Thousands take to streets in Gaza in rare public display of discontent with Hamas

[Beastly Boy]

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Several thousand people briefly took to the streets across the Gaza Strip on Sunday to protest chronic power outages and difficult living conditions, providing a rare public show of discontent with the territory’s Hamas government. Hamas security forces quickly dispersed the gatherings.

Marches took place in Gaza City, the southern town of Khan Younis and other locations, chanting “what a shame” and in one place burning Hamas flags, before police moved in and broke up the protests.

Police destroyed mobile phones of people who were filming in Khan Younis, and witnesses said there were several arrests. Dozens of young supporters and opponents of Hamas briefly faced off, throwing stones at one another.

The demonstrations were organized by a grassroots online movement called “alvirus alsakher,” or “the mocking virus.” It was not immediately known who is behind the movement.

Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist, barring most demonstrations and quickly stamping out public displays of dissent.

The Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007 from the forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, prompting Israel and Egypt to impose a crippling blockade on the territory. Israel says the closure is needed to prevent Hamas, which does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, from building up its military capabilities.

The closure has devastated Gaza’s economy, sent unemployment skyrocketing and led to frequent power outages. During the current heat wave, people have been receiving four to six hours of power a day due to heavy demand.

“Where is the electricity and where is the gas?” the crowds shouted in Khan Younis. “What a shame. What a shame.”

Protesters also criticized Hamas for deducting a roughly $15 fee from monthly $100 stipends given to Gaza’s poorest families by the wealthy Gulf state of Qatar.

There was no immediate comment from the Hamas authorities.

https://apnews.com/article/gaza-hamas-demonstration-israel-blockade-palestinians-306b19228f9dd21f1036386ce3709672

[sabbat hunter]

1. I am fairly sure

that the leaders of Hamas are sitting on a ton of money that they stole. Same for Abbas in the WB. Corrupt leadership in Gaza, and WB will lead to a angry populace. They keep trying to redirect the anger of the people on to Israel. In many cases the anger towards Israel is justified. But it protects Hamas, Abbas, which is all they care about right now.

[Beastly Boy]

2. The Palestinian people in general are no dumber than anyone wishing for peace in the Middle East.

They see their leadership failing to protect them and make any meaningful moves towards peace, just as most Israelis see their government failing in the same respect. The problem is, the media rarely give comparable coverage to the crimes and abuses on each side of the conflict.

And then, of course, there are powerful regional players who don't wish for peace in the Middle East. And they think they can always outsmart and manipulate the Palestinians to their ends.