Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza yesterday in the largest anti-Hamas protest since the war with Israel began.
Demonstrators demanded that Hamas step down from power amid growing frustration with the ongoing conflict.
The protest marks a significant moment of public dissent against the group that has ruled Gaza since 2007.
Videos shared widely on social media showed young men marching through the streets, chanting "out, out, out, Hamas out" and "down with Hamas rule, down with the Muslim Brotherhood rule".
Demonstrators demanded that Hamas step down from power amid growing frustration with the ongoing conflict
REUTERS
In Jabalia refugee camps, protesters burned tyres and called for the war to end, shouting "we want to eat".
The demonstrations reflect growing public anger in Gaza after 18 months of devastating conflict.
Masked Hamas militants forcibly dispersed the protesters, with some carrying guns whilst others wielded batons.
Several demonstrators were assaulted during the crackdown.
One witness said: "I saw members of the Hamas security forces in civilian clothing breaking up the protest."
Pro-Hamas supporters defended the group and accused participants of being traitors.
Hamas has yet to comment on the demonstrations.
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Open criticism of Hamas has grown in Gaza since the war began, both on the streets and online
REUTERS
Mohammed Diab, a Beit Lahia resident who lost his home in the war and his brother in an Israeli airstrike, said: "We refuse to die for anyone, for any party's agenda or the interests of foreign states."
"Hamas must step down and listen to the voice of the grieving, the voice that rises from beneath the rubble - it is the most truthful voice."
Another protester, Majdi, said: "The people are tired. If Hamas leaving power in Gaza is the solution, why doesn't Hamas give up power to protect the people?"
Open criticism of Hamas has grown in Gaza since the war began, both on the streets and online.
Mohammed Al-Najjar posted on Facebook: "Excuse me, but what exactly is Hamas betting on? They're betting on our blood, blood that the whole world sees as just numbers."
There was opposition to Hamas long before the war, though much remained hidden for fear of reprisals.
Some Gaza residents believe the protests could spread to other parts of the territory as inhabitants grow increasingly exhausted and traumatised
REUTERS
Some Gaza residents believe the protests could spread to other parts of the territory as inhabitants grow increasingly exhausted and traumatised.
Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza following nearly two months of ceasefire, blaming Hamas for rejecting a US proposal to extend the truce.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and thousands displaced since Israeli operations resumed on March 18.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported on Sunday that some 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
According to Joseph Braude, president of the Center for Peace Communications, this is "the most substantial mass protest" since previous anti-Hamas demonstrations in 2019 and July 2023.
Many of the slogans chanted on Tuesday evoked the Bidna N'eesh ('We Want to Live') movement from the 2019 Gaza economic protests, which were also violently suppressed by Hamas.
