Gaza: Protests Erupt in Multiple Areas, Demanding Hamas to Step Down

Hundreds of Palestinians held protests in northern Gaza on Tuesday, March 25th, demanding an end to the war and condemning Hamas’s rule. This marked the largest anti-Hamas demonstration in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, 2023, signaling that a year and a half of ongoing conflict has brought the grievances and pressure of the local people to the forefront.

On Tuesday, at least three locations in Gaza witnessed protests against Hamas, with hundreds of Palestinians taking to the streets to express their anger towards the organization and the war it perpetuates. Hamas has been in control of the Gaza Strip since 2007 and is designated as a terrorist organization by countries including the United States and the European Union.

Videos and photos circulating on social media showed that the protests were concentrated in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, predominantly attended by male protesters who shouted slogans such as “Down with Hamas,” “Hamas is a terrorist organization,” and “People want to overthrow Hamas,” while some raised banners saying “Stop the war,” “We want peace,” and “Palestinian children want to live.”

Some demonstrators also gathered outside the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, waving white flags to convey their messages of peace. One protester named Mohammed said, “I don’t know who organized this protest, but I joined to convey a message for the people: no more war.”

He added that he had seen “Hamas security forces in plainclothes dispersing the crowd.” For safety reasons, Mohammed declined to disclose his full name. Another protester, Majdi, who also withheld his full name, stated, “The people have had enough.”

He questioned, “If stepping down by Hamas could solve the issues, why don’t they relinquish power to protect the people?” Reports indicated that a message calling for participation in the protests spread on social platforms like Telegram, suggesting that the protests might have been organized spontaneously by the people without a specific political party or group leading them.

Several hours after the initial protest broke out, another anti-war and anti-Hamas demonstration erupted in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, where dozens burned tires and chanted, “We want to eat!” Following the spread of the news, protests emerged in other areas of Gaza, including the major southern city of Khan Younis, with crowds chanting “Down with Hamas” and calling for an end to the war, actions that were documented through videos.

Hamas officials made no comments on the protests, but some media outlets in Gaza, including those affiliated with the terrorist group, published photos and videos of the “peaceful demonstrations” under the title “Stop the War,” without mentioning the demands for Hamas to step down.

Despite a growing public opposition to Hamas’s rule in Gaza since the start of the conflict, large-scale demonstrations against the organization have been virtually non-existent. Gaza is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis as Israel has blocked aid supplies from entering since March 2, aiming to pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages still in captivity. The local residents not only endure hardships in daily life due to scarcity of resources but also suffer from the impacts of war and political oppression.

The Israeli government has repeatedly urged the people of Gaza to oppose Hamas, yet under the firm grip of Hamas’s rule, such dissenting voices are rare. While the scale of this protest remains limited, it could signify a potential political shift in Gaza.