Scores of Gazans took to the streets in the city of Khan Yunis, calling on Hamas leaders for a ceasefire with Israel, according to a video posted on Twitter.
The video appears to show a large stream of demonstrators demanding an end to the death and destruction on both sides of the conflict. One person in the crowd appears to be holding a white flag. (Related: Mayor unable to achieve ceasefire in his city calls for ceasefire between Israel and Hamas)
“The people want a ceasefire! Prime Minister Netanyahu and Shinwar, we want a ceasefire.” According to a Hebrew translation provided by Kan News, the protesters chanted in Arabic: “Enough war, no more destruction. “I've had enough,” he could be heard shouting.
Name: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: Number: ת אש. “ahhhhhhhhh”@gal_sade pic.twitter.com/eBGh7FvtzN
— Kanna (@kann_news) January 25, 2024
Yahya Sinwar has been the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip since 2017 and is one of the main orchestrators of the October 7 massacre in southern Israel, which led to the current war between Israel and Hamas. according to In Encyclopedia Britannica. The release of the video of this protest follows a video of a similar, albeit smaller, “spontaneous demonstration” in which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) demanded that Hamas release hostages taken in exchange for sacrifices.・It was held the day after it was released in Al Bala. i24 News reported the end of the war.
Protests criticizing Hamas in any way are rare in the Gaza Strip. Calls for a ceasefire are common in the Gaza Strip, but they are usually directed only at Israel. according to The Times of Israel. This protest is unusual given that it was also directed at Hamas. This demonstration is all the more incredible considering that it is taking place in a battleground city in the Gaza Strip, an area of active fighting between Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas fighters. According to a report in the Jerusalem Post, Sinwar is believed to be hiding in a tunnel complex under the Khan Yunis regime.
Live updates: “Netanyahu and Shinwar, we want a ceasefire”: Numerous anti-war demonstrations take place in Khan Yunis https://t.co/UKIvxtfwRI
— ToI Alerts (@TOIAlerts) January 25, 2024
Freedom of expression is not protected in Gaza under Hamas rule. “Hamas generally rules in an authoritarian manner and actively suppresses criticism of its rule,” human rights NGO Freedom House said. I have written In the 2023 report. The NGO says Hamas systematically suppresses such criticism, sometimes violently.
