Unprecedented public dissent against Hamas has surfaced in Gaza as the conflict with Israel continues to rage, marking a significant, albeit nascent, challenge to the ruling faction’s authority. For three consecutive days, a rare display of opposition unfolded across multiple locations within the embattled territory, with residents voicing their profound frustration and yearning for an end to the ongoing hostilities. These demonstrations, in a region long under the firm control of Hamas, saw Gazans bravely taking to the streets to demand peace and, in some instances, calling directly for Hamas to relinquish its grip on power. The emergence of such public outcry underscores the immense pressure and desperation felt by the civilian population trapped amidst a devastating and protracted conflict. Given Hamas’s established history of suppressing dissent, these protests represent a notable departure from the status quo and hint at potentially shifting dynamics within Gaza.
Gazan voices, weary from years of conflict and the recent intense fighting, echoed through the rubble-strewn streets, carrying poignant messages of despair and a longing for normalcy. Beginning on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, and continuing through Thursday, March 27th, demonstrations were reported in various locations across the Gaza Strip. These protests were not confined to a single area but spanned from the northern regions of Beit Lahia to the central areas including Nusseirat and Shujaiya, and even extended to Gaza City, Jabaliya, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis in the south. The slogans chanted by the residents painted a vivid picture of their grievances. Calls for “Hamas out” and accusations of “Hamas terrorists” were frequently heard, alongside the demand for the group to be overthrown with chants of “The people want to overthrow Hamas”.
In several locations, video clips circulating online capture the voices of Gazans denouncing Hamas and calling for change:
- Beit Lahia (March 25–27, 2025): Protesters chanted “Hamas out,” “Hamas terrorists,” “Stop the war,” “We refuse to die,” “Hamas does not represent us,” “Enough destruction, enough killing, we want to live,” “For God’s sake, get out, Hamas!,” and “Hamas barra/out.”
- Nusseirat (March 2025): Protests were reported, though specific slogans were not detailed.
- Shujaiya (March 26, 2025): Demonstrators called for the dismissal of Hamas.
- Gaza City (March 2025): Protesters echoed “Hamas out,” “Hamas does not represent us,” “The people want to overthrow Hamas,” and “Al Jazeera out.”
- Jabaliya (March 25, 2025): Protest slogans included calls for an end to the war.
- Deir al-Balah (March 2025): Demonstrations, while not specifying slogans, showed solidarity with Beit Lahia protesters and opposition to the war.
- Khan Younis (March 2025): Protests were reported with details on slogans not specified.
- Various Locations (March 25–27, 2025): Additional slogans heard included “Yes to peace, no to the ongoing war,” “Enough wars,” “We don’t want war,” “The blood of our children is not cheap,” “Enough displacement and homelessness,” “We are a peaceful people! We want to live!,” “The people want to overthrow Hamas,” and “Hamas barra/out.”
Beyond directly targeting Hamas, protesters also voiced a strong desire for peace, chanting “Yes to peace, no to the ongoing war”, “Enough wars”, and “We don’t want war”. The sheer exhaustion and desperation of the population were evident in slogans like “Stop the war” , “We refuse to die” , and “The blood of our children is not cheap”. Some demonstrators carried banners declaring, “Hamas does not represent us”, further highlighting a desire to distance themselves from the ruling faction. The intensity of feeling was palpable, with some even calling out media outlets perceived to be biased, as seen in the “Al Jazeera out” chants , and expressing utter frustration with the situation, as in “For God’s sake, get out, Hamas!” and the more direct “Hamas barra/out”. The underlying sentiment was a plea for a life free from constant conflict and destruction, encapsulated in slogans such as “Enough displacement and homelessness”, “We are a peaceful people! We want to live!”, and the poignant “Enough destruction, enough killing, we want to live”. Eyewitness accounts suggested that many of these rallies were spontaneous, driven by the sheer exhaustion and lack of viable alternatives for a population under immense strain.
There are reports of Hamas security forces actively working to disperse the protests. While the initial query mentioned “forceful interventions,” eyewitness accounts corroborated by news reports detailed these actions. The BBC reported that masked Hamas operatives, some armed with guns and others wielding batons, forcibly dispersed demonstrators, in some cases resorting to physical assault. Beyond direct confrontation, Hamas also reportedly employed indirect methods to quell the unrest. These tactics included alleged coordination with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to launch rockets from areas where protests were planned, with the aim of provoking Israeli strikes that would disperse the gatherings . Additionally, Hamas reportedly mobilized its “security agents” to intimidate protesters and sought the support of influential clan leaders in an effort to delegitimize the burgeoning movement and redirect public anger towards Israel. The message to potential participants was clear: Hamas warned that those taking part in such demonstrations would be treated as collaborators with Israel, a potentially deadly accusation in Gaza.
Hamas leaders have been scrambling to suppress news of these protests, cautioning demonstrators that their actions might inadvertently support Israel’s cause. Despite this, prominent voices like Palestinian-American blogger Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib describe the protests as “organic, popular-led, and entirely authentic expressions of frustration, anger, rage, fury, and exhaustion.”
One protester, Sami Ubayed, told Ynet News, “Residents have no water or electricity. Hamas is destroying Gaza… We won’t stop demonstrating.” Another, Ammar Hassan, commented to PBS, “We are sick of the bombing, killing, and displacement. [Hamas] is the only party we can affect.”
