'Israel' failed to achieve its aggressive goals in Gaza: Hamas

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
18 Jan 2025 13:33
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Hamas says Operation Al-Aqsa Flood "brought us closer to the demise of the occupation, liberation, and return."

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A boy runs with a Palestinian flag atop a mound of rubble at a camp for people displaced by the war in Bureij in the central Gaza Strip, on January 17, 2025 (AFP)

Operation Al-Aqsa Flood "exemplified the unity of the great Palestinian people with their triumphant Resistance," shattering the arrogance of the enemy, the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas stated on Saturday, referring to the Palestinian Resistance war with "Israel".

In a statement, the movement said this battle "brought us closer to the demise of the occupation, liberation, and return, God willing."

"We forced the occupation to halt its aggression against our people and withdraw, despite Netanyahu's attempts to prolong the war and commit more massacres," Hamas emphasized.

The Palestinian group asserted that "Israel" "failed to achieve its aggressive goals and succeeded only in committing war crimes that disgrace humanity."

Hamas vowed that the blood of the martyrs who ascended during the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza "will not be in vain," stressing that "the enemy's leaders and soldiers will be pursued and held accountable for these crimes, no matter how long it takes."

In the same context, the movement pointed out that the urgent priority now is the immediate lifting of the Israeli siege imposed on Gaza, providing relief to the Palestinian people, facilitating the return of the displaced, and initiating the reconstruction of the devastated enclave.

It indicated that this has been a focus of the movement's leadership since day one.

Elsewhere, Hamas noted that the humanitarian aid protocol agreed upon under the supervision of mediators ensures the implementation of relief, shelter, and reconstruction measures.

Qatar announces Gaza ceasefire comes into effect 8:30 am Sunday

Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced that the ceasefire in Gaza is set to take effect on Sunday at 8:30 am local time (0630 GMT).

Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, made the announcement on X: "Following coordination among the parties to the agreement and the mediators, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will commence at 8:30 am local time on Sunday, January 19."

He also urged residents to "take precaution, exercise the utmost caution, and wait for directions from official sources."

Earlier, the Israeli government formally approved a mediated ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian Resistance, following the green light from the smaller security cabinet.

According to Axios, 24 Israeli ministers voted in favor of the deal, while 8 others opposed it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the government approved the deal, which has been heavily scrutinized by Israeli politicians and commentators.

First phase details

A Palestinian source disclosed exclusive details to Al Mayadeen regarding the prisoner exchange agreement tied to the ceasefire deal.

Speaking on Friday, the source said that for every female or child captive released by the Palestinian Resistance, 30 Palestinian detainees, including women and children, would be freed from Israeli prisons. Similarly, for every elderly captive aged 50 or older, or for those suffering from illnesses, 30 elderly or sick Palestinian detainees will be released.

The source further elaborated that for each Israeli female soldier released, 30 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 20 others with lengthy sentences—who have 15 years or less remaining—will be freed.

The initial phase of the agreement focuses on Palestinian prisoners who were previously part of the 2011 exchange deal but were later rearrested by Israeli authorities, numbering 47 individuals.

Additionally, the agreement ensures that Palestinian prisoners freed under this deal would not be rearrested on the same charges for which they were previously detained. They will not be required to serve the remainder of their initial sentences, nor will they need to sign any documents as a condition for their release.