The theme chosen by Hamas for its summer camps this year is the right of return, as reflected by the motto of the project: "Generation of Return." The movement is operating 700 camps in Gaza this summer, attended by approximately 100,000 children and teens.
Hamas official Dr. Nasim Yassin explained: "Hamas's choice of 'Generation of Return' as the motto of its summer camp [project] comes to emphasize that the right [of return] is sacred, and that the return of all refugees to their homes is a top priority for Hamas.[1] The director of the summer camp committee, Moussa Al-Sammak, said that Hamas has decided to allocate resources to the camps despite the financial crisis it is experiencing.[2]
At the project launching ceremony in western Gaza, the elders of the Gaza refugee camps handed the "keys of return" to the camp directors, and one elder, from the Al-Shati refugee camp, handed a key to Hamas Prime Minister Isma'il Haniya. Hamas officials who attended the ceremony spoke of the need to cultivate a new generation raised upon the principles of the movement, chief among them the right of return. Haniya declared: "We will not relinquish the right of return. The dawn of return is approaching. This generation will witness the liberation and return... We will not sell our home, but pass the right of return on to this [new] generation. Israel has no future on our Palestinian soil. [3] On the occasion of the opening of the summer camps, a Hamas-affiliated daily stressed the connection between return and jihad: "[The right of] return is sure to be realized, and we must use the time [until then] for action, martyrdom and jihad."[4]
The following is compilation of photos showing the summer camp activities, published in Hamas websites and papers and on the camps' Facebook accounts.
Hamas Launches The Camp Project
Haniya at the launching ceremony; the keys held up by the children bear the slogan: "We Shall Surely Return"
Image: seraj.ps, June 9, 2013
Haniya holding up a "key of return" during his speech at the launching ceremony
Image: seraj.ps, June 9, 2013
Child holding up sign saying "We Shall Surely Return"
Image: seraj.ps, June 9, 2013
In preparation for the summer, committee screens camp supervisors
(the blurring of the interviewer's face is in the original photo)
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, April 25, 2013
Orientation day for camp directors and supervisors in Khan Younis
(the blurring of the faces is in the original)
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, May 8, 2013
New statue in northern Gaza celebrates the summer camp's theme. The plaque says: "The Right of Return is Clear as Day"
Images: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 9, 2013
Children at the statue inauguration ceremony hold up sign saying: "Zionists, We Are Returning"
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 8, 2013
Banner at a summer camp features portraits of Ahmad Yassin, Ahmad Al-Ja'bari and slogan "Upon Your Blood We Founded the Generation of Return"
Image: facebook.com/JeelAlAwda, June 10, 2013
Inculcating The Principle Of Return To Cities Inside Israel
"Safed group" at a Khan Younis camp
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 10, 2013
"Ashkelon group"
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 6, 2013
"Haifa Hall" in Shaja'iyya camp
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Image: facebook.com/JeelAlAwda, June 10, 2013
"Jaffa group" and "Nazareth group"
Image: seraj.ps, June 9, 2013
"Safed Brigade" engaged in camp activity near Al-Balad
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 10, 2013
"Ashdod Brigade" and "Tel Aviv Brigade"
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 11, 2013
Banner: "There Is No Difference between Palestine and Palestine; Haifa Is Like 'Akko, Safed is Like Gaza"; the smaller signs bear the names of cities such as Safed, Jaffa, Nazareth, Haifa, Ashdod and Lod
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 10, 2013
Campers holding up the signs saying "Ashdod," "Haifa," and "Safed"
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 10, 2013
Campers learn about Tiberias
Image: facebook.com/khcamps, June 11, 2013
Counsellors and campers hold up keys made at the summer camp
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 11, 2013
Palestine From The River To The Sea
Building a map of Palestine in the sand
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 9, 2013
Campers form a map of Palestine at Khan Younis camp
Image: facebook.com/khcamps, June 9, 2013
Campers form a map of Palestine at Rafah camp opening ceremony
Image: facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=168145646696039, June 10, 2013.
Learning about the map of Palestine at Shaja'iyya camp
Image: facebook.com/JeelAlAwda, June 10, 2013
Palestine-shaped flowerbed
Image: facebook.com/khcamps, June 11, 2013
Puzzle shows children returning to Palestine, one of them holds a pistol
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew/photos_stream#!/gazacampsnew, June 12, 2013
Members of visiting Hamas delegation sign poster saying: "We won't let anyone negotiate or relinquish even a grain of Palestinian soil in our name"
Image: facebook.com/khcamps, June 12, 2013
Campers draw map of Palestine at Dir Al-Balah camp
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 13, 2013
Palestine Will Be Liberated Through Jihad And Resistance
Banner says: "Resistance and Jihad Liberate Homelands and Restore Lands"
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 9, 2013
Campers hold parade during June 11 visit by Hamas officials to Al-Amal neighborhood
Images: facebook.com/khcamps, June 12, 2013
Camp activity in Shaja'iyya
Image: facebook.com/JeelAlAwda, June 12, 2013
Firearms training
Image: palinfo.com, June 10, 2013
Camper wearing a headband of the 'Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing
Image: facebook.com/khcamps, June 11, 2013
Trampling the Israeli Flag
Image:facebook.com/khcamps, June 11, 2013
Additional Photos
"Generation of Return" summer camp in eastern Gaza
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 9, 2013
Fun at the Water Park
Images: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 10, 2013
Graduation ceremony of camp in northern Gaza Strip
Image: facebook.com/gazacampsnew, June 12, 2013
