Hamas security services in Gaza are guilty of threatening, intimidating, and abusing the local population. Participants in peaceful demonstrations are particularly targeted, according to an investigation by Amnesty International.
For several weeks, there have been regular demonstrations in Gaza. Usually, people take to the streets to protest the war. However, demonstrations against Hamas are also frequent. Stories that Hamas is oppressing the local population have been circulating for some time.
Amnesty spoke with several participants in the demonstrations and with a number of people who organized the protest actions. This revealed “a disturbing pattern of threats, intimidation, and harassment,” according to the human rights organization.
Protest participants risk being picked up off the street by Hamas. During interrogations, they are allegedly beaten with sticks and subjected to death threats. In addition, there are alleged threats of violence against family members. According to Amnesty, demonstrators are seen as traitors and collaborators.
“The Hamas authorities must immediately stop all repressive measures against Palestinians,” says Erika Guevara-Ross of Amnesty. “It is appalling and shameful that the Hamas authorities are exacerbating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza while they already have to endure atrocities by Israel.”
Gazans who collect food packages from the controversial aid organization Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) are also reportedly being targeted by Hamas. According to Israeli media, the militant movement has called on residents not to accept aid from the GHF. Reuters reported on Tuesday that some residents of Gaza are heeding that call despite their hunger.