Israel says its war in Gaza is "expanding to crush and clean the area" of Hamas, but Palestinian civilians are once again being killed and displaced in huge numbers.

Protesters said they were venting anger and desperation as they endure a new round of war and displacement after Israel ended a ceasefire. They leveled unusually direct criticism at Hamas even while remaining furious at Israel, the United States and others for their plight.

Israel's renewed military operation in Gaza "is expanding to crush and cleanse the area of ​​terrorists," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement on Wednesday.

Israel announced a major expansion of military operations in Gaza on Wednesday, saying large areas of the enclave would be seized and added to its security zones, accompanied by large-scale evacuation of population.

The expanded Gaza offensive would see Israel's military "crush and clean the area" of militants, the defense minister said.

Deaths of journalists in Gaza and Syria have had chilling effect on press freedom and free information globally

An anti-Hamas protest in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 26, 2025. Contributor Demonstrations against Hamas erupted on March 25 in the northern Gaza Strip and spread since then to other parts of the territory.

The Abu Teirs thought the Israel-Hamas cease-fire might mean they could start to rebuilding their lives. But a new round of Israeli airstrikes dashed those dreams.