Anti-Hamas demonstrators in Gaza demand ‘peace, not terror’

In a bold protest, Gazan civilians risking Hamas repression reject the terror group’s leadership and ask for peace.

By World Israel News Staff

Hundreds of Gazans demanding the ouster of the Hamas terror group from power took to the streets of the embattled enclave on Wednesday, calling for peace and an end to the ongoing war.

Video circulating on social media showed protesters chanting “No to terror,” “We want to live in peace,” and “Gaza is humiliated.”

Children at the demonstration held signs reading “We want to learn,” while adults called for the reopening of the border crossings.

The protest, held in Beit Lahyia in the northern Strip, also included specific references to Hamas leaders, such as Osama Hamdan and Mahmoud al-Zahar.

Despite the risk of violent repression by Hamas, the protesters clearly criticized the terror group during the demonstration, according to reports.

Several Hamas supporters joined the protest, trying to persuade demonstrators to change their chants to call for an end to the war rather than condemning the terror group.

After a scuffle, the pro-Hamas participants were kicked out of the demonstration.

The protest marked the first time in three weeks that Gazans held a public demonstration against Hamas, which, after 18 months of war, still controls the Strip.

Hamas launched a brutal crackdown on protesters last month, violently suppressing the demonstrations demanding an alternative government, which would exclude Hamas.

The terror group reportedly murdered at least six people who participated in the protests, as well as kidnapping and torturing organizers.

Senior Hamas officials falsely accused demonstrators of being Zionist agents, framing those who are unhappy with Hamas rule as traitors.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his support for the protests in March, saying that “more and more Gazans understand that Hamas brings them destruction and ruin.”

Netanyahu called the pubic demonstrations against Hamas “important,” adding that anti-Hamas sentiment among Gazans “shows that [Israeli] policy is working.”