Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas still holds two million hostages

Gaza remains under the firm grip of Hamas, which utilizes its security and intelligence apparatus to suppress dissent despite the population's severe poverty and deteriorating living conditions. The recent appointment of Khalil al-Hayya as Hamas leader reinforces the organization's commitment to the Iran-aligned "resistance axis" rather than a path toward moderation. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, head of the Atlantic Council’s Realign for Palestine project, highlights that while many Gazans are increasingly disillusioned with Hamas, the group’s entrenched control prevents effective political change. In his book, *Hamas and Its Two Million Hostages*, Alkhatib argues that the Palestinian national project requires a fundamental shift in narrative, urging the diaspora to separate legitimate aspirations for sovereignty and dignity from the destructive ideology of Islamist terrorism. This introspection is essential for fostering a future grounded in coexistence rather than perpetual conflict.