Hamas: WH statement failed to address Palestinians 'basic issues'
The movement stated that the statement issued by the White House was limited to calling for the release of the Israeli captives held in Gaza and was devoid of anything related to dealing with basic issues for the Palestinian people.
After the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas stated that it followed with interest the statement issued by the White House and signed by 18 countries, the movement expressed sorrow over "the failure to address the basic issues of our people and the general ambiguity."
Hamas reiterated its openness to any ideas or proposals that "take into account the needs and rights of our people," which include the end of the aggression, the withdrawal of the IOF, the return of the displaced Palestinians to Gaza, reconstruction, lifting the siege, and supplying Palestinians with all necessary measures of humanitarian relief and aid, in addition to reaching a serious prisoner exchange agreement.
The movement stated that the statement issued on Thursday was limited to calling for the release of the Israeli captives held in Gaza. It was ambiguous and devoid of anything related to basic issues for the Palestinian people who are suffering from a genocide unleashed by the Israeli occupation nor did it call for a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from Gaza.
Hamas called on the countries that signed the statement, which include Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom, to expose the crime of genocide committed by the occupation and stand up to the policies of the occupying prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who "seeks to drag the region into the abyss for his personal gain and to fulfill the desires of his allies on the far-right."
Hamas confirmed that Netanyahu's far-right allies stand in the way of any attempt to reach a fair agreement that would end the aggression and return Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives.
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The movement reiterated its emphasis on continuing to work for the Palestinian people to achieve their full legitimate national rights, through self-determination, and the establishment of their independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital.
The statement claimed that "The fate of the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza, who are protected under international law, is of international concern," contending that this would bring "an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, that would facilitate a surge of additional necessary humanitarian assistance to be delivered throughout Gaza, and lead to the credible end of hostilities. Gazans would be able to return to their homes and their lands with preparations beforehand to ensure shelter and humanitarian provisions."
Palestinian Resistance factions: Geared up for Rafah invasion scenario
Palestinian Resistance factions affirmed in a joint statement that the Resistance is all geared up for any plausible scenario in the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, including a ground invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city in the besieged territory.
In a statement on Wednesday, the factions emphasized that they "will not sit idly by," as "all options (for escalation) are on the table," warning against the catastrophic and humanitarian consequences of any ground aggression on Rafah, which hosts more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians.
The Palestinian factions held US President Joe Biden's administration and Western governments fully responsible for any Israeli invasion of Rafah, as Western backing to "Israel" is ongoing despite the occupation's violation of multiple international conventions and laws.
In the same context, the factions called on the Palestinian masses in the cities of the West Bank to "rise vehemently" in protest against Israeli threats of invading Rafah.
"We call on our people to turn the West Bank into a fireball in the face of Israeli settlers and soldiers," the statement urged.
Furthermore, the Palestinian factions affirmed that the Israeli genocidal war would not restore the defeated military of the occupation.