Thousands hold Islamic Jihad rally in Gaza

GAZA, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Supporters of the Islamic Jihad group rallied Friday in Gaza to commemorate the assassination of the group's founder.

Speakers called for an end to talks with Israel, the Ma'an News Agency reported. The agency said the crowd in Kuteiba Square numbered in the tens of thousands, although its description of the rally suggested the actual number was 10,000 or less, since it described several thousand people sitting in chairs with hundreds standing to the rear.

Fathi Shaqaqi and other founders of the organization called for the liberation of Palestine and destruction of the Israeli state. Shaqaqi was shot dead in Malta Oct. 26, 1995.

Mohammad al-Hindi, one of the current leaders of the group, also called for an end to the Palestinian Authority.

"Jihad is the fate of this nation. There is no other option but this one," he said, quoting Shaqaqi.