American-Islamic Group Head 'Happy' With Oct. 7 Attack

Nazi Nihad Awad

Nihad Awad, the executive director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, on Thursday said he was "happy" to see people breaking the "siege" on Oct. 7 and that Gazans "had the right to defend themselves."

"The people of Gaza only decided to break the siege, the walls of the concentration camp on Oct. 7. And yes, I was happy to see people breaking the siege and throwing down the shackles of their own land and walk free into their lands that they were not allowed to walk in," Awad said during a speech at the American Muslims for Palestine Convention in November. "And yes, the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense, had the right to defend themselves. And yes, Israel as an occupying power does not have that right to self-defense."

"Gaza became the liberation source, the inspiration for people. Gaza transformed many minds around the world, including people who are not Muslim," he added.

"What kind of faith these people have. They are thankful; they're not afraid, and Israel did not scare them. Because they knew that their heaven is in Gaza and they, if they would like to die, they will go to another heaven. That is the faith of the people of Gaza. And that is why Gaza and the people of Gaza were able to transform everyone who was watching.

"They have learned from these people. And those who felt bad for Gaza, they don't understand the equation. Those who thought that the Gazans are less than those who can help them, they are mistaken. They are mistaken. The Gazans were the victorious."

Israeli troops reached the heart of Khan Younis on Wednesday in a new phase of the war, now entering its third month. Health officials said three people were killed there on Thursday.

The U.N. Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) said 1.9 million people — 85 percent of Gaza's population — had been displaced and its shelters were four times over capacity.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 17,177 Palestinians had been killed and 46,000 wounded since Oct 7, when Israel began bombing Gaza in response to an assault by Hamas militants who control the enclave. In the past 24 hours alone, 350 people had been killed, spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said.

The surprise Hamas incursion on Oct. 7 killed 1,200 people, with 240 people taken hostage, according to Israel's tally.

Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.

© 2023 Newsmax. All rights reserved.