The Hamas terror group held a major rally in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday as it celebrated the 35th anniversary since its establishment while warning that the window of opportunity for the return of the bodies of slain Israeli soldiers it holds could soon close.
At the rally, a masked speaker brandished an assault rifle he said belonged to slain Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin. Goldin and fellow soldier Oron Shaul were killed in Gaza in August 2014 during that year’s war between Israel and Hamas in the territory, and their bodies were then taken by Hamas forces and have been held by the group ever since.
Hamas also posted closeup photos of the weapon and its serial number, apparently as proof of identification.
Despite ongoing efforts by the soldiers’ families and a succession of prime ministers and unconfirmed reports of repeated attempts at negotiations, the bodies have not been repatriated. The group is also believed to be holding two Israeli citizens, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayyed, who entered the Strip of their own accord and who are both presumed to be alive.
Hamas is believed to be demanding the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for their return.
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