To ‘promote resistance’ among the youth in the area, Gaza’s militant rulers, Hamas, have for the first time displayed their guns in public, according to AFP. Images showed people posing for selfies with rockets, anti-aircraft missiles, and launchers, including young toddlers and teenagers. The organisers of the show, which took place in Gaza City’s Unknown Soldier’s Square, were Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigade members. The militant organisation is regarded as being the biggest and best-equipped in Gaza.
Hamas displayed a range of armaments, including locally produced missiles, “Shihab” drones, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and Russian-made “Kornet” missiles
Earlier, the group said in an invitation to the exhibition on social media and posters in mosques, “Resistance is an image and a memory. Take souvenir photos with many of Al-Qassam’s weapons.” In Gaza City, Hamas displayed a range of armaments, including locally produced missiles, “Shihab” drones, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and Russian-made “Kornet” missiles. These exhibitions were part of a show that let visitors go near and take pictures at military installations, which are often off-limits to the general public. A poster at the exhibition’s entrance welcomed groups of guests, including families and kids.
The violence between Israelis and Palestinians recently increased in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of 16 Palestinians and 4 Israelis over six days in late June. This incident follows that uprising. 34 Palestinians were killed during a five-day cross-border firefight in May between Gaza and Israel, including six Islamic Jihad commanders, militants from other Palestinian armed groups, and civilians, including children. Additionally, one Israeli woman perished.
Residents of Gaza who brought their families and kids to the display expressed pride in the fighters’ resilience. According to Abu Mohammed Abu Shakian, a Palestinian of Gaza, “I came with my family to take photos with the weapons and reinforce the spirit of resistance in our children.” Shahadeh Dalou was quoted by AFP as stating that the exhibit is “encouraging and means that the liberation of our land is near.” According to Bassam Darwish, 58, residents of the Gaza Strip are willing to help the Al-Qassam Brigades. The EU, US, Israel, and the UK have all designated Hamas as a terrorist organization despite it being viewed as a resistance organization in Gaza.