GAZA STRIP. In a rare display of public dissent, thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of northern Gaza on Tuesday to protest against Hamas, marking the largest demonstration against the militant group since its attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Video footage obtained by CNN showed large crowds marching through the streets of Beit Lahia, chanting “For god’s sake, Hamas out,” “Hamas terrorists,” and “We want an end to the war.” A CNN journalist on the ground estimated the protesters to be thousands.
A call for further demonstrations spread across social media, with organizers urging Palestinians to continue raising their voices against Hamas. “Our voices must reach all the spies who sold our blood,” read a message circulating online. “Let them hear your voice, let them know that Gaza is not silent, and that there is a people who will not accept to be eradicated.” CNN has not been able to verify the source of the message.
The protests come as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with the enclave’s health ministry reporting that the death toll has surpassed 50,000. The region, home to 2.1 million Palestinians, has suffered extensive destruction due to Israel’s military response to the October 7 attacks. Northern Gaza, in particular, has been heavily bombarded, making it difficult for aid agencies to reach affected areas.
The humanitarian situation has further deteriorated since Israel halted aid deliveries at the start of March following the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations. On Sunday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that no food, water, medicine, or fuel had entered Gaza for three weeks. “Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis,” the agency warned in a social media post.
Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007, after a brief civil war with Fatah, the dominant faction of the Palestinian Authority. Israel has frequently accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid to bolster its military operations, a claim the group denies.
As the war drags on into its 17th month, frustrations among civilians appear to be reaching a boiling point, with calls for an end to the conflict growing louder.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
