Anti-Hamas slogans chanted at hundreds-strong protest in Gaza: Witnesses

GAZA: Hundreds of Palestinians shouted anti-Hamas slogans at a protest in northern Gaza on Tuesday (Mar 25) calling for an end to the war with Israel, witnesses said.

The mostly male demonstrators chanted "Hamas out" and "Hamas terrorists" in Beit Lahia, where the crowd had gathered a week after the Israeli army resumed its intense bombing of Gaza following nearly two months of a truce.

On the social media network Telegram, at least one appeal to protest had circulated on Tuesday.

"I don't know who organised the protest," said Mohammed, a demonstrator who declined to give his last name for fear of reprisals.

"I took part to send a message on behalf of the people: Enough with the war," he said, adding that he had seen "members of the Hamas security forces in civilian clothing breaking up the protest".

Majdi, another protester who did not wish to give his full name, said the "people are tired".

"If Hamas leaving power in Gaza is the solution, why doesn't Hamas give up power to protect the people?" he asked.

As of Tuesday evening, Telegram messages from unknown sources were calling on people to reprise the demonstration in various parts of Gaza on Wednesday.

"STEP ASIDE"

Israel regularly calls for Gazans to mobilise against the Islamist movement that has been in power in the territory since 2007.

Levels of discontent towards Hamas in Gaza are difficult to gauge.

The last available survey was conducted in September by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR).

It estimated that 35 per cent of Palestinians in Gaza said they supported Hamas, and 26 per cent said they supported its rival Fatah, the party of Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas.

Fatah's spokesman in Gaza, Monther al-Hayek, called on Hamas Saturday to "step aside from governing" to safeguard the "existence" of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza Strip has been devastated by more than 17 months of war between Israel and Hamas, with the humanitarian situation again deteriorating after Israel blocked the passage of aid into the territory on Mar 2 in an attempt to force the militants to release Israeli hostages.

Since Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza, at least 792 Palestinians have been killed, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The war was sparked by the militant group's Oct 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 50,021 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry.