Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of northern Gaza this week in the largest public demonstrations against Hamas since the war with Israel began on October 7, 2023. The rare anti-Hamas protests reflect growing public frustration as Gaza endures its deadliest conflict in decades, a deepening humanitarian crisis, and near-total blockade of food, water, and medicine.
Video footage verified by CNN showed large crowds marching in Beit Lahia on Tuesday, chanting, "For God's sake, Hamas out," "Hamas terrorists," and "We want an end to the war." Protesters carried signs reading, "Stop the war," "We refuse to die," and "The blood of our children is not cheap." Demonstrations also spread to Jabaliya and Shijaiyah in Gaza City, where dozens shouted, "Out, out, out! Hamas get out!"
Ammar Hassan, a participant in Beit Lahia, said what began as a small anti-war protest grew to over 2,000 people, many of whom blamed Hamas for prolonging the fighting. "It's the only party we can affect," Hassan said. "Protests won't stop the [Israeli] occupation, but it can affect Hamas."
The demonstrations come amid soaring civilian casualties. Gaza's Health Ministry reported the death toll surpassed 50,000 on Sunday, with 26 additional injuries reported and many believed still trapped under rubble. The 17-month war has displaced roughly 90% of Gaza's population and left vast parts of the enclave in ruins.
Acting President Han Duck-soo acknowledged the rising death toll and devastation in a televised address. "Damages are snowballing," Han said. "There are concerns that we'll have wildfire damages that we've never experienced." His comments came in the context of ongoing Israeli strikes, but were echoed by rising pressure within Gaza over the Hamas leadership's continued refusal to concede.
Israel halted all humanitarian aid to Gaza earlier this month, citing Hamas's alleged misappropriation of supplies. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said no food, medicine, water, or fuel had entered Gaza in three weeks. "Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis," the agency warned on Sunday.
Israel has demanded that Hamas release 59 remaining hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, and surrender power. Hamas insists it will only negotiate their release in exchange for a full ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and prisoner releases.
Tuesday's protests were not solely directed at Hamas. One demonstrator in Jabaliya said chants targeted Hamas, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Arab mediators alike. "Everyone failed us," the protester said on condition of anonymity. Others expressed regret that their anti-Hamas message was amplified in Israeli media coverage.
In Gaza's Beit Hanoun, protester Mohammed Abu Saker emphasized the human toll of the war. "The protest was not about politics. It was about people's lives," he said. "We want to stop the killing and displacement, no matter the price. We can't stop Israel from killing us, but we can press Hamas to give concessions."
Hamas has not forcibly disrupted the protests as it has in the past, a shift some attribute to the group's weakened grip on the territory since Israel resumed ground and air operations. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim acknowledged public dissent, writing on Facebook that people had "the right to protest" but should remain focused on "the criminal aggressor," referring to Israel.
Calls for additional demonstrations circulated widely on social media this week. One message read: "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."
Since Hamas seized power from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, the group has tightly controlled dissent in Gaza, suppressing protests and arresting critics. Rights organizations say both Hamas and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority have a record of jailing opponents and restricting speech.
The renewed protests follow Israel's surprise airstrikes last week that ended a fragile ceasefire and killed hundreds. With no aid entering Gaza since early March, UN officials warn of famine and total system collapse. A 19-year-old protester said his family had been displaced several times and had lost their home. "People are angry at the whole world," he said. "We want Hamas to resolve this situation, return the hostages and end this whole thing."
