Hamas marks 1st anniversary of Israel's Pillar of defence operation

The Hamas movement and Islamic Jihad militants in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of Israel's large-scale aerial operation Pillar of Defense. Hamas interior ministry and the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, also known as Saraya al-Quds, organized two military parades in Gazan towns and cities. Hundreds of policemen and security officials joined the parades. Israel launched an eight-day military operation on the Palestinian coastal enclave on Nov. 14, 2012, killing more than 180 Palestinians and six Israelis. Egypt then brokered a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. "The Zionist enemy waged two wars in 2009 and 2012 and we won both of them," Interior Minister of Hamas authority, Fathi Hammad said, calling on Fatah Party in the West Bank to quit the talks with Israel and "join the big battle of liberating all Palestinians." Some Islamic Jihad militants, including dozens of masked men wearing army uniform and carrying weapons, also joint the march in Gaza city.