Hamas mobilizes mass rally in show of strength

Hamas mobilized tens of thousands of supporters on Monday for an anniversary rally meant to show the Islamic militant group has not lost support despite Israel’s devastating military assault on Gaza a year ago.

The crowd responded with chants of “We won’t recognize Israel” to a fiery speech by Hamas’ prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, who said the movement scored a “divine victory” against the Jewish state and will not lay down its arms.

Despite the defiant words, Hamas has sharply curtailed rocket fire on Israeli border towns since last winter’s Israeli offensive, which inflicted heavy losses on the militants.

Don’t you love the spin? So nice of hamas to cut down on rocket use- we should give them a state!