Hamas Hostage Handover Exposes Widespread Violence and Destruction Throughout Gaza

The disturbing near-riots in Gaza during Thursday’s release of Israeli hostages highlight the pervasive influence of terror within the region.

Leading up to the handover, members of Hamas (along with affiliates from three other terror organizations, including Islamic Jihad) displayed those to be released through the streets, surrounded by vast, hostile crowds that were shouting and agitated.

In stark contrast, such a display was nonexistent in Israel—because Israel is not a terror-sponsoring proxy for a would-be regional superpower fixated on genocidal antisemitism and total warfare.

This display of animosity and veiled aggression—targeted at two Israeli women and an 80-year-old man, all evidently suffering after 15 months in captivity—raises an urgent question: Do average Palestinians truly want this cease-fire?

It’s irrelevant that Hamas initiated this war, only to exacerbate the suffering of the very Palestinians they claim to represent.

Nor does it matter that the group’s corrupt leadership enjoys opulence and security while the broader Palestinian community bears the burden of their actions.

The imagery suggests that the struggle for Israel’s survival is far from over, even as its military and intelligence forces have dealt significant hardships to Hamas and its affiliates, despite a temporary halt to Iran’s growing influence.

Reports suggest that Hamas has reassembled its full contingent of fighters. Furthermore, the propaganda machinery masquerading as “education” funded by UNRWA continues to fuel animosity among Palestinians.

Decades of indoctrination have left a significant portion of the Palestinian population enthusiastic about violence: No wonder Egypt and Jordan have vehemently rejected the prospect of accepting Gazan refugees.

Anyone looking to broker an unstable cease-fire between Hamas and Israel must confront this intense, toxic anger.