Gazan photographer admits withholding footage of hostages beaten by mob
Renowned Gaza photographer Motaz Azaiza said he recorded Israeli hostages being assaulted by a Palestinian crowd on Oct. 7 but kept the video hidden to protect the attackers.
In an extensive interview, Gaza’s celebrated photographer Motaz Azaiza revealed that on Oct. 7 he followed a Hamas Al-Qassam vehicle carrying Israeli hostages and captured Palestinians striking the captives. He deliberately withheld the footage, explaining that publishing it could enable Israeli forces to track down and kill the perpetrators. Azaiza, known internationally and named among Time’s 100 most influential people, also accused Hamas leaders of sacrificing Gaza’s population while suppressing any criticism.
He recounted a systematic intimidation scheme organized by Hamas, citing a WhatsApp group used to launch coordinated online attacks on dissenting journalists. According to Azaiza, photographers in Gaza now lower their cameras whenever civilians denounce Hamas out of fear of retaliation. The admission highlights the complex moral dilemmas faced by media workers in the conflict.
