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Thousands rally in Gaza on anniversary of Hamas founding

Hamas marched in support of the campaign of terrorism it has been conducting against Israel since its inception, vowing to carry on its war against the Jewish State until it is eliminated.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians, including hundreds of terrorists and children waving mock weapons, rallied in Gaza on Wednesday in support of the Hamas Islamic terror group, which rules the territory, on the 29th anniversary of its founding.

In a show of force for Hamas, loudspeakers blasted the group’s slogans through the streets as rockets mounted on pickup trucks rolled by. Hundreds of masked terrorists marched, and dozens of children wielding imitation assault rifles attended with their families.

Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya delivered a fiery speech at the rally, full of rhetoric against Israel. He also called for reconciliation with the Fatah party, led by Palestinian Authority (PA) head Mahmoud Abbas— but only under Hamas’ terms.

Hamas violently overtook Gaza in 2007 after routing troops loyal to Abbas in bloody street battles. Palestinians have since been divided between Gaza under Hamas and the Palestinian Authority-run terroritories ruled by the Abbas government.

Al-Hayya, the Hamas official, stated that Gazans should enjoy freedom of movement, job opportunities, access to clean water and constant electricity, but he offered no plans to materialize these needs.

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Palestinians in Gaza Afraid to Challenge Hamas

For some Palestinians, the message behind the great show of arms is directed to the local population that the Islamic movement will not tolerate any revolt.

“People are tired, they need a life like humans,” said a cosmetics store owner, who sat in front of his business watching the rally, but only identifying himself as Abu Ahmed, fearing retribution. “Who is going to rise up against those?” he said of the terrorists. “They must make concessions for our lives to revive again.”

Gaza’s population suffers from a lack of basic human rights, unemployment, and strict Muslim religious rule dictated by Hamas

Wednesday’s event was preceded by week-long celebrations throughout the Strip.

On Friday, al-Hayya stated that Hamas “remains strong and united and holds an unwavering commitment to resistance as the main option to confront the Israeli occupation and liberate Palestine.”

He stressed Hamas’ rejection of all forms of normalization with the Israeli “occupation.”

“Hamas was and will always remain honest to its principles and people,” he underlined.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff