Thousands of Palestinians marched in northern Gaza this week in public protests against Hamas and the ongoing war with Israel. Demonstrators in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya chanted slogans such as “Hamas does not represent us” and “The people want the fall of Hamas,” expressing frustration over 17 months of devastating conflict.
The protests began Tuesday with small crowds but swelled to over 3,000 people by Wednesday, marking one of the largest public displays of anger toward Hamas since the war began. Residents blamed both Hamas and Israel for the suffering, citing destroyed homes, food shortages, and the loss of family members.
“This protest is about survival,” said Abed Radwan, a demonstrator in Beit Lahiya. “Our children have been killed. Our houses destroyed.”
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Katz called on Gazans to continue the protests, warning that military operations against Hamas would intensify unless Israeli hostages held in Gaza were released.
Hamas, which violently seized control of Gaza in 2007 and is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU, and others, has historically cracked down on dissent. However, no immediate intervention was reported during these protests, possibly due to the group’s weakened presence amid the war.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has devastated Gaza, leading to heavy casualties and mass displacement.
While some community leaders expressed support for armed resistance against Israel, protesters emphasized they were marching to stop the violence and pressure Hamas to make concessions to end the war.
Israeli officials urged Gaza residents to demand Hamas’s removal, framing it as the only path to peace.
