Gaza Anti-War Protests Escalate, Chanting “Hamas Must Step Down”

Gaza Anti-Hamas Protests Continue to Grow

On Wednesday (26th), thousands of Palestinians marched in the ruins of a town in northern Gaza, chanting slogans against Hamas and openly expressing their anger towards the radical organization. The protests in Gaza have been primarily concentrated in the war-torn northern region, where demonstrators are calling on Hamas to end the ongoing conflict with Israel. The 17-month-long war has devastated Gaza, making life unbearable for its residents.

Despite being at war with Israel, Hamas continues to rule Gaza. The public and direct criticism of Hamas by protesters is rare given the organization’s history of violently suppressing dissent.

On Tuesday (25th), around 3,000 people participated in a protest in the Beit Lahia town in northern Gaza. Many chanted, “People want Hamas to step down!” In the heavily bombarded Shijaiyah community, dozens shouted, “Get out, get out! Hamas, get out!”

Abed Radwan, who joined the protest in Beit Lahia, lamented the loss of lives and destruction caused by the war. He emphasized the opposition to war, Hamas, political factions in Palestine, Israel, and the world’s silence on the matter.

Ammar Hassan, another participant in Tuesday’s protest, noted the significant increase in the number of protesters from dozens to over two thousand, all rallying against Hamas.

“This is the only side we can influence,” Ammar said over the phone, acknowledging that protests may not halt Israeli actions but could potentially impact Hamas.

Unusually, Hamas did not overtly intervene in the protests. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, stated on Facebook that people have the right to protest, but their focus should be on the “aggressor” Israel.

Mohammed Abu Saker, a father of three children from Beit Hanoun near Beit Lahia, also participated in Tuesday’s demonstration, emphasizing that the protests are about saving lives and preventing further displacements.

Eyewitnesses reported similar protests erupting in the heavily bombarded Jabalia area on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz urged Palestinians to join the protests against Hamas.

“You should also demand that Hamas withdraw from Gaza and immediately release all Israeli hostages. This is the only way to end the war,” Katz said.

A 19-year-old Palestinian planned to participate in Wednesday’s protest but chose to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. He revealed the struggles his family faces—his mother battling cancer, his 10-year-old brother hospitalized with cerebral palsy, and the repeated displacement they have endured since their home was destroyed.

“We hope that Hamas can clean up the mess, return the hostages, and end the entire conflict,” he expressed.

About a week ago, a temporary ceasefire agreement broke down, reigniting violence in Gaza. Since early March, Israel has halted the delivery of food, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian aid to around two million Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has vowed to ramp up pressure until Hamas returns the remaining 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive. Israel demands that Hamas relinquish control over Gaza, disarm, and expel its leaders from the territory.

Hamas, in turn, insists on a lasting ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners before releasing the remaining hostages.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel claimed around 1,200 lives, mostly civilians, and kidnapped 251 people, sparking the Israel-Hamas war. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the conflict has led to over 50,000 deaths, with approximately 90% of Gazans displaced at its peak.

Hamas won the last Palestinian elections held in 2006. The following year, after months of factional discord and a week of intense street fighting, Hamas wrested control of Gaza from the Western-backed Fatah movement.

Reports from human rights organizations highlight the violent suppression of dissenters by both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, including imprisonment and torture for critics within their territories.