An innocent Gazan civilian who hates Hamas - Really!

While searching social media for genuine peace‑oriented voices from Gaza, I found a Facebook page called “Across the Wall,” where Gazans write directly to Israelis. One post, written on 18 Oct 2023 by a man named Ismael, caught my attention because he openly declared hatred for Hamas—rare at the time. But as I read his long letter, it became clear that even Gazans who claim to oppose Hamas still direct their anger and blame toward Israel.

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While exploring responses to the war, I found a Hebrew‑language Facebook page called “Across the Wall,” created by Gazans who want to communicate with Israelis. One post from 18 Oct 2023 stood out. The writer, Ismael, about 30 years old, says he hates Hamas. That alone made me hopeful. But reading his letter revealed the limits of that hatred.

He begins with despair: “I’ve been torn between worlds for ten days… Let the sky fall once and for all, and that’s it. Let us die.” “I find myself doing death calculations.” He writes, “how many must die to cool the rage?” For, like many critics, he misreads this war as revenge. It is not. It is the preventative war we should have fought long ago, after Gaza became a hornet’s nest of terrorists.

He expresses sorrow for Israeli civilians killed, but noticeably omits torture, rape, and abductions. He claims Israel “always started” previous wars, ignoring years of unprovoked rockets, incendiary balloons, and attacks Israel often chose not to respond to.

He describes destruction in Gaza: “Entire neighborhoods were wiped out… hundreds of thousands are fleeing.” He calls Rimal “a small Tel Aviv of Gaza, full of liberals.” If there were hundreds of thousands of liberals, why did only 1000 protest Hamas in 2017, I wonder to myself?

He writes of fear for his parents, who refuse to leave their home. Many Gazans made the same choice, even though Israel established safe zones in the south and protected evacuation routes after Hamas fired on fleeing civilians. Israel created humanitarian corridors; Hamas exploited them.

He says, “I hate Hamas. I hate Israel. Hate anyone who instigates war and occupation instead of leading to a political solution.” Here the façade cracks. He accuses Israel of instigating war and occupying Gaza—two lies in one sentence. He lives under Hamas. He knows Hamas rejects any political solution. He was taught that Israel must be wiped out. So is he fooling himself, or trying to guilt Israelis into stopping the war?

He wonders how Israel didn’t know about the attack, succumbs to conspiracy theories, and insists Israel “cannot destroy Hamas” because doing so “strengthens the basic claim… that Israel’s goal is to kill every Palestinian.” He says this “convinces people… because you control us.”

He claims there is “no Hamas” in the West Bank, ignoring Hamas mayors, student leaders, and widespread support. He calls Gaza “a prison,” a claim debunked repeatedly.

He admits Hamas grows stronger after every war, yet still directs blame at Israel. If Gazans hate Hamas, why not take them to the ICC? Why not mobilize the many Gazans abroad with money and legal expertise?

Ten days after his letter, the page announced that the founder’s entire family—23 people—were killed in an Israeli strike. They had not evacuated south. It is tragic. But Gazans who did evacuate are alive.

The page’s Hebrew name means “Us, on the other side of the fence.” In English, it becomes “Across the Wall.” Their website, bordergone.com, no longer exists. Border gone? That aligns neatly with Hamas’ goals.

These writers call themselves innocent civilians. I am still looking for the Gazan whose innocence includes the courage to hold Hamas—not Israel—responsible.

You can read the full in‑depth Substack version of this article here.

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