Protests in Gaza Intensify, Challenging Hamas's Rule

Demonstrators in Gaza demand an end to war and worsening conditions, with some calling for Hamas to step down as the group responds with crackdowns and warnings.

Protests, initially sparked in Beit Lahia, have spread to Gaza City, Khan Younis, and other areas, marking the largest dissent against Hamas in 18 years of its rule.
Demonstrators are voicing frustration over war fatigue, displacement, and severe humanitarian conditions, with some explicitly calling for Hamas to relinquish power.
Hamas has responded by framing the protests as anti-war rather than anti-Hamas, while also issuing threats against protest leaders and dispersing gatherings in some areas.
Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, have publicly encouraged Gazans to rise against Hamas, portraying it as a pathway to ending the conflict.
The protests underscore the desperation of Gazans as they endure ongoing violence, displacement, and shortages of basic necessities amidst a renewed Israeli military offensive.