Hamas international relations chief said the terrorist group’s plan was never to target civilians when its forces invaded Israel on October 7. Instead he expressed surprise at the human toll exacted by the invading forces as they embarked on mass rape, torture, kidnapping, and slaughter of Israeli innocents. “The chief commander of the Al Qassem Brigade, who initiated the operation, he gave clear instructions not to target civilians or not to harm civilians,” Dr Basem Naim told Australia’s ABC 7.30 report during an interview.