Hamas fighters hold military parade in Gaza after truce

Thousands of Hamas fighters held a military parade Friday in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, a week after a ceasefire with Israel took effect in the devastated coastal enclave.

Holding weapons, the masked members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed branch of Hamas -- the Islamist group that runs Gaza -- paraded through the southern city, AFP reporters said.

Riding pick-up trucks, the fighters showed off a military arsenal including rocket launchers and a drone as groups of people, including women and children, cheered them on.

VIDEO: Members of the Ezz-Al Din Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, hold a military parade in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip pic.twitter.com/wD9Shha3sf

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 28, 2021

An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that went into force last Friday has so far held, ending 11 days of devastating Israeli bombardment of Gaza that started on May 10.

Israeli strikes on Gaza killed 248 Palestinians, including 66 children, and have wounded more than 1,900 people, the Gaza health ministry says.

Read also: Israel's attacks on Gaza may constitute 'war crimes': UN rights chief

Rockets from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel and wounded some 357 people others..

Both sides Israel and Hamas claimed victory after the ceasefire went into force.

Hamas has held several post-ceasefire rallies across the devastated Gaza Strip, including one Thursday in Khan Yunis and also in the south of the Israeli-blockaded territory.