Hamas Marks Anniversary With Rally Celebrating Continued Militance

Even as Hamas prepared to negotiate an end to violence, leaders of the Palestinian militant group promised thousands of exultant supporters Saturday that they would keep killing Israelis.

“We assert Hamas will continue its jihad (holy war) until all of Palestine is liberated,” leading activist Mohammed Taha said at a rally for the eighth anniversary of Hamas.

His speech at Gaza Stadium was punctuated by taped sounds of gunfire and explosions that drove the crowd of 10,000 into a frenzy. A banner hanging over them proclaimed, “The killing of Jews brings people closer to God.”

Colorful balloons flew over the platform decorated with drawings of Hamas activists throwing stones at Israeli troops and stabbing and shooting them. Alongside was a large picture of PLO chief Yasser Arafat, which police warned organizers not to remove.

Taha also promised that Hamas would boycott Palestinian elections planned for Jan. 20 under the Israeli-PLO autonomy agreement.

Hamas, which opposes the agreement, has killed scores of Israelis in bombings aimed at wrecking the peace process.

In Cairo, however, Hamas and PLO representatives were to meet to negotiate an agreement on ending attacks against Israel and getting Hamas to participate in the election.

Palestinian sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Hamas wants a promise that the new Palestinian government won’t hand over some 70 hardcore members of its military wing to Israel.

The sources said Saturday’s threats by Taha were intended to reassure Hamas supporters and didn’t mean the group isn’t willing to deal with the Palestinian government.