A CBS News correspondent gains exclusive access to a key member of Hamas
The Backstory of the Interview
Jenin, West Bank – In a daring move, CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta secured a rare interview with a Hamas commander and recruiter in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This interview took place four months after the group launched a terror attack on Israel, igniting the ongoing war in Gaza. The militant revealed that the war was attracting new members to Hamas in the West Bank, a claim that even a veteran Israeli hostage negotiator didn’t dispute. Here is the account of Patta’s encounter with this wanted man.
A Risky Journey to the Meeting Point
Patta’s interview was arranged to take place on February 9th in the notorious Jenin refugee camp, known for its militant activity. To ensure their safety, Patta and her team had to leave their vehicle behind and enter a different car approved by the Hamas unit. The route they took was deliberately circuitous, maneuvering through rubble-strewn roads that had been demolished by Israeli security forces. Despite encountering obstacles such as deep ditches and piles of broken concrete slabs, they finally arrived at their destination.
An Intimidating Encounter
Upon reaching their destination, Patta and her team were asked to continue on foot down a narrow road. The walls of the homes they passed bore the scars of gunfire. They were then led up three flights of stairs onto the rooftop of an abandoned-looking home, where they were greeted by Abu Abed, a soft-spoken Hamas commander in the Jenin camp. His two armed and masked bodyguards stood watch, their fingers tightly gripping their assault rifles. The tension in the air was palpable, with one bodyguard frequently scanning the streets below.
Concerns of an Impending Raid
During the interview, Abu Abed’s unease became evident when he abruptly interrupted the conversation to express concern about the presence of planes overhead. The constant threat of Israeli security forces raiding the area weighed heavily on their minds. After just over half an hour, the interview concluded, and Patta and her team were swiftly escorted back downstairs and onto the street. The masked Hamas escorts vanished into the maze-like alleys of the refugee camp.
About Debora Patta
Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Her career at CBS News, which began in 2013, has seen her cover major stories across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Patta’s outstanding work has earned her prestigious awards, including the Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard accolades.
Follow Debora Patta on Twitter and Instagram.