The Palestinian Resistance factions will conduct joint military exercises in the numerous governorates of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry in Gaza said on Monday.

Al-Rukn al-Shadid 4 (Mighty Pillar 4) drills will span four hours, lasting from 7 AM until 11 AM, and will include the various Resistance factions that operate within Gaza.

Gaza's Interior Ministry said there would be field procedures accompanying the drills on the internal front, and security forces would be deployed in conjunction.

The Ministry warned that the drills would also involve gunfire and explosions, as well as noticeable movement of Resistance elements, security apparatus vehicles, and ambulance and civil defense units.

The Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian Resistance factions confirmed on Sunday that it conducted a reconnaissance and inspection tour of military Resistance sites and surveillance points along the separation barrier between the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948. 

The tour was done to ensure that Resistance fighters were prepared and ready to engage enemies, if necessary, in the highly strategic zone of the Gaza Strip.

The Joint Operations Room commended the vigilance and dedication of its fighters and called on them to raise their readiness level. It emphasized that this tour comes within the framework of boosting the Resistance's readiness and preparedness, which will culminate in the al-Rukn al-Shadid 4 (Mighty Pillar 4) military exercises.

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The military maneuver is set to take place next Tuesday to mark the 18th anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Last December, the JOR announced the al-Rukn al-Shadid maneuver near the separation barrier with the occupied Palestinian territories in the northern Gaza Strip. The drills featured elite fighters of the Palestinian Resistance factions and the use of light and medium weapons in close combat situations.

Al-Rukn al-Shadid was first announced in 2020, and since then, the Resistance in Gaza has made it an annual event where various factions and groups showcase their military capabilities. The maneuvers also serve as a platform for different members of the Palestinian Resistance to share their experiences and achievements in order to enhance coordination on the field.