Armed gangs in Gaza have called for an “uprising” against Hamas, as a second day of protests challenged the terror group’s control of the strip.

In a rare act of defiance, a confederation of powerful families, known as the “clans”, issued a call to arms on Wednesday, urging Palestinians to revolt against “years of oppression”.

The families have been an influential force in Gaza for decades, although they have been largely subordinate to Hamas since the Islamist group seized power from the Western-backed Palestinian Authority 18 years ago.

In a statement apparently on behalf of the “families and clans” of southern Gaza, the body called for a “popular uprising against injustice and a march of anger that will shake the ground under the feet of those who sold our blood and exploited our suffering for their narrow interests”.

Hundreds gathered in several different locations on Wednesday to call for Hamas to be ousted and for an end to the war with Israel.

Footage showed crowds of men streaming towards a protest site in the Beit Lahia area of northern Gaza.

Meanwhile, in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza, a man could be seen sitting on the shoulders of another while leading the large crowd in a furious chant.

Protesters also gathered in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City’s old quarter.

In another video, a large group of children chanted “we don’t want to die”.

The gatherings are significant because elements of the Israeli media commonly conflate the terror group with Gazan civilians.

The fact that ordinary people felt emboldened to protest for a second day is significant given Hamas’s record of brutally suppressing challenges to its authority.

It comes eight days after Israel ended the ceasefire and restarted its attacks on the enclave with a particular focus on eliminating the leaders of Hamas’s civil governance.