Gaza Activists Plan Rare Anti-Hamas Protests Despite Death Threats

Gaza activists are preparing for an unusual public challenge to Hamas on Friday, under the banner “The June 26 Revolution.” According to Kan 11, these would be the first such protests in more than a year, after a long period in which Gaza residents largely stayed off the streets out of fear of retaliation from Hamas operatives.

One organizer told Kan 11 that participants are facing severe death threats from Hamas and from clan leaders aligned with it. “They accuse us of treason,” he said, but added that the activists still want to live without the rule of what he called a terrorist organization. He said the aim is not only to express anger over Gaza’s hardship, but to end Hamas rule and transfer control of the Strip to another body, such as a technocratic committee or an international civilian mechanism.

The organizer said Hamas fears a public uprising and is trying in advance to intimidate anyone linked to the protest. In parallel, Hamas told affiliated media this week that its forces had arrested groups it says are collaborating with Israel, and announced that some detainees could be executed. An activist who spoke with Kan 11 said the move is meant to spread fear among opponents and prevent the protests from happening.

The activists reject Hamas claims that Israel is behind the effort. “Only Gazans are behind the demonstrations planned for tomorrow,” one said, while acknowledging that the threats and danger to participants may still stop people from taking to the streets.