Hamas supporters mark group's 25th anniv.

Supporters of Hamas rally in the Palestinian self-governing area of Gaza to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic group, Dec. 8, 2012. / Kyodo

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered for a rally in Gaza to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of Hamas.

The guest of honor is Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, who entered Gaza yesterday after 45 years of exile, reports CBS News correspondent Robert Berger.

Thousands of Hamas supporters, some of them flashing victory signs, were braving the rain to attend the event. Some parents brought children dressed in military uniforms.

The anniversary comes two weeks after the bloodiest round of Israel-Gaza fighting in four years.

The rally is celebrating what is seen as Hamas' "victory" in last month's conflict with Israel.

Hamas has portrayed itself as the victor of the eight-day conflict because Israel agreed to an Egyptian-brokered truce instead of sending in ground troops, as it initially threatened.

• Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Gaza, signaling Islamic militant group's rising clout
• U.S. struggles to get Israel, Palestinians to talks
• Palestinian vote at U.N. brings recognition, but is a far cry from practical statehood

[fibonacci3]

spinner-or-whiner, what is your point? you have 'inside' info on everything. wow! must be very difficult to be so righteous. you have no difficulty in seeing 'a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.'

[blackhawk-up]

To chuck766 - the UN is a total joke.

Yes, it is. They enjoy doing nothing while we pay for it. Nice work.

RE: Gaza - the Israelis knew Hamas would claim a victory if there was a cease fire. How ridiculous. They claim a win because somebody didn't kick their --- again. That's desert tribalism at its best.

[FP1970]

Remember that the Hamas filth gets stronger in the U.S. every year thanks to continued open immigration.

[Ulgnud]

Stand with terrorists and you take on their brand and make yourself a target along with the terrorists. I have no sympathy for what will happen the next time the terrorists feel like shooting again.

[fibonacci3]

"Today is Gaza. Tomorrow will be Ramallah and after that Jerusalem, then Haifa and Jaffa." - Mashaal said. And it is sad, because the bloodshed will go on. Israel will defend itself from the people led by self-serving idiots.

[Ulgnud]

Looks like a good opportunity to take out another terrorist leader.

[fibonacci3]

"Today is Gaza. Tomorrow will be Ramallah and after that Jerusalem, then Haifa and Jaffa." - Mashaal said. And it is sad, because the bloodshed will go on. Israel will defend itself from the people led by self-serving idiots.