Gazan photographer did not publish Oct. 7 footage so as not to 'ruin lives' of Palestinian mob

Motaz Azaiza, a renowned Gazan photographer and journalist, recounted the events of October 7, 2023, when he captured Israeli hostages being beaten by a mob of Palestinians. Azaiza chose not to publish the footage, fearing it could endanger the lives of those involved. He expressed concern that Israel might use the footage to identify and target the Palestinians in the video, potentially resulting in their deaths.

Azaiza, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, has gained international recognition for his work. However, he also provided rare criticism of Hamas, accusing the group of causing the Gaza Strip to regress to the Middle Ages. Azaiza's personal account offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of life in Gaza and the pressures faced by Palestinians in the region.