As I scrolled through my Facebook feed, searching for signs of life from my friends in Gaza, I couldn’t help but worry. One particular friend, Mohammed, had been silent for over 24 hours. When I couldn’t find his profile, panic set in. I called him immediately, relieved to hear he was alive but had to deactivate his account due to death threats from Hamas.
Mohammed, a talented poet and critic of Hamas, had become more vocal in his opposition to their policies amidst the chaos of the conflict. He made it clear that Hamas did not represent him or his family, and he held them accountable for any harm caused to innocent civilians in Gaza.
Living as a descendant of refugees in Gaza, Mohammed had longed for peaceful engagement with Israelis, but after years of suffering, he now saw total disarmament of Hamas as the only solution to the ongoing catastrophe. Dissent in Gaza had been growing since 2007, but the recent events had pushed many to their breaking point.
Hamas had a history of suppressing criticism, but Mohammed and others like him were independent voices, not aligned with any political faction. Now, with their lives in danger, leaving Gaza seemed like the only option for these dissenters.
‘Every word is being monitored’
While the situation in Gaza was dire, Palestinians in Israel were also facing challenges in expressing their views. Dalal Abu Amneh, a popular singer and influencer, was detained for posting a Quranic verse on Instagram. Activists advocating peace were also arrested for spreading messages of unity.
In Israel, extreme voices were calling for the destruction of Gaza, likening it to bombing cities in World War II. Palestinian citizens of Israel, like my friend Noha, felt the pressure to stay silent. The fear of repercussions and surveillance led to a stifling of free speech.
As the conflict escalated, Mohammed reflected on the desperation of the people in Gaza. Some believed in wild fantasies of conquering Israel, while others sought refuge in extreme political ideologies. The situation was spiraling out of control, with delusions taking hold of the narrative.
With rational voices being silenced, the fear was that these delusional beliefs could influence those in power, leading to a catastrophic outcome. The need for reason and dialogue became more urgent than ever to prevent further devastation in the region.