Demonstrations that erupted by Gazans in Beit Lahia against Hamas have entered their third day. Hundreds of Palestinian Arabs are voicing strong opposition to Hamas calling for an end to the ongoing war with Israel.
Amir Tsarfati commented on Telegram:
I don’t trust the Gazans. These are the same people who looted, murdered, raped, and kidnapped our people. However, if these protests from within will hasten the collapse of Hamas, that’s a good thing.
My only question is: Are these protests genuine, or are they staged by Hamas to demonstrate that Gazans must stay and elect new leaders—all in an effort to stop the war and prevent their displacement? After all, who can guarantee that these “civilians” aren’t the very same individuals who were wearing uniforms just two weeks ago?
They’re being paid by Qatar and/or Egypt to do this, creating the impression that not all of Gaza supports Hamas. This is a tactic to prevent their removal from the region. Many Hamas operatives are wearing civilian clothes and participating in these staged protests.
In an Arutz Sheva interview, Oded Eilam, former head of the Counter-Terrorism Division in the Mossad was asked if the protests are real or fake. He said, “You can say that it’s both. On the one hand, there is an authentic element, mainly because of the military pressure that Israel is again applying. The Gazans have gotten used to a time of relative quiet, especially during Ramadan, which leads to a certain feeling of well-being with tables full of good things. However, the end of the humanitarian aid, even if there isn’t a total shortage, since a lot of supplies are in Hamas’s storehouses, there has been an increase in food prices and a feeling of distress on the Gazan street.”
Trust with the Gazan and PA Arabs does not exist and we should be cautious about praising these protests. As Eilam stressed, let’s not jump to conclusions and think that suddenly the Gazan and PA Arabs are truly turning against Hamas and/or Fatah.