Thousands in Gaza protest against Hamas in rare call to end group’s rule

JERUSALEM – Thousands of Palestinians demonstrated across the Gaza Strip on March 26 in rare protests against militant group Hamas, the rulers of the embattled territory that triggered a devastating war with Israel.

The demonstrations began in Beit Lahiya

in the northern strip on March 25, before spreading to Gaza City and central Gaza a day later. Protesters were calling on Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza to end the 17-month war with Israel that has left tens of thousands dead.

“The protest was spontaneous; it stemmed from the oppression we live under,” one of the protesters, Mr Rezeq Salem, said in a phone interview from Beit Lahiya.

Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the United States and European Union, has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. 

Protests against the militant group are rare but not unprecedented. While previous demonstrations have called on Hamas to reconcile with rival Fatah – which dominates the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank – this is the first time crowds have openly called on Hamas to step aside and sustained protests into a second day.

Hamas and its allied factions in a statement said the demonstrations should focus on “ending the war and opening the crossings”. They also warned of an Israeli “scheme” aimed at exploiting the protests to sow divisions among Palestinians.

Israel has insisted that the war won’t end until Hamas relinquishes its political power and releases the remaining 59 Israeli hostages taken on Oct 7, 2023. The two sides have continued indirect talks over another ceasefire, but the negotiations have been deadlocked for weeks.

Israel resumed air strikes

on Gaza on March 18, following a two-month ceasefire. Since the truce crumbled, Israeli attacks have killed more than 830 Palestinians, raising the total death toll above 50,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.

Despite drawing thousands, the demonstrations have remained largely peaceful, with Hamas police and security forces rarely appearing in public. 

On March 25, Israeli air strikes destroyed more than 100 Hamas pickup trucks and SUVs, further weakening the group’s ability to suppress the demonstrations. BLOOMBERG