Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza has revealed new details about media control and censorship in Gaza, shedding light on the challenges faced by reporters under Hamas rule during the conflict with Israel. In a recent interview, Azaiza acknowledged that he withheld videos showing Israeli hostages being beaten by Palestinian mobs on October 7, 2023, during a Hamas-led parade through the streets of Gaza. He said he chose not to publish the footage to avoid endangering those captured in the videos, fearing that Israel might use it to identify and target individuals involved.

Azaiza, who gained international recognition for his coverage of the Gaza conflict and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2024, also described how Hamas tightly controls all media activity in Gaza through a centralized WhatsApp group called “Smart.” The group, he said, coordinates reporting and suppresses content critical of Hamas. According to Azaiza, journalists face persecution if they publish material unfavorable to the group; he recalled being targeted by pro-Hamas media outlets after sharing a video of a Gaza resident criticizing the organization. He eventually fled Gaza and now resides in Qatar.

Survivors of the October 7 attacks, including Itay Regev, have spoken publicly about being paraded through Gaza as “human trophies” by Hamas, while reports of the desecration of hostages’ bodies, such as that of Shani Louk, have provoked further outrage. Azaiza criticized Hamas for igniting the conflict that has devastated Gaza, leading to widespread destruction and an estimated 73,000 deaths. He also condemned the group’s harsh treatment of journalists who attempt to report on the suffering and realities within the enclave.

At the same time, some commentators view Azaiza’s revelations as confirmation of longstanding concerns regarding media bias in coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. They argue that bias and censorship have distorted global perceptions, with Hamas exerting significant influence over narratives presented to the world. Critics contend that many international media outlets have previously overlooked or downplayed this control, sometimes portraying Hamas in a more favorable light.

Azaiza’s candid disclosures underscore the complex environment in Gaza, where journalists navigate pressures from Hamas alongside the ongoing impacts of war. He described Gaza as "the most toxic place in the world," expressing mixed feelings about his homeland while lamenting the cost of political and military decisions on ordinary residents. His account provides insight into the interplay between armed conflict, media censorship, and the struggle to report the truth amid repression and violence.