In the midst of severe destruction in northern Gaza, thousands of Palestinians gathered for the second day of anti-war demonstrations, openly expressing anger toward Hamas in an uncommon public display. These protests, primarily occurring in the northern region of Gaza, were largely focused on the ongoing war, with chants demanding an end to the 17-month conflict with Israel that has made living conditions unbearable.
While the protests were directed at the war in general, they also included unprecedented criticism of Hamas, the group that has previously cracked down on dissent in Gaza with force. In the town of Beit Lahiya, similar protests as the previous day saw approximately 3,000 individuals calling out against Hamas with cries for the group’s downfall. In the heavily damaged Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City, smaller crowds echoed these sentiments, demanding Hamas leave.
Among the protestors, Abed Radwan expressed his grievances, protesting against the war, the broader political factions, Israel, and the perceived global silence. Ammar Hassan, another protest participant, noted that a small anti-war gathering quickly swelled as people chanted against Hamas, whom they see as the only entity within their influence.
Historically, Hamas has quelled protests with force, but this time there appeared to be no such intervention, possibly due to the ongoing conflict with Israel. A senior Hamas official acknowledged the right to protest but urged focus on Israel as the true aggressor.
Leaders from Beit Lahiya voiced support for the protests against Israel’s aggressive tactics and blockade. Mohammed Abu Saker, a protestor from the nearby town of Beit Hanoun, emphasized the need to halt killing and displacement, acknowledging the limited power to change Israeli actions but hopeful for concessions from Hamas.
A similar protest unfolded in the devastated area of Jabaliya, where protestors vocalized their anger toward Israel, Hamas, and other political entities, revealing division within the demonstrations.
Despite the protests’ intent, some participants, such as a Jabaliya protestor, expressed regret for the unintended media portrayal, especially from Israeli channels focusing on disapproval of Hamas. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called for more protests to demand Hamas’s removal and the release of Israeli hostages, claiming it the only path to cease the conflict.
A young Palestinian, planning to join future protests, shared personal hardships due to the ongoing situation, highlighting the general frustration directed toward multiple parties, including the US, Israel, and Hamas. He expressed a desire for Hamas to resolve the hostilities and return the hostages.
The renewed outbreak of violence followed Israel’s abrupt termination of a ceasefire with a large-scale offensive leading to numerous casualties. Citing hostage recovery and the disarmament of Hamas as objectives, Israel’s actions followed Hamas’s violent actions which initiated the conflict. Given the grave humanitarian crisis, Israel has intensified its activities until demands are met concerning hostages and other stipulations.
Calls for a lasting ceasefire by Hamas hinge on the release of Palestinian prisoners and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, escalating tensions and worsening humanitarian conditions across the region. Hamas’s rise to power followed electoral victory in 2006, preceding a brutal takeover from the Palestinian Authority, underlining ongoing internal political strife.
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority stand accused by rights organizations of stifling dissent and suppressing protests through harsh means, maintaining a tense and restrictive environment within territories under their control.