The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 65,344 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza as then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Sinn Féin MP Catherine Connolly has saeid Hamas is “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people”.
The West Belfast representative made the comments during a Westminster Hall debate on the situation in Gaza on Thursday.
ms Connolly said she did not support Hamas’s actions but believed it was critically important to understand the context of the conflict.
“Hamas is part of the fabric of the Palestinian people, whether we like it or not,” she said.
“They are a political party, they were democratically elected, and they are part of the Palestinian Authority.”
She added that focusing solely on Hamas ignored the wider issues of the Israeli occupation and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We need to understand the root causes of this conflict, which is the ongoing occupation of Palestinian land and the denial of Palestinian rights.”
Several MPs criticised Ms Connolly’s comments, with Conservative MP Simon clarke accusing her of “defending a terrorist organisation”.
DUP MP Gavin Robinson also condemned the remarks, saying they were “deeply insensitive” to the victims of the 7 October attacks.
Ms Connolly defended her position, stating she was simply trying to offer a nuanced understanding of the situation.