"We should block such an act, even if it is done by one person and does not represent the common sense of the Palestinian people," said Dr. Basem Naim, a member of the Hamas International Relations Office, in an official statement on Friday.
"We have to stop similar acts because our conflict with the Israeli occupation is a freedom struggle against the colonial occupier of Palestine," stressed Naim, adding that "such acts, even if done solely, inflict horrific outcomes on our just cause. Indeed, they are exploited by the Israeli occupation to distort our struggle for freedom and independence."
The Nazi Swastika flagA symbol of murder And sheer hatred Raised yet again At a Hamas riot Inside Gaza In the face Of this hatred Stand IDF soldiers Alert and determined Ready to defend lsrael Today and every single day. pic.twitter.com/cZMhJggr4R
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 2, 2019
"The Nazi Swastika flag A symbol of murder And sheer hatred Raised yet again At a Hamas riot Inside Gaza," wrote the IDF on their Twitter about the hanging of the swastika. "In the face Of this hatred Stand IDF soldiers Alert and determined Ready to defend lsrael Today and every single day."
In July, Hamas also condemned statements by Fathi Hamad, an official in the terror group, encouraging Palestinians to "attack every Jew on planet Earth."
"These remarks do not reflect the official stances of Hamas and its policy," read the Hamas statement. "Our struggle is not with Jews elsewhere or with Judaism as a religion. Hamas has condemned and continues to condemn any attacks against the Jews and their worship houses worldwide."