Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday in a rare display of dissent against Hamas, the militant group that has ruled the territory since 2007. The protests, which began in Beit Lahiya in the north on Tuesday, quickly spread to Gaza City and central Gaza a day later. Demonstrators called for an end to Hamas’s rule and the ongoing 18-month war with Israel, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
A rare challenge to Hamas’s authority
Public protests against Hamas are uncommon due to the group’s tight grip on power, but discontent has been growing among Palestinians who have endured the devastating impact of the war. Many protesters expressed frustration over living conditions, with shortages of food, water, and medical supplies worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“The protest was spontaneous; it stemmed from the oppression we live under,” said Rezeq Salem, one of the demonstrators in Beit Lahiya, in a phone interview.
The demonstrations have remained largely peaceful, with Hamas’s security forces keeping a low profile in public. This marks a contrast to previous crackdowns on dissent within the enclave.
Calls for change and Hamas’s response
While previous protests in Gaza have urged Hamas to reconcile with rival faction Fatah, which leads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, this is the first time widespread demonstrations have directly called for Hamas to step down. The fact that the protests continued into a second day suggests growing frustration among ordinary Palestinians.
In response, Hamas and its allied factions urged protesters to shift their focus towards ending the war and pressing Israel to reopen border crossings for humanitarian aid. They also warned that Israel was attempting to exploit the unrest to weaken Palestinian unity.
Israeli officials react
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the protests demonstrated that his country’s military efforts were successfully undermining Hamas’s political power.
“We saw something that we’ve never seen in the past,” Netanyahu told the Israeli parliament. “We saw large, open protests against Hamas. The Gazans understand that Hamas has brought upon them destruction.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, echoed this sentiment, encouraging more Gazans to take to the streets. He also signalled that Israel’s military operations in Gaza would continue and that civilians would be required to move away from combat zones.
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The continuing war and humanitarian toll
Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, UK, and European Union, launched a large-scale attack on Israel from Gaza on 7 October 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas, vowing to destroy the group’s military capabilities and secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages.
Despite intermittent ceasefire negotiations, fighting resumed on 18 March following the breakdown of a two-month truce. Since then, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 830 Palestinians, bringing the total reported death toll in Gaza to more than 50,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its figures.
Uncertain future for Gaza
As the protests unfold, it remains unclear whether they will have any lasting impact on Hamas’s control over Gaza. The group has ruled the enclave for nearly two decades, often responding harshly to dissent. However, growing dissatisfaction among residents suggests that support for Hamas may be weakening under the weight of war, hardship, and destruction.
With indirect talks over a new ceasefire stalled and military operations continuing, the future of Gaza remains uncertain. But for now, the rare public outcry against Hamas signals that frustration among the Palestinian population is reaching a breaking point.
