“No one can imagine the level of fear and intimidation Hamas has instilled in people’s hearts since its foundation in 1987,” said one Palestinian from Gaza City.

The deeper problem was the absence of a clear political vision for what would come after the protests.

Hamas, which monitored the campaign and prepared for the protests, stepped up its deterrence efforts, including by publicizing the executions of people suspected of collaborating…

“No one can imagine the level of fear and intimidation Hamas has instilled in people’s hearts since its foundation in 1987,” said one Palestinian from Gaza City.