Significant protests erupted in the Gaza Strip, with hundreds of Palestinians publicly opposing Hamas’s governance and demanding an end to the ongoing conflict with Israel. These demonstrations, notably rare in the region due to Hamas’s stringent control, signal growing frustration among Gaza’s residents.
In the northern town of Beit Lahia, protesters took to the streets chanting slogans such as “Hamas out” and “We want to live in peace.” Participants carried signs reading “Stop the war,” expressing their exhaustion from the prolonged hostilities and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Eyewitnesses reported that Hamas supporters attempted to disperse the crowds, leading to confrontations.
Similar demonstrations occurred in other areas, including the Jabalia refugee camp, where residents voiced their discontent with Hamas’s rule and the continuous conflict. The protests are considered the largest against Hamas since the group’s attacks on southern Israel in October 2023. Criticism of Hamas within Gaza is typically suppressed, making these public expressions of dissent particularly noteworthy.
The immediate catalyst for these protests appears to be the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire ended on March 18, 2025. The renewed offensive has resulted in significant casualties and further strained the already dire humanitarian situation in the enclave. Residents, weary of the ongoing violence and its impact on daily life, are increasingly vocal in their demands for peace and a change in leadership.
Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, has faced internal criticism before, but such large-scale public protests are uncommon. The group’s response to these demonstrations will be closely watched, as will the potential for further unrest if residents’ demands continue to go unmet.
