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WATCH: Gazan activist calls for peace with Israel, blames Hamas for war, seeks meeting with Trump

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Gazan activist Moumen Al-Natour says Hamas operatives threatened his family after he refused to report to the group's internal security service, prompting him to flee Gaza.
  • Now in Italy, he calls for separating Gaza from Hamas, rejects militia rule and says he wants peace with Israel.
  • Al-Natour is seeking a political role and a meeting with President Trump, while advocating civil society and changes to schoolbooks to counter radicalization.

Moumen Al-Natour says his escape from Gaza began when Hamas operatives came to his home in Gaza City’s al-Shati refugee camp and ordered him to report to Shifa Hospital for questioning. He refused, then fled after the men threatened his mother, sisters and brothers.

I’m the president and you are the prime minister.

· Yasser Abu Shabab, as recalled by Moumen Al-NatourAl-Natour said Abu Shabab made the remark while seeking to persuade him to join the militia.

He moved through Khan Yunis and Al-Mawasi while looking for a way out. His family eventually reached Italy, but his own departure was delayed after Yasser Abu Shabab, whose militia controlled the area where Al-Natour had sought refuge, allegedly refused to let him leave and urged him to join the militia.

Al-Natour recalled Abu Shabab telling him, "I’m the president and you are the prime minister." He said he rejected the offer because he wanted to serve in government rather than join an armed group. "I want to make a service for my people. I want to save the civilians," he said. "But I don’t want to be a gang man."

I want to make a service for my people. I want to save the civilians.

· Moumen Al-NatourHe explained why he wanted a government role rather than a militia position.

The lawyer and human rights advocate, who founded the We Want to Live movement, argues that Gaza must be separated from Hamas if Gazans and Israelis are to escape recurring war. "Gaza is not Hamas. And Hamas is not Gaza," he said.

But I don’t want to be a gang man.

· Moumen Al-NatourHe rejected armed rule and membership in a militia.

Al-Natour also said photographs of him led Hamas media to accuse him of links to a spy program, an allegation he denied. He said he wants peace with Israel and is seeking a meeting with President Trump. His proposals include a political role for Gaza’s civil society and schoolbook reform to counter radicalization.

Gaza is not Hamas. And Hamas is not Gaza.

· Moumen Al-NatourHe used the phrase to distinguish Gaza’s civilian population from Hamas.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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