Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp breaks his silence after facing backlash over his comments in the wake of Hamas' October 7 murderous attack on Israel

Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp broke his silence today, saying “I only want peace and safety for innocent people” after the actor faced backlash over his comments on the war between Israel and Hamas.

Schnapp, 19, who is Jewish, was criticized for displaying stickers reading “Zionism is sexy” in November and for saying in a separate statement in October: “You either stand with Israel or you stand with terrorism.'

In response to today's comments, Schnapp said his “thoughts and beliefs have thus far been misinterpreted and are not even close to what I believe.”

“I just want peace and safety and security for all the innocent people affected by this conflict,” the Will Byers actor told his 32 million followers on TikTok.

Schnapp has openly supported Israel in the past and condemned Hamas terrorists who rampaged through the country, slaughtering more than 1,300 people and taking 240 hostage. In response, Israel launched devastating aerial bombardments on Gaza, killing 24,000 people, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry.

But amid backlash for his comments and flaunting of “Zionism is sexy” stickers, Schnapp added, “I've had a lot of open conversations with friends of Palestinian background and I think they're really important conversations to have.” feed, and I have a lot.

“One of the lessons I learned is that we all hope for the same things: that the innocent people held hostage in Gaza are returned to their families and that we equally hope for the end of the war and the loss of innocent lives . in Palestine – so many of those people are women and children.”

The young actor added: “And I think anyone with an ounce of humanity would hope for an end to hostilities on both sides. I am against any murder of innocent people.'

Referring to the criticism he has faced in recent months, Schnapp said: “I hope for 2024 that I will see people a little more understanding and compassionate. [online] and recognize that we are all human…we must stand together for humanity and for peace.”

Schnapp faced backlash for saying “Zionism is sexy” and “Hamas is ISIS” in a TikTok video in November, in which he was seen laughing alongside friends.

A month earlier he had been criticized for publishing a statement saying: 'Either you stand with Israel, or you stand with terrorism. It shouldn't be a difficult choice. Shame on you', which was seen as a condoning of the Israeli siege of Gaza.

Fans had branded the star 'sick and twisted' and urged viewers to boycott the new season of Stranger Things.

One fan wrote: 'Fuckin killing innocent civilians is sexy. Stripping people of their basic needs is sexy. Being the reason people are driven from their homes is sexy

Another wrote: “How doesn't he get fired for spreading hate,” while a third typed: “War crimes are sexy?” and another wrote: 'This is the level of evil.'

Others wrote: 'Because he has all these resources to learn about the occupation, thousands of people are literally pointing him in that direction, and this is what he responds to'

'He hands out stickers while the Palestinians are being blown up. yes Stranger Things is definitely canceled in this household

“He's stupid and evil, the worst combination.”

“Get off your soft LA cushion, give up your career and live in Israel if you love the Palestinian genocide so much.”

In an Oct. 11 post, Schnapp wrote, “As a Jewish American, I am scared. Afraid for my brothers and sisters in Israel, who have been senselessly attacked by Hamas. I am truly heartbroken to see the brutal murders of innocent children, women and soldiers fighting to defend themselves.

“I, like others, want peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. Let's stop the rhetoric and taking sides. Instead, we must recognize that we are all on the side of the fight against terrorism. Choose humanity over violence.

“I just reposted a beautiful photo of a young, innocent girl whose life was taken by Hamas at a music festival. I got comments like 'nobody cares about free Palestine' and 'She deserves that, and every Israeli terrorist deserves that – Free Palestine.'

“I am outraged by the justification and celebration of the death of a young girl's life. Have people gone crazy??? STOP!'

“This is one example of the many messages, rallies and petitions signed in an attempt to justify the brutality against this innocent Israeli people,” he continued. “You don't have to be Jewish, you don't have to be Israeli, you just have to have empathy and common sense to know that THIS is wrong.”

“I hope we can agree that Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization: they do not represent the Palestinian people, while they consider killing Israelis more important than protecting their own country.”

'Either you support Israel, or you support terrorism. It shouldn't be a difficult choice. You should be ashamed.'

“As you justify the killings and torture of our loved ones, we will hope and pray for safety, justice, liberation and self-determination in Palestine,” he continued, addressing his supporters of violence.

It comes as Israeli tanks stormed back into parts of the northern Gaza Strip they abandoned last week, residents said on Tuesday. That brought back some of the most intense fighting since the new year, when Israel announced it would scale back its operations there.

From across the border with Israel, massive explosions could be seen over Gaza's northern areas – a rarity in the past two weeks after Israel announced a withdrawal of troops in the north as part of a transition to smaller, targeted operations.

The rattle of intense gunfire echoed across the border all night. In the morning, contrails snaked through the air as Israel's Iron Dome defenses shot down rockets fired over the fence by militants, evidence that they are still able to launch them despite more than 100 days of war.

Israel said its forces had killed dozens of Hamas fighters overnight during fighting in Beit Lahiya, on the northern edge of the Gaza Strip. Gaza health authorities said Israeli bombardments killed 158 people in the enclave in the past 24 hours, raising the toll of the war, now in its fourth month, to 24,285, with thousands more bodies feared will be lost in the rubble.

Israel launched the war to wipe out Hamas after militants stormed the border fence on October 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 240 hostages. The war has driven nearly all Gazans from their homes, some several times, and has created a humanitarian crisis, with food, fuel and medical supplies running low.

Under pressure from Washington to reduce civilian casualties, Israel had said it was changing tactics, moving from a large-scale ground attack to targeted operations against the Hamas militants who control the enclave.