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**The Pursuit of Justice and the Search for Hope**

By Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk

Head of International and Legal Relations, Hamas.

As I continue to witness the ongoing tragedy that affects my people, the drive to stand with them in their pursuit of hope, justice, and dignity has never been stronger. I lived in the United States for many years, and many of my children and grandchildren hold American citizenship. Some of them live in the United States, enjoying the freedoms and opportunities that life in America provides. However, they also see the stark contrast with the reality faced by other members of my family and countless others in Gaza, especially in Rafah, where they have lived as refugees after being displaced from the village of Yibna. Today, their homes, which took decades to build, have been reduced to ashes. What began as refugee tents in the early 1950s—where I was born in 1951—has returned to tattered tents once more. My relatives are again searching for shelter in makeshift camps that offer no protection from the scorching heat of summer or the biting cold of winter.

My grandchildren often ask about America’s role in this war. On one hand, the U.S. presents itself as a mediator, while on the other, it is deeply involved through its provision of weapons to Israel. This raises the question: Is this America’s war against the Palestinian people?

Many people are asking what led to the recent escalation around Gaza. The answer can only be fully understood by those who have heard the cries of the families of 5,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails or by those who have lived in Gaza under a 17-year blockade, which has turned the area into a hub of unemployment and despair. Those who witness the near-daily incursions by Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, or the plans to divide and alter its status, can also grasp the frustration. The West Bank, too, is steadily moving toward complete occupation and annexation, with generations living in refugee camps, deprived of freedom and hope for the future, while Israeli authorities control every aspect of their lives.

Under these circumstances, resistance became a necessity—a search for lost freedom, elusive justice, and an attempt to reclaim rights that the international community has failed to secure through negotiations, agreements, or resolutions.

The recent military operation on October 7th, led by 1,200 Qassam fighters, targeted Israel’s heavily fortified “Gaza Division,” renowned for its advanced military capabilities and strong defensive forces. To the surprise of many, this division, comprising 17,000 soldiers, collapsed within hours, despite being equipped with tanks, armored vehicles, and advanced intelligence systems. The fighters, armed mostly with light weapons, managed to breach these defenses.

What followed was an unprecedented scene: borders were breached, and people, along with other Palestinian factions, flowed into settlements and nearby towns. The ensuing chaos was unexpected, and controlling the situation became difficult.

There were numerous false accusations about “atrocities committed during this period,” including allegations of rape and the killing of children. Although some of these claims were later retracted, the Israeli government continued to perpetuate them to justify its military campaign against Gaza. This has led to widespread destruction, with schools, universities, hospitals, 70% of homes, and all public infrastructure being obliterated.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached critical levels, with the majority of the population displaced and lacking access to basic necessities such as clean water, food, and medical care, leaving children facing real hunger. Israeli airstrikes have rendered large parts of Gaza uninhabitable, forcing civilians to move from place to place in search of safety.

Despite the intense military campaign, we have shown flexibility in seeking an end to the conflict. From the first week, we called for a humanitarian deal that would allow the safe return of civilians, including the sick, children, and women. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained committed to war, even after we agreed to several proposals, including one presented by U.S. President Joe Biden, which aligned with United Nations resolutions. Unfortunately, the deal was rejected by Israel, which continues to receive unlimited military and political support from the United States.

After a year of fighting, Netanyahu has failed to achieve his objectives. He has not been able to end Hamas’s resistance, nor has he succeeded in displacing the Palestinian people from Gaza. He has not even managed to secure the release of Israeli prisoners. The Palestinian people’s pursuit of freedom and dignity remains non-negotiable. We will continue to resist the occupation until we achieve our right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

It is deeply regrettable that, for decades, U.S. promises to the Palestinians have gone unfulfilled, while its promises to Israel have always been honored. Both American political parties compete to outdo each other in their support for Israel, particularly during election seasons.

What we ask of the United States is more humanity, more democracy, and less self-interest. The future of Palestine and its people cannot be ignored, especially as we now constitute the majority on our land, are more resilient than ever, and remain hopeful for a brighter future.

Israel’s current adventures in Lebanon will fail, as have its previous ones, and Netanyahu will continue to move from one failure to another. The United States must take serious steps to protect the future and lives of everyone in this region.

Our people in this region, especially the Palestinian people, deserve life and hope. Hamas, as it always has been, remains committed to resistance within a national framework and is ready to work with the international community to build a future where Palestinians can live in dignity and freedom. With the cold of winter fast approaching almost all of Gaza sleeps hungry and sick finding “shelter” in tents long startled by Israeli bombs and US dollars. This must change for peace to be had.

We need substantial global support to rebuild, provide humanitarian aid, and restore hope to a people who have suffered for far too long from injustice and despair.

 

 

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