Muhammed a-Tus is interviewed in Egypt after his release (video snippet)

In a rare and candid interview with the Emirati Al Mashhad Media, former Fatah militant Mohammed a-Tus, once a staunch proponent of armed struggle, has issued a striking rebuke of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Now freed after spending four decades behind Israeli bars, a-Tus is urging the next generation of Palestinians to abandon the path of violence in favor of diplomatic efforts.

A-Tus, who was convicted for his involvement in multiple deadly attacks against Israelis during the 1980s, spoke from Egypt, where he was deported following his release as part of a controversial hostage exchange deal. Despite having dedicated most of his life to the armed Palestinian cause, his words carried an unmistakable shift in perspective.

Rejecting Violence: A Veteran’s Change of Heart

In a powerful appeal to his grandchildren, a-Tus explicitly rejected the militant approach that once defined his life.

"I tell my grandchildren not to carry out military actions against Israel," he declared. "At this stage, we must focus on diplomatic actions rather than military ones."

His statements stand in stark contrast to the glorification of violence often associated with Palestinian resistance groups. In a region where narratives of struggle have long been dominated by calls for armed resistance, his words mark a notable departure.

A Price Too High: Condemning Hamas’ Bloodshed

Addressing the devastating events of October 7—when Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented massacre, slaughtering over 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 200 hostages— a-Tus did not mince words. While Hamas and its supporters have celebrated the attack as a moment of triumph, a-Tus was brutally honest about its catastrophic consequences.

"The price is very high," he admitted. "We will not accept that the price of our liberation is a drop of a Palestinian child's blood."

This statement is particularly significant coming from a man who once participated in deadly operations himself. His words serve as a rare and pointed criticism from within the Palestinian nationalist movement, implicitly condemning Hamas’ reckless and self-destructive strategies.

Inside an Israeli Prison on October 7: A-Tus’ Shocking Account

Recalling the moment he learned of the Hamas attack from his prison cell, a-Tus painted a vivid picture of the initial confusion and the abrupt shift in the prison atmosphere.

"We turned on the television and saw alerts asking Israelis to go to shelters. We understood that something major was happening," he said.

However, the tone inside the prison changed drastically overnight.

"The next day, the attitude towards us changed 180 degrees," he recounted. "They removed the televisions and radios, informing us that we were in a state of war. Those with experience understood that the response would be harsh."

Indeed, the Israeli response was swift and relentless, with the IDF launching an extensive military campaign to dismantle Hamas’ terror infrastructure in Gaza. A-Tus’ ominous warning about the inevitable retaliation suggests a deeper understanding of the cycle of violence that has plagued the region for decades.

Fatah vs. Hamas: A Delicate Balancing Act

Despite his criticisms, a-Tus was careful not to completely sever ties with Hamas, reflecting the complex political entanglements within the Palestinian leadership.

"Hamas members are brothers of the homeland, of the shared path and of the future," he stated, maintaining a diplomatic tone despite the ideological divide between Fatah and Hamas.

Nevertheless, he issued a stark warning about the perils of unchecked militant ambitions.

"Any leader who contemplates undertaking a major action must know the price to pay for what he wants to achieve and if the goal justifies the sacrifices," he concluded.

A Rare Voice of Pragmatism in Palestinian Discourse

A-Tus’ remarks highlight a growing rift within Palestinian society—between those who continue to advocate for armed resistance at any cost and those who recognize the devastating consequences of such actions. His candid reflections serve as both a warning and an appeal: the path of war leads only to more bloodshed, while diplomacy, however challenging, remains the only viable solution.

Whether his words will resonate among younger generations remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—coming from a former militant with a lifetime of experience, his voice carries a weight that cannot be ignored.

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