Tens of thousands mark Hamas anniversary in Gaza City

Dec 15, 2009, 11:59 GMT

Gaza City - Tens of thousands of people rallied in Gaza City early Monday afternoon to mark Hamas' 22nd anniversary, as the Islamist movement pulled out all the stops to prove it is still a force with which world leaders must reckon.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is hoping that a large turnout will refute accusations that its popularity has declined in the wake of the Israeli military offensive against Gaza at the turn of the year, which Human Rights organizations say killed around 1,400 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians.

Schools closed early so pupils could attend the gathering, and Hamas organized buses to bring participants from all over the Gaza Strip.

Hamas leaders have promised to unveil a 'surprise' at the rally. Some observers speculated this might be connected to a deal currently being negotiated to exchange an Israeli soldier held in the Strip for three-and-a-half years, for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Others said it was possible the movement, which refuses to recognize Israel or renounce violence, could unveil a new type of rocket capable of reaching deeper into Israel than the missiles usually launched from the enclave.