Thousands take to streets in Gaza in rare public display of discontent with Hamas
- Hamas security forces dispersed the gatherings which took place in locations including Gaza City and Khan Younis. Witnesses said there were several arrests
- The protests against chronic power cuts and difficult living conditions provide a rare public show of discontent with the territory’s Hamas government
Several thousand people briefly took to the streets across the Gaza Strip on Sunday to protest against chronic power cuts and difficult living conditions, providing a rare public show of discontent with the territory’s Hamas government. Hamas security forces quickly dispersed the gatherings.
Marches took place in Gaza City, the southern town of Khan Younis and other locations, chanting “what a shame” and in one place burning Hamas flags, before police moved in and broke up the protests.
Police destroyed mobile phones of people who were filming in Khan Younis, and witnesses said there were several arrests. Dozens of young supporters and opponents of Hamas briefly faced off, throwing stones at one another.
The demonstrations were organised by a grass-roots online movement called “alvirus alsakher,” or “the mocking virus.” It was not immediately known who is behind the movement.
Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist, barring most protests and quickly stamping out public displays of dissent.
The closure has devastated Gaza’s economy, sent unemployment skyrocketing and led to frequent power outages. During the current heatwave, people have been receiving four to six hours of power a day due to heavy demand.