The top leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas made his first public appearance since the conflict with Israel began. Dozens of Hamas fighters in military camouflage paraded the streets in Gaza City on Saturday with assault rifles, according to The Associated Press. Yehiyeh Sinwar, Hamas’s top leader in Gaza, paid his respects at a mourning tent for Bassem Issa, a senior commander who was killed in the fighting. Over the course of about 11 days, Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israel, and Israel responded with a campaign that devastated Gaza’s infrastructure. Israel bombed Sinwar’s home as well as the homes of other senior Hamas members.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 22, 2021 18:22 UTC