Palestinian factions unite, hold military parade in Gaza

The military wings of six Palestinian factions yesterday held a military parade in Gaza to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Israeli assassination of Al-Qassam Commander Ahmed Al-Ja’bari, the Anadolu Agency reported.

The parade set off from Al-Ja’bari’s house.

Speaking to Anadolu, Abu-Mujahid, the spokesman of Salahuddin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Movement, said: “We send a message throughout this united parade, which commemorates Al-Ja’bari’s assassination, that we keep the pledge of resistance.”

He added: “The common participation reiterated that all guns are united to resist the occupation and confront any Israeli aggression in the light of its latest intimidations against Gaza.”

In November 2012, the Israeli occupation air force targeted Al-Ja’bari’s car, killing him and one of his drivers in the middle of Gaza City.

Read: Israel announces ‘closed military zone’ near Gaza border

The assassination was the start of a major Israeli offensive on Gaza that lasted eight days, during which Israel killed 160 Palestinians and wounded approximately 1,500 others.

Al-Ja’bari was responsible for reorganising Hamas’ military wing at the start of the Second Intifada along with Sheikh Salah Shehada, who Israel assassinated in 2002.

He was the prime negotiator during a prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel in 2011 which saw the resistance release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.