Hamas official says Iran and Hezbollah had no role in Israel incursion but they’ll help if needed

By BASSEM MROUE and SARAH EL DEEB
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — A senior official with the Palestinian militant group Hamas says only a small number of top commanders in Gaza knew about the surprise attack against Israel in advance. Ali Barakeh told The Associated Press that even Hamas’ closest allies were not informed about the timing of the incursion. He denies reports that Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah helped plan the assault but said they would join the battle if Gaza faces “a war of annihilation.” He also denied that the attack was aimed at derailing U.S. efforts to broker diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. He said Hamas is prepared for a long war.