Palestinians in Gaza chant 'Get out Hamas' during anti-war protests

Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets on Mar. 27 in northern Gaza to protest against the ongoing war with Israel, as well as Hamas, in a rare show of public anger against the militant group in control of the territory.

Protesters call for Hamas to "get out"

According to AFP, protestors were seen carrying banners that said "Hamas does not represent us" in Gaza City and the town of Beit Lahia.

A protester who took part in the rally in Gaza City, Muayed Zahir, was quoted as saying, "We do not want Hamas! We are tired."

He pointed out that "there is no education, no food, no clothing — and all this is because of Hamas."

In Beit Lahia, AP News reported that protesters were heard chanting "the people want the fall of Hamas" and "Out, out, out! Hamas get out!"

Another protester in this town, Abed Radwan, was quoted as saying, "Our children have been killed. Our houses have been destroyed."

He added that he had joined the protest "against the war, against Hamas, and the (Palestinian political) factions, against Israel and against the world’s silence."

Another protester, Ammar Hassan, added, "It’s the only party we can affect. Protests won’t stop the (Israeli) occupation, but it can affect Hamas."

Hamas has previously cracked down on protests with violence

Such protests have previously been met with violence from Hamas.

This time however, there was no apparent intervention.

AP News stated that this could be due to Hamas keeping a lower profile since Israel resumed the war against the group, breaking the ceasefire after negotiations with Hamas stalled on the second phase, including the release of more hostages abducted by Hamas.

The group did issue a response however, with one of its senior officials putting a Facebook post that said while people had the right to protest, the focus should be on Israel, the "criminal aggressor".

Hamas has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, following the last Palestinian elections which were held in 2006 and street battles with the Palestinian Authority, which is dominated by Fatah.

Netanyahu says protests demonstrate Israel's policies are working

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, responded to the protests in the country's parliament by saying, "More and more Gazans understand that Hamas brings them destruction and ruin."

He added, "All of this proves that our policy is working."

Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, also called on Palestinians to join the protests.

He added, "You too should demand the removal of Hamas from Gaza and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages. That is the only way to stop the war."

AP News reported that some Palestinian protestors said afterwards that they regretted joining the protests due to Israeli media coverage emphasising the opposition to Hamas.

Thus far, Israel's military offensive has killed over 50,000 Palestinians since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.

Hamas has stated that the hostages would return "in coffins" if Israel continues bombing Gaza, according to The Guardian.

As for Netanyahu, he has threatened to seize territory in Gaza "and other things" if Hamas does not release the hostages.

Top screenshot via France 24 English/YouTube