Hamas releases video of life in Gaza before war to soundtrack of indie band Cairokee

Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam brigades, published a video on Thursday showcasing how life was in Gaza prior to the Israeli bombing, featuring the soundtrack from an Egyptian indie band named Cairokee.

The video, which lasts around a minute and a half, opens with ariel footage of the besieged enclave before the war then goes to show tunnels and dead Israeli soldiers under the caption “Gaza is the occupiers’ graveyard".

Abu Obeida, a military spokesperson for Hamas who gives regular updates and responses to Israeli attacks but whose name remains unknown, also features in the video.

The footage goes on to focus on destruction caused by Israeli assaults since the start of the war in October, including children trapped under the rubble of destroyed homes.

The video uses the song 'Telk al Qadeya', Arabic for 'This Cause', which was released one month after the start of the war on the Strip.

The song's lyrics centre on the duplicity of world leaders who present themselves as trying to maintain peace, but instead fuel war and ignore the suffering of Palestinians.

It also speaks about the annihilation of liberation movements in an apparent reference to Israel, the killing of children, people trapped under the rubble and living in an open prison, a phrase long used to describe Gaza.

The indie rock band was launched in 2003 but surged in popularity during the Egyptian revolution in 2011, where they became known for their songs, which incorporated political commentary and protest music.

The lyrics speak about rising "like a phoenix from under the rubble" while footage shows children in Gaza being rescued from under collapsed buildings and includes the line "grab the throats of your killers" with footage of Qassam fighters firing rockets at Israeli soldiers.

"You gather your pieces and remains and fight on, and show this deceitful world the ongoings of the jungle world," it continues, along with clips of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with US President Joe Biden.

The song lyrics also address the world’s lack of reaction to killings in Gaza, saying it does not matter if they speak up, rather “die free, don’t live in humiliation".

"Inspire generation after generation, teach them how to live and die for a cause," it continues, showing footage of armed fighters launching rockets at Israeli soldiers.

The song's cover art displays a two-faced statue of liberty, with one side portrayed as the devil.

This is not the first time the band has expressed solidarity with Palestinians. In 2014, during Israel’s assault on the enclave, they released a song called "El Khat Da Khatty" which was said to symbolise the destruction and fragmentation Palestine is forced to endure because of occupation.