Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza Need Global Support

The news out of Gaza that hundreds of individuals have been protesting against the Hamas regime is one of the most important and heartening moments to emerge since October 7. Surely, among these protestors are many, if not most, who are hostile to Israel. But they recognize that it is because of Hamas’ behavior that the people of Gaza are suffering. And it is only by the end of Hamas rule which will bring an end to their perilous situation. 

Whatever one’s views on the complicated Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the decision by Hamas to commit the worst terrorist massacre since 9-11 was clearly going to provoke Israel to defend itself in the most forceful way. Together with the seizing of 250 hostages, the situation Israel faced meant that it would do all in its power to eliminate Hamas.  

Particularly because Hamas saw the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza as its first line of defense, it was inevitable that the people of Gaza would suffer as Israel took action.

One could debate forever whether Israel has taken sufficient action to avoid civilian casualties, but it is clear that its approach, as reflected in prior warning to civilians to leave certain areas and in their refraining from hitting certain targets, made clear the Israel Defense Forces was very conscious about finding ways to avoid civilian damage.

Still, the lives of Gazans have been turned upside down in so many ways because of this war, and while many understood it was because of Hamas’s behavior on October 7 and its holding of hostages, the brutality of the regime served to intimidate Gazans and deter them from expressing their frustration.

Why have things changed? There undoubtedly is an element of having nothing to lose, that so much bad stuff has happened to them because of the war started by Hamas, that people were now willing even to put their lives in jeopardy to condemn Hamas and bring about change.

Calls to free the hostages, to remove Hamas from Gaza, even for peace with Israel were heard for the first time since October 7. Maybe there is a new sense of Hamas’s vulnerability as Israel has killed most of Hamas leadership. Maybe it is a new realism that what is needed is peace and quiet to rebuild Gaza after the war. Maybe it is a sense that the people must speak up because going along has led to damage and destruction.

In any case, what is so fascinating is that the message of the protestors very much resembles Israel’s war aims since 10/7 — free the hostages and eliminate Hamas.

It has taken far too long for the people of Gaza to stand up, partly because many saw Hamas as standing up for them, but mostly because of the intimidation of the regime.
Now it is finally beginning, but uncertainty remains whether it is sustainable enough to have real and lasting impact. 

This is where the international community becomes vital. The ambiguity of the international world since 10/7 about Hamas and about Israel’s right to defend itself has given Hamas space to continue to dominate Gaza. Now that courageous individuals are giving voice to a changed reality it is vital that nations support them in every way possible. 

First, is the need to provide them security so that they are not endangered for speaking up. And then there is political support making clear that Palestinians in Gaza can have no future as long as hostages continue to be held and Hamas is in control.

If the tide of the international response turns, as it should have long ago, the protests against Hamas will surely grow, the pressure on Hamas to release the hostages will also grow, and the citizens of Gaza could begin to see a very different future.

In sum, let us not only hail the protestors for their immense courage in publicly standing up against a brutal regime that is repeatedly ready to use violence against any opponent.

Let us also act in a way to support the protests so that the war can truly be brought to a close, so that the hostages can be brought home and so the people of Gaza will have a real future of hope and peace.