Gaza Christian activist: People on streets for a Gaza Strip free from Hamas and Israel

Khalil Sayegh, originally from Gaza and co-founder of Agora Initiative, talks about a population tired of war and the domination of the extremist movement. Today the protests are more evident because Hamas is weakened and cannot ‘repress them with brutality’. The humanitarian situation is a ‘disaster’ and a large part of the population is at risk of famine due to the block on aid.

Milan (AsiaNews) - The population ‘is tired of war’, there is widespread discontent over the conflict and ‘the genocide that Israel’ has perpetrated in Gaza; however, in the protests of these last few days ‘there is an equally evident cry against the domination of Hamas’, for the movement to ‘give up control’ not only of the government, but also of ‘security and armed militancy’ and free the Strip from oppression.

Khalil Sayegh, a political analyst and expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, born and raised in Gaza and now based in the United States, president and co-founder of the Agora Initiative to promote dialogue and understanding between the two sides, highlights some of the unique aspects of the Gazan protests. ‘Today the demonstrations - he explains to AsiaNews - have a different significance, even with respect to the ongoing war itself’.

‘In recent days, there has been a significant outcry against Hamas,’ warns the Christian scholar, which is the “real target” of the dissatisfaction and anger of a population now at risk of famine. “There are calls for an end to the armed struggle,” continues Sayegh, ’and for the complete dismantling of its militant activism.’

This request is also the result of looking to the future: if the militiamen continue to control the Strip, he says, ‘more destruction and more wars are bound to happen. The local population has suffered a genocide in the last 16 months,’ emphasises the Christian activist, but already in the past they had suffered “due to the numerous wars and conflicts” that have followed one another “since Hamas came to power in 2007”.

Khalil Sayegh is a Palestinian Christian, born and raised in Gaza, with a propensity for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine, which has led him to work for dialogue and understanding between the parties. Furthermore, inspired by the Christian faith, he is actively engaged in interfaith dialogue, promoting harmony between different communities. Due to his knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, dialogue and religious freedom, he has participated in conferences and meetings in different parts of the world, such as his speech at the Oslo Freedom Forum.

Previously he was Senior Research Fellow and Advocacy Fellow at the Philos Project, contributing to the scientific study of the conflict. Founder of Agora Initiative, he is now also on the board of directors of US Friends of Roots, an NGO dedicated to grassroots initiatives for coexistence. He holds a master's degree in comparative politics from American University in Washington and a bachelor's degree in biblical studies from Bethlehem Bible College.

Over the last three days, protests against Hamas have flared up in various locations in the Strip, with the participation of hundreds, if not thousands, of Palestinians. Demonstrations have been recorded in Beit Lahiya and in the Jabalia refugee camp in the north, in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City and in Khan Younis and Nuseirat in the south and centre of the enclave.

At the moment there have been no documented protests in the central area of Gaza, in Deir al-Balah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced persons from both the north and south have taken refuge; however, even in this area there are reports of demonstrations against the war and in solidarity with the inhabitants of the Strip who are protesting elsewhere, confirming that this is anything but an isolated phenomenon.

‘People are rebelling’ against Hamas rule, but the new element is that “today they are not being brutally repressed” by the extremist movement, because “its armed wing cannot operate at full strength this time because of the Israeli bombings”. In the past, discontent was stifled, even during the two months when the fragile truce was in force, ‘any attempt to express dissatisfaction’ was blocked and people were ‘threatened’.

‘This,’ says Sayegh, ’is the approach Hamas has used many times in the past. Even before 7 October 2023, there had been protests, for example in August of that year, with people taking to the streets against the rule, the lack of freedom, the repression, and the responsibilities in the conflict.’

However, at that time Hamas was able to block the protest ‘and no media reported it, the news was obscured and the newspapers, at the time, had no interest in giving voice to the discontent. Today the situation is different and Hamas is unable to block the flow of news, there is an opening even if there is no lack of dangers because Hamas is still trying to exert pressure on the people’.

Finally, the Christian scholar reflects on the humanitarian situation which is ‘a disaster’ because for weeks there have been no deliveries of food, humanitarian aid and basic necessities due to the blockade by Israel. ‘This approach,’ he warns, ‘could bring the entire Strip to a state of famine, a real disaster, with a significant impact on the overall picture.’

Looking towards the future, Khalil Sayegh calls for a Strip ‘free from Israeli occupation but, at the same time, also free from Hamas, which must be completely dismantled not only at the level of government, but also of security management, its presence on the territory with its armed wing’.

‘This,’ he concludes, ’is the only way to ensure that another war does not break out in the future, to guarantee the safety and security of all. But as long as Hamas remains, the situation will remain critical for everyone.’