Gaza journalist Motaz Azaiza says he filmed hostage abuse on October 7 but hid footage

Gazan journalist Motaz Azaiza revealed in a podcast interview that he filmed Israeli hostages being beaten by a Gazan mob on October 7, 2023, but chose not to publish the footage. He stated, "I did not want to ruin the lives of the people who were filmed" by Israel identifying and eliminating them. Azaiza, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, also criticized Hamas's leadership for bringing disaster upon Gaza and questioned the effectiveness of their armed resistance, stating, "Why should a Palestinian be cheap in the eyes of Palestinians themselves?" He accused Hamas of causing immense suffering by delaying a ceasefire agreement and described experiencing Hamas's suppression of journalists. Azaiza, who has since left Gaza for Qatar, expressed deep frustration and trauma over the situation, despite his international recognition.