Amid the devastation of war, a new voice is rising in Gaza one of defiance. Palestinians, long under Hamas’ rule, are now openly protesting against the group, accusing it of bringing ruin, violence, and repression to the besieged enclave.
Chants of “Hamas is garbage” and “Out! Out! Out!” echo through Gaza’s shattered streets, as demonstrators demand an end to nearly two decades of authoritarian control. For many, Hamas’ grip on Gaza is no longer seen as resistance, but as a source of unending suffering.
Moumen al-Natour, a lawyer and former political prisoner, has become a symbol of this bold dissent. “We didn’t choose Hamas,” he said from a tent that now serves as his home. “Hamas must retreat.” His powerful op-ed in the Washington Post denounced the group, asserting that supporting Hamas is a betrayal of Palestinian freedom.
Speaking out comes with grave risks. In March, 22-year-old Oday al-Rubai was abducted and killed after criticizing Hamas online. The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights described his death as an “extrajudicial killing.” His haunting last video warned of Hamas’ pursuit and the danger he faced.
Others, like activist Amin Abed, narrowly survived beatings at the hands of masked gunmen and fled Gaza for safety. Now in Dubai, Abed believes Hamas’ power is waning. “It’s not how it was before,” he said, citing growing public resistance.
Recent protests in Beit Lahiya illustrate this shift. Eyewitnesses described how residents, including the elderly, forced Hamas fighters out of their neighborhoods, refusing to allow the use of their homes for launching attacks. Despite gunfire and injuries, civilians stood firm.
As Israel’s bombardment continues, the despair in Gaza has become a catalyst for change. Fear of Hamas is eroding, replaced by calls for accountability and freedom. These protests, though dangerous, mark a potential turning point a population battered by war, yet still courageous enough to demand a future beyond Hamas’ shadow.
