Tens of thousands filled the center of Gaza City for the biggest Hamas demonstration ever seen, celebrating Israel's pullout and listening to Hamas leaders vow to continue the fight until Isrealis leave the rest of the Palestinian areas.
The huge rally on Tuesday was a statement of strength of the Islamic movement, which is challenging the mainstream Fateh, headed by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, for control of Gaza, along with contesting parliamentary elections.
Fireworks lit up the sky and a stage erected at the central square was decorated with green Hamas flags and pictures of Hamas leaders killed in Israeli raids. There were also pictures of assasinated Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, his successor Abdel Aziz Rantisi and Gaza commander Salah Shehadeh.
The rally came just a few hours after Abbas gave a televised speech to his nation, pledging to restore order in Gaza, putting his security forces in control.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Zehar insisted his group would not disarm. "Those weapons will remain aimed at the chest of the enemy until we achieve liberation, God willing," he told the crowd. "We are not going to rest until we raise the flag of Islam over the minarets of Jerusalem."
