Thousands take to streets in Gaza in rare public protests against Hamas
Demonstrators rail against terror group that rules impoverished Strip to complain about chronic power outages and difficult living conditions
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Several thousand people briefly took to the streets across the Gaza Strip on Sunday to protest chronic power outages and difficult living conditions, in a rare public show of discontent with the territory’s Hamas government. Hamas security forces quickly dispersed the gatherings.
Marches took place in Gaza City, the southern town of Khan Younis, and other locations, chanting “what a shame” and in one place burning the flags of the Hamas terror group, before police moved in and broke up the protests.
Police destroyed cellphones of people who were filming in Khan Younis, and witnesses said there were several arrests. Dozens of young supporters and opponents of Hamas briefly faced off, throwing stones at one another.
The demonstrations were organized by a grassroots online movement called “alvirus alsakher,” or “the mocking virus.” It was not immediately known who is behind the movement.
Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist, barring most demonstrations and quickly stamping out public displays of dissent.
The Islamic terror group seized control of Gaza in 2007 from the forces of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, prompting Israel and Egypt to impose a crippling blockade on the territory. Israel says the closure is needed to prevent Hamas, which does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, from building up its military capabilities.
Now in Gaza there are mass protests of thousands against corrupt Hamas rule… the time has come! In this video you hear how the residents of Gaza blame Hamas who came to confront them and end the protests with violence.
Free Gaza from Hamas‼️ pic.twitter.com/EqyCvgKim1
— יוסף חדאד – Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) July 30, 2023
The closure has devastated Gaza’s economy, sent unemployment skyrocketing and led to frequent power outages. During an ongoing heat wave, people have been limited to four to six hours of power a day due to heavy demand.
“Where is the electricity and where is the gas?” the crowds shouted in Khan Younis. “What a shame. What a shame.”
Protesters also criticized Hamas for deducting a roughly $15 fee from monthly $100 stipends given to Gaza’s poorest families by the wealthy Gulf state of Qatar.
There was no immediate comment from the Hamas authorities.
