The Unlikely Alliance: How Hamas Has Become the Real Enemy of Gaza and a Pawn for Iran...

In the midst of the ongoing crisis in Gaza, a shift is occurring in the discourse surrounding Hamas and its role in the Palestinian cause. Increasingly, prominent Arab media figures and journalists are expressing disillusionment with the group, accusing it of betraying Gaza and serving the interests of Iran. This unexpected wave of criticism underscores a growing realization that Hamas, once seen as a champion of Palestinian resistance, has morphed into a force that exacerbates the suffering of its people while advancing Iran's regional agenda.

The Tragedy of Gaza: Hamas as the True Enemy

The situation in Gaza, now in its third decade under Hamas rule, has reached a catastrophic point. With more than 40,000 Palestinian lives lost and countless others displaced, Gaza is facing what many describe as a "second Nakba," the Palestinian term for the 1948 exodus. Yet, as Israel and Hamas continue their violent standoff, an increasing number of Arab journalists are turning their criticism towards the leadership of Hamas, accusing the group of using the Palestinian people as pawns in a geopolitical game, rather than fighting for their liberation.

One of the most vocal critics has been Dalia Ziada, an Egyptian writer and activist living in the U.S., who shared graphic images of six Israeli hostages who were reportedly murdered by Hamas operatives. Ziada expressed her outrage, asking: "Want a hostage deal? This is how Hamas understands what a hostage deal means." Her condemnation echoed across Arab media, with others questioning the group's methods of resistance, which many view as inhumane and counterproductive.

Lebanese journalist Hussein Abd Al-Hussein also condemned the brutality of Hamas' tactics, particularly its treatment of hostages. He asked, “This is 'resistance'? This is 'free Palestine'? To kidnap people from their homes, torture them, and execute them at point-blank range? Shame! Everyone who’s still defending Hamas, including demanding a ceasefire, this is on you.” These powerful words reflect a growing sentiment that Hamas’ actions are not only harmful to Israelis but also to the Palestinian cause itself.

Hamas: A Terror Organization, Not a Resistance Movement

A significant portion of the criticism centers on the notion that Hamas is no longer a legitimate resistance movement but rather a terrorist organization with its own agenda. Nadim Koteich, a Lebanese journalist, encapsulated this perspective, particularly following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who had been a symbol of the group’s leadership. Koteich wrote, "Sinwar was finally forced to exit the 'Sin-War' he proudly dragged Gaza into, leaving Palestinians with nothing but rubble, tears, and more suffering."

This sentiment was shared by other prominent Arab figures, such as Yemeni journalist Hussein Al-Waday, who blamed Sinwar for not only destroying Gaza but also for further aligning the Palestinian cause with Iranian interests. “Sinwar’s achievements include the destruction of Gaza, subordinating the Palestinian cause to Iran’s interests, and paving the way for Israel’s actions that could eliminate the Palestinian cause once and for all,” Al-Waday lamented.

Dalia Ziada also criticized the Hamas leadership, particularly after Sinwar’s death. She pointed out the group's brutality against Gaza’s people and its failure to protect civilians from harm, claiming that Hamas' militants regularly stole food and resources from the population, worsening their suffering.

Hamas Leaders: Living in Luxury, Ignoring Gaza’s Suffering

One of the most damning aspects of the criticism leveled against Hamas has been the stark contrast between the group’s leadership and the suffering of the Gazan people. Numerous journalists have pointed out that while Gaza's residents live in squalor, Hamas leaders enjoy luxurious lifestyles in safe havens outside the Strip. Khaled Mash'al, one of the most prominent Hamas figures, has been especially targeted for his lavish lifestyle, which is starkly at odds with the dire conditions in Gaza.

Jihad Al-Obaid, a Saudi writer, shared images of Mash'al dining in a luxury hotel while calling on Arab nations to provide financial support for Gaza. Al-Obaid was incredulous, asking: "Is it not absurd that the one who talks about Gaza’s suffering lives a life of luxury that is so far removed from the reality that the people [of Gaza] are paying the price for every day?"

