Gazans: "Hamas Out"

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Global Recap
May 20, 2025 • Read in: 11 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

Yes, it’s true. There are videos and reports from Gaza showing that residents of Khan Younis are taking to the streets, demanding that Hamas step down.

This, of course, isn’t the first time Gazans have protested Hamas rule—but the reasons behind it may be more complex.

The question is:

  • Are they protesting Hamas for refusing to agree to a ceasefire to end the destruction of Gaza?

  • Or are they fed up with Hamas for failing to deliver on its promise of bringing “death to Israel,” as it has frequently chanted—and in doing so, causing Gazans to suffer as a result?

Both may lead to the same demand, but the motivations behind them are entirely different. 👇️ 

🌐 WORLD
Fast Scroll News

(From left to right) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and European Council President António Costa at Lancaster House in London for the UK–EU Summit 2025 on Monday.

🇬🇧 Post-Brexit “Reset.” The UK and the EU just announced a post-Brexit deal to loosen trade barriers and boost defense cooperation. UK Prime Minister Starmer and EU chief von der Leyen called it a fresh start after nearly a decade of Brexit-related issues. It cuts border checks on British food exports, lets British travelers fast-track through European e-gates, and rebrands the “youth mobility” scheme as the friendlier-sounding “youth experience” visa to dodge the immigration backlash. But the most sensitive part of it is that the UK agreed to keep EU fishing boats in its waters until 2038, prompting UK tabloids to call it a “surrender.”

The flags of the US and India, displayed on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House.

🇺🇸 US Bans India Agencies. The US State Department is cracking down on Indian travel agencies, it says are “knowingly facilitating illegal immigration” to the country. The visa ban targets owners, executives, and officials linked to suspected human smuggling networks, though the agency didn’t name names.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei (right)

🇬🇧 UK, Iran Summon Envoys. Britain called in Iran’s ambassador after three Iranian nationals were charged with spying in the UK. This comes after Iran summoned a British diplomat, slamming the detention of an Iranian citizen as “illegal and unjustified.” The charged men allegedly surveilled journalists and plotted attacks, and when they were arrested, four more Iranian nationals were also taken into custody in a separate terrorism probe.

A supporter of Nicusor Dan holding up a poster of Dan after polls closed for the second round of the country's presidential election redo in Bucharest, Romania on Sunday.

🇷🇴 Centrist Wins Romania’s Election. Nicușor Dan, the pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, pulled off a victory in Romania’s presidential election redo, defeating nationalist candidate George Simion with 54.19% of the vote—but it wasn’t easy. Simion had dominated the first round, but Sunday’s high turnout—especially among Romanians abroad—shifted the momentum.

Presidential candidate Rafał Trzaskowski waving the Polish flag with his supporters in Sandomierz on May 18, 2025, just after the first exit polls dropped.

🇵🇱 Poland Heads to Runoff. In another election story, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski and nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki are headed to a second-round vote in Poland’s presidential election on June 1. Trzaskowski, backed by the ruling Civic Coalition, led the first round with 31.36%, while Nawrocki, representing the nationalist Law and Justice party, followed with 29.54%. Candidates from the “far-right” made a surprising showing, capturing a historic 21% of the vote.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Canada, France, and UK Threaten to Sanction Israel

(From left to right) French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Canada, France, and the UK are threatening Israel with sanctions over its renewed Gaza offensive, demanding that aid restrictions be lifted.

This comes as Israel issued an evacuation warning on Monday for residents of Khan Younis, while many of its residents have begun protesting Hamas and calling for its removal.

New Offensive

Israel’s forces began their latest operation on Friday, with Prime Minister Netanyahu declaring that Israel intends to take full control of the region.

Western Pressure Builds

In reaction, Western leaders banded together to demand a halt to the offensive.

  • Their joint statement slams Israel, “the Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance,” and criticizes any expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

Netanyahu Fires Back

Netanyahu shot back sharply against the Western stance, accusing the leaders of “offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7.”

  • He insists that Israel must defend itself until it secures total victory.

  • His terms for ending the conflict hinge on the release of hostages and the demilitarization of Gaza.

Palestinians Protest

That being said, Netanyahu isn’t the only one seeking to remove Hamas. Hundreds of residents of Khan Younis also took to the streets, demanding that Hamas step down as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued an urgent evacuation notice on Monday.

  • Residents were told to relocate immediately to the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi.

  • The military described the upcoming offensive as “unprecedented” in scale.

  • In response, protesters chanted “Hamas out” and called for an end to the war.

  • Local reports indicated widespread frustration with Hamas rule and growing calls for change.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump’s 2-Hour Call With Putin

US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right)

Trump and Putin spent two hours hashing out ideas for peace in Ukraine, yet neither came away with a clear win.

Despite this, Trump said on Truth Social the call went “very well” and that both sides are set to negotiate “immediately.”

Call With Putin

In the Oval Office, at an event where he awarded the first-ever Medal of Sacrifice to fallen Palm Beach law enforcement officers, Trump elaborated on the call.

  • He expressed cautious optimism about ending the fighting.

  • Trump said, “I think something’s going to happen.”

  • Despite Russia recently rejecting a 30‑day ceasefire, Trump stated that he believes Putin wants one—and added that if he didn’t think so, he “wouldn’t even be talking about it.”

Ukraine’s Stance

Following the call, Ukraine’s leadership quickly made clear that they have a strong perspective on the negotiations.

  • Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called this “a defining moment” and pressed for the United States to stay in the loop.

  • He stressed that any deal should respect Ukraine’s principles and warned that if Moscow isn’t committed, “stronger sanctions” will be needed.

  • Ukraine insists that its voice is non-negotiable when sketching out the details of the peace memorandum.

Global Reactions

Following the call, international voices chimed in, reflecting both cautious optimism and strong criticism. The global community is watching closely as allies underscore the need for the US to remain engaged in the process.

  • European Commission President von der Leyen stressed the importance of US involvement and thanked Trump “for his tireless efforts to bring a ceasefire to Ukraine.”

  • Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned that distancing from talks would only benefit Putin.

  • However, the approach is not without its critics. Some worry that endless negotiations could allow the conflict to drag on without meaningful progress.

Future discussions might take place in neutral venues like Turkey or even the Vatican.