Hamas puts weapons on display in Gaza

Group shows off rocket launchers and drones

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  Armed fighters stand guard during an exhibition of military equipment, organised by Hamas's Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades. EPA

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  A Palestinian poses for a picture with a machine gun during the exhibition by the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades. AFP

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  A Palestinian boy on a model of a Hamas rocket. Reuters

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  Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades is the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. AFP

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  A Palestinian poses for a picture with an RPG launcher. AFP

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  The event was the first at which Hamas has allowed the public to take photos. AFP

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  It follows the latest surge in worsening Israeli-Palestinian violence. AFP

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  Sixteen Palestinian and four Israeli died in the occupied West Bank over six days in late June. AP

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  Palestinian children pose with weapons and ammunition. AP

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  Among the Hamas weapons on display were a range of locally manufactured missiles. EPA

The armed wing of Gaza's Hamas government has put its weapons on public display in a first open event, drawing hundreds of Palestinians including children brandishing rocket launchers for selfies.

Dressed in black balaclavas and tactical camouflage suits, members of the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades mingled with young men and women at the exhibition in Gaza city's Unknown Soldier's Square.

"Resistance is an image and a memory. Take souvenir photos with many of Al Qassam's weapons," the group said in an invitation on social media and posters in mosques.

The event was the first at which Hamas has allowed the public to take photos.

It follows the latest surge in worsening Israeli-Palestinian violence, which killed 16 Palestinian and four Israeli in the occupied West Bank over six days in late June.

In May, militant groups in Gaza and Israel traded cross-border fire for five days, killing 34 Palestinians, among them six commanders of the Islamic Jihad, fighters from other Palestinian armed groups and civilians including children. One Israeli woman died.

Among the Hamas weapons on display in Gaza city on Friday were a range of locally manufactured missiles, "Shihab" drones, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and Russian-made "Kornet" missiles.

At the entrance to the Gaza city exhibition a banner welcomed visitors, some of whom had come with their families and children, a witness said.

Members of the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades stand guard. EPA

Dozens of uniformed Al Qassam Brigades members were on hand.

A young boy in fatigues and wearing a green Brigades headband smiled for the cameras as a man propped a rocket launcher on his shoulder.

Another held the controls of an anti-aircraft gun as young men posed in front of a display of rockets on stands.

"I came with my family to take photos with the weapons and reinforce the spirit of resistance in our children," said Gaza resident Abu Mohammed Abu Shakian.

The exhibition is "encouraging and means that the liberation of our land is near", added Shahadeh Dalou, who also came with his children.

Bassam Darwish, 58, said people wanted to show their support for the Al Qassam Brigades.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by the US, Australia, Britain, Israel and the EU.

"Everyone is happy and proud of the Al Qassam exhibition. We are here because we're proud of the resistance," he said.

Around 2.3 million Palestinians live in the impoverished Gaza Strip which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza have fought several wars since.