Palestinian militant groups have issued stark warnings to what they term "collaborators" who aid Israeli interests, following the emergence of significant protests against the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the governance of Hamas. Over recent days, hundreds of Palestinians have taken to the streets in northern and central Gaza, expressing their dissent with chants such as “Hamas out,” marking a rare display of opposition to the ruling faction since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023.

The protests, which have garnered approval from the Israeli government, are expected to continue later today. An official statement from the "Factions of the Resistance," a coalition that includes Hamas, threatened repercussions for those leading what they described as a "suspicious movement"—a term many Palestinians understood to refer to the ongoing demonstrations. 

“They persist in blaming the resistance while absolving the occupation, ignoring that the Zionist extermination machine operates nonstop,” the coalition's statement declared. “Therefore, these suspicious individuals share the responsibility for the bloodshed of our people and will face consequences.”

While Hamas officials have asserted the right to protest, they warn that gatherings should not be manipulated for political motives or to absolve Israel from its historical accountability regarding the occupation, conflict, and the displacement of people in Palestinian territories. 

Protesters who spoke with RNG247 expressed their opposition to the relentless warfare, citing exhaustion and a dire lack of basic necessities such as food and water. “We are not against the resistance. We are against war. Enough wars, we are tired,” lamented one resident from Gaza City’s Shejaia neighborhood, which witnessed demonstrations on Wednesday. “You can’t label people collaborators for speaking out against wars and desiring to live without bombardment and hunger,” he conveyed via a chat application.

Protests Spreading Across Gaza

Footage that circulated on Wednesday—whose authenticity RNG247 has not verified—depicted gatherings in Shejaia, where the protests initially sparked, and spread to central Gaza regions like Deir Al-Balah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to eradicate Hamas completely, commented that the protests merely reinforced the justification for Israel’s continuation of military operations in Gaza following a brief ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Hamas police, the group’s law enforcement branch, have again withdrawn from the streets amidst the unrest. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz encouraged residents of Gaza to persist in voicing their dissatisfaction. “Learn from the residents of Beit Lahia,” he wrote on X, referencing the site of the first protest. “Demand the removal of Hamas from Gaza and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages—this is the only way to stop the war.”

A Palestinian official aligned with one of Hamas’ militant factions acknowledged that protests are permitted—but underscored that any form of collaboration with Israel would not be tolerated.