The Gaza Dissident Hamas Couldn’t Catch

Muaman Al-Natur, a Gaza-based lawyer and one of the founders of the “Badna Na’ish” movement, which has been working for several years to create opposition to Hamas’ heavy-handed rule, announced that he successfully escaped from central Gaza to the territory controlled by Yasser Abu Shabab, under the watchful eyes of Hamas, after the ceasefire was declared.

According to Al-Natur, Hamas has been pursuing him due to his views, social media posts, and interviews given to the press. He said Hamas gunmen came to his family’s home in the Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City and demanded that he report for questioning at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City (a facility used by Hamas for security purposes). He refused and went into hiding.

The pressure on his family continued until, a few weeks ago, European countries assisted in extracting his family from Gaza. Al-Natur said he refused to leave Gaza with his family, wanting to remain in his “homeland,” so he contacted Yasser Abu Shabab and successfully evaded Hamas forces searching for him while being transported south from the Deir al-Balah area in central Gaza.

He arrived safely at Abu Shabab’s territory in eastern Rafah, from where he continues to wage his campaign against Hamas.

Al-Natur’s story, which is generating attention among Gazans on social media, is particularly notable because it provides a live example of the political persecution Hamas carries out against unarmed opponents.

What’s also significant is that even during the ceasefire, Yasser Abu Shabab continues to extract individuals from areas under Hamas control in Gaza.

Abu Shabab’s territory has become a refuge for Hamas opponents, increasing his value in the eyes of Israel. It is there that a real local alternative to Hamas could potentially take shape.