'Stop war': Gaza streets filled with Palestinians demanding ouster of Hamas

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in northern Gaza's Beit Lahia, staging the largest protest against Hamas since the October 7 attacks. Protesters chanted anti-Hamas slogans and called for an immediate end to the ongoing war with Israel.

Photos and videos circulating on social media showed large crowds, mostly men, shouting "Hamas out" and "Hamas terrorists". Demonstrators also held placards reading "Stop war" and "Children in Palestine want to live".

The rare public demonstration came a week after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed heavy bombardment of Gaza, ending nearly two-month ceasefire. Some protesters openly called for Hamas to step down, chanting "people want to overthrow Hamas".

"I took part to send a message on behalf of the people: enough with the war," one protester told news agency AFP, declining to give his last name out of fear of reprisal. He claimed Hamas security personnel in civilian clothing attempted to disperse the demonstration.

"People are tired. If Hamas leaving power in Gaza is the solution, why doesn't Hamas give up power to protect the people?" asked Majdi, another protester.

Reports indicate that masked and armed Hamas militants — some wielding guns, others batons — violently broke up the protest, beating several demonstrators.

Protesters said they had gathered after calls to mobilise were widely shared on the messaging platform Telegram.

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

The conflict has left Gaza in ruins after more than 17 months of war between Israel and Hamas. Conditions have worsened since Israel blocked aid deliveries into the strip on March 2, seeking to pressure Hamas into releasing Israeli hostages.

Since the IDF resumed military operations, the Hamas-run health ministry reported that at least 792 Palestinians have been killed.

The war began after Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.