Gazans Protest Against Hamas Amid Ongoing Conflict with Israel

In a remarkable turnout for dissent, residents of Beit Lahiya in Gaza rallied against Hamas, calling for an end to the war that has caused immense suffering for over a year. As Israel resumes bombardments, protesters vent their grievances against the armed group blamed for igniting the conflict.

Palestinians in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya took to the streets on Tuesday, marking a rare protest against Hamas, amid ongoing hostilities with Israel. While many Gazans typically hold Israel responsible for the destruction and humanitarian crisis, protesters voiced their discontent with Hamas's leadership and its role in perpetuating the conflict.

Videos confirming the protest showed groups marching in the battered streets of Beit Lahiya, with some carrying banners calling for peace and others openly demanding that Hamas step down. There is a growing sentiment among protesters that the armed group, which led the initial attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, should take responsibility for the subsequent violence and human suffering.

One participant, Ahmed al-Masri, a 35-year-old construction worker, emphasized the need for change, stating, "We want to continue until the bloodshed stops and Hamas leaves the Palestinian scene." Another protester, Ibrahim, who requested to use only his first name due to safety concerns, recounted how he stumbled into the demonstration while shopping for food.

The protests appear to be ignited by Israel's recent revival of attacks on Gaza after abandoning a two-month cease-fire, aiming to exert pressure on Hamas for the release of remaining hostages. This resurgence of public dissent signals a significant shift in sentiment within Gaza, as citizens grow weary of years of conflict and instability.