Roundup: Hamas vows to continue armed resistance against Israel at 30th anniversary of establishment

GAZA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement marked Thursday the 30th anniversary of its establishment, stressing that its armed resistance against Israel is non-negotiable and would continue.

The group, which was founded in December 14, 1987, said that its confrontation with Israel is its goal that would never change no matter what happens.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh said that the third popular uprising of Palestinians, known as the "Intifada," had started eight days ago and Hamas would continue to support the Intifada until "the U.S. decision over Jerusalem is overthrown."

"I tell the United States, Jerusalem and those who support them. If you think that the Palestinian reactions against (U.S. President Donald) Trump's decision over Jerusalem will only last for a week or two, you are totally mistaken. The Intifada, which started eight days ago will go on until it achieves its goals," said Haniyeh.

Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters gathered at al-Katiba Square in western Gaza, waving the movement's flags and the flags of Palestine, while masked militants paraded on the streets with various weapons and rockets used against Israel.

More than 150,000 people participated in the rally in support of Hamas in western Gaza.

"I came here with my husband and three children to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the birth of Hamas," Fatima Abu Hweishel, a 45-year-old mother said, adding "Hamas will continue its struggle for the sake of Palestine, Jerusalem and the Palestinian people."

Hamas has refused to recognize the state of Israel or any peace settlement with it.

Following Trump's announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital last week, Haniyeh declared the start of the third popular Intifada and said it would go on until the U.S. decision is withdrawn.

"Those who toppled (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's decisions in the battle of the gates in Jerusalem are capable of defeating Trump's decision," said Haniyeh, adding "the aim of the Intifada is to topple the decision and to trample and topple the so-called 'century deal.'"

The Palestinians want the eastern part of Jerusalem the capital for their future Palestinian state, while Israel says that all Jerusalem, west and east is the eternal capital of the state of Israel.

Hamas movement, which rejects the peace process, wants all Jerusalem to be the capital of the state of Palestine.

"There is no such thing as the state of Israel to have a capital called Jerusalem," said Haniyeh, adding there were "three tracks to drop Trump decision - the achievement of Palestinian unity, the building of strong alliances at the regional level, and the continuation of the Intifada."

Since Trump's declaration, tension and violence have mounted between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mass clashes and violent confrontations broke out in the Palestinian territories, leaving six killed and more than 2,000 people injured, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

Militants in the Gaza Strip have also fired around 20 rockets from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel causing no injuries or damages.

In return, Israeli war jets and army artillery fired back targeting military posts all over the coastal enclave, killing two Hamas militants and injuring 15 others.

On the other hand, experts in Gaza ruled out the possibility of raising the wave of tension to a large-scale war between Israel and Hamas.

"I believe that this is like a tit-for-tat confrontations between the two sides that may go on for a while, and will slow down one day, because neither Hamas nor Israel is currently interested in escalation to the extent of going towards a large war in the region," said Hani Habib, a Gaza-based political analyst. Enditem