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Desperate Gazans Protest Against Hamas
(Al-Monitor) Shlomi Eldar - Those following the violent demonstrations along the border fence with Israel might think that all two million Gaza residents had mobilized for the campaign against Israel. However, virtually all media were unaware of other protests in recent weeks that were generated by opponents of Gaza's Hamas rulers. Gaza residents are openly and almost fearlessly expressing themselves against Hamas, protesting against the terrible reality imposed on them by Hamas since it took control of Gaza by force in 2007. Dozens of Palestinians demonstrated in recent weeks in the Khan Yunis refugee camp and the adjacent Abasan neighborhood, calling on Hamas to take care of its people or "disappear." Similar protests took place two weeks ago in the Shabura camp in Rafah and in Jabalia. Protesters claimed Gaza's rulers had taken the Strip back to the Middle Ages. Demonstrators accused leading Hamas officials of corruption and of favoring the core of their supporters over the general population. One Khan Yunis resident said, "They [Hamas] take care of their own people who are given work and food and gifts....They send people to die while the commanders [Hamas leaders] enjoy power supplies and luxuries."