On the 22nd, Hamas's newly installed leader Khalil al‑Hayya said in a televised
address his top priority is a complete halt to Israeli military operations in
the Gaza Strip. He said Hamas will continue along its prior course and act
across all arenas to end Gazans' suffering, defend Palestinians in Gaza, the
West Bank and East Jerusalem, and protect the rights of Palestinian detainees.
He insisted restoring daily life and carrying out comprehensive reconstruction
in Gaza are inherent rights that must not be tied to any political exchange, and
warned that failure by the international community to protect Gazans would
nullify humanitarian and justice standards.
