Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of northern Gaza on Tuesday in what appears to be the largest demonstration against Hamas since its deadly attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. The rare public outcry, captured on video obtained by CNN, showed protestors in Beit Lahia chanting, "For god’s sake, Hamas out," "Hamas terrorists," and "We want an end to the war."
With northern Gaza already suffering the worst of the destruction from Israel’s military response, frustrations have reached a boiling point. For seventeen months, the region has been devastated, with homes reduced to rubble, and critical humanitarian aid unable to reach those in need. The impact has been catastrophic, as Israel halted all aid shipments into Gaza at the start of March following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations.
The humanitarian crisis in the enclave has only worsened. Gaza, home to 2.1 million people, is almost entirely dependent on aid. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) issued a dire warning on Sunday, stating that no food, water, medicine, or fuel had entered the region in three weeks. “Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis,” the agency posted on social media, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The roots of this crisis go back to 2007, when Hamas took control of Gaza following a brief but violent power struggle with Fatah, the dominant faction within the Palestinian Authority. Since then, Hamas has ruled with an iron grip, leaving many civilians feeling powerless under its authority. However, Tuesday’s protest—one of the most significant acts of defiance against the militant group—showed that many Gazans are no longer willing to stay silent.
Adding to the tension, an anonymous message circulated on social media, calling for further demonstrations against Hamas across Gaza on Wednesday. “Our voices must reach all the spies who sold our blood,” the message declared. “Let them hear your voice, let them know that Gaza is not silent, and that there is a people who will not accept to be eradicated.” While CNN could not verify the original source of the message, its impact was clear—anger toward Hamas is mounting.
Israel has long accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid intended for civilians to bolster its military operations, a claim Hamas has denied. But with Israel’s decision to halt aid deliveries in March, the already desperate conditions in Gaza have only deteriorated further. The blockade has left millions without basic necessities, pushing the region to the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has climbed to a staggering 50,000, according to the enclave’s health ministry. With no resolution in sight, the people of Gaza find themselves caught between Hamas’s grip and Israel’s unyielding offensive. Tuesday’s protests send a clear message—many Palestinians are desperate for change and refuse to be silent any longer.
The question now is whether these demonstrations will gain momentum or be swiftly suppressed. But one thing is certain: in a war-torn Gaza, where suffering has reached unimaginable levels, the voices of those demanding an end to both the war and Hamas's rule are growing louder.
Login