In Gaza, many people are furious with Hamas for having brought ruin to the Strip. They curse Yahya Sinwar under their breath, and admit in private conversations with trusted friends how much they hate the terrorists. But they do not dare to admit this to foreign journalists, lest word of their disaffection reach someone in Hamas, which has been known to beat, torture, and murder those who oppose it, just the way it tortured and murdered hundreds of Fatah men in 2007. All of the journalists and stringers working in Gaza — and not only those work for such news sites as Al Jazeera (which is owned by the government of Qatar, a strong supporter of Hamas) — do not dare to report any story that might anger Hamas. But the mainstream media, even from afar, do not report on the fact that Hamas has intimidated everyone in Gaza so that it has been impossible to accurately report on attitudes in the Strip to Hamas.
Recently a number of Gazans, identified only by aliases, spoke about their true feelings to the left-wing Israeli journalist Amira Hass of Haaretz. More on those Gazans who have dared, privately, to speak against Hamas, can be found here: “Gazans are still afraid to say anything negative about Hamas, yet most reporters accept their anti-Israel allegations as untainted,” Elder of Ziyon, April 2, 2024:
Occasionally, videos pop up of Gazans expressing their anger at Hamas. Yet the mainstream media – who rely on Gaza-based stringers who are afraid of Hamas – steer away from any stories that show both how Gazans are angry at Hamas and how they still fear the group, which makes the quotes of all Gazans suspect.
Haaretz’ Amira Hass, to her credit, reports that Gazans are deathly afraid to denounce Hamas, even though they know it is Hamas decisions that are making their lives miserable.
The donkey cart full of people and mattresses is one of the sights of the war on Gaza and the current siege. “More than once, I’ve heard a cart owner urging his donkey on and saying something like, ‘Move it, Yahya Sinwar, move it,'” says Basel (a pseudonym, as I’ve used for everyone in this article).
“People are constantly cursing Sinwar, but this isn’t reflected in the journalists’ reports,” he says.
As he put it in a phone conversation, not our first, he said, “Early this week, an elderly man standing in the middle of the market cursed Ahmed Yassin for giving us Hamas” – Yassin was one of the Hamas leaders assassinated by Israel in 2004. “I blew him a kiss for his courage. I’m not for cursing a dead man, but I love it when people rebel.”
I didn’t know Basel before we started our phone correspondence; he initiated the contact to express his fury at what he calls “Hamas’ takeover of our narrative.” He’s angry that the Palestinians outside Gaza and their supporters expect Gazans to shut up and not criticize Hamas, because the criticism ostensibly helps the enemy. He rejects the assumption that doubting the decisions and actions of this armed group – and to do so publicly – is an act of treason.
“I have the right that they should know what I think and feel, even if I’m in the minority – and I know that I’m not in the minority. And I know that I speak for a lot of people,” Basel says. “I have the right to speak, if only because I’m one of the millions whose lives Hamas is gambling with for crazy slogans with no basis in reality, which have dwarfed the Palestinian cause and turned the struggle for high and existential goals into a struggle for a piece of bread and cans of food.”
Two friends and an old acquaintance of mine confirm that Basel’s criticism of Hamas represents many people.
[Nura] too hears the curses against Hamas everywhere: at the hospital that couldn’t treat her wounded granddaughter, when she’s waiting in line to fill their water container, and when passing by piles of stinking garbage that no one clears – and there’s nowhere to take it to anyway.
“I sat with some friends at a café,” says Shaher, 75. ..He and his friends sat at the café and criticized Hamas. But, “the owner heard us and told an employee not to serve us until we went,” Shaher says and adds: “The café owner may agree with the criticism, but it was clear he got afraid.” Meaning, he was afraid that someone from Hamas might overhear and harm him in one way or another.
“Obviously, there’s enormous anger and bitterness everywhere against Hamas,” says Amal, another woman in her mid-60s, whose apartment building in Gaza was bombed at the start of the war a few days after she and her family moved south. She has also heard about people “who were threatened after they expressed their opinion in public.”…
Hatred of Hamas has not yet reached the stage where Gazans, made miserable by the terror group, will overcome their fear and despair and go out on the streets to demonstrate. Why should they, when they know it may cost them their lives and will have no effect on Hamas’ behavior? The only way to get the truth out about Gaza is for those journalists who are not shills for Hamas, as so many journalists working for Al Jazeera, the BBC, and CNN have turned out to be, to speak privately by telephone with Gazans who, through long acquaintance, have learned to trust them. Little by little, articles like the one above, posted by Elder of Ziyon, and containing a report from Amira Hass, who has been reporting from the Palestinian territories for decades at Haaretz, are getting the truth out. Many, perhaps most Gazans, are now inwardly raging at the terror group, and would not be at all displeased if the IDF could relieve them of this incubus. The IDF is doing its best. Within a month or two, when we can hope that the last four intact battalions of Hamas are dismantled in Rafah, a popular uprising might see Gazans turning on the remnants of Hamas to settle scores. Then the West will discover the depths of the rage that those Gazans will, at long last, be able to openly express.
Taffy says
If the Gazans really detested Hamas, the ones in the know would provide Israel with intelligence of where Hamas is holed up.
maria says
Yes it is only takiya when the Gazan say they detest Hamas.
Brenrod says
exactly, I dont buy the innocent gazans narrative, these are the same folks who celebrated oct 7 atrocities, thats all I need to know.
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
The whole world is afraid of Islam. The CCP recognized this threat and applied their usual approach of brutal tactics to address and suppress any possible expression from members of the religion of peace (thanks goes to George W. ‘fredo’ Bush for popularizing this false characterization of Islam. Traitor much?!).
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
The United States of America to Fredo, “You broke my heart, Fredo!”
rick says
Up to Oct. 7 the population of Gaza loved Hamas. Oct. 8 they had a little “worried” opinion. Oct 9th they started to dislike Hamas – especially the people whose apartments were bombed. From then on people may have been angry with Hamas. But what of the future? If the enclave is rebuilt and the people get new apartments, well, maybe Hamas is not that bad. And when they have a “March of Shahid Children” maybe we’ll dress up little Mohammed or Malik or Omar and let him march too. He’ll look so cute.
Keith O says
The Gazan’s are rightly pissed off at Hamas, the Russians have Putin and the USA has dementia Joe and the Dumbocraps.
commonsense says
While many Gazans now may hate and fear Hamas, they still want Israel destroyed and the Jews killed or expelled. This is not mentioned or addressed by the “left wing” Israeli journalists cited.
James Lincoln says
So, everyone in Gaza is afraid of Hamas.
The so-called Palestinians got EXACTLY what they voted for:
In 2005, Israel withdrew settlers and soldiers from Gaza. Then, in 2006, Hamas went on to win the Palestinian legislative election – and later seized full control of Gaza in 2007.
So, just prior to October 7th, 2023, Hamas was in control of Gaza. And, according to NPR, 71% of “Palestinians” SUPPORTED the Hamas attack on October 7th. And Hamas is actually a subset of “militant” so-called Palestinians.
And now, we’re all supposed to feel bad for the muslim “Gazans”?
Bill says
How like the dying days of Nazi Germany when the SS went around hanging from lamp posts anybody they thought was not loyal to Hitler.
somehistory says
When it comes to knowing the Truth about anything, don’t trust a mozlum or his supporters, to tell it.
” video: Gaza Women Allegedly Involved In Hamas’ October 7 Attacks on Israel | Startling Details Emerge (Times Now)”
Women and teens helping hamas to murder, kidnap and hold for ransom the victims of Oct. 7
Evidently not everyone in Gaza is in fear of the terror group.
James Lincoln says
somehistory,
To your point, muslims – and their supporters – don’t care about the truth.
They are interested only in propaganda that helps their narrative.
Twisted, sick, and despicable.
somehistory says
Agreed, James. Can’t get any worse than that.