Full Breakdown
Gaza Photographer Motaz Azaiza: From Unreleased Footage to Open Critique of Hamas
By Drooid · · How we work
Event Overview
On the scheduled date of October 7, 2023, Motaz Azaiza—photographer and journalist from Gaza—said he filmed Israeli captives being beaten by a Gazan mob after the Al-Qassam Brigades’ vehicle arrived. He chose not to release the video, fearing Israeli forces would use it to identify and target the Palestinians captured on film. Azaiza described his decision as a refusal to become complicit in potential deaths for the sake of online attention.
Azaiza’s Critique of Hamas Leadership
Azaiza, who identifies as a supporter of armed Palestinian resistance, has publicly condemned Hamas for what he calls a “Middle Ages” approach. He argues that since October 7, no Gazan civilian has been protected by Hamas’s weapons and that the group’s refusal to negotiate a cease-fire—despite the possibility of an agreement as early as the scheduled date of October 11, 2023—has needlessly prolonged mass casualties. He also accused Hamas of orchestrating a suppression network, citing a WhatsApp group called “Smart” run by a Hamas media official at the Rafah crossing that disseminates personal data to mobilize online attacks against dissenting journalists.
Personal Impact and Exile
Facing organized harassment, Azaiza reported that his phone number was posted publicly, prompting coordinated online abuse. He described living “inside a pressure cooker” where any criticism of Hamas attracted severe retaliation, forcing photographers to lower their cameras at the first sign of dissent. After four months in Gaza, Azaiza fled the Strip and now resides in Qatar, describing his psychological state as “empty” and expressing a desire for relief from the trauma he endures.
Public Appearances and Recognition
Despite his exile, Azaiza’s profile has risen internationally. He attended the 2024 TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2024, where he was recognized as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. His recent interview on the podcast *Taqarrab* provided a rare platform for his criticisms of Hamas and insights into daily life under the group’s control.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I saw the vehicle of the Al-Qassam Brigades, and there were Israeli captives there,” — Motaz Azaiza, photographer and journalist