The role of political ceremonies in shaping public opinion and constructing national narratives: the ceremonies for the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity

The release ceremonies of Israeli hostages, staged by Hamas, were not merely humanitarian events; they served as a calculated instrument for shaping collective consciousness and reinforcing the Palestinian national ethos. This article critically analyzes the political and symbolic functions of these ceremonies. Drawing on visual materials, official statements, and media coverage, the study shows how Hamas systematically turned these ceremonies into orchestrated performances promoting narratives of victory, steadfastness, sacrifice, and justice. The main conclusion of the article is that these rituals were used by Hamas to highlight fundamental elements of the Palestinian ethos: struggle until victory, standing firm on the soil of the homeland, and highlighting the image of victimhood in light of the extent of the destruction in Gaza following the war.