Hundreds of people took to the streets to demand the group's withdrawal from power, joining the biggest anti-Hamas protest in Gaza since the war with Israel began.
Masked Hamas militants, some armed with guns and others armed with batons, intervened and forcibly dispersed the protesters, assaulting many.
Videos widely shared on social media by activists who are often critical of Hamas showed young men marching through the streets of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza on Tuesday chanting “Out, out, out, Hamas out.”
Pro-Hamas supporters defended the group, downplaying the significance of the demonstrations and accusing participants of being traitors. Hamas has not yet commented.
The protests in northern Gaza came after Islamic Jihad gunmen launched rockets into Israel, prompting Israel to evacuate large parts of Beit Lahiya, triggering anger among locals.
Israel has resumed its military offensive in Gaza after a nearly two-month ceasefire, blaming Hamas for rejecting a new US offer to extend the ceasefire. Hamas, in turn, has accused Israel of abandoning the original agreement agreed in January.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and thousands displaced since Israeli military operations resumed with air strikes on March 18.
One of the protesters, Beit Lahiya resident Mohammed Diyab, had his home destroyed in the war and lost his brother in an Israeli airstrike a year ago.
“We refuse to die for anyone, for the agenda of any party or for the interests of foreign states,” he said.
Footage from the town also showed protesters shouting "Damn the Hamas government, damn the Muslim Brotherhood government."
