Hamas interior ministry commences large security exercise in Gaza

The interior ministry and the security apparatuses run by Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip commenced on Sunday a large security exercise at its security and police headquarters, similar to a war status on Gaza, said a ministry official statement.

The statement said that the security maneuver lasted for four hours, while all security apparatuses joined, adding that emergency services and civil defense forces had also participated in.

Witnesses in Gaza said they heard heavy explosions and gunfire shots all over Gaza city, mainly the western part, where all security and police headquarters are located.

"The exercise included a training that simulates Israeli air force strikes on security constructions, and how to evacuate and protect civilians," said Eyad al-Bozom, the Hamas-run interior ministry spokesman in Gaza.

He added that the maneuver also included schools, hospitals, medical centers, ministries and homes, with "around 15,000 police and security officers involved."

The security maneuver is part of a regular training for readiness of security apparatuses in any case of emergency, said Al-Bozom.

Since 2008, Israel had waged three large-scale military air and ground offensives on the Gaza Strip. The largest one was in 2014 and lasted for 50 days. Endit