**Protesters Demand Change: Significant Anti-Hamas Demonstration Erupts in Gaza**

An unprecedented number of protesters in Gaza voice their discontent against Hamas amid increasing violence and displacement due to war.

Hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, marking the largest anti-Hamas protest since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Protesters chanted slogans demanding that Hamas relinquish its grip on power, with calls of “out, out, out, Hamas out” resonating throughout the city. Masked militants affiliated with Hamas attempted to quell the uprising, using force to disperse the crowd and reportedly assaulting some participants.

Social media has been buzzing with footage released by activists critical of Hamas, showing groups of young men marching and expressing their grievances. Supporters of Hamas have dismissed the protest as inconsequential and branded the participants as traitors, with the militant group remaining silent on the demonstrations.

The discontent in Beit Lahia erupted following an escalation in violence initiated by Islamic Jihad's rocket fire into Israel, which led to panic and evacuations in the area and left many residents infuriated. Since the renewal of Israeli military operations on March 18, following a cessation of nearly two months, thousands in Gaza have fled their homes and many more lives have been lost amidst airstrikes—claims being made by Hamas’s health ministry report over 50,000 Palestinian casualties.

Among the demonstrators, Mohammed Diab, who lost his home and brother to an Israeli airstrike a year prior, articulated the frustration of many, stating, “We refuse to die for anyone, for any party's agenda or the interests of foreign states.” His sentiments echoed a widespread feeling that Hamas must heed the suffering of the population and find a pathway towards listening to the community.

Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007 after emerging victorious in Palestinian elections and subsequently ousting rival factions through violence. Yet recent weeks have seen a notable increase in dissent against the ruling body, reflecting a growing frustration that had long been suppressed out of fear. Mohammed Al-Najjar, another resident, poignantly expressed concern over the harsh realities faced by civilians, voicing his impatience for change in a social media post: “They're betting on our blood, blood that the whole world sees as just numbers.”

The conflict reignited after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to devastating casualties, including 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and 251 hostage situations. Israel's military response has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with substantial damage to infrastructure, and critical shortages across healthcare, water, and nutrition plaguing the region. Many find themselves displaced multiple times, as the community grapples with the dire circumstances brought forth by war.