Hundreds of Palestinians have gathered in northern Gaza for the first demonstration of its kind against Hamas, in a rare show of anger against the militant group that led them into a long and devastating war with Israel.
Chants of “Hamas out! Out! Out!” and “Hamas terrorists!” were heard in Beit Lahia, where there have been raids, bombardments and mass evacuations since Israel resumed its war on Gaza a week ago. Masked Hamas gunmen broke up the gatherings and forcibly dispersed protesters.
In nearby Shujaiya, a crowd chanted: “Leave us alone Hamas, we want to live in freedom.”
One protester, Eyad Jundia, told The Times: “The people want the fall of Hamas. We came out today to demand an end to the war and for