Palestinian factions have staged military exercises in blockaded Gaza, including firing rockets into the sea, to mark the anniversary of the start of the 2008 conflict with Israel.
The demonstrations on Tuesday were organised under Gaza's Joint Command Room, which is made up of roughly a dozen groups, including Hamas, that govern the Palestinian enclave.
An array of Palestinian militant groups launch rockets into the Mediterranean Sea off the #Gaza Strip at the start of what they called their first-ever joint exercise, which Israeli media described as a show of force organized by #Iran.https://t.co/CBTWGlSDll
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) December 29, 2020
Senior Hamas official Mushir al Masri said in a statement that the drills proved Palestinians in Gaza had missiles capable of hitting Israel "in any coming battle."
In addition to the volley of rockets fired into the Mediterranean Sea from platforms southwest of Gaza City, Palestinians simulated various combat scenarios with Israeli troops, according to AFP news agency.
Commander of the tank who fired inadvertently at the #Gaza Strip earlier this month was sentenced by the battalion commander to 7 days in detention for failures to follow his command and safety. But when #Hamas launch rockets 'by mistake' into #Israel they are celebrating. pic.twitter.com/3S5Qclu3VQ
— Eli Dror (@edrormba) December 24, 2020
All armed wings of the Gaza-based factions took part in the drill, except the military arm of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
