Hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza demonstrate against the war

In spontaneous marches in Beit Lahia in the north of the coastal strip, some demonstrators also called for an end to Hamas rule in the largely destroyed coastal strip, according to eyewitnesses. Many - mainly young - people chanted for an end to the war that has been raging for a year and a half. "Hamas out!" shouted demonstrators.

Similar protests also took place in nearby Jabaliya and in Khan Yunis in the south of the sealed-off coastal area. Such demonstrations are considered rare in the Gaza Strip. The Islamist Hamas is known for cracking down on internal opponents. Nevertheless, there were calls on social media for the protests to continue today.

On Monday, members of the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fired rockets at Israel from the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army then issued evacuation orders for Beit Lahia and Beit Hanun.

Gaza residents are deeply distressed

Arabic teacher Mohammed al-Kilani, a participant in the protests, described his deep frustration at the dire situation in the Gaza Strip. "We are not numbers in the news," the father of two from Beit Lahia told the German Press Agency. "We are people with families and dreams." He is tired of the war that is destroying their lives. "Every day when I leave my house, I'm not sure if I'll see my children again or if I'll even be alive tomorrow." The inhabitants of the Gaza Strip are "hostages of people who don't care about us", he says. This also applies to Hamas.

50-year-old Abu Chaled Abu Rajash said he had lost everything, his store had been destroyed in the war. "I no longer have a livelihood, my house is destroyed, my children have become refugees," he said. "Hamas tells us to be patient, but they live in safety. Their children will not be bombed."

Mahmud Al-Hawajri lost his job in construction because of the war. "When we were growing up, they told us about a better future, but it never came. Our childhood is over, our youth wasted, and we still dream of a normal life." He is also angry at the leadership in the Gaza Strip. "We shouldn't have to keep paying the price for leaders who only care about their own power."

War caused the worst destruction

The Gaza war was triggered by the massacre by Palestinian terrorists from the coastal area on October 7, 2023 in Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and more than 250 displaced. Israel has been fighting Hamas ever since. According to the health authorities in the Gaza Strip, more than 50,100 people have been killed so far. A third of these are children and young people. The figures cannot be independently verified. However, international organizations such as the UN consider them to be largely credible.

In the course of the war, the overwhelming majority of the approximately two million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip had to flee their homes. The Israeli attacks have left the most severe destruction in their wake. This month, Israel also stopped humanitarian aid deliveries to the sealed-off coastal strip. A week ago, the army resumed its massive attacks after both sides were unable to agree on a continuation of the ceasefire. Since then, hundreds of people have been killed in attacks.

New protests against the government in Israel too

There were also renewed protests in Jerusalem against the policies of the right-wing religious Israeli government. Hundreds of people demonstrated in front of parliament while the new budget was being passed. According to media reports, there were renewed clashes between demonstrators and police and several arrests. Protests in Israel against Benjamin Netanyahu's government have also intensified since the restart of the Gaza war.