Analyzing Hamas's Media Narrative Post October 7: Themes and Effects

Abstract

On October 7, 2023, the military wing of Hamas, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, launched an unprecedented operation against the Israeli apartheid, codenamed “Al-Aqsa Flood.” This operation was not announced through leaks or journalistic scoops but through two professionally produced videos disseminated by the Brigades' media unit. One featured the now-martyred General Commander and head of the military wing, Mohammed al-Deif, declaring the commencement of the operation. The other depicted elite Qassam forces breaching Israeli settlements near Gaza. An incident that took place for the first time in the history of the struggle on said day. This paper seeks to analyze the narrative themes depicted by Hamas through their media on October 7 and in the following period. It investigates the intentions behind these choices and touches upon their political ramifications. Additionally, the paper assesses the counter-themes of Western media portrayed through their coverage of the ongoing war. Specifically exploring if any of it was reactionary to the main themes of Hamas.