The demonstrations, a rare show of dissent, appeared to spread, reflecting frustration over the breakdown of the cease-fire with Israel. “We want to live,” said one supporter.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip protested the war and chanted anti-Hamas slogans for a second day in a row on Wednesday, frustrated and angry at the failure of a ceasefire with Israel that many had hoped would be permanent.
The protests were a rare display of dissent against Hamas, the armed group that has ruled Gaza with an iron fist for 17 years and launched a 15-month war by leading an assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. Wednesday's protests appeared to cover more parts of Gaza than Tuesday's, according to social media videos and eyewitness accounts.
Most of the demonstrations so far have been small. But the main ones on Tuesday and Wednesday in the hard-hit northern town of Beit Lahiya drew hundreds, according to witnesses. The crowd size could not be independently verified, although video footage showed large gatherings.
Smaller protests took place Wednesday in Gaza City, also in the north, and in at least two places in central Gaza, Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah. One participant in Deir al-Balah said the protest there was attended by about 300 people, with no discernible Hamas presence.
Some Gazans say the protests began as a spontaneous outpouring of emotion, but there were signs on Wednesday that they were becoming more organized. Over the past two days, there has been a marked increase in calls on social media for Palestinians in Gaza to take to the streets and demonstrate against Hamas rule and its conduct of the war on Israel.
On Wednesday, hundreds of people gathered for a second day in Beit Lahia, some chanting “Hamas out! Hamas is terrorism!” and “We want to live freely.” Another small protest took place in Gaza City, also in the north, with anti-Hamas chants.
