Hamas' waning power in the wake of Israel’s military campaign
The terror group has violently cracked down on previous protests
This time, no outright intervention was apparent which some saw as a sign of its waning power in the wake of Israel’s military campaign The group’s armed personnel are also thought to be keeping a low profile since Israel resumed military action in Gaza earlier this month following the two-month ceasefire
Protests are relatively rare events in Gaza, especially against Hamas which has maintained an iron grip on the Strip since it violently ousted the Palestinian Authority from the territory in 2007
While there have been more public statements by individuals in Gaza against Hamas rule since the war started, large-scale demonstrations against the group have been almost nonexistent
The last documented protest in the Strip against Hamas took place in January 2024 when Palestinians in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis called for, 1. an end to the war, 2. the end of the terror group’s rule over Gaza 3. and the release of the Israeli hostages
Before the war, anti-Hamas protests were also relatively rare events and were often suppressed violently by the terror group
