On the eve of the Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya — in charge of the negotiations to release the hostages and reach a ceasefire agreement with Israel — delivered a speech in which he said: “Gaza has offered itself as a sacrifice for the Muslim ummah [nation] and deserves its full support in return.”

Al-Hayya’s statement triggered a wave of angry reactions and condemnations from many Palestinians, especially those from the Gaza Strip who have been facing death and destruction since October 7, 2023, when Hamas and thousands of “ordinary” Palestinians invaded Israel and murdered 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals. Another 251 people were kidnapped to the Gaza Strip, where 55 – dead and alive – remain in captivity.

In Islamic tradition, Eid al-Adha honors the willingness of the patriarch Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. In the Koran, the story of Abraham’s sacrifice is a pivotal event, showcasing his unwavering obedience to God. Abraham received a vision in a dream to sacrifice his son. Just as he was about to fulfill the vision, God intervenes, replacing his son with a ram.