Hundreds take to streets in Gaza in uncommon public show of discontent with Hamas

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Several thousand folks briefly took to the streets throughout the Gaza Strip on Sunday to protest persistent energy outages and troublesome residing circumstances, offering a uncommon public present of discontent with the territory’s Hamas authorities. Hamas safety forces shortly dispersed the gatherings.

Marches befell in Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and different places, chanting “what a shame” and in a single place burning Hamas flags, earlier than police moved in and broke up the protests.

Police destroyed cell phones of people that had been filming in Khan Younis, and witnesses stated there have been a number of arrests. Dozens of younger supporters and opponents of Hamas briefly confronted off, throwing stones at each other.

The demonstrations had been organized by a grassroots on-line motion referred to as “alvirus alsakher,” or “the mocking virus.” It was not instantly identified who’s behind the motion.

Hamas guidelines Gaza with an iron fist, barring most demonstrations and shortly stamping out public shows of dissent.

The Islamic militant group seized management 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 required to forestall Hamas, which doesn’t acknowledge Israel’s proper to exist, from build up its army capabilities.

The closure has devastated Gaza’s financial system, despatched unemployment skyrocketing and led to frequent energy outages. During the present warmth wave, folks have been receiving 4 to 6 hours of energy a day resulting from heavy demand.

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

Protesters additionally criticized Hamas for deducting a roughly $15 payment from month-to-month $100 stipends given to Gaza’s poorest households by the rich Gulf state of Qatar.