(JNS) Hundreds of Palestinians staged protests in northern Gaza on Tuesday, March 25, notably in Beit Lahia and Jabalia, demanding an end to the ongoing conflict with Israel and calling for Hamas to relinquish control of the territory.
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Hamas out” and carried banners reading “Stop the war” and “We want to live in peace.”
The protests, among the most significant against Hamas since the war began, were reportedly organized through social media platforms. Eyewitnesses noted that Hamas security forces attempted to disperse the gatherings, with reports of forceful interventions.
The demonstrations reflect growing frustration among Gaza’s residents over deteriorating living conditions and the prolonged conflict with Israel. Criticism of Hamas’s governance has intensified, particularly concerning its handling of the war and the economic hardships faced by the population.
As of now, Hamas officials have not issued a formal response to the protests. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further demonstrations in the coming days.
Following the collapse of a ceasefire in mid-March, Israel retook the Netzarim Corridor, a key route dividing northern and southern Gaza, to pressure Hamas to release hostages and curb terrorist activity.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday approved the IDF operational plans to continue military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Our main goal is to bring the hostages home,” Katz stated. “If Hamas continues to refuse a deal, it will pay an increasingly heavy price. We will take territory, eliminate terrorist operatives and destroy infrastructure until Hamas is completely defeated.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has called for an escalation against the Hamas terrorist group.
“Hamas is stalling for time—this is a strategy, not just a tactic,” Zamir said in security discussions, according to a Channel 12 News report on Monday. “The IDF’s actions are hurting them and causing instability, but they are not leading to the release of hostages. Therefore, we have no choice—we must increase the pressure.”
Palestinian protests against Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip are proof that Israel’s approach to the terrorist organization is working, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Wednesday.
“In recent days, we have seen something we have never seen before—public protests against Hamas rule in Gaza. This shows that our policy is working.
“As long as Hamas persists in refusing to release our hostages, the pressure we apply will become stronger and stronger. This includes capturing territories and other moves I will not elaborate on here,” he vowed.
“We are changing the face of the Middle East. We have dismantled large parts of the axis of evil,” added Netanyahu, in reference to recent IDF operations against Iran’s regional terrorist proxies.
