What do rare anti-Hamas protests mean for Gaza, Palestinian rivals?

Rasha Abou Jalal

Palestinians chant slogans during an anti-Hamas protest, calling for an end to the war with Israel, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 26, 2025. Demonstrators carrying banners were seen marching in Gaza City and the town of Beit Lahia in the north of the territory, more than a week after the Israeli army resumed its bombing campaign following nearly two months of a truce. (Photo by Youssef Alzanoun / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by YOUSSEF ALZANOUN/Middle East Image — Palestinians chant slogans during an anti-Hamas protest, calling for an end to the war with Israel in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 26, 2025. — YOUSSEF ALZANOUN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Gaza Strip was swept by popular protests against Hamas on March 25 and 26, the first of their kind since the start of the war with Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Hundreds of Palestinians in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and Khan Younis in the south took to the streets, demanding an end to the war and the rule of Hamas.

The demonstrators held up banners reading, “The blood of our children is not cheap,” “We want to live in peace and security” and “Stop the bloodshed.”

Protesters also chanted “Hamas, out, out,” expressing growing discontent with the group that has controlled Gaza since 2007.

What do rare anti-Hamas protests mean for Gaza, Palestinian rivals?

The Gaza Strip has witnessed rare anti-Hamas protests, though the Palestinian public is split on the demonstrations.

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