Hundreds of people took to the streets of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, on Thursday in one of the largest protests against Hamas in recent months. This demonstration, the largest since Hamas launched its attack on Israel in October 2023, saw protesters call for the group to relinquish control over the region.
The marchers, mostly young men, voiced their frustration with the ongoing conflict, which has caused widespread destruction and loss of life in Gaza. They marched through the streets chanting slogans demanding Hamas step down from governing the enclave. Videos shared by activists opposing Hamas showed the protesters marching, though the group itself has not issued any official statement regarding the demonstration.
However, the protest was swiftly suppressed by armed Hamas militants, some of whom were masked and carrying batons. They forcefully dispersed the demonstrators, preventing the protest from growing further.
Hamas supporters dismissed the protest as a small and insignificant movement, accusing the demonstrators of betrayal. Yet, the scale of the protest indicates growing public dissatisfaction with Hamas' rule, particularly following the resumption of violence in Gaza.
The demonstration comes after Hamas resumed rocket attacks on Israel, leading to renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. On March 18, 2025, Israel intensified its offensive, accusing Hamas of rejecting a ceasefire extension proposed by the U.S. government. In retaliation, Hamas blamed Israel for violating a previous ceasefire agreement made in January.
The protests reflect a broader sense of disillusionment with Hamas' leadership. One protester, Mohammed Diab, whose home and brother were lost in Israeli airstrikes a year ago, expressed his frustration, saying, “We don’t want to keep dying for a political faction or foreign interests. Hamas must step down and listen to the voices of grieving people trapped under the rubble.”
Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007, after winning the 2006 elections and overthrowing its rivals. While it still enjoys support from some Palestinian factions for its resistance against Israel, the outbreak of war since October 2023 has led to growing discontent with its governance. The attack on Israel by Hamas resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 people. In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive air and ground assaults on Gaza, which have killed over 50,000 Palestinians according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The conflict has displaced an estimated 2.1 million Gazans and decimated approximately 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure. This has left the region facing severe shortages of medical supplies, food, clean water, and shelter, with many residents now calling for a change in leadership to end the devastation and restore some measure of stability to the region.
