Not in my name! Six months ago, Hamas’s dark lords in Gaza decided to unleash a horrendous attack against Israeli communities around the coastal enclave in what is known as the “Gaza Envelope.” Initially, and to many, it appeared as if that was an assault on military targets along the borders. Quickly, however, it became apparent this was unlike anything that had ever occurred. Hamas and other terror cells penetrated deep into Israeli territory and began systematically attacking kibbutzim and towns and targeted unsuspecting music concertgoers. Invading fighters terrorized Israeli civilians, executing people on sight, burning homes with people inside, throwing grenades into shelters, beheading random people, executing migrant workers, sexually assaulting women, and abducting over 240 Israelis, including children, women, and elderly people. The attack killed over 1000 Israelis, wounded many others, and scarred the conscience of humanity with its barbarity and ruthless brutality. It was the night of October 6 in the United States when I first saw the events unfold online. I knew that this would initiate a disaster for the people of Gaza and the Palestinian cause – I said to myself that Gaza as we knew it would cease to exist. Hamas’s criminals claimed that this attack was to overturn the blockade on Gaza and obtain Palestinian rights while also using the hostages to free Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention. I was equally horrified by clueless activists and "allies" lacking in compassion and celebrating the attack as if it was an organic expression of resistance, not a criminal act by a nefarious group that has held Gazans hostage for years. I did, however, see online posts in Arabic by Gazans detesting the attack when it happened, worried about the consequences, questioning the morality of holding women and children hostages, and recognizing that Hamas embarked on this suicidal adventure due to its political and administrative failures. I was determined to speak out against this criminal act and to say not in my name, as someone from Gaza and with family there. I was also horrified by the sheer dehumanization of the Palestinian people in Gaza, who were depicted as bloodthirsty terror supporters worthy of revenge. Yes, a few thousand people celebrated those attacks in shameful scenes. However, not only have hundreds of thousands of Gazans been opposed to Hamas's rule, ideology, and actions, but many have fallen victim to prolonged propaganda and brainwashing. At least half of Gaza’s population has never left the place and never encountered Israelis due to their isolation, which made it easy to dehumanize Israelis. The unfolding catastrophe made me realize the desperate need to humanize both peoples and focus on building bridges and common ground to create a shared future and acknowledge our mutual humanity. The ensuing war in Gaza has been nothing short of an utter disaster for the civilian population. The infrastructure is decimated; over 33,000 people have lost their lives; entire families have been wiped out, including half of my family; schools and hospitals are destroyed; chaos and lawlessness are everywhere; and hunger and malnutrition are prevalent across large segments of the population. While I strongly condemn, decry, and detest numerous actions by the Israeli government and military in Gaza, including the killing of over 31 family members of mine, I will never forget that an Islamist criminal enterprise initiated this entirely avoidable war and that Gaza would not be where it’s at now if Hamas had simply kept its fighters at home on October 7. I send loving kindness to all who have been terribly impacted by this attack and war. All Israeli hostages must be released immediately as part of a negotiated deal that ends the war and initiates political transformation in the coastal enclave. Hamas must never again rule Gaza or hold its people hostage to futile “resistance” projects that have failed the Palestinian people time and again. Additionally, there needs to be accountability for the countless Palestinian civilian lives lost due to reckless, negligent, and even criminal acts by some IDF commanders and soldiers who have demonstrated incredible disregard for the safety and well-being of Gazans. I will never accept, tolerate, or justify terrorism against innocent civilians for any reason or claim on behalf of the Palestinian people and cause. I will always say it loud and clear: not in my name!