Half a Million Gazans Pledge Allegiance to Hamas

: On 31st Anniversary of Its Founding

GAZA -- Nearly half a million Palestinians gathered for an afternoon rally on Sunday to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the founding of Hamas, the Islamic government in the Gaza Strip.
They packed out Al-Katiba square in the center of Gaza, waving flags as chants and a military parade were held on the main stage.

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political chief, said in a speech at the rally that a technological device had been seized from the Israeli military after an undercover operation in Gaza was exposed last month.
The device, Haniyeh said, exposed the Zionist military’s operational method in Gaza. 

"The times when the Israeli Special Force entered into and left Gaza are precisely known to (Hamas's military wing) al-Qassam. Moreover, al-Qassam leaders know how many hours the Israeli Special Force stayed in Gaza," he said.

"A trove of technical and security information was collected by al-Qassam after the Israeli Special Force's Infiltration into Gaza. The information will be used to reveal the work mechanisms of the Israeli special forces in West Bank, Arab states and other countries."

Undercover Israeli special forces infiltrated into the territory in a civilian car near Khan Yunis, opening fire and killing local commander Noor Baraka when they were discovered.

The unit was chased by Hamas fighters who killed a ranking Zionist officer. The occupying regime then launched dozens of airstrikes on Gaza, drawing Hamas retaliation. During a two-day flare-up, more than 500 rockets were fired at Zionist targets, forcing Tel Aviv to accept a hasty declaration of a ceasefire.

The Hamas leader also commented on the two attacks in the West Bank this week, where two Zionist troops were killed in drive-by shootings.

"I will also respond to the Zionists who are saying what is happening in the West Bank is based on directives and arrangements from Gaza. This is an accusation that we do not deny… because it is a source of pride reigning over all of us,” Haniyeh said.

Hamas was established in 1987 soon after the first Palestinian Intifada or uprising broke out against the Israeli occupation. The movement has been administering Gaza since 2007 when it scored a surprise parliamentary victory. 

On Saturday, Hamas marked the anniversary of its foundation with a military parade featuring the Palestinian resistance movement’s new rockets. 

"After 31 years since the start of the Hamas movement, the occupation is no longer the only one that controls the balance of the battle,” Hamas said in a statement leading up to the rally. 

"Rather, the resistance has become the most powerful… This is proof of the growth of the resistance and its increase in all forms, day after day, and soon the day will come when the resistance will uproot the occupation from our land.”

He also criticized the Oslo agreement, signed in 1994 as the basis of a "peace” settlement that has not materialized and under which Zionist forces are not allowed to operate in Palestinian cities.

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to unveil his own plan described as the "deal of century” which reportedly strips Palestinians of most of their rights, including their claim to Jerusalem al-Qaeda. 

All Palestinian groups, including the Fatah party of Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, have rejected the proposal which is reportedly backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.