In a dangerous and rare public expression of anger towards Hamas, hundreds of Palestinians marched through Beit Lahia, a town in northern Gaza, calling for Hamas to stop ruling the area and end the war with Israel, as per four witnesses. The march on Wednesday, which also saw women participating, is part of several protests over the past two weeks despite attempts by Hamas to suppress dissent. These protests represent the most significant challenge to Hamas’s 18-year rule in the Gaza Strip since it began the war with Israel in October 2023, following its attack. The demonstrations highlight the desperation in Gaza, where residents face severe hardship due to the war and blockade, including food shortages due to Israel blocking aid, and call for Hamas to address economic issues like food prices. However, these protests also risk retaliation from Hamas, which has already intimidated and abducted some participants. The situation remains tense, with concerns about the protests being both a humanitarian cry and a political challenge to Hamas’s authority.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/world/middleeast/gaza-protests-hamas.html