‘Go to Hell’: Hamas Spox Gets Touchy As Accountability Looms in Arab World

Hamas might have expected a hero’s embrace in the Arab world after signing off on the hostage-exchange and ceasefire agreement. They have spent the last two years proclaiming their victory for “Palestine” in the October 7 massacres that started the war, and they have doubled down on that spin since agreeing to Donald Trump’s proposal this week. 

After two years of destruction — much of it involving investment from the Arab world in Gaza — reality could be a bit different. In the cold light of a cease-fire, not even nominally friendly forums are letting Hamas spokespeople off the hook. Hamas co-founder Mousa Abu Marzouk told a Qatari interviewer to “go to hell” and show him some respect for asking the obvious question: What the ever-loving f*** were you idiots thinking on October 7?

To be fair, the Pan-Arab Ghad interviewer put it more politely, but still …

Abu Marzouk, who lives in Qatar, tried to justify the terror organization’s crimes by saying that Hamas “fulfilled its national duty.” At that point, the journalist asked: “Was what you did on October 7 to lead the Palestinians to liberation?”

Visibly annoyed and embarrassed, Abu Marzouk remained silent and then responded that “no sane person would claim that on October 7, with just a thousand or so fighters, it was possible to liberate Palestine.”

He then demanded from the interviewer: “Please, at least make your questions respectful.”

The journalist calmly continued, “I am asking you the questions that are being asked on the streets of Palestine, by the residents of Gaza.”

At that point, Marzouk lost his temper and began to shout: “These are your questions! Show some respect for yourself. I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to see you. Cut it out. Cut it out. Go to hell!”

Marzouk had better get used to this question. Those left in Gaza will ask it, especially when Hamas has to step aside for the proposed pan-Arab force that will take control of Gaza at the end of the ceasefire proposal. At that point, the only accomplishments that Hamas can claim will be:

• 1200 dead Israelis and foreign workers
• Tens of thousands of dead Gazans
• The destruction of Gaza infrastructure, in the tens of billions of dollars
• The presence of the IDF in Gaza
• The elimination of Iranian domination
• The loss of Syria
• The destruction of Hezbollah
• At least another decade of miserable poverty in Gaza

The only “accomplishment” to which Marzouk could point would be the “recognitions” of a state by France and the UK. That and $5 will get Palestinians a café latté in a Tel Aviv Starbucks. 

Even other Palestinians have noticed Marzouk’s inability to defend Hamas’ actions. It’s certainly making the rounds in the Arab world, the Jerusalem Post reports:

Commentators in Arab media said that Marzouk’s reaction is a sign of tension within the terrorist organization that has grown throughout its war with Israel. According to the commentators, the incident also highlights the widening rift between Hamas leadership and the majority of Arabs. 

Fatah spokesman Jamal Nazzal called the exchange “a disgrace that exposes the moral and political bankruptcy of a crumbling group that can no longer look people in the eye.”

Terrorist networks don’t structure themselves for accountability. Hamas sought absolute power and ruthlessly murdered anyone who questioned their authority. Now that they have been stripped of their power and hopefully of their arms, terrorists like Marzouk can only lash out when questioned. “Show some respect for yourself” meant “show some respect for me,” when Marzouk can’t even account for the actions of the group he co-founded. 

Expect a lot more of this when Hamas has to face the music in Gaza. They may be facing a lot more than music, too. Plenty of Gazans disappeared and got murdered for demanding accountability from Hamas over the last twenty years, and some of their families will demand to get paid back in blood. Maybe exile isn’t a bad choice for Hamasniks still hanging around Gaza City and its environs.

As for the expected hostage exchange, arrangements continue apace. The Israelis have moved the 250 Palestinian prisoners on their list to temporary housing to stage the exchange. The US has confirmed independently that the IDF has withdrawn to the agreed lines in Gaza in preparation for the first phase of the agreement:

EXCLUSIVE: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff accompanied by CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper visited Israeli troops inside base in Gaza to confirm agreed upon withdrawal was complete. Fox News obtained this exclusive photo of the visit. Both have returned to Israel. pic.twitter.com/kp3ZookwGh

— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) October 11, 2025

Yesterday, Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming exchange:

“It’s a great deal for Israel, but it’s a great deal for everybody,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “I can tell you that I saw Israel dancing in the streets, but they were dancing in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, many, many countries.”

Trump noted the hostages are due to be released on Monday following the IDF’s completion of a partial withdrawal, with Hamas “getting them now” before they are freed from the Gaza Strip.

“They’re in some pretty rough places under earth… Only a few people know where they are… They’re also getting approximately 28 bodies. Some of those bodies are being unearthed.”

We’ll see. It’s not a great deal for Hamas, but it is the best they can expect to get at this point. They may still be able to run for their lives, although the interview with Marzouk at least suggests that there may not be many places left that will still welcome them. 

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