More than ten thousand Gaza teenagers graduated this week from a terrorist training program given by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, a paramilitary group run by the terrorist organization Hamas. Under a program named “Pioneers of the Resistance,” the Palestinian youths – aged 15 to 21 – underwent intensive military training, including using live ammunition and heard sermons from Hamas leaders in praise of armed attacks.
The participants of the militant camp were trained in firing sniper rifles, using portraits of Israeli leaders for targets, Ynet reported.
“The Palestinian youth simulated attacks on Israeli destinations through model terror tunnels, meant to recreate the experience of infiltrating Israeli territory. All training exercises were conducted using firearms and under strict military conditions.”
During the last week, the terrorist organization published a series of photos (Arabic link) showing Palestinian minors dressed in military uniforms and being given weapons training in how to kill Israelis with assault rifles. Hamas also produced some videos featuring children praising terror attacks against Israel. The following is a part of a short Arabic rap song which one of the Palestinian children sang during the camp:
“We bombed Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv
Listen, oh occupation, oh occupying army
Our Gaza is strong. It will hunt the Zionists and strike the enemy
We bombed Ashkelon
And they are in shelters like mice
And we are angry
But despite everything we continue to stand firm”
Among the classic and repeated Hamas slogans is the group’s fighters’ declaration that they “love death” more than their declared Israeli enemies “love life.” The new camp is an example of how the Iran-backed terror organization influences Palestinian children with ideology and violates international laws.
Recruiting of child soldiers by Hamas is a violation of the Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC). The Palestinians signed their acceptance of the convention last year. By law no soldier should be younger than 18. This is one of eleven treaties that the Palestinian Authority was in violation of as soon as it signed.
[Photo: Qassam_Arabic / Twitter]