The New York Times has published an opinion piece by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a native Gazan, that offers a strong critique of the militant group Hamas. Alkhatib, who grew up in Gaza, argues that Hamas's actions have severely damaged the prospects for a Palestinian state and details the group's alleged brutality.
Alkhatib describes Hamas as behaving like "gangsters, brutalizing Palestinian women," and engaging in the "torturing and killing" of suspected opponents. He states that the group's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel resulted in "over two years of Israeli bombardment that killed tens of thousands of Gazans, including much of my family."
The piece calls for Hamas to have "no role in Gaza's future" and criticizes those in the West who continue to view Hamas members as "honorable resistance fighters." Alkhatib points to instances where political figures and public figures have appeared to normalize Hamas, citing a rally where "resistance" and "Intifada" were cheered and mentioning individuals who have campaigned for Democratic candidates.
He asserts that the failure to adequately denounce Hamas "only helps perpetuate" Gaza's "degradation." Alkhatib also notes that a recent poll indicated a significant portion of Americans between 18 and 34 years old expressed support for Hamas over Israel. He questions whether Western supporters of Palestinians will abandon "sloganeering about 'resistance'" and urges outlets to focus criticism on Hamas rather than Israel.
Alkhatib expresses a belief that "a Palestinian miracle on the Mediterranean is within reach" but questions whether such support will translate into a genuine rejection of Hamas. The article highlights a perceived disparity in coverage, suggesting that some media outlets, including The New York Times, dedicate more attention to criticizing Israel than Hamas.