Yitzhak ben Moshe, Editor/Reporter, New Mexico 

Israel left Gaza in 2005. At first, the Palestinian Authority governed. Hamas was “elected” as the government in Gaza after the Palestinian Authority lost power. 

On 7 October 2023, Hamas broke the long-standing ceasefire and invaded Israel. Weeks later, Israel began to retaliate and search for hostages. During this war, the world condemned Israel for the loss of civilian life in Israel. 

The Israeli Defense Force routinely informs the people of Gaza of attacks before they happen. Hamas knows this. Does Hamas allow civilians into the 500+ kilometers of tunnels for safety? No.

We invite you to watch this interview with Mousa Abu Marzouk.

Mousa Abu Marzouk, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau said in an October 27, 2023, interview that aired on Russia Today TV that the tunnels in Gaza were built to protect Hams fighters from airstrikes, not civilians. He added that Hamas fights Israel from within the tunnels. Abu Marzouq added that since 75% of the residents in the Gaza Strip are refugees, it is the responsibility of the United Nations to protect them. He added that according to the Geneva Conventions, it is the responsibility of the “occupation” to provide civilians in Gaza “will all the services,” as long as they are under occupation. 

Interviewer: “Many people are asking: Since you have built 500 kilometers of tunnels, why haven’t you built bomb shelters, where civilians can hide during bombardment?”

Mousa Abu Marzouk: “We have built the tunnels because we have no other way of protecting ourselves from being targeted and killed. These tunnels are meant to protect us from the airplanes. We are fighting from inside the tunnels. Everybody knows that 75% of the people in the Gaza Strip are refugees, and it is the responsibility of the United Nations to protect them. According to the Geneva Convention, it is the responsibility of the occupation to provide them with all the services as long as they are under occupation.”

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