A huge crowd packed the hostage release in Gaza. Professor Hannu Juusola explains the situation.
Hamas, the terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip, handed over three Israeli female hostages to the Red Cross on Sunday as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. The handover took place in Gaza’s Alsaraya Square in Gaza City.
The video of the release spread in the international media. In the video, a large group of armed persons dressed in neat military uniforms with eye-catching green headbands catches the eye.
Who exactly are the people in the pictures, and why did they decorate their heads with green headbands? asked the professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Helsinki about it From Hannu Juusola.
– It is most likely members of the armed wing of Hamas, i.e. persons who have fought in Gaza against Israeli forces, Juusola answers.
The video is startling, because during the Gaza war, we are used to seeing only Palestinians in civilian clothes in the pictures from the area.
What do the headbands say?
According to Juusola, the green headbands of Hamas seem to have verses from the Koran and at least part of the brigade’s name. On the top line is the creed: There is nothing but God.
The close-ups show that the word kata’ib is written on the left side of the headband. It is an Arabic term used in the conflict zones of the Middle East to usually refer to organized armed groups, i.e. brigades or military divisions.
The armed wing of Hamas is known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
– They have a long name. Only part of the name is visible on the tape. The other side of the tape probably reads Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, says Juusola.
The headband also shows the circular symbol of Hamas with the Al-Aqsa Mosque, two crossed swords, a map of Gaza, the Palestinian flag and Arabic writing.
Otherwise, the fighters are dressed in military uniforms typical of Hamas, says Juusola.
The soldiers have covered their faces so as not to be recognized. At least some of the fighters have the Palestinian flag on their uniforms.
Why are the bands green?
Juusola has an explanation for the green headbands.
– Green is the central color of Islam and one of the colors that Hamas uses, says Juusola.
In Islam, green symbolizes paradise, life and happiness. The color green is also associated with the Prophet Muhammad and is considered sacred in Islamic culture. For example, the flags of several Arab countries have something green.
Why do Hamas fighters wear headbands?
The green ribbons worn on the forehead are no accident. According to Juusola, it’s about showing unity and a kind of propaganda.
– They use symbols to identify themselves.
The purpose of the uniform green headbands is to act as a show of strength and a message.
According to Juusola, after the signing of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, both Israel and Hamas have tried to show that they have won.
– Hamas wants to show itself as the winner of the truce agreement. The message has not gone through very well, because the sacrifices have been great.
With sacrifices, Juusola refers to those who died in the battles in Gaza. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 46,000 Palestinians have died in the fighting that began in October 2023.
What do the fighters want to communicate with their presence?
In the pictures, Hamas fighters are closely grouped around the cars transporting the hostages. The pictures show that there are many fighters there. In total, it seems that there were at least hundreds if not thousands of people in the square, mostly young men.
– Hamas strives to be as visibly present as possible in order to create the impression that they have by no means disappeared anywhere.
Throughout the Gaza war, Israel has talked about its efforts to destroy Hamas. According to Juusola, in the hostage situation on Sunday, Hamas wanted to communicate its existence to Israel, the Palestinians of Gaza and the international community.
In October 2023, Hamas attacked Israeli territory. During the attack, the terrorist organization took 251 Israelis hostage. After the attack, Israel began airstrikes on Gaza. Of the Israeli hostages, at least 34 people have reportedly died in Gaza.
A six-week ceasefire agreement came into force on Sunday.