In a similar vein, Abd Al-Aziz Al-Khames, a former editor for several prominent Arab publications, questioned Mash'al’s authenticity as a leader of the Palestinian cause. He accused him of turning a blind eye to the realities of Gaza’s plight while living in opulence. "Has Mash'al seen for himself the devastation everywhere or the families left without shelter?" Al-Khames asked, pointing out the hypocrisy of Hamas leaders who continue to demand sacrifices from others while not sharing in those sacrifices themselves.

Hamas as a Pawn in Iran’s Geopolitical Game

Beyond the moral and humanitarian criticisms of Hamas, many Arab journalists are now focusing on the group's role as a pawn in Iran’s larger geopolitical strategy. Hamas’ alignment with Iran, which has long supported the group financially and militarily, has been a source of contention among Arab media figures, who see it as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. Hamas has allowed itself to be instrumentalized by Iran to further Tehran’s regional ambitions, often at the cost of Palestinian lives and interests.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Quaiz, a Saudi writer, observed that Hamas' alliance with Iran, which has supported the group through financial aid and weapons, has diverted the Palestinian struggle into a broader conflict with Israel, one that serves Iranian interests rather than those of the Palestinian people. "The Gazans are the ones who elected Hamas in 2006 with a majority of 44%, yet this movement conspired with the enemies of Islam: Iran and its axis. Today they are reaping the fruits of this decision in bloodshed and destruction," Al-Quaiz wrote.

Similarly, Saleh Al-Fahid, a Saudi journalist, condemned Hamas for its loyalty to Iran, which has led to the Palestinian cause being sidelined in favor of Tehran’s agenda. He highlighted the cost of this alliance, not only in terms of the lives lost in Gaza but also in the way it has weakened the broader Arab position on Palestine. "You left these countries after you staged a coup against the Palestinian Authority," Al-Fahid said, pointing out how Hamas' actions have divided the Palestinian leadership and ultimately undermined the unity necessary to achieve a peaceful resolution.

Calls for Arab States to Act Against Hamas

As the criticism of Hamas grows, there have been increasing calls from within the Arab world for Arab states to distance themselves from the group and take action to end its control over Gaza. Ayman Khaled, a Palestinian journalist, voiced his frustration with the group’s refusal to release Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement. He argued that it is time for an official Arab voice to condemn Hamas and declare it a criminal organization.

Saleh Al-Fahid echoed these sentiments, stating that abandoning Hamas does not mean abandoning the Palestinian cause. "The Palestinian address is clear, and it is the legitimate Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, which is recognized by both the Arabs and the international community," he wrote, adding that Hamas is just a faction that carried out a coup and has maintained exclusive control over Gaza, exacerbating the suffering of its people.

Ahmed Al-Jarallah, a senior Kuwaiti journalist, went further, urging the Arab League to take decisive action against Hamas. He called for the organization and its supporters to be expelled from the Arab fold, asserting that Hamas’ actions have not only harmed the Palestinian cause but have also led to the destruction of Gaza and the region’s instability.

A Tragic Reality

The situation in Gaza is heartbreaking, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed, wounded, and displaced. Yet as the devastation mounts, there is a growing recognition that Hamas is not only failing the Palestinian people but actively contributing to their suffering. The group's leadership, living in luxury while Gaza burns, and its subordination to Iran’s interests, is an undeniable betrayal of the cause it claims to represent.

The tragedy of Gaza, however, is compounded by the broader geopolitical ramifications of Hamas' actions, particularly its role as a proxy for Iran. It has become increasingly clear that the path to peace and stability for the Palestinian people requires the cessation of Hamas' destructive rule and the establishment of a more legitimate and representative leadership that prioritizes the well-being of Gaza's residents above all else. The time has come for the Arab world to confront the reality of Hamas' role in this ongoing catastrophe and to take decisive action to bring an end to the suffering.