Unveiling the Untold: Unveiling the True Sentiments of Gazans towards Hamas

Yasmine Mohammed, the author of "Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam" and president of the nonprofit organization Free Hearts Free Minds, shares her personal views in this commentary. While her father, a Gaza native, was alive, he frequently voiced his opposition to Hamas, describing it as the embodiment of the Palestinian struggle worldwide.

Yasmine Mohammed

Since the recent attack on Israel by Hamas, I've come across numerous social media posts that mistakenly label them as freedom fighters engaged in anti-colonial resistance. This pervasive falsehood deeply offends Palestinians, as referring to these terrorists as our champions of freedom is an insult.

Hamas has subjected the Jewish people to unimaginable atrocities, comparable to those of the Holocaust. Similar to the Nazis, Hamas dehumanizes Jews and calls for their complete elimination from existence, as stated in its 1988 covenant. The goal of Hamas is not limited to the genocide of Jewish people in Israel; rather, it aims to eradicate all Jewish people across the globe.

My father was deeply bothered by Hamas overshadowing the dialogue and assuming the role of representing Gaza internationally. He was born and raised in the Gaza Strip and stayed there until he pursued higher education in Egypt. Although he eventually relocated to San Francisco and later to Montreal, his affection for Gaza always remained in his heart.

He maintained a Facebook page and a YouTube channel focused on showcasing visuals and footage of a Gaza in its pre-terrorist control era. His disdain for Hamas knew no bounds. Through his social media posts, he vehemently expressed, "May the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas be cursed by God; they have only brought regression to our Arab communities."

Ilan Troen’s daughter, Deborah Mathias, and her son-in-law, Shlomi Mathias, were tragically killed in their residence at Kibbutz Holit near the Gaza border during the initial stages of the Hamas uprising on Saturday, October 7th, 2023. Courtesy of Ilan Troen.

My grandmother and daughter perished in a pogrom, amplifying the tragic reality. The knowledge of Hamas' brutality did not surprise him, for he was aware of the massacres inflicted upon families, infants, and the elderly. Speaking out against these tyrannical oppressors meant swift and severe consequences, not only for the individual but also for their entire family. Violence has always been an integral part of Hamas' approach.

Labeling all Gazans as Hamas members is a serious offense, and it is being committed by individuals from various political affiliations. One example is the tendency of many on the left to equate Hamas with all Palestinians, treating them as an oppressed minority, victims, and under siege. This misguided and muddled perspective plays into the hands of Hamas, enabling them to justify their violence by hiding behind the guise of "oppression." Naturally, the group would prefer to be seen as freedom fighters rather than terrorists.

Among the extremist right-wing individuals, there is a misconception that Palestinians are synonymous with Hamas, which is used as a means to justify the destruction of Gaza. While it is a violation of international law to cut off power and water to civilians, there is a belief that cutting off these resources to terrorists is justified.

However, the reality is that Hamas does not represent the entirety of Gaza, and Gaza should not be equated with Hamas. Gaza is a geographical area inhabited by people who are trying their best to survive in extremely difficult circumstances. The residents of Gaza are human beings who, just like their Israeli counterparts, desire to live in a peaceful environment where they no longer have to worry about the safety of their children.

While there are undoubtedly Gazans who express support for Hamas, a July poll revealed that 50% of Gazans actually agreed that "Hamas should cease their calls for the destruction of Israel and instead embrace a permanent two-state solution based on the 1967 borders."

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Opinion: In the midst of darkness enveloping Gaza, I long for global awareness of our plight.

Hamas aligns itself with extremist organizations like al Qaeda and ISIS, inflicting relentless acts of terror upon innocent civilians. It is my strong belief that Israel possesses the rightful authority to safeguard its people against this savage, violent, and repugnant terrorist group. The Jewish community has endured a tumultuous history, persistently targeted by numerous factions seeking the annihilation of its population.

I am devastated by the fact that Gazans will now suffer the consequences of Hamas' brutality. This is an extremely cruel and horrifying situation, as war always is. The loss of countless lives in Iraq due to al Qaeda or in Syria due to ISIS was also deeply tragic and horrifying.

Regrettably, it is highly likely that Hamas will persist in their destructive actions. Despite potential changes in its name, it will still receive financial support from Iran. Just like the mythical Hydra, cutting off one head will only result in it growing two more. However, it is the people of Gaza who will never be able to recover from this devastation. Their hopes and dreams of having a homeland will be completely shattered.

If you wish to support the people of Gaza, it is important not to generalize them as part of a terrorist organization. Instead, consider assisting them in overcoming the oppression imposed by Hamas. Share the perspectives of peace-loving Palestinians, including activist Bassem Eid, and promote the views of secular politicians who advocate unity rather than using religion to create divisions and foster hatred.

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that any of us will witness Gaza's emergence as an autonomous state free from the influence of terrorists. Personally, I will never have the opportunity to visit the two buildings in Gaza that held great significance to my father. It is probable that they no longer exist. Moreover, I will likely never see his cherished olive trees, as they will eventually return to the earth, just as he has.

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Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook. The fate of Gaza could have been vastly different if not for the destructive forces of ignorance and religious extremism. Thankfully, my father passed away hopeful that one day his vision of liberating his homeland from the grip of Hamas, allowing the Gazan people to thrive and breathe freely, would come true. He was spared the heart-wrenching disappointment of witnessing today's harsh reality.

When my dad died, I mourned mostly for what could have been in my relationship with him. Now I am mourning for what could have been for his homeland.