Hamas says October 7 attacks 'necessary step', admits 'faults'

The Hamas militant group said Sunday its October 7 attack on Israel was a "necessary step" against Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. The militant group said the attacks were "a necessary step and a normal response to confront all Israeli conspiracies against the Palestinian people". Israel says around 132 remain in Gaza, of whom at least 27 captives are believed to have been killed, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Hamas urged "the immediate halt of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the crimes and ethnic cleansing committed against the entire Gaza population".