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Gaza Residents Protest Against Hamas Amid Renewed Conflict

Hundreds of Palestinians in northern Gaza have staged protests calling for an end to the war, chanting slogans against Hamas in a rare public display of opposition. Demonstrators in Beit Lahiya voiced frustration over the ongoing destruction, with many shouting “Hamas out,” according to social media footage.

Northern Gaza has been among the hardest-hit areas, with widespread devastation forcing many residents to relocate multiple times. Videos circulating online showed protesters marching through damaged streets, demanding an end to hostilities.

“This was a spontaneous protest against the war because people are exhausted and have nowhere to go,” a witness said, requesting anonymity due to safety concerns. Many demonstrators directly blamed Hamas for the ongoing crisis.

Public Discontent and Political Reactions

Some protesters carried banners reading “Enough wars” and chanted, “We don’t want war.” The demonstrations surfaced shortly after the Fatah movement urged Hamas to heed the voices of Gaza’s residents. Fatah, which leads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, has long been at odds with Hamas over governance in Gaza.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim acknowledged the right to protest but criticized what he described as “suspicious political agendas” exploiting the situation. “Why aren’t similar protests happening in the West Bank?” he questioned, pointing to Israeli military actions there.

The protests come as political tensions among Palestinian factions remain unresolved, with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority failing to agree on a framework for Gaza’s future governance.

Conflict Resumes After Ceasefire Collapse

The Israeli military relaunched its offensive on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire that had allowed the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Since then, nearly 700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, according to health officials.

More than 50,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war began following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages. The continued Israeli campaign has left much of Gaza in ruins, displacing hundreds of thousands who now seek refuge in makeshift shelters.

Residents who had returned to the north after the ceasefire are once again being forced to flee following renewed evacuation orders from Israel. “All of Gaza is in ruins, and now we are being told to leave the north again. Where are we supposed to go?” a protester said.

Uncertain Future for Gaza

Despite ongoing negotiations, no breakthrough has been achieved regarding the region’s governance post-conflict. While Hamas has expressed willingness to step back from direct control, it insists on having a role in selecting Gaza’s future administration. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority maintains that it should govern the territory.

Hamas has held control of Gaza since ousting Fatah in 2007, leaving little space for dissent. Although public opposition remains rare due to fear of repercussions, the recent protests highlight growing frustration among Gaza’s residents.

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