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Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21521/anti-hamas-protests
Do Not Be Fooled by the "Anti-Hamas" Protests
(Gatestone Institute) Bassam Tawil - Those who are rushing to celebrate the anti-Hamas protests in Gaza need to consider that they are most likely a show by Hamas to fool the world into thinking that there is an uprising against the terrorist group. According to some reports, Hamas members have been spotted leading some of Gaza's demonstrations. Hamas is undoubtedly seeking to undermine the legitimacy of Israel's war by sending "innocent" civilians to protest the humanitarian and economic crisis in Gaza. Hamas is hoping the world will see the poor "anti-Hamas" civilians peacefully protesting, then exert pressure on Israel to halt its fight against the terrorists. Notably, most of the protesters appear to be fighting-aged men, reinforcing the belief that they are terrorists who took off their military uniforms and suddenly became "civilians." The protesters, like many residents of Gaza, are, in all probability, just trying to avoid more death and destruction now that they see Israel, fully backed by the Trump administration, resuming its counter-terrorism operations. This is certainly not a change of heart: there has yet to be a single Palestinian criticism of Hamas's Oct. 7 massacre of Israelis. It is highly likely that many of the "anti-Hamas" protesters now are the same people who celebrated the Oct. 7 carnage. Moreover, we did not hear or see one "anti-Hamas" protester hold a banner calling for peace and coexistence with Israel or recognizing Israel's right to exist. The talk about local clans possibly revolting against Hamas is an old fantasy that unfortunately never materialized. The current protests are taking place for one reason only: Hamas is conspicuously losing the war. Israel's military force is working. The protesters are just angry that Israel retaliated so hard. These Palestinian demonstrations are not going to bring down Hamas. It is time to stop projecting Western values and aspirations onto Islamist societies.