Anti-Hamas protests resurface in Gaza: “Gaza Is Humiliated”

For the first time in weeks, rare but growing protests have returned to the streets of Gaza, with hundreds of residents in Beit Lahia calling for an end to Hamas rule and the ongoing war with Israel. On Wednesday evening, demonstrators gathered to chant slogans such as “We want to live in peace,” “Yes to unity, no to terror,” and “Gaza is humiliated,” openly challenging the authority of Hamas and its role in the conflict.

The protest marked the first large-scale demonstration since a similar uprising occurred nearly three weeks ago. In a sign of increasing frustration among Gaza’s population, some protesters directly named senior Hamas officials such as Osama Hamdan and Mahmoud al-Zahar. Others held signs reading “We want to learn,” as children joined the march calling for the reopening of border crossings.

In a significant and unusual development, clan leaders — including some previously affiliated with Hamas — were seen participating in the protest. According to eyewitnesses, Hamas operatives attempted to redirect the demonstration's message to focus on ending the war rather than criticizing the group’s rule, but the crowd reportedly drove them away with curses.

The protest follows a similar wave of dissent last month, when displaced residents from Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun marched toward Gaza City, holding signs that read “Hamas out, Hamas must go” and “Our children’s blood is not cheap.” Those earlier protests sparked additional gatherings in Gaza City, the Jabalia refugee camp, and Khan Younis.

Some demonstrators waved Egyptian flags and cheered Egypt’s role in mediation efforts. “People took to the streets in Beit Lahia demanding that Hamas leave, due to the ongoing war, bombardment, destruction, and constant pressure to evacuate,” said Mohammed al-Masri, a protest participant.

Another protester, Abu Ismail Washah, added, “Hamas out, out… Hamas is all rubbish.” He joined the rally because, “Right now we are under siege, facing destruction and constant suffering.”

In a statement to AFP, Hassan Abu Jarad addressed the issue of hostages, saying, “We appeal to the wise among our people to release the kidnapped Israelis immediately. We call on all the Israeli people to renounce their hatred for us and we tell you that we do not hate you. We are a people who love life and peace.”

Despite the growing public dissent, Hamas has reportedly responded with severe repression. Several families and clans later issued a joint statement warning Hamas against further crackdowns. However, reports from inside Gaza indicate that Hamas has already violently suppressed demonstrations, targeting organizers and participants. At least six people were allegedly executed, while others were tortured. In one reported case, a young man from Gaza City was abducted, brutally beaten, and returned to his family in a dying state. In another, a man was publicly beaten and shot in Nuseirat Square.

A social activist who was injured during the crackdown said, “No Gazan journalist will speak about these crimes,” reflecting the climate of fear and censorship surrounding the protests.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously addressed the protests, saying, “More and more Gazans understand that Hamas brings them destruction and ruin. That’s important. It shows our policy is working.

These developments mark a growing undercurrent of resistance within Gaza, as ordinary citizens increasingly speak out against both the war and the Hamas leadership that has controlled the Gaza strip since 2007.