As Israel commemorated the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre on Wednesday, the Hamas terror group that perpetrated the atrocities chose to issue an official reaction of its own. In its statement, Hamas highlighted an embarrassing framing, praising Gazans for returning to their flattened neighborhoods and shattered homes, dubbing it: “A showcase of heroic scenes.”
However, many Gazans flatly refused to swallow the cynical narrative, taking to social media in droves to vent their fury at the terror organization. Responding directly to coverage of a speech delivered by Hamas’s spokesperson, one user posted: “May Allah curse you and your ‘flood.’ You destroyed Gaza with your arrogance and stupidity.” Another user shared video footage showing the widespread devastation across the Strip, writing: “Before Hamas’s reckless adventure, Gaza was more beautiful, more orderly, and cleaner than Cairo, Algiers, and dozens of Arab cities. All its residents lived in their own homes—no one rented, and no one lived in a tent. Our food was cleaner than in those cities. The curse of God upon Sinwar.”
Beyond the local backlash, Hamas’s official response underscored a distinct pivot toward victimhood. Three years after the horrific massacre, the terror group no longer describes the October 7 assault as a triumphant victory, but rather frames it as a “blow that befell them at the hands of the enemy.” The organization concluded its remarks by pleading for the immediate implementation of a ceasefire and the cessation of military operations across the Gaza Strip.