 "How anti-Hamas protests in Gaza are a rare show of dissent")
For the first time in years, thousands of Palestinians have taken to the streets in northern Gaza, voicing rare public opposition to Hamas.
Protesters in Beit Lahia and other areas chanted slogans such as “For God’s sake, Hamas out,” “Hamas terrorists,” and “We want an end to the war,” in an extraordinary display of dissent against the militant group.
Videos circulating online showed large crowds marching through the half-ruined streets of Beit Lahia, with some protesters holding signs opposing the continuation of the war while others directly criticised Hamas.
A message shared on social media appeared to call for further protests across Gaza, with organisers stating, “Our voices must reach all the spies who sold our blood.”
Another message encouraged demonstrators, saying, “Let them hear your voice, let them know that Gaza is not silent, and that there is a people who will not accept to be eradicated.”
This marks one of the most significant public expressions of frustration against Hamas since it seized control of Gaza in 2007.
Looking at the mounting public frustration in Gaza amid war
The demonstrations, which began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday , took place against the backdrop of Israel’s renewed military offensive following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement.
The war, which has lasted 17 months, was triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in which militants killed approximately 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has led to over 50,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry, although it does not specify how many of those were civilians or combatants.
The protests were concentrated in northern Gaza, one of the hardest-hit regions in the war, where buildings have been reduced to rubble, and many residents have been displaced multiple times.
Protesters were heard chanting, “The people want the fall of Hamas,” and “Out, out, out! Hamas get out!” — a striking development given Hamas’ long-standing suppression of public dissent.
In Jabaliya, another area devastated by the war, protesters expressed anger not only at Hamas but also at Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Arab mediators. Some demonstrators later expressed regret at participating after Israeli media coverage highlighted the anti-Hamas sentiment.
Unlike previous occasions, Hamas security forces did not immediately crack down on the protests, possibly because the group has kept a lower profile since Israel resumed its attacks.
However, Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim addressed the protests in a Facebook post, stating that people had the right to express frustration but that their focus should be on “the criminal aggressor,” referring to Israel.
The protests erupted just days after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz urged Gazans to demand Hamas’ removal and the release of Israeli hostages, stating that it was “the only way to stop the war.”
Gaza is looking at a deepening humanitarian crisis
The protests are unfolding amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Gaza, home to approximately 2.1 million Palestinians, is heavily dependent on humanitarian aid, which has become increasingly scarce.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that no food, water, medicine, or fuel had entered Gaza in over three weeks, marking a longer blockade than during the war’s initial phase.
The lack of supplies has pushed Gaza to the brink of an acute hunger crisis. “Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis,” UNRWA stated in a social media post.
Israel halted aid deliveries at the beginning of March, following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations. The Israeli government has accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid to sustain its military operations, a claim the militant group denies.
The worsening humanitarian situation has exacerbated anger and frustration among Gazans, contributing to the growing opposition to Hamas.
What Hamas’ history tells us
Hamas has a long history of suppressing dissent in Gaza. Since taking control of the territory in 2007, the group has cracked down on protests, arrested critics, and aggressively dispersed demonstrations.
A 2018 Human Rights Watch report accused Hamas of routinely detaining and torturing opponents, making public criticism of the group rare.
Even before the war, economic hardship and Israeli-imposed blockades fuelled occasional protests. Previous demonstrations against Hamas were often triggered by deteriorating living conditions, including power shortages, unemployment, and the high cost of living.
However, Hamas security forces typically responded with force, arbitrarily detaining journalists and political opponents.
Recent opinion polls suggest that Hamas’ standing among Gazans has been affected by the prolonged war. Polling by the Arab World Research and Development group (AWRAD) in May 2024 found that only 24 per cent of Gazans had a “positive” view of Hamas.
Another survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) in July 2024 showed that 38 per cent of Gazans supported Hamas, while 24 per cent favoured the secular Fatah party, and 15 per cent supported third parties.
Polling remains difficult, as the extreme conditions in Gaza make face-to-face interviews nearly impossible, especially in northern areas that have seen the heaviest fighting. Nonetheless, the protests reflect a growing willingness among some Palestinians to voice dissatisfaction publicly, despite the risks.
What this means for Hamas rule in Gaza
As the war continues, the protests highlight a crucial shift in Gaza’s political landscape. While Hamas remains in control and still commands thousands of armed fighters, the growing discontent suggests increasing pressure on the group.
Some Gazans fear that any ceasefire leaving Hamas in power would lead to another cycle of conflict in the future.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is removed from power. Israel is also demanding that Hamas disarm, release the remaining hostages, and exile its leadership.
Hamas, on the other hand, has stated that it will only free the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, has been largely sidelined in discussions about Gaza’s post-war governance. Netanyahu has made clear that Israel will not allow the Palestinian Authority to return to power in the enclave.
This has led to uncertainty over who, if anyone, could govern Gaza if Hamas is eventually ousted.
The rare demonstrations of public dissent signal a growing frustration among civilians who have endured 17 months of war, relentless airstrikes from Israel and dire living conditions.
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