By Samah Abdel Fattah | 2025-04-10

Gaza residents have overcome their fear of Hamas to stage public protests against the group, which has maintained iron-fisted control in the war-torn Palestinian territory, according to Palestinian activists and journalists.

Thousands marched through Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, chanting "For god's sake, Hamas out," "Hamas terrorists" and "We want an end to the war," CNN reported March 26.

"The fear barrier broke after thousands of civilian deaths and mass displacement stemming from Hamas's implementation of a suspicious agenda serving only its interests and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)," Palestinian journalist and activist Ibtisam al-Saadi said.

"Hamas has enforced a de facto policy in Gaza since taking power, but this military control doesn't mean civilians are entirely loyal to it or agree with its actions," she said.

"Gazans previously attempted limited demonstrations, but Hamas violently suppressed them, away from media attention,” she added, using a pseudonym in order to speak freely.

Opposition to Hamas has spread beyond Gaza to other Palestinian territories and diaspora communities, with many viewing the group's "resistance" claims as deliberately misleading, according to al-Saadi.

"Hiding behind the cloak of 'resistance' has become an open lie," she said.

The growing current of opposition threatens to "weaken Hamas" which had "created the impression that it has the full support of all Palestinians," al-Saadi added.

Crackdown on dissent

Hamas faces mounting challenges to its authority after losing domestic and international credibility, with its "resistance" narrative undermined by its designation as a terrorist organization by many countries, al-Saadi noted.

The group's brutal response to dissent has been highlighted by the case of Uday Nasser al-Rabbay, a 22-year-old protester who was tortured to death by Hamas.

His family reported finding a written threat with the body, warning others against criticizing Hamas.

"Hamas has practiced extensive repression against Gazans over the past years to maintain control over political and military decisions in service of IRGC plans," said Fatah leader and journalist Saad Yassin.

He described the group as "just another link in Iran's chain of proxies that sow tensions and ignite wars in the Middle East and the Gulf."

Crackdowns have included "suppression of freedoms, repression, arrests and even the killing of opponents, as was the case during past protests," Yassin said.

"Civilians have been used as human shields to protect Hamas members hiding in underground bunkers, among civilians, and in medical and service institutions."

The group has forced residents to remain in their homes during battles, "exposing thousands to imminent danger," he added.

Though Hamas tries to dismiss the protests as political theatrics, "the truth is that the majority of Gaza's families and clans have called for these protests to express their rejection of Hamas and its control over their lives," Yassin said.