The military wing of Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip said Sunday that its recent parades with new anti-aircraft missiles were "a message to Israel."

"All Arab armies should have shown its strength and power to their common enemy," said Abu Obaida, spokesperson for the Ezz el- Deen al-Qassam Brigades, in reference to Israel.

His remarks came a day after the brigades organized a military parade in Gaza City, showing Russian-made, shoulder-fired SA-7 missiles. The brigades' website said the anti-aircraft missiles were shown to public for the first time.

The spokesperson denied Egyptian media reports that the recent frequent military marches were a message to Egypt.

The relationship between Cairo and Hamas has strained since the Egyptian military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July. Hamas is an offshoot of the pan-Arab Muslim Brotherhood movement, which Morsi is a member of.

Hamas took over Gaza by force in 2007 after routing troops loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose rule has been confined to the West Bank since then. Endi

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