As veteran Israeli commentator on Arab affairs Zvi Yehezkeli points out, “If those protesting Hamas had a chance, they would commit Oct. 7 again.”
The protests in Gaza that began last Tuesday have ignited speculation about the possibility that Hamas is losing its grip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the scenes in the Strip—with thousands demanding an end to the terrorist organization’s rule—”something we’ve never seen before,” [which] “shows that our policy is working.”
Even those who dispute the second part of that statement have been interpreting the turn of events as a sign that Hamas is crumbling. One indication is that the demonstrators are marching around bare-faced. This suggests that they don’t fear being identified and targeted for murder.
But is this really the start of a grassroots rebellion on the part of brave freedom-fighters?