GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A senior Hamas official on Thursday clarified previous statements regarding the recognition of Israel and the rights of Israelis. Mousa Abu Marzouk explained that there was a misunderstanding of his previous comments, which suggested a potential shift in Hamas’ position on Israel as part of joining the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

Abu Marzouk emphasized that Hamas does not recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli occupation and will continue to uphold the resistance until liberation. This clarification followed his earlier remarks where he had defended the recent militant incursion into Israel, which resulted in casualties and hostages.

In response to the ongoing tensions, European prosecutors announced the arrest of seven individuals suspected of plotting terrorist activities against Jewish institutions. This development has raised concerns about the safety of Jews in European countries in light of recent attacks by Hamas against the Israeli population.

On the ground, Israeli forces have intensified their campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, leading to the destruction of residential buildings and the arrests of over 70 individuals described as terrorists at a hospital compound. The conflict has resulted in a significant number of casualties in Gaza, drawing international condemnation for the disproportionate use of force.

Meanwhile, families of American hostages held in Gaza have sought the support of President Joe Biden to secure the release of their loved ones. The families described their meeting with President Biden as positive, expressing hope for a resolution to the hostage crisis.

In the midst of these developments, Israeli parliament approved a controversial budget that includes funding for the ongoing war and settlements in Palestinian enclaves, sparking criticism from opposition leaders. The budget allocation has raised questions about the underlying motivations behind the financial decisions made by the Israeli government.

Overall, the situation in the region remains volatile, with ongoing efforts to address the complex challenges posed by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.