A wave of anger and defiance swept through the streets of Gaza on Saturday as mourners gathered for the funeral of 22-year-old Oday Nasser Al Rabay. The young protester was found lifeless outside his family home after allegedly being kidnapped, tortured, and executed—his relatives say—by members of Hamas.

His funeral turned into a rallying cry against Gaza’s rulers. Hundreds of mourners marched through the streets, their chants of “Hamas out!” echoing the very demonstrations Al Rabay had participated in. His murder marks the first known retaliatory killing since protests erupted last week across multiple locations in Gaza.

Hamas, the militant group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, has faced growing discontent. Protesters have taken to the streets, demanding change. But speaking out comes at a cost. A Gazan activist now exiled in Turkey, who has been sharing footage of the demonstrations online, claims he has received direct threats from senior Hamas officials.

Despite eyewitness accounts and video evidence, Hamas insists that the protests were directed at Israel, not at their own governance. Al Jazeera, a Qatari-owned media outlet, echoed this narrative. However, other Arabic media sources have reported that the protests were indeed aimed at Hamas.

As tensions escalate, Hamas leaders appear to be weighing their options. According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, some within the organization have expressed a willingness to release a few hostages in exchange for a truce during Eid al-Fitr, which begins on Sunday evening. This move could be an attempt to ease pressure and regain public favor amid rising unrest.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in Gaza have further constrained Hamas’ ability to suppress protests, limiting their reach and enforcement mechanisms.

Al Rabay’s killing has become a symbol of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge Hamas’ rule. As dissent grows and international attention turns to Gaza, one question remains: Will the people’s anger lead to meaningful change, or will Hamas tighten its grip even further?

Video: Hamas tortures, murders 22-year-old Gazan protest leader

Source: i24News – Family of slain Gazan protester blames Hamas for his death

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Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians have taken to the streets to protest against both Israel’s military campaign and Hamas, which governs the enclave. Many blame Hamas for triggering the conflict and Israel for the relentless destruction that has followed.

On Tuesday, demonstrators in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, openly called for Hamas to step down, marking one of the largest protests against the militant group since its October 7 attacks on Israel. A second day of protests followed on Wednesday in Beit Lahia and Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Protesters chanted slogans such as “For God’s sake, Hamas out” and “We want an end to the war.” Signs read “We Want to Live” and “Stop the Genocide.”

“Our message is to the Israeli army to stop the bloodshed,” said Mahmoud Haj Ahmad, a surgeon at Kamal Adwan Hospital who joined the protest. “Our final message to Hamas: Enough is enough. You have ruled long enough; give others a chance.”

Many Palestinians privately oppose Hamas but fear speaking out due to potential retribution. However, the war’s devastation has driven some to break their silence.

“Our demand is that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people,” said lawyer Mohammed Attalah. “This chaos they have created is enough.”

Raed Abu Hamouda, another Palestinian from northern Gaza, wanted to join the protests but was unable to reach them. “People’s voices must come before the sound of gunpowder,” he said, emphasizing the need for a unified Palestinian government with international and regional backing.

The war, which began after Hamas’s October 7 attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken, has resulted in severe consequences for Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians. The destruction has left much of the enclave in ruins, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that 90% of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have been displaced between October 7, 2023, and January 2025. The situation has deteriorated further after Israel halted humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Hamas’ Government Media Office downplayed the protests, describing them as “spontaneous” and claiming they do not reflect the broader public opinion. “These demonstrations result from the unprecedented pressure our people are experiencing,” it said, blaming Israel for trying to create internal divisions.

Despite this, some activists fear Hamas may crack down on future protests. “There is fear and worry about participating,” said activist Abdullah Ahmed from Jabalia.

Hamas still has a significant support base, with some residents believing the group remains strong. One Hamas supporter, who requested anonymity, insisted that most people are too preoccupied with finding food and water to protest.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pointed to the protests as proof that Israel’s military campaign is working. “In recent days, we have seen something we’ve never seen before – open protests in the Gaza Strip against Hamas rule,” he said during a speech in Israel’s Knesset.

A survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that public support for Hamas’ October 7 attack has declined—from 71% approval in March 2024 to 57% by June 2024. As the war drags on, living conditions continue to worsen, increasing frustration among civilians.

For many in Gaza, the immediate concerns are survival, not politics. “Our demands are to feed our people, to quench their thirst, to see our children educated and not dying,” said protester Belal Abu Zaid.

When asked whether he feared Hamas’ retaliation, Abu Zaid replied, “There is no more fear. Death can happen at any minute.”

“Enough war, enough exhaustion, enough humiliation.”

Source: – CNN – ‘Enough war’: Why Gazans are protesting Hamas now

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As Lebanon experiences a fragile truce following intense clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, Gaza remains engulfed in conflict. Despite U.S. efforts to broker peace, Palestinians in the enclave feel increasingly abandoned.

Shifting Focus: Lebanon’s Truce Leaves Gaza Isolated

The recent ceasefire in Lebanon has offered temporary relief to its citizens, but at a cost to Gaza. Hezbollah, which previously tied its actions to the situation in Gaza, abandoned its demand for a simultaneous truce after facing escalating Israeli military operations. These included targeted assassinations and ground assaults in southern Lebanon.

“Gaza is left alone,” said Hatem Mohamed, a Gaza City resident. “This allows Israel to focus solely on Palestinians and what remains of our cause.”

Deadlock in Gaza Ceasefire Talks

Efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza have stagnated. Mediators like Qatar, once instrumental in negotiations, have withdrawn, closing Hamas’ political office in Doha due to a lack of good-faith discussions. Turkey, a known ally of Hamas, denied reports of hosting a new Hamas bureau, though it acknowledged the group’s officials travel there frequently.

According to Tahani Mustafa, a senior Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group, the dynamics in Gaza remain unchanged despite Lebanon’s ceasefire. “Both sides hold demands that are irreconcilable. Israel seeks to dismantle Hamas and maintain military presence, while Hamas demands an end to hostilities, the return of displaced people, and no Israeli troops on the ground.”

Netanyahu and Biden: Divergent Goals

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at improved conditions for a hostage deal, he remains adamant about continuing military operations until Hamas is dismantled. “Ending the war is not an option until Hamas is eliminated,” he said, rejecting any permanent ceasefire for now.

President Joe Biden, however, sees a potential opening for renewed negotiations, emphasizing cooperation with regional powers like Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. “We aim to secure a ceasefire, release hostages, and end the war without Hamas in power,” Biden stated.

Hamas and Gaza: Struggles Persist

Despite public support for ceasefire efforts, Hamas maintains firm conditions, including Israel’s complete withdrawal and the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, the leverage Hamas holds—hostages taken during the October 7 attacks—has dwindled. Of the 101 hostages reportedly still in Gaza, at least 34 are presumed dead, further weakening Hamas’ bargaining position.

Jihad Abu Yasser, a baker from northern Gaza, expressed frustration. “We’ve lost leverage. If this war continues, the remaining hostages could die, leaving us negotiating with nothing.”

A Growing Sense of Despair

The prolonged conflict has left many Gazans feeling hopeless. Abu Yasser summarized the sentiment: “People believed a Lebanon ceasefire meant hope for us, but those were lies. For the love of God, stop this war.”

This escalating despair underscores the dire need for meaningful intervention to end the suffering of those caught in the crossfire.

Source

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