Rally marks 31st anniversary of Hamas establishment
3,167 views · Published 23 December 2018 · 2:36 · Indexed 22 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(16 Dec 2018) Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered in Gaza City for a rally marking the 31st anniversary of the militant Hamas group's establishment. Hamas fighters in military fatigues paraded with rockets and heavy machine guns during Sunday's rally. The Islamist group said the large turnout reflected widespread support despite domestic and external challenges. Gaza has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since Hamas took power in 2007. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh praised a recent series of deadly attacks against Israel in the West Bank, which is controlled by the Palestinian Authority. He called such attacks "a response" to the anticipated American peace proposal that Palestinians believe will favor Israel. Haniyeh also called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to meet in Gaza or Cairo to end a decade of inter-Palestinian division. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/b54d403f0cddf5b871777bf0aa9a7b7a
