Al-Qassam brigades have killed 1365 Israeli soldiers

Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters, waving the militant movement's green flags and honking car horns in celebration, are marking the 24th anniversary of the founding of Gaza's ruling group.     

The annual rally has turned into an increasingly elaborate show of strength since Hamas seized full control of Gaza in 2007, following internal fighting with forces loyal to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.     

On Wednesday, the crowd faced a huge stage in the shape of a ship, meant to symbolize Hamas' dream of retaking all of the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. Israel was established in part of that area in 1948, and has controlled the rest since capturing it in the 1967 Mideast war.

On the other hand, Hamas's armed wing Al-Qassam brigades announced during the anniversary ceremony that it has killed more than 1365 Israeli soldiers since its foundation 25 years ago.