Hamas leader Ismail Haniya praised "resistance" in the occupied West Bank in a speech to tens of thousands on Sunday after recent deadly attacks against Israelis. Haniya made the comments at a rally in Gaza City for the 31st anniversary of the Palestinian Islamist movement's founding.
"We place our hopes in the West Bank, which is the main area where events are occurring and the most appropriate area to resolve the conflict with our Zionist enemy," he told the crowd, which waived green Hamas flags. "The West Bank has shaken and stood up with glory, strength and skill, as if it wanted to say to our people on the occasion of this glorious anniversary that it was with the resistance, in total harmony." Members of Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, participated in the rally in camouflage and carrying rifles, while presenting a range of weapons.