> TANZIM'S MILITARY TRAINING IN GAZA
Photographs by NIKOS PILOS / TAÏGA - Text by NICOLAS LEONTOPOULOS (REF: 271-50061)
“Tanzim” is thought to be an organised armed militia associated with the “Fatah”, Yasser Arafat’s political movement. Tanzim operates both in Gaza Strip and the West Bank, despite occupation of all major palestinian cities. Israeli authorities accuse Tanzim of spreading terror whereas the palestinians respond that the Tanzim (which stands for “organisation” in arabic) is just a defensive military body, organising justified resistance in the occupied territories. Tanzim gunmen operate in secret. They only appear armed and masked in public demonstrations, especially in case of funeral processions. This photo reportage takes place in a suburb of Gaza. Youth from the region, aged from 16 to 22, get a military training under the instructions of experienced trainers. Only the instructors carry guns. Teenagers are set to execute a series of military exercices. The gathering takes place every day after dawn. After the completion of this youth camp, a selection is made and the most motivated and talented recruits will be promoted to another more advanced camp in order to staff Tanzim’s ranks.