Dutch University Suspends Gaza Student Over 'It Was Me' Hamas Attack Video

A video circulating on social media has caused a public outcry in the Netherlands, centering on a 22-year-old student from Gaza studying at Maastricht University. The student, identified as Hussein Issa, posted a video on Instagram, since deleted, showing himself watching footage of the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. In the clip, he points to masked gunmen on screen and appears to say, "October 7th - it was me." The video quickly spread, raising questions about the student's background and the circumstances of his arrival in the Netherlands.

While there is currently no confirmation or public evidence that Issa actually participated in the October 7th attack, his statement, in the context of the video, ignited a significant controversy on and off campus. Maastricht University responded by temporarily suspending the student. The university stated that the publication of the video and subsequent online reactions created a situation of concern and unease among students and staff, necessitating the suspension to ensure continued campus operations without disruption.

The university clarified that it is not the authority to investigate or verify the student's claim. However, the situation escalated as reports emerged that Maastricht University was involved in the process facilitating Issa's arrival in the Netherlands. According to local outlet De Nieuwe Ster Maastricht, the university submitted a request for his temporary residency permit on April 8th. This detail has shifted the public discussion from the controversial video to broader questions about the vetting processes conducted by Dutch authorities and the university before his entry.

Further complicating the matter, the student is not without an online presence, boasting tens of thousands of Instagram followers. Reports also mentioned other posts on his account, including a reference to a brother who died in Jabalia. Geert Wilders, a prominent Dutch politician, called for the student to be expelled from the country, amplifying the political dimension of the controversy.