While their senior counterparts have been testing new homemade rockets and rebuilding the terror tunnel infrastructure, more than 10,000 teenagers arrived at an Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades training compound.
Under the guise of a program named "Pioneers of the Resistance," the Palestinian youths – aged 15 to 21 – underwent intensive military training, including exercises simulating operations of Hamas naval commandos.
The participants of the militant camp were also trained in firing sniper rifles, using the portraits of Israeli leaders for targets. 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. Hamas treats the camps with tactical consideration, as its participants are seen by the Gazan terror group to be the next generation of fighters against Israel.
Hamas claimed the demand for a place in the camp had exceeded the planned quota and they were forced to make changes to accept all the applicants. On Tuesday, Ismail Haniyeh attended the graduation ceremony for the thousands of future Hamas militants.