The emergence of these protests, suggests potentially shifting dynamics within the territory. The willingness of Gazans to openly express their discontent, despite the well-documented history of violent suppression of dissent by Hamas, is a significant indicator that the long-standing climate of fear might be cracking. Analysts have noted that the scale and boldness of the criticisms voiced in these recent protests are unprecedented compared to previous instances of dissent. Adding another layer to this evolving situation is the reported involvement of clans in the protests. These clans, representing influential rivals to Hamas within Gazan society, pose a unique challenge to the group’s authority, suggesting that the opposition might be gaining traction beyond individual acts of defiance.
The backdrop against which these protests unfolded is a dire humanitarian crisis, a situation that many Gazans attribute, at least in part, to Hamas’s governance. The initial query highlighted the claim that billions of dollars in international aid have been siphoned into the pockets of Hamas leaders, with many reportedly living in luxury in Qatar.
The ongoing refusal by Hamas to release the hostages held since the October 7th attacks has also been cited as a factor exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Gazans. Protesters themselves have voiced their anger over the lack of basic necessities like water and electricity, accusing Hamas of prioritizing its power and the conflict with Israel over the well-being of the people it governs. Reinforcing the narrative of a population under immense strain, a recent Gallup International poll revealed that a majority of Gazans describe their quality of life as “very bad” or “fairly bad,” and a significant 37% report being unable to return to their homes. This confluence of war, deprivation, and perceived mismanagement of resources appears to be a crucial factor fueling the public dissent.
Expert perspectives on these protests offer valuable insights into their potential significance. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib views these demonstrations as a crucial moment, exposing what he considers the hypocrisy of some Western pro-Palestinian movements that seem more invested in an anti-Israel stance than in supporting the genuine needs and desires of Gazans. Dalia Ziada believes that this time is different from previous instances of suppressed dissent due to Hamas’s weakened position, the declining credibility of biased media outlets, and, most importantly, the Gazan people reaching a point where they have “broken the barriers of fear”. Analysis suggests that these protests, even if they do not immediately topple Hamas, have at least cracked the wall of fear that the group has carefully cultivated and provide an opportunity to amplify alternative Palestinian voices. Some observers believe that while the protests might not lead to an immediate ousting of Hamas, they are undoubtedly weakening its hold on power and represent a significant challenge to its authority.
Adding to the picture of a population seeking respite from the conflict, a recent Gallup International poll indicated that a significant 52% of Gazan respondents would leave Gaza if they had the opportunity, with 38% considering a temporary departure and 14% seeking permanent relocation. The poll further revealed that younger Gazans and those residing in the most heavily damaged areas of Gaza City and Khan Younis expressed the strongest desire to leave. Among the preferred destinations cited were Germany, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE. While the initial query mentioned a statement by Israel’s Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen estimating that 70,000-80,000 Gazans have left voluntarily since the start of the war, the provided research snippets primarily focused on electricity cuts and aid blockades attributed to Cohen. However, reports from Channel 12 news indicated that over 1,000 Gazans left the territory in March alone, with an additional 600 expected to depart by the end of the week. These reports also detailed a pilot program to send 100 Gazans to Indonesia for work in construction. The process for those leaving reportedly involves prioritizing individuals needing medical care abroad, those with dual citizenship, and holders of visas for third countries, with security checks conducted before departure via the Rafah crossing into Egypt, the Allenby Bridge to Jordan, or Ramon Airport for flights abroad. It is important to note that the Indonesian government has denied approving any voluntary migration program for Gazans.
International reactions to these protests have been varied and, in some cases, muted. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu viewed the demonstrations as a validation of Israel’s policy aimed at removing Hamas from power. However, there has been a noticeable lack of comment from pro-Palestinian advocacy groups in the UK and the US regarding the anti-Hamas protests. Alkhatib recounted his experience at a “pro-Palestine” protest in Washington where demonstrators seemingly ignored the events unfolding in Gaza, continuing instead with familiar anti-Israel slogans. This silence stands in contrast to media coverage in the Middle East, with Qatar’s Al Jazeera reportedly giving little attention to the Gaza protests, while major news outlets in Saudi Arabia and the UAE covered them extensively. The Palestinian Authority, a political rival of Hamas, urged the group to heed the voices of the people and step down. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz encouraged Gazans to continue expressing their discontent and demanding the removal of Hamas. The United Nations, while consistently expressing deep concern for the overall humanitarian situation in Gaza (as evidenced in numerous snippets), has not issued specific statements regarding the anti-Hamas protests in the provided research material.
In conclusion, the recent public protests against Hamas in Gaza represent a potentially significant development in the long and tumultuous history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Occurring amidst an ongoing war and a severe humanitarian crisis, these demonstrations saw Gazans voicing their desperate desire for an end to hostilities and, for many, a rejection of Hamas’s continued rule. While Hamas attempted to suppress and discredit these expressions of dissent, the very fact that they occurred suggests a cracking of the long-standing climate of fear within Gaza. The motivations behind the protests appear deeply rooted in the suffering endured by the civilian population, exacerbated by the war and long-standing grievances with Hamas’s governance. Expert analyses indicate that these events, though unlikely to immediately topple Hamas, could weaken its authority and amplify alternative Palestinian voices. The desire of a significant portion of Gazans to leave the territory, even temporarily, further underscores the depth of the crisis. The international reaction has been divided, with some seeing the protests as a positive sign and others remaining conspicuously silent.
The emergence of these protests signals a potential turning point in Gaza. While they may not immediately alter the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they reveal a growing willingness among Gazans to challenge Hamas’s oppressive rule. Whether these expressions of dissent will lead to significant change or be crushed by the regime remains to be seen, but for now, they offer a glimpse of hope for those longing for peace and dignity.
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