Palestinian Islamic Jihad conducts large-scale military drill in Gaza

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) on Monday launched large-scale military manoeuvres in the besieged Gaza Strip, with the participation of several military formations of Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the movement.

Dubbed "Azm Al-Sadiqin",  the military drills simulate multiple field military operations, with the participation of several military formations, most notably the missile and artillery units, according to Abu Hamza, the military spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigades.

Palestinian militants reportedly fired a rocket toward a city in southern Israel on Saturday, the Israeli military claimed, drawing Israeli air strikes after months of relative calm in the area.https://t.co/Y00CQJWF9K — The New Arab (@The_NewArab) June 18, 2022

In a press statement sent to The New Arab, Abu Hamza said "the manoeuvres are a preparation for any future battle with the Israeli occupation."

Al-Quds Brigades shared short videos on its website showing the firing of "rockets and missiles towards the sea" at supposed targets at nine in the morning.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad group says calm with Israel is conditional on ending blockade on #Gaza - https://t.co/z8fD3Uefqn on @The_NewArab #Palestine pic.twitter.com/tcqLwPM4ie — al whit🍉 (@soitiz) October 28, 2021

PIJ is considered the second most powerful military faction in the coastal enclave, as it has strong ties with the Gaza-run Hamas and often cooperates with Hamas during the majority of the military confrontations with the Israeli army.

Since 2008, Israel launched four large-scale military wars against the Gaza Strip, killing thousands of locals including women and children.