I am eager for the war in Gaza to end and for the hostages to be released. Yet, I am concerned that the ceasefire deal agreed upon this week by Israel and Hamas is inevitably going to allow Hamas to retain its grip on Gaza. This guarantees the persistence of the policies that have inflicted suffering on its residents and bred instability in the region.
As Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad remarked early in the war, there was always an intention to repeat the horrors of October 7, and damage to Hamas' arsenal would not stop them. Hamas has always intended to use international donations sent to rebuild the Strip for rebuilding their arsenal, the same way they did following the military operation between Hamas and Israel in 2014. Just yesterday, Secretary Blinken's yesterday confirmed that Hamas has replenished its ranks to almost the same level they had been at prior to October 7.
Yet even as Hamas has successfully recruited new, untrained, young fighters, the majority of Gazans in the Strip are completely disillusioned regarding Hamas's leadership.
The current mood in Gaza reflects the growing recognition among Gazans that the group has failed to protect their interests or improve their lives. The war has revealed a crucial reality: Hamas's rule has been catastrophic for the people of Gaza. By prioritizing Jihadist ideology over development, the enclave has been left in a state of poverty, isolation, and constant humanitarian crisis. The clear rebuke of Hamas's leadership is likely why the terrorist group has sought a symbolic "victory," such as demanding the body of terrorist Yahya Sinwar or demanding the release of Hamas prisoners convicted of serious crimes and serving sentences of over 15 years, and it seems that dozens of them will be released soon.
The war that has unfolded since October 7 has resulted in profound losses on both sides. For Israel, the tragic toll of over 1,200 lives lost in a single day—the majority of whom were civilians—represents an unparalleled national trauma. On the other hand, Palestinian's losses are not confined to the thousands of Palestinian lives lost, wounded, or the massive destruction across Gaza. For Gazans, the trauma will be generational. Thousands of Palestinian prisoners are unjustly held in Israeli administrative detention and rightfully deserve their freedom; at the same time, there are legitimate concerns, expressed by both Israelis and Palestinians, myself included, regarding the decision to release of Hamas prisoners. After all, Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind this war, was previously a Palestinian prisoner with a background steeped in terrorism and released during the Gilad Shalit exchange in 2011.
One crucial element that has allowed Hamas to sustain itself throughout this war and escape international oversight is the support it receives from the "pro-Palestine" movement in the West. Regrettably, there has been a tendency to confuse the support for civilians in Gaza with an endorsement of Hamas and its ideology. This misrepresentation not only distorts the genuine needs of the people in Gaza, but also inadvertently undermines their struggle and empowers their oppressors.
If the global pro-Palestine movement really cares about the Palestinians in Gaza, it must take responsibility for clearly distancing itself from the jihadi ideology promoted by Hamas and similar organizations. Supporting the Palestinian cause should not mean endorsing extremist violence or ideologies that perpetuate suffering and conflict. The movement should embody the principles of human rights, justice, and peace, prioritizing the aspirations of Palestinians for dignity and statehood through constructive and non-destructive means.
Recent findings from the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCRPS) indicate a noteworthy drop in Hamas' popularity within the Gaza population, currently at a mere 35 percent. Other recent polls like that by Zogby Research services show an only 7 percent approval for Hamas. This decline is highlighted by a growing chorus of Palestinian voices openly opposing Hamas, many of whom confront significant risks in doing so.
Hamas has recently resorted to issuing threats of "accountability" towards dissenters, echoing their previous ruthless tactics. Historically, residents of Gaza have endured brutal consequences, such as gunshot wounds to the knees and dire hospitalizations in intensive care. This is what happened to Ameen Abed. Others, like Ziad Abu Hayya, were killed.
The war may have paused, but it has not truly concluded. To reach a conclusive solution and a real political transformation, it is essential to create a framework that not only protects the voices of dissenters but also enhances their impact. This goal can be achieved by establishing an independent media outlet and digital platforms that confront Hamas's narrative control, enabling citizens to voice their opinions freely and powerfully.
Hamza Howidy is a Palestinian from Gaza City. He is an accountant and a peace advocate.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
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