Thousands of Palestinians participated in the festival, which was held in Al-Katiba Square in Gaza City, under the slogan "Revenge of the Free" The festival witnessed a military parade by members of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement. Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhaleh said in a recorded speech at the rally, "We succeeded in the battle of revenge for the free people with the blessing of the blood of the martyrs"