Hamas And Islamic Jihad Summer Camps In Gaza – Teens Undergo Military-Style Training, Simulated Target Practice, Chant: We Are The Men Of Muhammad Deif!

In Hamas and Islamic Jihad summer camps for teens in Gaza, campers undergo military-style training, simulated target practice, and foot drill. Al-Manar TV aired a report about the camps on June 27, 2021, in which teens are shown during military-style training in Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades "Pioneers of Liberation" summer camp. Al-Manar's reporter said that the participants in the camp receive training in various military fields and various weapons. One of the campers told Al-Manar TV that he joined the summer camp in order to continue the path of his father, the "martyred commander." The report also featured footage from military training in Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades "Sword of Jerusalem" summer camp. In a video, posted on June 27 on Al-Qassam's website, children chant: "Put sword against sword. We are Muhammad Deif's men!" They also spell out the words "Sword of Jerusalem" during foot drill. in a video posted on Amad Media on YouTube, June 26, 2021 Abu Obaida, the commander of the "Pioneers of Liberation" summer camp in Eastern Gaza, dressed in full military gear, said that the purpose of the camp is to instill the concept of trust in Allah and national and Islamic values in the hearts of the campers. He added: "We also aim to protect them from the traps that the enemy is trying to set for them." For more about indoctrination and military training in Palestinian summer camps, see MEMRI TV clips nos. 8940, 8934, 7333, 6151, 6145, 5577, and 5025.

Narrator: "With great enthusiasm, these youngsters are beginning their first lessons of military training in the 'Pioneers of Liberation' summer camps, under the supervision of the Al-Qassam Brigades. The participants in this summer camp receive training in various military fields and various weapons, and every one of them has his reasons for joining this summer camp."

Boy: "I chose to spend my vacation in the 'Pioneers of Liberation' summer camp in order to continue the path of my father, the martyred commander Walid Shamaleh Abu Bilal, and in order to strengthen our determination and liberate Jerusalem, Allah willing."

Narrator: "The Al-Qassem Brigades confirmed that the demand for the summer camp was high this year, and nearly 70,000 participants, from different age groups, have enrolled. The [camp's] goal is to deepen the people's support for the resistance, and to strengthen morale among the children and the youth.

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"The Al-Quds Brigades has also launched its 'Sword of Jerusalem' summer camp, which will take place throughout the summer vacation, in an attempt to harness the energies of the children and the youth in an attempt to harness the energies of the children and the youth in the best way possible, for the sake of resistance education."

Boys: "Put sword against sword..."

Leader: "We are Muhammad Deif's men!"

Boys: "We are Muhammad Deif's men!"

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Commander 1: "We, the commanders of this summer camp, aim to fulfill a basic goal, which is to produce a strong generation that believes in itself and in Allah. We launched this summer camp to instill the concept of trust in Allah, and to instill national and Islamic values and principles in the hearts of these youngsters. We also aim to protect them from the traps that the enemy is trying to set for them. We are strengthening this generation so that they will not fall into these traps. Despite the intensity of the summer heat, we have seen great demand for the summer camp on the part of these youngsters."

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Commander 2: "Faster, you wild animals! You are wild animals! Faster, you wild animal!"

Boys: "Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!"