JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In recent days, residents of the Gaza Strip have begun protesting publicly against Hamas’ continued rule — a rare phenomenon that started in the north and quickly spread to the south. According to the Saudi news outlet “Al-Hadath,” the residents are expressing deep frustration with the dire humanitarian situation and the ongoing war.
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Surprisingly, similar voices have begun emerging from southern Gaza as well. Families and clans in the area told “Al-Hadath”: “Hamas must immediately loosen its grip on Gaza. Gaza should not be held hostage by anyone. Gaza will be liberated, as its people desire.”
Residents of the Shuja’iyya neighborhood called on others to join a popular protest march against the ongoing war: “We have paid a heavy price and continue to pay it day after day, while the leaders ignore us and leave us to die and starve. Stop trading in our blood! Stop gambling with our children’s future! It’s time to raise our voices and demand our legitimate rights.”
Anti-Hamas protests are breaking out in northern and southern Gaza, asking “Where is the press?!” Of course, Aljazeera & leftists or “independent” Western media are nowhere to be seen because they will never disrupt the Hamas-centric “resistance” narrative. Expose them all now! pic.twitter.com/GLFAAPKLiB
— Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (@afalkhatib) March 25, 2025
Anti-Hamas and anti-war protests in Gaza!
“Hamas must leave.” “Northern Gaza doesn’t want wars.” “Where’s Anas Alshareef to Film us? We don’t want Al Jazeera”. pic.twitter.com/UUmXUXWr9h
— Hamza (@HowidyHamza) March 25, 2025
JUST IN: Anti-Hamas protesters in Gaza are chanting: “Hamas is a terrorist!”. pic.twitter.com/iinxFy1kk4
— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) March 25, 2025
A statement released by protestors declared: “We call on all free people to join us, for Gaza does not belong to any faction or group. Gaza belongs to all its residents, and we will no longer remain silent!”
In seemingly spontaneous protests, thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Beit Lahia and Jabalia in northern Gaza, calling for an end to the war that has brought them disasters and destruction. Protesters chanted slogans like “We want to live,” “Enough destruction,” and “Hamas out” — reflecting growing anger toward the group that has ruled Gaza since 2007.
Abu Khaled Abu Riyash, a 50-year-old shop owner who lost everything when his store was destroyed, shared his grief: “My livelihood is gone, my house is destroyed, my children are refugees, and yet they tell us to be patient. Hamas asks us to endure, but they live safely, and their children are not under bombardment.”
Mahmoud Al-Hawajri, who lost his construction job due to the destruction, said: “We grew up hearing about a tomorrow that never came. Our childhood is gone, our youth is being wasted, and we are still dreaming of a normal life.” He added angrily, “We are not fuel for political projects. We shouldn’t keep paying the price for the calculations of leaders who only care about their own power.”
Mohammed Al-Kilani, an Arabic teacher and father of two who lost his job when the school he worked at was bombed, added: “We are not just numbers in the news. We are people with homes, families, and dreams. We are tired of wars that keep taking everything from us.”
He continued: “Every day, I leave home unsure if I will return to see my children and whether tomorrow even exists for them. But the problem isn’t just the war — the problem is that our lives have become hostages to people who don’t care about us, neither Hamas nor anyone else.”
The head of the Al-Barawi family in Beit Lahia said: “We are not against Hamas as a movement, but against its rule. The protests will continue until Hamas listens to our demand that they step down from power. Hamas’ rule has brought destruction and death to Gaza. We demand that Hamas release the Israeli hostages to bring an end to this war.”
Protesters carried signs reading “We want to live,” showing a growing, unprecedented challenge to Hamas’ rule — a movement that has long been accustomed to suppressing dissent.
Israel’s security establishment is closely monitoring the protests, believing they may escalate in the coming days. A security source stated, “Gaza’s residents are outraged by the return to fighting, the forced evacuations to humanitarian zones, and the disruption of aid deliveries — all of which are affecting civilians on the streets of Gaza.”
An adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas seized the opportunity to criticize Hamas, stating: “The protests in Beit Lahia are a cry from Gaza’s residents against Hamas’ policies. The focus is on getting Hamas out of power in Gaza. I advise Hamas to listen to the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
Fatah spokesman Maher Al-Namoura called on Hamas to heed the people’s demands: “The legitimate popular protests that erupted in Gaza are the inevitable result of years of Hamas exploiting the Strip for regional projects.” He urged Hamas “to sever its regional ties and stop using our people and our cause as a tool for agendas that have nothing to do with our national aspirations.”
Palestinian experts and analysts say Hamas must pay attention to the growing public anger, warning that ignoring the residents — who can no longer bear the burden — will lead to a deadlock. They predict these protests may pose an unprecedented challenge to Hamas, a movement that has grown used to silencing opposition.
Hamas want us to think that there are pro peace citizens, so then we shouldn’t bomb or harm civilians. But it is BS thought up by Hamas.
No one reported locations of hostages. But most participated in spitting and hitting hostages.
Orchestrated by hamas
These are the same animal monsters who consistently cheer on Hamas during parades of our hostages. Not one civilian ever tried to save a hostage . Even the Germans YM’s had a few good people . Every Palestinian is a terrorist . May they all perish from cancer and ALS
Interesting that all of the pro Hamas, pro murder, pro abuse, so called “civilians” are rising up. I doubt this is sincere teshuva. Sounds more like twisting western opinions. Stop protesting and bring us the hostages. Then we can judge your sincerity.
what civilians?
But yet when Israel asked for anyone in Gaza with info on hostages and where they. Might be located for a return of 5 million dollars NOT ONE Palestinian came forward with info. Yet they stand there complaining about their situation.
If They don’t want war let them join the Israelis to hunt down Hamas and find the hostages…
Even if it’s a real protest…too bad so sad. Not one of them lifted a finger to help hostages And none continue to do so.
I’ll explain this to those who might not understand Arab thinking. This protest is sanctioned by and organized by Hamas. Why? To create a narrative that obstructs relocation outside Gaza after the hostages are finally released B”H, and to prevent any kind of outside governance of the strip. Mark my words, these “protests” will be the new talking points of the enemies of our people very, very soon.
I dont believe them. They voted for Hamas in free elections.
The head of the Al-Barawi family in Beit Lahia said: “We are not against Hamas as a movement, but against its rule…..?!?!?!
Even pro-Hamas BBC reported second day of widespread protests in Gaza as its lead story. Of course its only because of widespread destruction of Hamas by IDF that people are riled up.
Arab social media has occasionally reported on anti-Hamas protests in Gaza since Oct 7. But this is first time western media covered it. Hamas has far less support than anyone expected.
Waiting to see if hamas will do what other arabic regimes do, which is start shooting everyone. And then witing to see what all the humanitarians say.
Hamas is still very popular in Gaza and almost all gazans support terrorism and oct 7 this article is meant to fool you into thinking most gazans are pro peace
This is only to garner sympathy for Gaza as the war starts again
If the bad guys can hire and instigate protestors in NY to be pro-hamas, why can’t Mossad use the same strategy to hire and instigated protestors in Gaza to be anti-hamas
Maybe, just maybe, these people are waking up to the same realization that Germans did in 1945. They found out the hard way, in the form of murdered family members, destroyed homes and starvation, that when you get into bed with barbaric killers, you get killed too. The Pals have seen the many reports of Hamas stealing foreign aid and food for themselves, letting the Pals in squalor.
I have a bridge to sell you
bring on some of these people to counter demonstrate at Columbia U
It’s a shame the Trump administration wants to keep Hamas in power