Thousands of teens enroll in Hamas summer camps
Al-Qassam Brigades and Hamas have set up camps across the Gaza Strip where future generations of Palestinians can receive training on the Palestinian cause, the proper use of firearms and fighting Israel.
Despite its financial crisis, Hamas is funding numerous summer military camps to train the next generation of Palestinian fighters and to maintain the group's popularity, especially among youths.
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, in June began registering Gazans for the camps, dubbed the Vanguard for Liberation camps. Registration took place in mosques and al-Qassam military sites and targeted several age groups between 17 and 60. The camps were held from July 25 to Aug. 1. According to an official affiliated with the camps, 30 such sites were organized across the Strip.
A total of 25,000 campers were distributed among the provinces of Rafah, Khan Yunis, Deir al-Balah, Gaza and Jabaliya. Over the span of seven days, they received basic combat training and sat for lectures on the Palestinian cause.
Al-Monitor obtained an exclusive copy of the summer camps’ organizational plan set by Hamas for this year. The plan was implemented by al-Qassam, Hamas' public action department, and the Islamic Bloc in line with the tradition set out by Hamas since its inception in late 1987.
