The story of Odai Al-Rubai should not be forgotten. This young Palestinian, just 22, stood up in Gaza’s protests last week, voicing his opposition to 18 years of Hamas’s oppressive rule. Protesters echoed his sentiments, shouting for Hamas to leave and denouncing them as terrorists. Al-Rubai’s tragic fate, as recounted by his family, involved being kidnapped, tortured, and brutally murdered by Hamas’s Qassam Brigades. His lifeless body was later discarded in front of his family’s home.
On campuses like Columbia and UCLA, did those rallying under the “Free Palestine” banner spare a moment for Al-Rubai? And did they pause to reflect on the ordeal of Hussam al-Majdalawi, another dissenter reportedly abducted and punished by Hamas to set an example?
These demonstrations aren’t unprecedented; back in 2019, significant protests against Hamas’s rule took place, only to be met with violent crackdowns and little attention from the Western media. Many of us have consistently highlighted the struggles faced by Palestinians under their governance — from journalists fighting for free expression to the heartbreaking stories of LGBT Palestinians seeking acceptance — yet these cries often seem to fall on deaf ears.
Too often, it appears that the only Palestinian suffering that garners attention is that which can be attributed to Israel.
What’s different now is that Hamas might struggle to wield its usual force of oppression. It’s currently preoccupied with evading Israeli strikes, a situation that has emboldened Gazans to demand change. These Israeli offensives provide both impetus and opportunity for change: impetus because many Palestinians see no end to the conflict while Hamas stays entrenched, and opportunity because these attacks weaken Hamas’s grip, giving protesters hope of overthrowing their harsh rulers.
Under Hamas, oppression has thrived. Take Yahya Sinwar, known for orchestrating the October 7 massacres and leading Hamas in Gaza until his death last year. His ascent was paved with the blood of fellow Palestinians he deemed disloyal. In power, he maintained a brutal network of surveillance and torture. Sinwar dismissed civilian casualties in Gaza as “necessary sacrifices.” Meanwhile, evidence suggests that Hamas leaders hoard aid resources, leaving ordinary Palestinians in the lurch.
This approach offers no viable path to a liberated Gaza or even a free Palestine, drawing unsettling parallels to historical regimes known for promises of liberation overshadowed by atrocity. True freedom for Palestinians, in both Gaza and the West Bank, hinges on dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities — an effort only Israel is currently pursuing. This involves controlling critical border areas to prevent Hamas from rearming, and considering an Arab-led security intervention to stifle Hamas’s resurgence without necessitating a prolonged Israeli presence.
But for lasting change, Palestinians must extricate themselves from Hamas’s ideological chokehold. The protesters in Gaza understand this vital truth: removing Hamas must also mean rejecting its role in prolonging war and suffering.
Ultimately, more important than toppling Hamas is shedding the mindset of unwavering resistance that fuels such movements. If Palestinians aim for a state not alongside, but instead of Israel, the conflict will persist. Moving forward requires abandoning not just armed struggle, but also political maneuvers like the misleading “right of return,” intended to undermine Israel’s demographic structure.
For Israelis, last week’s protests could symbolize hope and present a challenge. They hint at a future where Palestinians will refuse authoritarian rulers, demanding autonomy. Should this become reality, the call for a Palestinian state becomes undeniable.
The sooner Hamas’s stronghold is broken, the sooner peace might be attainable.
