Rare Anti-Hamas protests erupt in Gaza as civilians demand end to war

In an unusual public show of dissent, hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets across northern Gaza on Tuesday, demanding an immediate end to the war with Israel and calling for the removal of Hamas from power.

Protesters marched through Beit Lahia and Jabalia, holding signs reading “Stop the war” and waving white flags, as videos shared widely on social media captured chants of “Hamas out” echoing through the streets.

The demonstration reportedly began near the Indonesian Hospital, where a large crowd condemned Hamas leadership and demanded the release of the remaining Israeli hostages—viewed by many as a necessary step toward ending the current round of violence.

One demonstrator voiced frustration: “They tell us to stay strong, but how can we endure this when we’re bleeding every day? We reject Hamas' rule.”

Another protester added, “We want peace. We’ve had enough of authoritarian rule that puts our lives at risk. The world needs to hear us loud and clear.”

Such protests are highly uncommon in Gaza, where dissent against Hamas is often met with swift suppression. Despite this, children and families joined Tuesday’s demonstrations, holding signs in Arabic reading “We refuse to die” and “Enough killing and destruction.”

The protest marked the most significant public outcry against Hamas seen in Gaza since early 2024.

While anger toward Hamas grew in Gaza, massive rallies also took place in Israel. Thousands demonstrated in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return to cease-fire talks and resume hostage negotiations. Families of Israeli hostages led calls for renewed diplomacy.

“Our government has failed us,” said Varda Ben Baruch, whose grandson, Israeli-American Edan Alexander, was among the hostages Hamas had previously agreed to release as part of a second-phase cease-fire deal. That agreement fell through when Israel rejected Hamas’ proposal for full military withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release.

“I want to know: where is phase two of the deal? Has everyone forgotten it? Has Bibi forgotten our children?” she asked.

Israeli officials have since resumed military operations in northern Gaza, stating that further negotiations with Hamas will now only happen amid ongoing military pressure.

The second phase of the truce, which Hamas supported, would have freed 24 remaining hostages, but Israeli leadership chose instead to extend the first stage with fewer prisoner releases—a plan Hamas refused.