Hamas maintains full control over Gaza after deterring Palestinian protests - analysis

Hamas Maintains Grip on Gaza as Anti-Hamas Protests Fail to Materialize

Planned anti-Hamas demonstrations across the Gaza Strip on June 26 largely failed to materialize, with reports indicating that Hamas employed intimidation, threats, and physical deterrence to suppress the protest movement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had prepared for possible violent demonstrations along the Gaza Strip's Yellow Line, but the anticipated unrest did not occur.

The protest initiative, described by some as the "June 26 revolution," was organized primarily through social media pages affiliated with Fatah, according to reports by the Jerusalem Post. Organizers called for demonstrations against Hamas's rule, focusing on the harsh living conditions in the Strip and the delay in advancing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which includes rebuilding homes and infrastructure and ending the fighting. The blame for these failures was placed on Hamas's leadership.

However, the calls for protest drew little public response. One Palestinian from Gaza City, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, told the Jerusalem Post: "No one can imagine the level of fear and intimidation Hamas has instilled in people's hearts since its foundation in 1987. People are simply too afraid to protest, even now after all what they've been through. This is because Hamas is still here, controlling people's lives, and nobody can say a word."

The same resident noted that "there was a lot of pressure on people to keep silent," adding that "anyone who even considered joining the rallies refrained from doing so, as participants were labeled traitors and agents of anarchy." He also described the scale of Hamas's control over social and trade associations, which he said operate under Hamas's oversight and are subject to its authority.

Hamas reportedly took proactive steps to quell the protests. According to Hebrew media reports cited by the Jerusalem Post, Hamas gunmen were deployed throughout Gaza to prevent demonstrations from spreading, with armed operatives positioned near gathering points. Movement of civilians in displacement camps was restricted, and in some cases, phones were confiscated from individuals identified as linked to the protest calls.

One protest organizer told Kan News: "They accused us of treason. They threaten anyone who opposes Hamas. All of us are in danger, but we still believe we deserve to live without a terrorist organization."

In addition to on-the-ground intimidation, Hamas launched a counter-campaign calling for protests against Israel and US envoy Nikolay Mladenov, who mediated talks between Hamas and Israel. According to IDF assessments, Hamas pushed for the population to hold demonstrations near the Yellow Line, potentially to redirect anger toward Israel.

The IDF, which had braced for violent demonstrations and riots along the Yellow Line, noted that the anticipated protests did not take place as predicted. The IDF believes that Hamas's deployment of armed security forces throughout the streets and at intersections, combined with threats against the population, deterred many from participating.

Hamas also stepped up its deterrence efforts by publicizing the executions of individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel. This tactic, which involved public violence and abuse, was used by Hamas in the past to deter the public from rising up, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The failed protest comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. Reports indicate that the IDF controls approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip following engineering operations aimed at locating terrorist infrastructure above and below ground and distancing threats from the Yellow Line.

Despite almost three years of hardship and devastation during the Gaza war, which began with Hamas's October 7 massacre in southern Israel, the June 26 protest drew little public support. The initiative, which organizers hoped would bring Gazans together to demonstrate against Hamas's rule, highlighted how years of oppression have kept most Palestinians in the Strip from expressing dissent.