Hundreds Join Gaza’s Largest Anti-Hamas Protest Since War Began
Since Oct 7th, 2023, the people of Gaza have endured immense suffering. Their voices have often been drowned out by war, political agendas, and the iron grip of the terrorist group Hamas. However, in an unprecedented moment of defiance, hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in northern Gaza this week, demanding that Hamas step down and allow them to live in peace.
A Cry for Liberation
The protest, the largest anti-Hamas demonstration since the war with Israel began, saw young men marching through the streets of Beit Lahia, chanting “Out, out, out, Hamas out.” Their demand was simple: an end to the rule of Hamas, whose control has only brought destruction, economic collapse, and war.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, masked Hamas militants quickly intervened. Armed with guns and batons, they forcibly dispersed demonstrators, assaulting several. This violent crackdown reflects Hamas’s longstanding intolerance toward dissent. Instead of addressing the grievances of the people, Hamas chose to silence them through brute force.
Hamas Chooses War Over Peace
The timing of these protests is crucial. Hamas recently rejected an extended ceasefire and the continued exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages, leading Israel to resume its military campaign. This rejection raises a critical question: If the release of hostages could lead to peace, why would Hamas refuse?
The answer lies in Hamas’s priorities. While ordinary Palestinians long for normalcy—food, water, shelter, and safety—Hamas thrives on perpetual conflict. The group’s leadership remains disconnected from the daily struggles of Gazans, prioritizing its political and military objectives over the well-being of the very people it claims to represent.
Voices from the Rubble
Mohammed Diab, a resident of Beit Lahia who lost his home and his brother in an Israeli airstrike, voiced his frustration: “We refuse to die for anyone, for any party’s agenda or the interests of foreign states. Hamas must step down and listen to the voice of the grieving, the voice that rises from beneath the rubble – it is the most truthful voice.”
Diab’s words resonate with countless Gazans who have lost everything. Most of the 2.1 million people in Gaza have been displaced, some multiple times. With 70% of buildings damaged or destroyed, critical infrastructure—healthcare, water, and sanitation systems—has collapsed. The population faces extreme shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. Yet, amid this devastation, Hamas continues to prioritize its survival over the needs of the people.
The West’s Double Standard
As Palestinians in Gaza risk their lives to protest against Hamas’s oppression, one must wonder how Western protesters will respond. Will they stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza in their struggle for freedom, or will they continue to romanticize Hamas as a “resistance movement,” ignoring the voices of those suffering under its rule?
The world must recognize that true support for Palestinians means advocating for their freedom from all forms of oppression—including Hamas. It is time for international communities to listen to the voices rising from the rubble and stand with those demanding peace, dignity, and self-determination.
The question remains: Will the world hear their cries, or will it turn a blind eye once again?
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