Palestinian militant group Hamas parade toddlers armed with machine guns in chilling echo of ISIS ‘cubs of the caliphate’
The Gaza-based extremist group proudly showed off “the future of Hamas” in a series of chilling shots
THESE chilling images reveal how Palestinian militant group Hamas is parading toddlers armed with machine guns as it expands its child army.
The Gaza-based extremist group proudly showed off “the future of Hamas” – in a worrying echo of ISIS’s “cubs of the caliphate”.
Dozens of heavily armed kids were photographed wielding automatic guns as the Hamas militants marked the 29th anniversary of the group's founding on the weekend.
Many of the children, some who looked as young as two or three, donned army fatigues and the distinctive green headbands worn by many fighters.
One image which showed a schoolboy holding a rifle was captioned: “Hamas cubs, they are the next soldiers of Gaza and the next liberation army, god willing.”
Another picture of a toddler wearing a beret and holding a gun was captioned: “Generation after generation Hamas is increasing its enthusiasm, dignity, and power.”
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Video footage from the military procession also showed young girls in uniforms holding assault rifles.
Hamas was set up in 1987 during the first uprising against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Islamic group took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 and fought three wars with the Israeli army since then.
Hamas, which is classed as a terrorist group by the US and EU, has carried out dozens of suicide bombings against Israel since its founding.
Over the past seven years, the militants have also trained an army of child soldiers.
Videos released by the group show Hamas leaders carrying out the training and brainwashing children about suicide bombers at military-style youth camps.
In one video, kids can be seen jumping through burning hoops and standing on nails are part of their cruel training.
The documentary, called "Children's Army of Hamas, was shown to the UN in 2015.
It showed Gaza-based group was breaking international laws by training children to fight in combat roles.
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