GAZA: Hamas holds a major military rally to mark the first anniversary of an eight-day conflict with Israel

Record ID: 214084

  • Title: GAZA: Hamas holds a major military rally to mark the first anniversary of an eight-day conflict with Israel
  • Date: 14th November 2013
  • Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (NOVEMBER 14, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF HAMAS MILITANTS WALKING MILITANTS' SHOES VARIOUS OF MILITANTS PICTURE OF HAMAS MILITARY WING LEADER AHMAD AL JAABARI WHICH WAS TARGETED IN AN ISRAELI AIR STRIKE AT START OF EIGHT DAY CONFLICT WITH HAMAS ON NOVEMBER 2012 MILITANTS ON CARS MILITANTS ON CAR WITH WEAPONS MAHMOUD A-ZAHAR, SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIAL, GREETING MILITANTS MILITANT (SOUNDBITE) (English) MAHMOUD A-ZAHAR, SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIAL, SAYING: "First of all, we have to address that after one year, we are more strong than before. They tried to make some equation - al-Jaabari first, and we did it Tel Aviv first. So for this reason, Israel is understanding that we are more stronger than before. We are ready to wage a very effective self resistance by all means, attacking every inch." MORE OF PARADE MILITANT WITH CAMOUFLAGE GEAR MORE OF PARADE
  • Embargoed: 29th November 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Gaza
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3AOQQNH0LXE6C2OI9LN8OJN5Y
  • Story Text: Islamist group Hamas staged a show of strength in the Gaza Strip on Thursday (November 14), organising one of its largest ever military parades to mark the first anniversary of an eight-day conflict with Israel.
    Hamas emerged from the conflagration with a renewed sense of confidence, but its fortunes have gone sharply into reverse following the toppling of its main ally, Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, who was ousted by the military in July.
    Since his removal, the Egyptian army has destroyed hundreds of smuggling tunnels into Gaza, causing drastic fuel shortages that have added to growing gloom in the Palestinian enclave.
    Looking to show it remained in full control, several thousand well-equipped fighters from Hamas's Qassam Brigades military wing paraded through the Gaza Strip, showing off their home-grown M75 missile and multiple-rocket launchers.
    "First of all, we have to address that after one year, we are more strong than before. They tried to make some equation - al-Jaabari first, and we did it Tel Aviv first. So for this reason, Israel is understanding that we are more stronger than before. We are ready to wage a very effective self resistance by all means, attacking every inch," said senior Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahar.
    Hamas says modern day Israel belongs rightfully to the Palestinians.
    Earlier in the day, Palestinian militants fired mortars into southern Israel, causing no damage. The Israeli airforce responded by bombing what it said were two rocket launchers. There were no reports of injuries.
    The Israel-Gaza front has been mostly quiet since Egypt brokered a ceasefire to end the November fighting, in which about 170 Palestinians, including Hamas's military chief, and six Israelis were killed.
    Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since a brief Palestinian civil war in 2007, has spurned Western demands to recognise Israel and renounce violence. It is considered a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.
    The Sunni group has also angered its two long-standing supporters, Shi'ite Iran and Syria, by criticising the Syrian army crackdown on Sunni rebels. This has led to Iran turning off the financial taps, dealing a severe blow to Hamas coffers.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register