|
Trending Topics
|
How Some Gazans See Hamas
(Ha'aretz) Sheren Falah Saab - According to S., a member of Hamas's political wing, "Many people are convinced that Oct. 7 was a fatal mistake, and even longtime supporters are casting doubt." Mohammed, 43, who has uprooted his wife and children six times, said, "The more time goes by, the more people are having a hard time believing that the organization [Hamas] is acting for them. It wasn't like that at the beginning of the war. During the first days there was euphoria, there were people who thought our situation would change, that the invasion of Israel would liberate Palestine. But they didn't imagine that the response would come with so much force." Nabil, 47, a high school teacher, recalls: "At first I didn't know about the hostages and the harm to families and children, but I know Hebrew, so I started to look for what they were saying on the news in Israel, and I immediately realized that the situation was very grave. People around me were talking about Hamas's bravery in attacking Israel that way, but I expected a harsh Israeli response." When Israel's first evacuation order came, Nabil said, "The operatives disappeared into hiding places and turned their backs on us. I realized that Hamas had abandoned us, that we'd have to manage on our own. Anyone who had money fled during the first few months. People like me who don't have money or couldn't leave because of their circumstances realized that the attack had brought a disaster down on us and no victory at all." The bottom line is: Hamas will remain part of Gaza's social and emotional infrastructure as long as there is no sustainable alternative.