Hamas leads military drills as Gaza blockade, reconstruction talks stall

Ahmad Abu Amer

Members of the security forces of the Hamas movement patrol on horseback during a military drill. — Members of the security forces of the Hamas movement patrol on horseback during a military drill by members of the Mujahideen Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian movement of the same name, along the beach in Gaza City, on April 24, 2021. — MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — With the participation of Gaza’s armed Palestinian factions, Hamas’ military wing carried out military drills Dec. 15.

The drills are also meant to convey political and military messages to Israel and mediators about stalling the end of the blockade and obstructing reconstruction efforts in the besieged enclave.

The military drills began with two exercises dubbed Shield of al-Quds, which includes hundreds of fighters. This took place over two days. The drills will run until the end of December with a joint military maneuver involving all Palestinian armed factions.

Hamas’ drills are taking place in tandem with the Israeli army’s military exercises that started Dec. 14 in the Dimona area dozens of kilometers from the Gaza Strip. They are meant to simulate a full-scale military defense against rocket launches that come from Gaza.

Hamas leads military drills as Gaza blockade, reconstruction talks stall

Hamas’ military wing and other armed Palestinian factions have begun military drills in Gaza.

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