By Taghreed Saadeh
Media has been one of the most important tools used by Hamas to consolidate its political and ideological influence and to establish itself as a legitimate political force, especially after the 2007 Palestinian split that turned Gaza into the movement’s stronghold.
Hamas viewed media as a vital soft power weapon, instrumental in shaping public awareness, influencing younger generations, and presenting a comprehensive discourse that merges political and religious dimensions. Through media, the movement’s ideas reached the masses and built a wide support base by utilizing its narratives and emotional and religious mobilization.
Following its takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Hamas embarked on constructing a comprehensive and diversified media apparatus. According to media reports, Hamas operates a wide network of more than 20 news websites, available in multiple languages including Arabic, English, French, Persian, Russian, Turkish, and others. In addition to this, Al-Aqsa TV and Al-Aqsa Radio have become the movement’s main platforms for broadcasting its news and diverse programming. The group also operates dozens of social media accounts and platforms especially on Telegram and YouTube to distribute its statements and report on its military wing’s activities.
Hamas is also part of a broader regional network supported by countries and actors affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood ideology and the so-called Axis of Resistance.
Al Jazeera is considered the most prominent regional platform promoting Hamas’s narrative. A Foreign Policy magazine article illustrates how Qatar uses Al Jazeera to support the Muslim Brotherhood, including Hamas. Qatar also hosts Hamas leaders and funds media and humanitarian projects in Gaza, reinforcing the movement’s media presence.
Iran plays a significant role in supporting Hamas militarily and in media through channels such as Al-Alam and Al-Kawthar, as well as through vast digital media networks. According to a report by BBC Arabic, the Al-Mayadeen channel is directly or indirectly funded by Iran and consistently promotes Hamas’s discourse.
Hamas’s partisan media does more than just report the news, it is employed to plant specific ideas and portray the movement as the principal defender of the Palestinian cause. In contrast, the Palestinian Authority is depicted as weak or complicit. Hamas’s media employs various formats and youth-targeted programs to construct a cohesive narrative.
Since 2007, Hamas has succeeded in building an integrated media system bolstered by regional support that aligns with its political and religious ideologies. This system has played a pivotal role in reinforcing Hamas’s narrative both domestically and internationally, while weakening its rivals, particularly the Palestinian Authority, through a strong and adaptive media network.
By contrast, Fatah has continued to face major media challenges. Its media outlets, such as Voice of Palestine radio and Palestine TV, remain limited in reach and lack innovation and digital renewal. This has rendered them unable to keep up with Hamas’s expanding media footprint. Fatah has also failed to invest in digital media with the same effectiveness, resulting in a diminished media influence and allowing Hamas to dominate the narrative within Palestinian and regional consciousness.
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