A Reminder of Gazan ‘Culture’

I rewatched this video for some perspective regarding the current stage of the war: I advise anyone with an interest in the conflict to do so as well. 

I have had conversations with people in the last few days who are nervous about the direction and current stage of the war in Gaza, against the barbaric force of Hamas. 

Through persistence and the beginning of ‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots’, the IDF have the area under significant pressure. The plan to ‘capture and hold’ areas of the Strip provides a fantastic opportunity to well and truly remove the terrorists’ ability to do further harm. Through applying strong military force, life in Gaza has become extremely difficult. The guilt for any harm that comes to civilians is borne by Hamas, who refuse to surrender or release hostages.

Nonetheless, as has been a pattern throughout the war, Western nations seek to hinder Israel when they are succeeding. Thus, we see increasing hand-wringing from European foreign ministers, the ever-present UN bodies, and even Trump’s US administration has expressed concerns. International pressure against Israel feels to be at a fever-pitch.

But let us not forget these scenes of only 4 months ago. The video is from January 19th, showing extensive footage of the hostage release of Emily Damari (28), Romi Gonen (24) and Doron Steinbrecher (31). Although it is published by a Pro-Hamas channel, it is deeply revealing. 

During the 5 minutes, you can see the cars surrounded by the baying, bloodthirsty crowds. The streets are absolutely packed with Gazan residents, euphoric and high on their temporary feeling of victory over the ‘Yehudis’. There is a sea of males of all ages who have come to scream and intimidate the 3 young women and the Red Cross Workers. The image of the transfer of the women, with the backdrop of this crowd, will be one of the abiding images of this war. 

The Hamas terrorists (who magically find their uniforms whenever there’s a ceasefire) stand brandishing their rifles, acting the sheriffs of the town. Afterwards, they drive around sitting on the lowered windows of their cars, lapping up the ‘victorious’ cheers of the crowd, just as they did when they were parading bodies of dead civilians on October 7th. Lastly, the children of Gaza queue to shake the hands of and take pictures with these Islamist tyrants. 

For me, there hasn’t been a more revealing video of the psyche and mindset of Gazans since October 7th. Never forget that this is what Israel is fighting against. As the great Douglas Murray says, there isn’t a better example of a society that celebrates a culture of death. 

 As soon as the ceasefire ended of course, the population and Hamas resumed their narrative of victimhood, that the useful idiots of the Western World lap up. I write this as a reminder: the moment Israel takes its foot off their necks, we will see scenes like this again. Whether it be with 7/10 hostages or through another invasion that they vow to repeat – their aims have not changed.

Nothing but total victory; the killing or capturing of every one of those terrorists; will ensure we don’t see these scenes again. Not appeasement, not ceasefires, not the failed ‘2-state solution’: victory.