Hundreds in Gaza Join Protests Against Hamas Rule, Call for an End to the War

Hundreds of Palestinians protested against Hamas rule and the war in at least three locations in Gaza on Tuesday, March 25, in a relatively rare occurrence in the Strip due to the terror group’s often violent suppression of political dissent. 

Footage showed around 100 residents of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, holding a protest calling for an end to the war and an end to Hamas’s governance, with some demonstrators carrying signs reading “Stop war” and “Children in Palestine want to live.” 

Additionally, a few video clips captured residents chanting “Hamas out,” “Hamas terrorists,” “The people want to overthrow Hamas” and “Yes to peace, no to the ongoing war.” One gathering of residents took place in front of the Indonesian Hospital. Some of the protesters carried white flags.

“I don’t know who organized 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.” 

Hours after the first protest, another anti-war and anti-Hamas demonstration was held in northern Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp, with dozens of demonstrators burning tires and chanting, “We want to eat.” As news of the protests spread, other demonstrations broke out across Gaza, including one in Khan Younis, where protesters were filmed chanting “down with Hamas,” and calling for an end to the fighting. (TOI/VFI News) 

“Dear God, we pray in Yeshua's Name for the war to be over and for the innocent civilians to stop being exploited, abused, and used as human shields. We pray for their health and safety and we ask that You provide for all their needs and give them permanent homes, even better than the ones they lost, according to Your perfect Will.”