New Gaza protest campaign calls for mass rallies against Hamas rule

What Happened

A new campaign, dubbed the June 26 Revolution, is calling for mass protests across the Gaza Strip on 26 June to demand an end to Hamas rule and the current humanitarian crisis. The initiative is led by a group of Palestinian activists, exiled social-media influencers and journalists, many originally from Gaza. Prominent campaigner Abed al-Hamid Abed al-Ati, a Gazan journalist now based in Cairo, told The Jerusalem Post that the aim is to give Gazans hope and a path to dignity, insisting that “those responsible for bringing war and destruction upon us do not deserve to continue leading.” The campaign has issued statements declaring “the people are the source of authority,” rejecting oppression and calling for peaceful protest. While some Palestinians have expressed solidarity, Hamas affiliates have branded the organisers “traitors and collaborators with Israel.” According to Palestinian sources in Gaza, Ati received death threats against his family, prompting him to briefly announce his withdrawal, but he later reversed his decision, stating “intimidation is not going to bring results.” The article notes that only limited anti-Hamas rallies have emerged during the war—most prominently in Beit Lahia in March 2025—and were quickly suppressed by Hamas operatives.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The campaign represents a rare, organized attempt to mobilise public opposition to Hamas inside Gaza while the war is still ongoing. If protests materialise, they could signal a significant internal political challenge to Hamas’s authority, potentially affecting ceasefire negotiations and the post-war governance landscape. The threats against organisers underscore the repressive environment in the Strip and the risks faced by dissenters. The initiative also highlights growing frustration among Palestinians with the humanitarian toll and Hamas’s leadership, testing whether a broader popular movement can emerge despite the security crackdowns that crushed the 2019 ‘We Want to Live’ protests and the brief March 2025 demonstration in Beit Lahia.

Watch For

All eyes will be on 26 June to see whether the protests occur, their size, and the response from Hamas security forces—particularly whether there is violent suppression. Any pre-protest arrests or heightened threats against organisers would be a telltale sign. The reactions of regional mediators (Egypt, Qatar, the US) and international bodies to possible crackdowns will be closely watched, as will any statements from Palestinian factions in the West Bank. The fate of Abed al-Ati and other organisers, and whether the movement can maintain momentum after his brief withdrawal, will be a key indicator of the campaign’s resilience.