Palestinians call for an end to war with Israel, for Hamas to leave Gaza in rare protests

Protests have erupted across northern Gaza on Tuesday as Palestinians call for an end to the conflict with Israel — and declaring that they’re “sending a message to the entire world” that they want Hamas to permanently leave the war-torn Strip.

Hundreds of Palestinians were seen marching in the cities of Beit Lahia and Jabalia with signs that read, “Stop the war,” as civilians waved around white flags and chanted “Hamas out,” viral videos on social media show.

The demonstration in Beit Lahia, which began in front of the Indonesian Hospital, saw the crowd vocally condemning Hamas’ rule and demanding they release the remaining Israeli hostages to end the renewed fighting in Gaza,” the Jerusalem Post reported.

“Hamas is demanding our people to remain steadfast. But how can we remain steadfast when we’re dying and bleeding,” one protester said.

“Hamas must stop what is happening in Gaza… We’re sending a message to the entire world: We reject the rule of Hamas,” he added.

“We say: yes to peace, no to the tyrant rule which threatens the destiny of our people,” another protester yelled.

Protests in Gaza are a rare occurrence given Hamas’ proclivity to crack down on any criticism levied against its terrorists.

Tuesday’s demonstrations, however, appeared to be larger than the last reported protests in Gaza held around January 2024.

The protests in Gaza took place as mass demonstrations continued in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv aimed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his decision to restart the war last week.

Thousands of Israelis have gathered around the Knesset and the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, with the families of current and former captives leading the charge to demand the cease-fire and hostage exchanges be reinstated, the Times of Israel reported.

“Military pressure kills the hostages, military pressure raises the casualties,” said Ofri Bibas Levy, the aunt of slain toddlers Ariel and Kfir Bibas, referencing Netanyahu’s strategy.

Varda Ben Baruch, the grandmother of Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander, also joined the protesters demanding action after a deal that would have freed her grandson fell through when Israel rejected Hamas’ proposal to move on to phase two of the cease-fire deal.

“Our country is not making any efforts for the hostages. Where is phase two? Where is phase two? They forgot it; Bibi forgot about it,” she said.

Hamas had agreed to free Alexander and the other 23 living hostages at once as part of the second phase of the cease-fire deal in exchange for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza.

Netanyahu, however, rejected the proposal and instead sought to extend the first phase of the cease-fire deal with fewer hostage exchanges, which Hamas rejected.

The breakdown in diplomacy reached a boiling point last week, with Israel resuming its bombardment and ground operation campaign in Gaza, vowing that negotiations will now only take place under fire.