A bustling Gaza market featured in a report aired on July 31, 2014, by CBN. Photo: CBN / Screenshot.

A surprising televised report from Gaza showed residents last week busily going about their lives, shopping in a bustling and well-stocked marketplace, despite the nearly month-long conflict between Israel and Gaza’s rulers Hamas.

The report featured voices seldom heard, including Gazans with harsh words for the Hamas government, and a yearning for peace with Israel.

Christian Broadcasting Network, which aired the segment last Thursday, said the surprising attitudes reflected a poll taken days before the conflict began that found 70 per cent of Gazans supported better relations with the Jewish state.

George Thomas, Senior Correspondent for CBN, interviewed several Gazans in the marketplace, including the local pita bread baker, and women at a community center.

Raghda Hejazi, a mother of five, said, “We need peace with the Jewish people, good relations, not war.

“Hamas needs to find a way to solve these differences with Israel, America and Arab countries,” she said.

Salim Hejazi said, “My message to the Israelis and Palestinians is find a way to solve the issues so we can live an honorable life, a good life.”

She said, “We need to be united and have peace.”

Most surprisingly, after reports of intimidation by Hamas and the execution of dozens accused of collaborating with Israel, CBN spoke to Faiza Ahmed Za’aneen, a woman whose family was reported to have ties to the regime, who openly criticized the government on camera.

“The government in Gaza doesn’t do anything,” she said. “Even on the radio, they don’t talk about how we are suffering,” referring to the local propaganda that only paints Israel as suffering casualties. “May Allah curse them!”

Watch the CBN report showing another side of Gaza.