On October 7, 2024, the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, a campaign emerged on the London Underground to contrast what Hamas uses Gaza's underground tunnels for. The initiative, led by a group called London Against Hamas, involved displaying what they termed "Hamas rape tunnels of Gaza" maps throughout the subway system.
Breaking: I am trying to keep up with this 'Hamas Rape Tunnel of Gaza' action today by @LondonNotHamas - from their feed it looks like they have got the whole of the underground one way or another. Both on trains and off. This stunning poster at Old Street station pic.twitter.com/n3hrWLVo3u
— David Collier (@mishtal) October 7, 2024
According to a press release titled "Hostage supporters take back London Underground," published on the organization's X account, these maps aimed to illustrate and condemn the extensive tunnel network used by Hamas in Gaza. The campaign sought to highlight the uses of these tunnels, including "rape, murder, torture, and further terrorist activities." One line on the poster was called "Departure Station Kibbutz Nova Music Festival," while another read, "Hamas UNRWA HQ." By bringing this information to London's commuters, the organizers hoped to raise awareness about the conflict and advocate for the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
The press release stated, "Trains on every Underground line now feature 'Gaza Underground' maps, reminding Londoners for what appalling purposes Hamas have created their subterranean network." The group positioned their campaign as a counter to previous uses of the Underground by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which they accused of carrying "people to their demonstrations of Jew-hatred in Britain's capital."
— LondonAgainstHamas (@LondonNotHamas) October 7, 2024
London Against Hamas emphasized the campaign's goal of reaching the Tube's 3.23 million daily riders across 272 stations, urging them to "see through the Hamas hypocrisy and PSC's campaigns of intimidation, and demand answers and resolution of the children, women and men held hostage for a year."
Social media users praised the effort, using hashtags like #LondonAgainstHamas and #GetHamasOutOfLondon to express support.
