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In Gaza, gunmen taking advantage of ceasefire to get hitched

Swapping holy war for holy matrimony, Palestinian gunmen in Gaza find truce with Israel has cleared their schedules long enough to tie the knot. 'When you don't have planes over your head, you have time for these things,' says PRC operative

While Israeli officials continue to warn the armed groups in Gaza are exploiting the ceasefire to stockpile weapons, it appears the most wanted Palestinian gunmen have other, more personal matters on their minds. Namely, marriage.

 

They come from all stripes of political affiliation - from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam, Hamas' military wing and the Salah a-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, to the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad.

 

One of the grooms-in-waiting, a top al-Quds commander, says he has scheduled his wedding on October 26th to honor the anniversary of Islamic Jihad founder Fathi Shikaki's death.

 

"In choosing this date we want to say that we remember the founding leader," a fellow al-Quds senior operative told Ynet. "We continue to follow in his footsteps and despite the occupation and oppression, the resistance continues to fight and continues to live."

 

He insisted his friend's betrothal would not hinder his terrorism efforts. "Just last week he completed a lengthy and intensive training program," he said. "In any case, our first priority is the battle against the enemy and the jihad."

 

A senior PRC member also confirmed his engagement to Ynet. "I can't see why you're interested in such things, but yes, I plan on getting engaged, but first I am busy with renovations. When you don't have airplanes over your head or ground invasions, you have time for these things. But we are keeping our ears to the ground, those Jews could violate the agreement at any time."

 

Among the newly wed Islamic Jihad operatives are three men who lost limbs in clashes with IDF troops. Despite this, the group stated that "they married regular women, who are either involved in the organization's female wing, or who have no ties to the group."

 

The organizations themselves often lend a financial hand to the intended grooms, in most cases even footing the bill for the band conducting the ceremony. Often, the groups make available their residents troupes.

 

In the coming weeks Hamas plans to hold a mass wedding for 500 couples. It did the same last year. The Islamist group says that the event is intended to assist those who cannot afford to fund their own weddings.

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.15.08, 23:52
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