Gazans may finally recognize Hamas’ indifference to them – opinion

While global agencies such as the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague and others complain about the famine they say is rife in Gaza, Samar Muhammad Abu Zamar, the widow of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was seen carrying a $32,000 Hermes bag, just the right accessory needed for the right outfit of tunnel.

The footage, which captured the photo, was released recently after cameras were seized from the location to show the world the kind of existence Sinwar and his family were living even before the October 7 massacre. A flat screen TV was also seen being brought into the tunnel, along with many other essential convenience items that few others enjoyed in Hamas-run Gaza.

It would seem that the life of an aspirant ‘shahid’ (martyr) is so hard that some creature comforts are needed to alleviate the harsh living conditions like an underground hedgehog who comes out for fresh air only when absolutely necessary. But isn’t that the informed choice a hardened terrorist makes when he decides to sign up to commit genocide? Shouldn’t they turn their backs on higher education, an enviable career, the joys of family, friends, and all that accompanies a life well lived?

Apparently not, because if you look at the affluent leadership of Hamas, which happily managed to escape Gaza’s bitterness for Qatar, it won’t be too hard to find evidence of over-the-top excess, indulgence beyond anyone’s wildest dreams and a shameless lifestyle. luxurious, even to the point of being openly photographed on a bed fit for royalty in one of the few “7 star” hotels in the world, as was Khaled Mashaalanother Hamas leader, said to be worth around $11 billion.

And while this demonstrably distorted picture of warped equality is easy for all to see, none of the social justice warriors seem too interested in what constitutes blatant hypocrisy among leaders who claim to have dedicated their lives to upholding rights. of their disenfranchised people. Why is that?

People walk by the ruins of the al-Omari mosque as Palestinians perform Friday prayers amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza City October 18, 2024. (Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)

A cause may be good only when its discrepancies are kept safely under wraps. In other words, calling out the greed, indulgences and greedy lusts of the oppressed leadership would somehow hurt the brave image of those “freedom fighters” who we thought were willing to give up their lives for the sake of a very worthy fight. .

But who’s kidding who here? Does anyone see these visual moments of hedonism, where sensual pleasure is pursued to the highest degree, really ready to defend their shameful actions, choices and lifestyles? If so, then those defenders are just as hollow and empty as these fake justice warriors who told us they would do everything possible to free their people from the strong hand of the oppressor – Israel.

But as the truth continues to emerge, accompanied by chilling photographs that depict the real story, Gazans may be waking up from a long slumber that convinced them their liberation was just around the corner.

Because when the “Arab IDF spokesman shared a recording on his X account… of a conversation between two Gaza residents” discussing the disappearance of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, their “joy” was resoundingly heard, to the point where one Gazan said, “I cheered when they came and told me,” as The Jerusalem Post reported on October 20.

Surely this sentiment is not the expression of a few lone rangers who, on their own, realized that Hamas was a good-for-nothing group that exploited a people who thought they were well represented by caring and sympathetic leaders. in which they falsely believed.

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A year of travel

Perhaps a year of being displaced, never knowing if they would live to see another day, made them understand how they ended up in this deplorable situation and on whose shoulders the responsibility must be placed. It is also possible that, since some of them ended up receiving the humanitarian aid intended for their use, they had to leave in despair, after Hamas The operators pushed them aside, quickly taking all the food and goods, leaving nothing for them.

However, there was ample evidence available for all Gazans to see the truth and conclude that they are just the props and useful tools that allow the leaders to get rich and live like kings.

And that is why the people of Gaza are finally responding as they should. After hearing of Sinwar’s death, a woman said, “May he go to hell! He is the one who destroyed everything. God have no mercy on him, not on him and not on (the other recently assassinated Hamas leader, Ismael) Haniyeh. I hope they never see God’s mercy.” This is also why sweets were distributed – something usually reserved for news that a horrible tragedy has befallen Israelis.

So, while some workers in Gaza are known to have betrayed their Israeli benefactors by revealing details of kibbutz families, housing and providing a blueprint of the communities that provided them with a good living, we dare to trust them, once again, to now have their eyes open, believing that they can be restored and rehabilitated to become good neighbors who respect the Israelis and are committed to living peacefully with them?

It’s tempting to feel bad for a people who, at this point, no doubt have a fair amount of buyer’s remorse when it comes to the very poor decision they made to allow Hamas to lead In fact, they should have seen the writing on the wall a long time ago when things never improved for them despite the many promises made to them.

Israelis traditionally have an enormous capacity for empathy and compassion, and the moment they think someone is truly sorry and regrets their actions, the tendency is to forgive them and turn the page. But while this is often commendable, it must, in this case, be done with great caution, for after all that has happened, it may be a long time before the Israelis are willing to forgive. But one thing is certain: they will never forget.

The writer is a former primary and secondary school principal in Jerusalem. She is also the author of Mistake-Proof Parenting, available on Amazon, based on the time-tested wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs.