Palestinian Prime Minister of the dissolved Hamas-led government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyya, stated Friday that Palestine is and will always be the same to the Palestinians, from the river to the sea, and that the Palestinians will always defend it. The statements of Haniyya came as Hamas was marking its 22nd anniversary in Gaza City.
Thousands marched in the streets of Gaza marking the anniversary of Hamas and expressing support to the elected government, headed by Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya.
The procession also included horses, vehicles and motorcycles while raising Palestinian and Hamas flags.
Speaking to the residents, Haniyya said that, God willing, Hamas will celebrate its next anniversary in Jerusalem, and added that the Palestinians, generation after generation, will always seek the liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea.
Palestinians riding horses, driving vehicles and motorcycles, marched from the northern part of the Gaza Strip heading to the home of the late Hamas scriptural leader, Ahmad Yassin, and then marched towards the homes of Hamas leaders Mahmoud Zahhar and Ismail Haniyya, west of Gaza City, and then headed to Sheikh Radwan neighborhood where the central event was held.
Besides assassinating dozens of fighters and leaders of Hamas’ armed wing, Israel also has assassinated several political leaders of the movement.
Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the founder and Spiritual leader of Hamas, was quadriplegic and he was assassinated on March 22, 2004, by the Israeli army when an Israeli military helicopter fired missiles at him while he was heading, along with his companions, to a local mosque in Gaza.
Many bystanders were killed and wounded in the attack. Two of Yassin’s sons were also wounjded.
