“They wrap bullets in our bodies, yet tremble at the sight of a gift bag,” said a Gazan appearing in a video circulated on social media.
Among the most striking images from Sunday’s Israel-Hamas prisoner swap—a rare agreement in the midst of deeply entrenched hostilities—were the smiling faces of three released Israeli hostages, each holding a “gift bag” provided by their captors—Hamas’ armed wing, Al Qassam Brigades.
In conflict, even the smallest gestures become loaded with intention. Far from a neutral offering, these carefully curated bags, containing a photo of Gaza and a “certificate”, are a strategic act of story-telling. They convey messages of power, humanity and propaganda that Hamas intends to transmit, not only to the released individuals but to the world at large.
Captivity as power
By including photos of the hostages in captivity, Hamas reinforces a stark reminder of its control—both past and present—over the lives of these individuals. The images are more than a document of an ordeal; they symbolise Hamas’ capacity to exercise absolute authority during captivity and determine when and how freedom could be granted. Through this act, Hamas communicates a clear message: it is not merely a participant in a prisoner exchange but a force capable of dictating the terms and pace of high-stakes negotiations.
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In this context, these photos function as psychological tools, tying the hostages’ memories to the authority of their captors. For Hamas, such a move extends power beyond physical captivity, planting a lasting imprint that reminds Israel and the world of who ultimately holds the upper hand. The visual documentation transforms the Israeli hostages from people simply freed in a deal to individuals whose liberty is conditionally “given” back—underscoring Hamas’ agency in this deeply asymmetric power dynamic.
In this case, the photos serve as a provocative dual symbol: to their supporters, they demonstrate operational success and negotiation leverage; to their enemies, they are a subtle taunt, showing that even moments of concession are framed under Hamas’ power. By carefully orchestrating these gestures, Hamas not only frees the hostages but also reclaims ownership of their stories, ensuring that the narrative, for now, remains in their hands.
Gaza as a symbol of Resistance
The inclusion of a photo of Gaza in the gift bag transforms the exchange into more than an act of political necessity. To Hamas, Gaza is not just a territory; it is a living testament to resilience under siege, a site of resistance against Occupation. By presenting this image to their hostages, Hamas cast Gaza not as a devastated strip of land but as a proud, defiant emblem of their struggle.
This detail functions as a form of narrative rebranding. In the global discourse, Gaza is often associated with destruction and humanitarian catastrophe. Hamas, however, seeks to frame it here as a symbol of their endurance and legitimacy. The photo effectively declares, “This is who we are. This is what we stand for.” It’s a direct challenge to the broader narrative of Gaza as a victimised, impoverished enclave dependent solely on international aid.
By placing this image alongside the hostages, Hamas shifts the focus from their role as captors to the broader ideological struggle they represent. It reinforces their narrative, not as a group ensnared by circumstances, but as a force for Palestinian identity and pride—one that is capable of determining its own future despite the dire conditions imposed upon it.
In this way, the image functions not only to promote Hamas’ resilience but also to reframe Gaza’s reality in the eyes of their captives, Israel, and the international community. By framing Gaza this way, Hamas asserts that they control the larger conversation—painting an image of the territory that makes it less about global charity or pity and more about self-determination, empowerment and national pride. This move is deliberate and carefully calculated, reminding everyone involved in the deal—or watching from the outside—that the power to define Gaza’s identity rests in Hamas’ hands, shifting attention from the dire humanitarian crisis to the political and ideological resolve that Hamas claims to uphold.
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The ‘Certificate’
Perhaps the most curious inclusion in the gift bags was a “certificate” for the hostages.
A certificate is typically awarded in a context of achievement or education—whether at a graduation ceremony or in recognition of a certain level of expertise. By placing such an item in the hands of released hostages, Hamas positions itself not just as a political actor, but as a teacher, a mentor and, perhaps most crucially, a moral instructor in a wider geopolitical narrative. This unexpected gesture casts the release not as a transactional obligation, but as an occasion to impart lessons that Hamas wants the world, the hostages and Israel to remember. The certificate becomes more than a token—it becomes a conduit through which Hamas can assert its self-perceived authority over the broader political lesson at play.
While the hostages may have been part of a larger bargaining process, the “award” is a calculated message. It suggests that Hamas is positioning itself as a superior force imparting a moral lesson—not just about Resistance or struggle but about how the world should see the dynamics of captivity, release and power. This is, of course, not an action borne of simple compliance with diplomatic frameworks. Rather, it aims to re-cast Hamas as not a helpless player in this exchange, but a disciplined agent, one that controls the terms of engagement and has much to teach others in how to approach negotiations, justice and struggle.
In a sense, this “certificate” is a quiet but profound assertion of moral high ground. The image of the hostages holding it signals that they are now “graduates” of Hamas’ “institution” of captivity. These hostages, as though returning from an educational journey dictated by Hamas, leave with more than just their freedom. The message to Israel is stark: it is not Hamas that is weakened by these hostages; it is Israel that must now confront a very different kind of lesson. Through the certificate, Hamas compels a deeper reflection on its role in this exchange: not merely as a militant group, but as an institution shaping power dynamics on its own terms, imparting knowledge to those who dare to be caught in its orbit.
At this moment of fragile ceasefire, the focus must go beyond the exchange itself to the broader messaging embedded in these acts. The gift bags, meticulously packaged and thoughtfully curated, reflect not just a tactical negotiation but an ongoing war over legitimacy, identity and international recognition—a war that has already claimed nearly 47,000 Palestinian lives and left 11,000 others missing. These items may seem modest at a glance, yet they embody the type of psychological and political warfare that underpins this enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is not about what is physically given, but the carefully constructed symbols of power and survival that these gifts represent—tools for Hamas to mark their struggle and steer global opinion in a conflict that goes far beyond mere prisoner swaps.
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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.