In a rare expression of dissent, Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets of Beit Lahiya on Tuesday to protest against Hamas, the militant group that governs the enclave. The demonstrations surfaced amid the ongoing turmoil following over a year of conflict with Israel, during which many Gazans have endured severe hardships. Some demonstrators voiced their concerns by chanting slogans opposing Hamas’s continued control over Gaza, while others displayed signs advocating for an end to the conflict.
According to videos authenticated by The New York Times, these protests are notable due to the public nature of the criticism against Hamas, which traditionally is blamed less openly by Gaza’s populace. While Gazans frequently fault Israel for the significant destruction, casualties, and deprivation they face, some are beginning to hold Hamas accountable for its actions, which include initiating the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. The ongoing Israeli bombardment, which resumed after a two-month cease-fire was abandoned last week, aimed to pressure Hamas further, appears to have rekindled public anger.
Among the voices from the protest was Ahmed al-Masri, a 35-year-old construction worker, who remarked on the desire for peace and a transition of power. He expressed, “We want to continue until the bloodshed stops and Hamas leaves the Palestinian scene.” Another protester, identified only as Ibrahim, shared that he stumbled upon the rally while out shopping, emphasizing the demand for Hamas to exit Gaza and end the ongoing conflict.
Hamas, which has maintained a strict control over Gaza since 2007, is notorious for suppressing dissent through arrests and harsh responses to opposition demonstrations. Human Rights Watch reported in 2018 on the routine arrests and torture of dissenters by Hamas. Even as the conflict with Israel flared, fewer Gazans dared to voice their dissatisfaction publicly. A well-known critic of Hamas, Amin Abed, detailed a brutal attack he suffered from Hamas’s security forces, illustrating the perils faced by those who oppose the regime. The Hamas government in Gaza stated that such incidents were under investigation but downplayed the role of its forces.
Despite the tensions and criticism, Hamas retains substantial military capabilities, with thousands of fighters under its command. The recent cease-fire, brief as it was, saw Hamas seeking to reassert its influence over Gaza. However, the looming fear among some Gazans is that a truce preserving Hamas’s control will simply delay another inevitable conflict. As Helal Warshagha, a Beit Lahiya activist who has since fled Gaza, warned, “Without Hamas going away, the next war will only be a matter of time.”
The civil unrest in Gaza highlights the precarious balance of power and the enduring desire for peace and stability amid persistent warfare. As the region grapples with the conflict’s fallout, the international community remains watchful for shifts that might finally lead to an enduring peace process. Reporting by Adam Rasgon in Jerusalem provided additional insights into the unfolding events.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/world/middleeast/gaza-protests-hamas.html
Category : Gaza Strip,Demonstrations, Protests and Riots,Palestinians,Hamas,Terrorism,Refugees and Displaced Persons,Civilian Casualties,Deaths (Fatalities),Israel-Gaza War (2023- ),Israel,Defense and Military Forces,Peace Process
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Publish Date: 2025-03-26 20:25:00
