The Hamas rulers of Gaza are celebrating their 24th anniversary since the terrorist group was founded.

Tens of thousands of their supporters joined in the celebrations Wednesday, waving the signature green flags of Hamas and honking vehicle horns in the streets.

For its annual rally to celebrate the occasion, a huge stage formed in the shape of a ship was set up in the region’s capital, Gaza City. The shape was chosen to signify the terrorist group’s dream of conquering the entire land of Israel, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Hamas has ruled the Gaza region since June 2007, when the terrorist group won a milita war against its Palestinian Authority rival, the Fatah faction. Fatah now rules the PA-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria from the PA capital of Ramallah.

The two factions have repeatedly claimed to be entering reconciliation talks, but have failed to establish a real unity government that is capable of negotiating with Israel or anyone else.

Part of the reason for the difficulty has to do with the refusal of Hamas to meet the conditions set by the Quartet of peacekeeping nations for renewing funding to the region. The Quartet requires Hamas to recognize Israel’s right to exist, to formally abandon terrorism and violence, and to uphold agreements signed by previous PA governments with Israel and any other entity.

Hamas has refused to meet these conditions, and its charter maintains its dedication to Israel’s annihilation. The group is listed as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union.