Hundreds gathered in Beit Lahiya for last month's protest, with people chanting anti-war and anti-Hamas slogans. — EPA file photo GAZA, Apr 24 (BBC/AP): On the streets of Gaza, more and more Palestinians are expressing open defiance against the armed group that's ruled the strip for almost 20 years.
Many hold Hamas responsible for plunging the tiny, impoverished territory into the worst crisis faced by Palestinians in more than 70 years. "Deliver the message," another crowd chants, as it surges through Gaza's devastated streets: "Hamas is garbage."
"The world is deceived by the situation in the Gaza Strip," says Moumen al-Natour, a Gaza lawyer and former political prisoner who's long been a vocal critic of Hamas.
Al-Natour spoke to us from the shattered remains of his city, the flimsy canvas side of the tent which now forms part of his house billowing behind him.
"The world thinks that Gaza is Hamas and Hamas is Gaza," he said. "We didn't choose Hamas and now Hamas is determined to rule Gaza and tie our fate to its own. Hamas must retreat. "
Speaking out is dangerous. Hamas has never tolerated dissent. Al-Natour seems undaunted, writing a furious column for the Washington Post at the end of March.
"To support Hamas is to be for Palestinian death," he wrote, "not Palestinian freedom". Wasn't it dangerous to speak out in this way, I asked him.
"We need to take a risk and speak out," he replied without hesitation. "I'm 30 years old. When Hamas took over, I was 11. What have I done with my life? My life has been wasted between war and escalating violence for nothing."
Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 by violently ousting political rivals, a year after winning national elections, there have been three major wars with Israel and two smaller conflicts.
Israeli strikes across
Gaza kill at least 28
Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least 28 people, mostly women and children, the territory's Health Ministry said Thursday.
Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas and renewed its air and ground war over a month ago. It has sealed off Gaza's 2 million Palestinians from all food and other imports since the beginning of March to pressure Hamas to release hostages.
Hamas has said it will only release the remaining 59 captives, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas.
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
