thinks this act of terrorism is their self defense - then israel is justified in the way they are defending themselves.

[dunfragme]

This exchange exemplifies one of the toughest challenges we face in modern times -- reasoning with the unreasonable.

[Michelle-Williams-Melbournite]

It is not “considered” an act of terror..it Is An Act of Terror.