Hamas Urges Iran Not to Strike Neighboring States in Ongoing U.S.–Iran War

Hamas issued a statement Saturday calling on Iran to avoid targeting neighboring countries with its missile and drone attacks, even as it reaffirmed what it called Tehran’s right to defend itself against the United States and Israel under international law. The group — still designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. — said it has been in contact with Iranian officials and has also approached Qatar, Turkey and Iraq to help halt U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran, marking a rare public attempt by Hamas to influence Iran’s rules of engagement. The appeal comes as Iran has retaliated against at least 10 countries and Qatar reported intercepting two missiles, evacuating some areas around Doha and prompting the U.S. Embassy there to order remaining emergency staff to shelter in place. The article also reiterates that Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed nearly 800 people, Iranian authorities report more than 1,200 dead inside Iran, and at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on February 28, underscoring the conflict’s widening regional and American human cost.