Protests in Israel and Gaza call for end to war

Rare show of Gazan dissent against Hamas accompanied by anti-Netanyahu rallies in Israel

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Protesters in Israel and Gaza took to the streets against their respective governments on Wednesday, a week after Israel resumed its war in the Palestinian enclave with a bombing campaign and ground operations.

In Jerusalem, anti-government protesters blocked a motorway and academics marched to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence, while residents of northern Gaza gathered in the town of Beit Lahia and areas of Gaza city to protest against Hamas.

Gazans were seen marching with banners reading "Hamas does not represent us", a rare show of dissent against the militant group, which has held absolute power in the enclave since 2006. The conflict began when Hamas led an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostage.

It was the second day in a row that hundreds walked among the destroyed buildings to call for an end to the war and to Hamas's control of Gaza.

Residents of the enclave once again face hunger and displacement by bombing and Israeli eviction orders after almost two months of calm since a ceasefire began on January 19. Neither the Israeli government nor Hamas have shown a willingness to agree to concessions demanded by the other side to allow for a return to peace, the resumption of aid deliveries and the release of hostages.

'Hamas terrorists, Hamas out': Gazans in rare protest against militants

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Gaza resident Mohammed Qadada told The National that the protests reflect the people's urgent demand for relief. "Regardless of their motivations, these protests ultimately call for the well-being of the people," he said. "Whether their goal is to end the war or achieve other objectives, their impact depends on their scale and strength, showing how the Palestinian public perceives the cause."

Saber Matter, a 40-year-old resident who lost his home and office in the conflict, expressed his frustration over the fighting.

“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.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim wrote in a post on Facebook that people had the right to protest, but their focus should be on the “criminal aggressor” Israel.

Israel has threatened to continue with the conflict until all hostages, of whom 59 remain captive in Gaza, are returned.

Israelis block a highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. AP

In Israel, anti-government protesters belonging to the Mounted Battalions group chanted “no traffic without democracy”, as they blocked a motorway near Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, staff from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, one of Israel’s most prestigious academic institutions, descended on the Prime Minister's official residence, calling for an end to his “government of death and corruption”. Lecturers at Tel Aviv University also marched towards Jerusalem.

Wednesday’s demonstrations come after days of protests against the government, which have grown in intensity since Mr Netanyahu ended the Gaza ceasefire deal, tried to dismiss the head of Israel's Shin Bet security service and the Attorney General, and advanced deeply controversial changes to the judicial system.

The issue of hostages is also at the forefront of the protests. For months, polling has consistently showed a strong majority of Israelis favour prioritising the return of the captives over prolonging the fighting in Gaza.

While demonstrations to get hostages back have been constant throughout the war, they have taken on new urgency since the attacks on Gaza resumed last week.