Hamas faces growing public dissent as Gaza war erodes support

Hamas is facing increasing public dissent in Gaza as the ongoing war with Israel continues to erode its support. A video that went viral recently shows a man, an academic doctor, expressing his deep frustration and anger towards the Hamas leadership. With a bloodied face, he calls the leaders 'filthy' and 'scum,' accusing them of being accustomed to the bloodshed of their own people. This video was filmed outside a hospital overwhelmed with Palestinian casualties following an Israeli operation to rescue hostages from central Gaza. The man in the video also criticizes the people of Gaza, calling them cowards and suggesting that the attack could have been avoided.

This video is not an isolated incident. Open criticism of Hamas has been growing both on the streets and online. Some residents have publicly condemned Hamas for hiding hostages in apartments near busy marketplaces and for launching rockets from civilian areas. People in Gaza have started to openly curse the Hamas leadership in markets, and some even name their donkeys after the Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, urging the animals forward with shouts of 'Yallah, Sinwar! ' One man mentioned that people are saying things like 'Hamas has destroyed us' and questioning the purpose of the attacks on October 7th, with some even calling for a ceasefire with Israel.

Even within Hamas's own ranks, there are signs of wavering support. A senior Hamas government employee, who requested anonymity, described the attacks as 'a crazy, uncalculated leap. ' He acknowledged that while Hamas had prepared militarily for the attack, they had neglected the home front, failing to build safe shelters or stockpile enough food, fuel, and medical supplies. He expressed a desire to leave Gaza with his family if they survive the war. Opposition to Hamas existed before the war, but it was often hidden due to fear of reprisals. Now, more people are speaking out. A political activist named Ameen Abed, who has been arrested multiple times for criticizing Hamas, noted that dissent is becoming more common. He said that most people in Gaza criticize Hamas's actions, especially when they see children living in tents.

The war has significantly disrupted life in Gaza. Four-fifths of the population is displaced, often moving between temporary shelters. Law and order have broken down in some areas, partly due to Israel's targeting of Gaza's security forces, including the official Hamas internal security service and community police responsible for street crime. As a result, criminal gangs have thrived, looting neighborhoods and aid convoys, and private security companies run by powerful local families have emerged. An aid organization staff member described the situation as 'absolute chaos at street level' and 'a state of anarchy,' attributing the breakdown of civilian order to Israeli policies.

Israel's prime minister has vowed to continue the war until Hamas's military and governing capabilities are destroyed. However, some aid agencies operating in both northern and southern Gaza have reported regular checks on their activities by local Hamas officials. Videos frequently circulate showing unofficial Hamas security forces shooting and beating those caught looting. A well-placed source told the BBC that dozens of people had been killed by Hamas in bloody score-settling with other local groups after Israeli troops withdrew from certain areas.

Despite the growing criticism, some people in Gaza remain loyal to Hamas. Jihad Talab, a 26-year-old displaced from the Zeitoun area of Gaza City, expressed strong support for Hamas. He argued that Hamas is not responsible for their suffering and that they must support the group because it understands the battle. He dismissed accusations against Hamas as serving only to benefit Israel. A poll conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research found that most people in Gaza still blame Israel and its allies for the war, rather than Hamas. The latest survey in June showed that almost two-thirds of Gazan respondents were satisfied with Hamas, a 12-point increase from December, and about half would prefer Hamas to run Gaza after the war ends.

However, these poll results contrast with several accounts given to the BBC, including from a senior Hamas official who privately admitted that the group is losing support due to the war. The media blockade around Gaza makes it difficult to get a full assessment of the situation, as international journalists are barred from reporting there firsthand. What is clear is that Hamas remains highly sensitive to public opinion. Similar messages frequently appear on social media platforms to justify its actions, often in response to criticism. For instance, after Israeli families released a video showing female soldiers being kidnapped by Hamas units on October 7th, some in Gaza questioned whether targeting women during war was in line with Islamic teachings. In response, several pro-Hamas social media accounts insisted that soldiers, regardless of gender, are justified military targets and claimed that the unit involved had previously shot Gazan protestors during demonstrations six years ago.

The criticism of Hamas is becoming more pronounced, and long-buried divisions over Hamas rule in Gaza are surfacing. Amid the destruction caused by Israel's battle with Hamas, a new conflict is emerging: a battle for control of public opinion within Gaza itself.