Dutch University Suspends Gaza Student Over Hamas Attack Boast

Maastricht University in the Netherlands has temporarily suspended a student from Gaza who received a scholarship to study there, after he posted a video on social media claiming to have participated in Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel. The video, which has since been deleted, showed the student watching footage of the attack, pointing to a masked militant, and stating, "That's me." The university took immediate action to remove him from campus and bar him from classes due to concerns for the safety of staff and students.

A spokesperson for Maastricht University confirmed to regional broadcaster L1 that the video could cause unrest and stated the suspension was necessary to "ensure that education can continue to take place safely." The university administration will review the student's case to determine if and under what conditions he can continue his studies. The university noted it lacks the legal authority to investigate the background of complaints received.

According to a report in the Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf," the university awarded scholarships to five students from Gaza and facilitated the student's arrival in the Netherlands, assisting with his temporary residence permit application on April 8th. The newspaper also reported the student has approximately 30,000 Instagram followers, where he posts parkour videos and content featuring explicit jihadist movements. A post was also found where he mourned his third brother's death in Jabalia, writing, "I ask Allah to end my life in the same way as yours, brother."