‘All of Hamas, Out!’: Gazans Reignite Anti-Hamas Protests

Latest Developments

Gazans Protest For 3 Days: Hundreds of Gazans have participated in three days of renewed protests against Hamas. Demonstrators in southern Gaza chanted “Out! Out! Out! All of Hamas, out!” and called for an end to the ongoing war with Israel. The latest protests were provoked by comments by Sami Abu Zuhri, a Qatar-based Hamas official, who referred to the death toll in Gaza as “material calculations” for the terrorist group. “As for the martyr [killed in the war] — the wombs of Gaza’s women will give birth to twice as many. This is a price that must be paid,” Abu Zuhri said.
Media Coverage Suppressed: Since the first of several anti-Hamas protests erupted in Gaza in late March, Hamas operatives have worked to discredit the movement as collaborators with Israel, threatening protesters and journalists who cover their actions. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Hamas terrorists beat reporters and photographers, threatening their lives and families as well in order to suppress coverage.
Hamas Tortures and Kills Organizers: In March, 22-year-old Oday Nasser Al Rabay was tortured and executed for participating in the protests. Another man, Hussam al-Majdalawi, was kidnapped, beaten, and shot in the leg for speaking out against Hamas. Israeli media reported that in just the first month of protests, Hamas executed at least six protest organizers.

FDD Expert Response

“The fact that Gazans have the ability to publicly protest is yet another indication that Hamas has been severely degraded. While increased opposition to Hamas is a potentially positive development, there is, unfortunately, no clear leadership alternative in Gaza.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“Public opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip entails considerable personal risk. While criticizing the Islamist group’s actions is already perilous, openly calling for its removal from power crosses a far more dangerous threshold — one that provokes violent suppression. Nevertheless, the emergence of such dissent throughout the war reflects a growing awareness among segments of the Palestinian population that Hamas’s rule has yielded only suffering, destruction, and perpetual conflict. However, these protesters face formidable obstacles, as Hamas possesses internal security units — such as its Arrow Unit — designed to crush dissent through extrajudicial force.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal