Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of northern Gaza on Wednesday, marching through the ruins of war-ravaged towns in a rare public protest against Hamas and the ongoing conflict with Israel.
The demonstrations, which began Tuesday in Beit Lahiya, continued for a second day as protesters voiced frustration over the 17-month-long war that has left Gaza devastated. While many chanted for an end to the conflict, others openly criticised Hamas.
In Beit Lahiya, around 3,000 demonstrators chanted, “The people want the fall of Hamas,” while in Gaza City‘s Shijaiyah neighborhood, dozens of men shouted, “Out, out, out! Hamas, get out!”
“Our children have been killed. Our houses have been destroyed,” said Abed Radwan, a protester in Beit Lahiya. “We are against the war, against Hamas, against the Palestinian factions, against Israel, and against the world’s silence.”
Ammar Hassan, who attended Tuesday’s protests, said they began with just a few dozen people before swelling to over 2,000, with demonstrators shifting their anger toward Hamas.
“We know protests won’t stop the occupation, but they can put pressure on Hamas,” Hassan said.
Hamas’ response and rising discontent
Hamas has violently cracked down on dissent in the past, but no immediate suppression of these protests was reported. Instead, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim acknowledged the demonstrations, saying on Facebook that “people have the right to protest” but insisted their focus should be on “the criminal aggressor,” referring to Israel.
Many protestors, while condemning Hamas, also voiced their anger toward Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Arab mediators.
“Everyone failed us,” said a protester in Jabaliya, speaking anonymously out of fear of retribution.
A 19-year-old demonstrator described how his family had been displaced multiple times since the war began. “People are angry at the whole world,” he said. “We want Hamas to resolve this situation, return the hostages, and end this whole thing.”
Israel reacts to unrest
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz urged Palestinians to continue protesting, calling on them to “demand the removal of Hamas from Gaza and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages.”
The protests erupted amid a new wave of Israeli attacks following a collapse in ceasefire talks. Earlier this month, Israel intensified its blockade, halting all deliveries of food, fuel, and medicine to Gaza.
Israel has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas surrenders power, disarms, and releases the 59 hostages it still holds—24 of whom are believed to be alive. Hamas has refused, insisting on a complete Israeli withdrawal and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Gaza’s long war
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 251. Israel responded with a full-scale offensive, killing over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The war has displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population and left entire neighborhoods in ruins.
