IN PICTURES: Gazans celebrate 30 years of Hamas

Thousands of people of all ages attended the celebration in Gaza City.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

DECEMBER 14, 2017 16:56

A Palestinian woman supporting Hamas takes part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 14, 2017 (photo credit: SUHAIB SALEM / REUTERS) — A Palestinian woman supporting Hamas takes part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 14, 2017

(photo credit: SUHAIB SALEM / REUTERS)

Thousands of Gazans gathered in Gaza City on Thursday to celebrate the 30th anniversary since Hamas' founding.

A Palestinian flag flies as Hamas supporters take part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of Hamas' founding in Gaza City, December 14, 2017 (SUHAIB SALEM / REUTERS)

Hamas was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada. Dedicated to the destruction of Israel, Hamas was designated a terror group by Israel, the United States, the European Union and many other world powers. Members of the group are known to carry out suicide bombings among other forms of attacks against Israel.

During the last operation between Israel and Gaza, Operation Protective Edge in summer 2014, Hamas and other armed groups fired thousands of mortars and rockets into Israel. The IDF retaliated and over 2,000 casualties were reported in Gaza.

In addition, Hamas is known to dig terror tunnels from Gaza into Israel. The IDF has destroyed dozens of such tunnels.

Hamas also became involved in political struggles in the Gaza strip, winning a victory against rival faction Fatah in 2006. Clashes broke out between Hamas and Fatah and in 2007 and Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza, taking control of Strip.

In October of this year, Hamas announced a reconciliation with Fatah, brokered by Egypt, giving Fatah political control of Gaza. The handover, however, has yet to be completed.

The IDF holds Hamas accountable for everything that happens in Gaza, including rockets fired by other militant groups towards Israel.

Most recently, US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital angered Hamas. Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh called for an intifada (uprising) in the West Bank and Jerusalem.