Hamas Summer Camps in Gaza Train Youth in Warfare, Instill Spirit of Jihad

On July 28, Al-Mayadeen TV reported on Hamas "Vanguard of Liberation" summer camps, which provide military training to youth. According to the report, 25,000 participants trained in various camps throughout the Gaza Strip, the goal of which was to "instill spirit of Jihad in these cubs." Footage posted on the Internet shows naval and military training, including shooting, hand-to-hand combat, and drills.

Anchor: "This is the first step in the creation of the army of liberation. Today's training constitutes tomorrow's preparedness, as the 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades say. The 'Vanguard of Liberation' summer camps are a building block in the shaping of the future generation, raised on the culture of resistance. The backbone of this culture is 15 year-old youth, but it does not exclude anybody, not even those almost 60 years of age. It has a single goal."

Rashed Anwar Abu Diqqa: "I go to the summer camp because it teaches young people lots of useful things. I have a single message to the world: With the enemy that killed my father in the recent war there can be no dialogue, but that of the rifle."

Anchor: "Here differences melt away. Political and party affiliations are no obstacle for the camp members, who have united under the banner of resistance. Physical fitness, military expertise, scouting skills and lessons in religion are among the training they receive for several hours a day in the camps, which last for ten days. 25,000 participants raised the banner of the resistance in the 'Vanguard of Liberation' summer camps. These took place in various training camps throughout the Gaza Strip. Their slogan and their prayer are one: There is no substitute for the homeland of Palestine. From where we stand, it is over 90 kilometers to Jerusalem, but for these youth it is much less. Reaching the Al-Aqsa mosque has become intertwined with the aspiration for liberation, which strikes further roots with every chant that resounds in these camps."

Drill Sergeant: "The goal of these camps is to instill the spirit of Jihad and of fighting in these cubs, these youth, so they will become the next generation of liberation."

Instructor: "We have come to train in this military outpost, near that (Israeli) outpost, where the mujahideen of the Al-Qassam Brigades recorded their most glorious battles in the 2014 war. Allah willing, we will be the generation to liberate Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Trainee: "I say to the Zionist enemy: You, who claim to be an unvanquished army, will be defeated. This is the generation of the 'Vanguard of Liberation,' and Allah willing, it will vanquish you and regain our homeland."

Title: "Naval Vanguard of Liberation Teams – The Khan Younis Brigade"