Gaza in Crisis: One Year After Hamas Attack on Israel, Gazans Question the Price Paid

Samira, a 52-year-old Arabic teacher and mother of two, once lived a comfortable life in Gaza before the fateful events of October 7, 2023, changed everything. That day, Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, plunging Gaza into a state of war, destruction, and unimaginable suffering. As the Israeli offensive flattened much of the enclave and killed tens of thousands, Samira—like many Gazans—now reflects on what has been lost and wonders whether the price paid was too high. 

“We had jobs, homes, and a city,” Samira recalls. “Despite all hardships, our life was going well. But after  the attack, everything was destroyed.” She describes Israel as a source of Gaza’s troubles but also places significant blame on Yahya Sinwar,  the Hamas leader responsible for orchestrating the raid. “What was he thinking? Didn’t he know Israel would retaliate like this?” 

This sentiment is becoming more common in Gaza, where the Iranian-backed militant group Hamas has ruled since 2007. Reuters spoke to several residents who, like Samira, expressed frustration and fear of retaliation for openly criticizing the group. While some see Hamas as heroic for a bold raid on Israel—an operation that killed over 1,200 Israelis and abducted hundreds—many now question the wisdom of the attack, considering the scale of destruction that followed. 

The consequences of the Israeli counteroffensive have been catastrophic. According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 42,000 Palestinians have died. Over a million people have been displaced, struggling to survive in overcrowded displacement camps where hunger and despair reign. 

An opinion poll conducted in September by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) reflected a dramatic shift in public opinion. For the first time, a majority of Gazans—57%—believed the decision to attack Israel on October 7 was a mistake, a sharp drop from previous support levels.  Poll also showed a notable decline in the popularity of Hamas, with only 36% of Gazans supporting the group’s continued control over Gaza after the war, down from 46% in June. 

Despite growing discontent, Hamas remains defiant. Senior official Sami Abu Zuhri dismissed criticisms as limited and fueled by the intense suffering of war. “We had no choice but to launch this major battle,” he said, framing the attack as a necessary act of defiance against Israeli occupation and aggression. According to Hamas, the October 7 attack represented a pivotal moment in the Palestinian struggle for statehood, forcing the international community to once again pay attention to its cause. 

Yet, for many in Gaza,  devastating consequences are hard to ignore. Former Hamas official Ahmed Youssef Saleh publicly questioned the decision to attack on social media, while Palestinian activist Ameen Abed was beaten and hospitalized after criticizing the group.  The rise of such dissent—though still rare—indicates growing dissatisfaction with Hamas’s strategy and the heavy toll it has taken on civilians. 

The larger question now facing Gaza is its future. With Israel and the United States insisting that Hamas cannot govern the enclave after the war, many are looking to the Palestinian Authority (PA) led by President Mahmoud Abbas as a possible alternative. According to PSR’s poll, more Gazans now prefer  PA over Hamas to govern Gaza post-war. However, even in the West Bank, where support for Hamas has traditionally been stronger, approval for attack has waned. 

Regional analysts, like Ashraf Abouelhoul of Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, believe the future of Hamas in Gaza will depend on the outcome of the ongoing conflict. If Gaza remains uninhabitable, group support could continue to erode. However, Iran, a key backer of Hamas, could push for the group to play a role in any post-war settlement as part of its broader influence in the region. 

Mahmoud, a 29-year-old displaced from Gaza City, holds a different view. He blames Israel and Western powers for decades of ignoring Palestinian calls for statehood. “World was awakened by October 7 2024 year realized that we are still here, still under occupation, and we won’t stop until that end,” he said. His view reflects an enduring belief among some Palestinians that armed resistance remains the only path to achieving their political aspirations. 

While Hamas may still command loyalty from parts of the population,  cracks in its support are becoming increasingly visible. As war drags on and Gaza suffers under continued siege, many are beginning to question where militant group’s hardline tactics are leading m toward liberation—or further into ruin. 

A Difficult Path Forward 

end of this war may still be far off, but when it comes,  the question of who will govern Gaza will be critical. If Hamas’s grip weakens, new political dynamics could emerge. However, for any lasting peace or reconstruction to take place, Palestinians will likely need to forge new leadership and unity among ir fractured factions. 

For now, as tens of thousands remain displaced and Gaza lies in ruins,  the people of this beleaguered territory continue to pay the highest price in a conflict that shows no signs of resolution.