Protests Emerge in Beit Lahia Amidst Israeli Airstrikes
On a harrowing Monday night, an Israeli airstrike devastated a building in central Beit Lahia, leaving the local farming community in the northernmost part of Gaza on high alert. The attack came just hours after an Israeli evacuation order was issued, amplifying the anxiety among residents. The chilling events served as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, yet they also sparked a rare wave of demonstrations against Hamas within Gaza. For three consecutive days, hundreds of residents took to the streets, demanding an end to both the war and Hamas’s 18-year rule over the enclave. “Hamas needs to go away,” asserted Ahmad al-Masri, a local resident who played a role in organizing the protests. “If it doesn’t, the bloodshed, the wars, and the destruction won’t stop.”
As Palestinians marched through Beit Lahia on Wednesday, their voices echoed a growing frustration. While the demonstrations have largely been small in scale, they represent the most significant challenge to Hamas’s authority since the group launched its attack on Israel in October 2023, which triggered a devastating war that has left cities in ruins. The protests reflect the desperation of Palestinians who find themselves once again enduring relentless bombing, following the breakdown of negotiations for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The situation underscores a notable shift, as some Palestinians seem willing to set aside their fears of retribution from Hamas, which has ruled Gaza with an iron fist. “We don’t have anything to lose,” Mr. Masri lamented. “We have already lost our lives, homes, and money.”
Prior to the 2023 attack, Hamas had ruthlessly suppressed dissent, targeting those who protested against the dire living conditions in Gaza, often surveilling potential organizers. However, during the recent protests, there has been a conspicuous absence of Hamas’s internal security forces. Analysts suggest that this reflects both Hamas’s precarious standing with the population and its diminished capacity to deploy forces amid the threat of Israeli airstrikes. “How can it confront this movement? With force? That would only incite greater anger,” remarked Akram Atallah, a Palestinian analyst from Jabaliya. The fear of Israeli reprisals against security personnel may be a contributing factor to Hamas’s restrained presence, he added.
The initial protest in Beit Lahia occurred around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The night prior, community members circulated a message urging residents to rise up and make their voices heard. “The square is calling on you,” read a screenshot of the message, which was shared with The New York Times. “Enough of wars. We want to live in peace.” This message was disseminated shortly after Avichai Adraee, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli military, posted an evacuation order for Beit Lahia on social media. Soon after, residents reported that an airstrike struck the town, heightening the already tense atmosphere.
Nader Ibrahim contributed reporting to this article.
