 Hamas has abruptly cancelled plans for an anniversary mass rally at Gaza City fearing possible Israeli strikes, a spokesman for the movement said on Wednesday.
| "I mean, we're fond of hopping up and down and making faces and all, but there's no sense in getting ourselves killed. That's what cannon fodder's for!" |
Hamas rally was planned to be held on Friday at a large sports stadium in Gaza City.
| Home of the Gaza Greensox... |
A spokesman said that Hamas feared that Israel might launch an attack targeting the movement leaders.
| ... as they were strutting their bravery... |
Thousands of supporters were expected to take part in Friday rally, marking the 17th anniversary of the movement's formation. "The movement has postponed the festival," spokesman Mushir al-Masri told reporters on Wednesday, adding that the movement hadn't set an alternative date.
| "We're thinking sometime in late 2042..." |
The mass rally had been delayed "because of the security operation, particularly after the operation led by the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas's armed wing) at the Rafah crossing", he said, referring to Sunday attack in which five Israeli soldiers were senselessly killed on the border between Egypt and Gaza. The delay would also "protect the lives of the thousands of people who take part in this rally each year." Hamas rallies are elaborate shows of strength, with march-pasts by masked men and enactments celebrating successful attacks against the Israeli occupation forces. |