Latest Developments
Gazan Man Kidnapped, Tortured, Killed by Hamas: Hamas reportedly kidnapped, tortured, and murdered 22-year old Oday Nasser Al Rabay after he participated in anti-Hamas protests in Gaza during the last week. The young man’s body was left in front of his family’s home on March 29 after being “beaten” for hours “with clubs and metal rods in front of passersby,” according to an eyewitness . The protests in Gaza occurred from March 25 through March 27, with Palestinian demonstrators taking to the streets to express their anger at Hamas for continuing its war against Israel.
Terror Group Squashes Dissent: In addition to Al Rabay, Hamas reportedly kidnapped and beat Hussam al-Majdalawi, another Gazan who had spoken out against Hamas, before shooting him in the legs and leaving him lying wounded in a city square near Gaza’s Nuseirat Camp. On March 27, an umbrella group of Gaza-based terrorist organizations, including Hamas, called the “Factions of Reiststance,” published a statement vowing to crack down on the protesters and punish organizers. “These suspicious individuals as responsible as the occupation for the bloodshed of our people and will be treated accordingly,” the statement read.
Hamas Wary of Overt Action After IDF Operations: Hamas is reportedly hesitant to take overt action against the protests—which largely died down over the weekend—due to the IDF’s targeting of Hamas members spotted in the open. Since the resumption of IDF military operations on March 18, Israel has eliminated at least 14 high-level Hamas terrorists with targeted strikes throughout the Palestinian enclave. The Iran-backed terrorist organization still holds 59 Israeli hostages in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
FDD Expert Response
“Hamas continues to use brutal tactics to suppress dissent within the Palestinian population, just as it has in previous protests. The group employs the same repressive methods against civilians who dare to challenge its rule. Additionally, Hamas has turned its force against smaller armed factions in Gaza that deviate from its authority. Whether targeting civilians or rival terrorist groups, Hamas asserts its dominance through intimidation and violence, reinforcing its grip as the leading power in the Gaza Strip.” —Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal
“The protests in Gaza appear to have been cowed after Hamas began to find ways to suppress dissent without being targeted by Israeli airpower, but the frustration underlying them remains. This should serve as a reality check for Israel: despite being battered by nearly eighteen months of war, the Iran-backed terrorist organization still maintains a strong degree of control over the population of Gaza.” —Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor
FDD Background and Analysis
“’These Suspicious Individuals’: Hamas and Allied Groups Threaten Gaza Protestors,” FDD Flash Brief
“Palestinians in Gaza Protest Against Hamas Rule,” by Ahmad Sharawi
“‘Out, Out Hamas!’: Palestinians in Gaza Take to Streets in Rare Protest,” FDD Flash Brief
“‘Israel Will Defeat Hamas’: IDF Eliminates Two Senior Terror Officials,” FDD Flash Brief
Issues:
Iran Global Threat Network Iran-backed Terrorism Israel Israel at War