Gazans find courage to speak out

Mass protests in several districts of Gaza against the continued malign rule of Hamas terrorists are a welcome sign. It is too early to predict with any certainty where things may lead but the fact large groups of people are prepared to show their open defiance to the terror group that effectively has held them captive for decades is notable in itself. The outpouring of defiance reflects frustration at the breakdown of the ceasefire and resumption of hostilities following Hamas’s refusal to return to Israel all of the hostages taken in its rampage on October 7, 2023.

The Palestinian protesters are prepared to put the blame for their daily misery exactly where it belongs: on the shoulders of Hamas. The outpourings of anger against Hamas suggest the months of fighting have weakened the terror group to the point where displays of public disobedience against it are possible. Western supporters of Hamas have been naive in believing support for the group in Gaza has been anything other than forced at the point of a gun. Up until now, any shows of defiance against Hamas were forcefully put down.

The latest protests are the biggest since Gazans turned out in anti-Hamas street demonstrations in 2019 and again on July 30, 2023. The response of Hamas to the latest demonstrations will show how degraded its capabilities have been following months of conflict with Israel. The group risks igniting a widespread popular revolt to reclaim control of Gaza, return hostages and make peace with Israel.

The demonstrations on Tuesday, local time, started spontaneously in Beit Lahia during a funeral and spread to Jabalia refugee camp. By nightfall, Palestinians in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, also had taken to the streets. The call was put out for other areas to join protests on Wednesday. “We’re sending a message to the entire world: We reject the rule of Hamas,” was the message of one protester. The world must listen to that message and double down on its efforts to root Hamas out of Gaza.

The seeds of rebellion are a positive sign that, given opportunity, Palestinians will choose a future of peace that is not dictated by the demands of the theocratic monsters in Tehran. The groundswell of opposition to Hamas must be nurtured as a positive sign that change towards a peaceful future in the troubled Middle East is still possible.