Protest Break Out in Gaza as War Fatigue Hits Population

By Abby Bedard

In a rare display of public dissent, a string of protests broke out across Gaza this week.  The protests came a week after Israel ended the ceasefire by once again launching airstrikes on the enclave, killing 409 Gazans in a single day, with thousands more wounded, making it one of the deadliest days since the war began.

These protests are unprecedented in Gaza, where public opposition to Hamas has been historically suppressed.  The recent resurgence of conflict has intensified humanitarian crises, leading to widespread displacement and casualties.  The civilian toll has fueled public outcry, with demonstrators urging Hamas to cease hostilities and release Israeli hostages.

Hassan Saad, one of the protest organizers, cited Israeli eviction notices as the final straw that triggered these protests.  Saad told Al Jazeera reporters, “The nightmare of displacement once again was the primary reason that pushed us to do something to demand an end to the war on Gaza”.   While Saad has stated that the protests were intended to be anti-war, anti-Hamas sentiments quickly found their way into the discourse. 

Videos began to circulate on Tuesday of anti-Hamas sentiments at these protests.  Protesters can be heard chanting “Out, out out! Hamas get out!” and “The people want the fall of Hamas”.  Feelings of hopelessness and betrayal were echoed by many protestors.  One man, Abed Radwan, told the Associated Press (AP) that he joined the protest, “against the war, against Hamas, and the (Palestinian political) factions, against Israel and against the world’s silence”. 

Another protestor, a 19-year-old Palestinian, told the AP of the condition of anonymity, “People are angry at the whole world…We want Hamas to resolve this situation, return the hostages and end this whole thing”.  Mohammed Abu Saker, shared his reason for joining the protests, “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”.

Hassan Saad clarified in an interview with Al Jazeera that demanding for Hamas to step down was not one of the protest’s official goals; however, “The people’s demands stem from an unbearable reality.  If ending the war requires Hamas to step aside, then so be it”.

 Several protestors from Jabaliya later reported that they regretted their participation in the demonstrations, due to Israeli media coverage and its emphasis on the anti-Hamas sentiments.  Hamas official Basem Naim spoke out against political exploitation of these protests, “whether to advance dubious political agendas or to deflect responsibility from the criminal aggressor, the occupation and its army”.

Munthir al’Hayek, a Fatah spokesperson, took to social media to urge Hamas to step down and “heed the people’s voice”.  Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, urged Palestinians to continue protesting, “You too should demand the removal of Hamas from Gaza and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages. That is the only way to stop the war”.  Reporting on the protests has varied widely, with Western media outlets focusing on the anti-Hamas sentiments, while non-Western media has focused on the anti-Israel and anti-war messaging.

 The protests in Gaza this week reflect growing frustration among civilians caught in the crossfire of a once-again escalating conflict.  While interpretations of the protests vary, they underscore the deepening humanitarian crisis and the desperate search for a resolution to the violence.