A striking disparity in protest activity has emerged since October 7, 2023, highlighting divergent public sentiments across the Western world and within the Gaza Strip regarding the ongoing conflict. While tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrations have swept through Western nations, a far smaller number of rare, yet significant, protests have occurred in Gaza, critically calling for Hamas to relinquish control.
According to data compiled by the Crowd Counting Consortium (CCC), more than 7,500 pro-Palestine events were recorded in the United States by April 2024, with broader analyses indicating this figure reached nearly 12,400 by June 2024. In Western Europe, the European Palestinian Media Center (EPAL) has documented a substantial number of demonstrations and events across 20 European countries, contributing to an overall total exceeding 42,000 protests across the Western world since the conflict began. These widespread demonstrations primarily advocate for Palestinian rights, a ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to Israeli actions.
In stark contrast, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a handful of protests, estimated between 8 to 10 significant events, all explicitly demanding that Hamas step down from its political and military governance of the enclave. These demonstrations, though small in scale compared to those in the West, represent a rare and courageous public expression of dissent against the militant group. Participants have been heard chanting slogans such as "Hamas out," "Hamas are terrorists," and "We want to live freely," calling for an end to the war.
These anti-Hamas protests, notably observed in areas like Beit Lahia, Jabalia, Shujaiyah, and Khan Younis since March 2025, have faced severe suppression. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have documented a disturbing pattern of threats, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, beatings, and even alleged executions of protesters by Hamas-run security forces. Such actions underscore the perilous environment for public dissent within the Hamas-controlled territory.
The numerical divergence in protest activity underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of public opinion surrounding the conflict. While global attention remains fixed on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader geopolitical implications, the internal calls for change within the Strip highlight the immense pressure faced by its civilian population.