Hamas holds funeral for 19 blast victims
(VIDEO) Thousands of northern Gaza residents participate in funeral, accompanied by armed Hamas members and calling for revenge on Israel for its actions
The funeral procession was led by armed Hamas members and accompanied by calls from the crowds for revenge on Israel for its actions.
At least 19 Palestinians were killed and some 80 more were injured from an explosion that occurred during a Hamas rally at the Jabalya refugee camp in north Gaza.
Hamas was quick to blame Israel for the incident. However, the Palestinian Interior and National Security Ministry said at the time that according to eyewitness accounts the blast occurred inside a vehicle carrying Qassam rockets and was not the result of IDF fire.
"Our response will be with actions and not with words," a member of Hamas' military wing said. "Once again the Zionist enemy has slaughtered our nation, this time during festivities to celebrate its fleeing from Gaza."
Hamas, PA trade accusations
Meanwhile, Hamas members and Palestinian Authority officials continued to trade accusations over Friday’s incident. Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar characterized the PA Interior Ministry, and particularly spokesman Taufik Abu Husa, as “the devil’s attorney, whose task is to defend the occupation and attack the Hamas.”
Hamas funeral (Photo: Reuters)
PA officials, meanwhile, called on Hamas to end its rallies, saying there was no room for military parades now that Israel was out of Gaza. Meanwhile, the Fatah movement and its armed wings announced they are canceling a large military parade scheduled for Saturday.
Earlier, consultations between senior Palestinian officials and Egyptian officials continued in a bid to calm the tensions and prevent further escalation.
