GAZA CITY - Huge crowds of flag-waving Hamas supporters clogged the streets of Gaza City Tuesday and cars and buildings were adorned with the militant movementÂ’s trademark green as tens of thousands turned out to mark the 23rd anniversary of the groupÂ’s founding.
The turnout appeared to be at least on par with previous years for an event billed by GazaÂ’s rulers as a referendum on their popularity. Hamas claimed it was a record crowd.
| They're good at turning the rubes out ... |
At the mass rally, Hamas leaders lauded the groupÂ’s history of fighting Israel and dismissed claims, including by some pollsters, that it has been losing ground since seizing Gaza by force more than three years ago.
“Hamas has not failed, Hamas has not collapsed,” Prime Minster Ismail Haniyeh told the crowd. “Hamas did not fail to bring together government and resistance.”
| They did fail at doing anything constructive, but then the Paleos don't care about that, which is why you don't see them doing anything constructive in Gaza. |
Hamas has often been torn between its roots as a militant group seeking to destroy Israel and a local government responsible for providing services to 1.5 million Gazans.
| Oh, they're not torn. Everything goes into whatever can go boom. Services are for later when they can sucker the UN into providing more funds for the off-shore accounts. |
While sticking to its militant rhetoric, the Hamas has largely observed an informal truce since a bruising Israeli offensive two years ago, forgoing attacks that could spur Israel to strike back or tighten its blockade. Any Israel response could make life harder for Gazans.
Some 30 percent of residents are unemployed and many more rely on food aid.
Hamas official Osama Muzini called the rally a referendum on HamasÂ’ popularity.
“All people who came to the streets came to say yes to Hamas and to its model of government and resistance,” he said. |