Tens of thousands rally in Gaza, await Hamas birthday 'surprise'

Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters thronged downtown Gaza City Monday to mark the 22nd anniversary of the group's founding, in a massive display that showed the Islamic militants still enjoy broad support despite years of rule that have led to war, poverty and isolation.

Hamas is celebrating its anniversary with a large public rally and smaller parades. Sunday, as preparations for the festivities were under way in the Gaza Strip, the leaders of the movement spared no effort in trying to persuade Gazans to show up en masse.

The leaders promised a "surprise," although they gave no hints as to what that might be. In western Gaza, dozens of motorcyclists with green Hamas flags drove through the main street.
The main rally began at 1 P.M. and drew the large numbers expected. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and top official Mahmoud al-Zahar were on hand to address the crowd, the military wing of the movement, the Iz al-Din al-Qassam brigades, held a parade.

Hamas is expected to try to demonstrate unity and show it has massive public support, to make up for its defeat during Operation Cast Lead nearly a year ago. It is mobilizing supporters from across the Strip. School has been canceled.

Commentators on Sunday were busy trying to guess the nature of the "surprise" promised by Hamas. Some said it might be a breakthrough in the prisoner exchange negotiations, but others said it was more likely that Hamas would unveil a new weapon system allegedly able to hit key targets in Israel, such as Tel Aviv. No dramatic announcement on a reconciliation with Fatah is anticipated.

Meanwhile, Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal met in Tehran with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday. The Iranian president stressed his support for Hamas, saying, "The Iranian government and the Iranian people will always stand by the Palestinians and the Palestinian resistance." (14,30)

"Today Palestine is a symbol of the world-wide front of those who seek liberty from the militants," he said. Ahmadinejad said Iran doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist, and supports Hamas and Hezbollah.

Tomorrow the PLO Central Council, which mediates between the movement's executive committee and the Palestinian National Assembly, is set to meet in Ramallah. Despite initial fears that Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas might use the meeting to announce his resignation, and reports that the council would appropriate all parliamentary authority, the council is likely to extend Abbas' tenure and that of all other Palestinian institutions until the next general elections.