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Protests calling for the removal of Hamas and an end to the war with Israel started in Gaza on Tuesday, sparked by a set of “provocative” statements from the group's officials, experts said.
Hundreds of people were seen chanting slogans in Beit Lahia in the territory's north, calling for the end of the war and for Hamas's rule to end. Placards read “Stop the war”, “We refuse to die”, and “The blood of our children is not cheap”, according to video purported to be of the protests posted on social media.
Social media campaigners and tribal leaders had urged residents to join the protests, which have divided Gaza’s population. While some support the demonstrations as a call to end the war, others oppose them, arguing that they could fuel internal discord.
Saber Matter, a 40-year-old resident who lost both his home and office in the war, expressed his frustration over the conflict.
“I support people speaking out and demanding an end to the war – this challenges the occupation’s narrative that all Gazans are armed militants seeking conflict,” he told The National.
However, he warned against protests that could widen internal divisions. “I do not support demonstrations that create rifts among our people. Disunity only weakens us,” he added.
Gaza has not held elections since the political wing of Hamas was elected in 2006. Divisions between the group and the Palestinian Authority, led by political party Fatah, made Hamas the only authority with power in the strip.
The protests, which photos showed hundreds attending, came two weeks into renewed Israeli bombing and ground campaigns after the first phase of a ceasefire enacted on January 19 expired in March.
Israel has threatened to continue the operation until Hamas returns the 59 hostages it still holds. More than 700 Palestinians have been killed since Israel restarted its lethal attacks.
Independent Palestinian analyst Ahmed Bassiouni said some protesters are being criticised for the demonstrations, despite previously also standing up against Israel and refusing to leave their homes in the north under Israeli eviction orders.
“They stood steadfastly against them, hailing those people heroes,” Mr Bassiouni, who left Gaza two weeks before the start of the war, said. “Now, because they're standing against Hamas, suddenly they're being labelled spies and agents of the occupation,” he said.
The protests took place after a set of pointed statements by Hamas leaders and officials.
At a public gathering, the son of Hamas leader Osama Hamdan, Youssef, who lives in Algeria, said the group “does not have a white cloth to raise a flag of surrender, but only white cloths to shroud [our] children”.
“Messages like these provoked people who have lost their own children and lost everything,” he said, adding that there had been growing dissent and outrage against Hamas during Israel's bombardment of the strip.
More than 50,000 people have been killed by Israeli weapons of war since October 7, 2023, when Hamas kidnapped more than 250 people from Israel and killed around 1,200 people.
Khan Younis resident Amir Al Fara, 37 said he stood with the protesters. “People took to the streets because they want to be heard. They want the war to end – by any means necessary,” he told The National.
Palestinian analyst Taghreed El Khodary said the protests were spontaneous and organised through calls on social media.
“People are fed up. They are now saying 'enough is enough'. But, it's important to see what the scene is like if more demonstrations take place,” Ms El Khodary said.
Arab and international states have been increasing pressure on Hamas to disarm, and withdraw from the political scene in Gaza. Hamas has repeatedly refused to do so – even after some of its leadership abroad signalled that it was willing to compromise.
In a recent incident that demonstrated this rift, Gaza-based Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassim denounced comments attributed to deputy leader abroad Mousa Abu Marzouk, who reportedly said that he would have opposed the October 7 attack if he knew how bloody the days ahead would be.
Hamas later issued a statement assuring that Abu Marzouk gives his full blessing to the events of October 7 – and that his initial statements were false and “taken out of context”.
Mr Bassiouni said this split in the leadership in and outside of Gaza has always been prevalent.
“People are fed up. They have realised that there isn't a 'right time' to do this. They're under occupation, they're in a genocide, and when the war resumed they became aware of their own reality,” he said.
Mohammed Qadada, a resident of Gaza, said he doubted the protests would effect change. “Arab nations, global summits, and western protests have all failed to bring an end to this war. Can a people already suffering as its victims succeed where others have not? It seems unlikely … but our hope in God remains strong.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Read more from Johann Chacko
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
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Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295