‘Hamas get out’: Palestinians protest in rare uprising; Netanyahu says ‘offensive is working’

Hundreds of Palestinians came out in the streets in Gaza against Hamas after over a year of Israeli strikes on its territory, demanding an end to the war. They chanted, “For god's sake, Hamas get out!”.

“Out, out, out, Hamas get out,” chanted those seen in one of the posts published on X. The protests were reportedly held in Beit Lahiya region of Gaza, on Tuesday.

Photos of the protest on social media showed people with banners – that read “stop war", "We refuse to die” and “blood of our children is not cheap” – marching down a dusty street amid war-damaged buildings.

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One said, “It was a spontaneous rally against the war because people are tired and they have no place to go. Many chanted slogans against Hamas, not all people but many, saying 'Out Hamas'. People are exhausted and no one should blame them."

The rare show of dissent against the militant group of Hamas prompted a reaction from Israel PM Netanyahu who has continued strikes on the Gazan territory, saying the decision to relaunch strikes on Gaza was “working”.

“We are sick of the bombing, killing and displacement,” AP quoted one Ammar Hassan as saying. “Protests won't stop the [Israeli] occupation, but it can affect Hamas.”

The militant group has brutally suppressed past protests. This time, however, there was no clear intervention—possibly because Hamas is maintaining a lower profile since Israel resumed its offensive against it.

The protests have come week after Israel ended the ceasefire and launched heavy strikes on Gaza, killing hundreds. Israel has demanded release of all hostages from the Hamas captivity.

Israel has vowed to escalate the war until Hamas returns the 59 hostages it still holds — 24 of them believed to be alive. Israel is also demanding that the group give up power, disarm and send its leaders into exile.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

(With AP inputs)