Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk storms out of live TV interview after being questioned on October 7 attacks

The live interview of Musa Abu Marzouk, a senior official and one of the founders of Hamas, on the Arab channel “Al Ghad” last night was dramatic. In response to the journalist’s questions, Marzouk lost his composure and terminated the interview on air.

Abu Marzouk, who lives in Qatar, attempted to justify the organisation’s actions, saying that Hamas “fulfilled its national duty.” At that point, the journalist asked him: “Were the things you did on October 7th meant to lead the Palestinians to liberation?”

Abu Marzouk replied: “No rational person would claim that on October 7th, with only about a thousand fighters, it was possible to liberate Palestine. Please, at least ask your questions with respect.”

The journalist told him, “I am putting to you the questions being asked on the streets of Palestine, by the residents of Gaza.” At that point, Abu Marzouk lost his temper and began to shout: “These are your own questions! Show some respect for yourself. I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to see you. Cut it. Cut it. Go to hell!”

Commentators in Arab media are writing today that his reaction is an indication of the increasing tension within Hamas since the start of the war. They also report that the incident highlighted the widening gap between the Hamas leadership and the majority of Arabs.

The Fatah spokesperson, Jamal Nazal, called Abu Marzouk’s behaviour “a disgrace that exposes the moral and political bankruptcy of a collapsing group that can no longer look people in the eye.”