Gazan writer speaks out: 'Many Gazans hope that Israel will end the war and eliminate Hamas quickly'

In a recent interview with The Jerusalem Post, a writer from Gaza, identified only as M., shared insights from the southern Gaza Strip. M. described the oppressive dictatorial rule Hamas has over hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans.

“The current situation in Rafah is relatively calm, but people are also anticipating the start of the battle in Rafah, with civilians fearing yet another displacement mechanism from the Israeli army,” M. said.

“The displaced suffer daily, mainly psychologically, due to the length of the war, but secondly, due to financial weakness, the lack of sources of income and the lack of purchasing power due to the exorbitant rise in prices.”

According to M., the high prices are not due to a lack of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

“The Rafah crossing is operating well, and aid enters in a very large amount, and there is never a shortage. However, the distribution of aid is in the hands of Hamas, which means it does not reach all the displaced people," he told the Post.

“There is certainly a general dissatisfaction on the part of the displaced people, and they are calling against Hamas and Sinwar in particular,” he added. Videos of demonstrations in Rafah for calls against Hamas leaders have circulated the internet for weeks. “We are all eagerly awaiting relief soon with our return to the northern Gaza Strip.”

When asked about how Oct. 7 could have taken place and a possible solution to the current crisis in the region, M. said: “The people of Gaza were surprised by Hamas’s move on October 7th, which was preceded by general economic and political paralysis due to the narrow political horizons in Gaza.”

“There is no immediate solution due to Hamas's intransigence in handing over the Israeli hostages, except under impossible conditions which they believe will help them to remain in power," M. explained. "There is no solution except by entering Rafah and pressing the fighting until there is great pressure on Hamas.

“Many Gazans hope that Israel will end the war and eliminate Hamas quickly. They reject the 'resistance' and will not accept Hamas again in power,” he added.

M. admitted that there were Gazan civilians who celebrated the attack on Oct. 7th. Those who held hostages in their homes were deceived by Hamas and quickly regretted their ignorance regarding the attack.

“I say to the Israelis that the joy of the people of Gaza was a temporary joy stemming from ignorance and that they regretted it soon after they suffered from the war. As for those who participated in the operation, whether Hamas members or civilians, they were deceived by Hamas, and their members did not even know about the nature of the mission until a limited time before. Some of them even declined participation for fear of death.”

However, recent polls have shown increased support among Palestinians for Hamas and the Oct. 7 atrocities they committed. M. emphasized that those polls are run by Hamas and do not represent the Palestinian people.

“Polls issued by pro-Hamas news sites do not represent the true voice of the Palestinian people, as most of those who vote support Hamas,” he explained.

"The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research is headed by Khalil Shikaki, brother of Islamic Jihad founder and leader, Fathi Shikaki. Such polls must be issued by an independent party to show the extent of the people’s opposition to the October 7 incident,” M. noted.

M. says the people of Gaza do not put pressure on Hamas for fear of harm and religious and national resistance.

“The people of Gaza cannot put pressure on Hamas because of the severe force of repression which Hamas applies against the people due to previous experiences during the popular movements, and this makes the issue very difficult,” explained M.

“The lack of opposition voices inside and outside Gaza is due to a large portion of people being influenced by the issue of resistance on a religious and national side without a cultural background, and also their inability to express their opinion for fear of harm.”

The media coverage within the Gaza Strip often highlights support for Hamas, which M. says is part of an Al Jazeera and Muslim Brotherhood agenda.

“The Arab media is not very interested in covering the Gaza war, and what they're actually interested in is agendas of Al Jazeera and elements of the Muslim Brotherhood in Turkey, Qatar and Jordan in particular.”

M. recognized that his life may now be in danger for speaking out against Hamas during the Jerusalem Post interview.

“I am exposed to a very great risk to my life due to open criticism on social media against Hamas, but Hamas’s governance is weaker now, so I move within this limited margin. Still, I am waiting for my time to travel to Egypt. I wouldn't mind even being a temporary prisoner in Israel to secure my life. I hold Hamas responsible for harming me and Israel for unintentionally targeting me, even though I know that they are taking humanitarian steps in the war.”

M. said his message that "the Palestinian people do not bear the great guilt in the October 7th operation, that Gaza lives under dictatorial rule by Hamas, and that Israel has a major role in saving Gaza from Hamas in the near future, and we hope that peace will prevail between the Palestinians and the Israelis and that the time of terrorism will end. The people of Gaza do not want to repeat the experience of October 7th and only want to live in permanent safety with Israel.”