Hamas allows Gaza residents to pose with weapons publicly now.
In a significant departure, the “military wing” of Hamas, the Islamist rulers of Gaza, publicly displayed their weapons in an open event that attracted hundreds of Palestinians, including children who posed with rocket launchers for selfies. Members of the “Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades,” wearing black balaclavas and camouflage suits, interacted with young men and women at the exhibition held in Gaza City’s Unknown “Soldier’s Square.”
The invitation for the event, shared on social media and in mosque posters, encouraged attendees to take souvenir photos with the weapons, highlighting that resistance is an integral part of their identity. This marked the first occasion where Hamas permitted the public to photograph its weapons.
This display follows a recent escalation in “Israeli-Palestinian violence,” which resulted in the loss of lives on both sides. In late June, over six days, 16 Palestinians and four Israelis died in the occupied “West Bank.” Additionally, in May, a five-day exchange of cross-border fire between militant groups in Gaza and Israel led to the deaths of 34 Palestinians, including six Islamic Jihad commanders, fighters from other armed groups, and civilians, including children. One Israeli woman also lost her life.
The exhibition showcased various Hamas weapons, including locally manufactured missiles, “Shihab” drones, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and Russian-made “Kornet” missiles. Similar exhibitions were scheduled to take place in other areas of the Gaza Strip, despite restrictions on approaching and photographing military sites.
The event attracted families and individuals, with many expressing their support for the “Al-Qassam Brigades” and their belief that it signals the approaching liberation of their land. The presence of uniformed “Al-Qassam Brigades” members added to the atmosphere of the exhibition.
While Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the Australia, United States, Israel, Britain, and the European Union, those attending the event expressed pride in the resistance and support for the “Al-Qassam Brigades.”
The Gaza Strip, home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians, has been under a stringent Israeli-led blockade since Hamas assumed power in 2007. The region has experienced multiple wars between “Israel and Palestinian” militant groups over the years.
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