GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — In warm weather on the sandy ground of the Serail Square in central Gaza City, tens of thousands of Hamas supporters came out to participate in the “loyalty and steadfastness” festival held on March 23 to commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
While some believe that the number of participants was not as high as expected, the speech delivered by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, in his capacity as a leader of Hamas’ political bureau, went beyond the usual, according to analysts.