'Israel' has been living in existential danger for 76 years: Haniyeh
6 Min Read
On the anniversary of the Nakba, Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of the Political Bureau of the Hamas movement, addressed the steadfastness of the Palestinian Resistance and its people, highlighting their achievements against the occupation.
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Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press briefing after his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran, Iran, on March 26, 2024. (AP)
The head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, confirmed on Wednesday that “the occupation is still living in terror and existential danger, and is still struggling for survival 76 years after the Nakba.”
In a televised speech on the anniversary of the Nakba, Haniyeh added, “The issue of Palestine is strongly present in the consciousness of the Palestinian people, the nation, and the free people of the world.”
He pointed out that the anniversary of the Nakba comes “as we fight the Al-Aqsa flood battle, which is the prelude to liberation and independence,” stressing that the Palestinian people “have thwarted all conspiracies, aborted all cunning and malicious plans, and remained steadfast everywhere.”
Haniyeh declared, "The myth of 'a land without people for a people without land' and the notion that 'the old die and the young forget' are forever debunked," adding, "Our people in the diaspora have made it clear in all forums, conferences, and demonstrations that there is no abandoning the right to return."
Resistance resists IOF
“The Resistance is burying the occupation’s nose in the dirt.”
Regarding the developments on the ground in the Gaza Strip, Haniyeh emphasized that “the heroes of the Resistance are humiliating the occupation, affirming that his disappearance from our land is both a Qur’anic inevitability and a historical certainty.”
He explained that the Resistance factions "on the front lines, especially now in Rafah, Jabalia, and al-Zaytoun, are recording the glories of the people and a nation."
Haniyeh stressed that “the invincible army was subjugated, defeated, and collapsed in Gaza under the blows of the Resistance,” pointing out that the Resistance factions “are still inflicting losses on the enemy after months of war.”
“The occupation puts the negotiations in an unknown fate.”
'IOF responded to ceasefire proposal with an invasion into Rafah'
As for the ceasefire negotiations, Haniyeh stated that the movement recently announced its approval of the proposal submitted by mediators in Egypt and Qatar, with the knowledge of the American administration.
He explained that "the movement responded positively to the negotiations to reach a ceasefire," but "the enemy responded to the movement's approval of the ceasefire proposal by entering Rafah and occupying its crossing and the northern regions."
Haniyeh stated that “the Israeli enemy’s amendments to the latest proposal put the negotiations in a dead end,” noting that “the enemy’s repeated attempts to undermine the positions of the Resistance factions and expand the aggression against Rafah put the negotiations in an unknown fate."
He added, "We are in contact with our brothers in Egypt regarding the reoccupation of the Rafah crossing, and we agree on the necessity of its immediate withdrawal," noting that the movement "will continue to work with the resistance factions to stop the brutal aggression by all means."
'US continues to cover for 'Israel''
In this context, Haniyeh stated that “the American position continues to side with the enemy and continues to provide political support and cover for the war of extermination against the Palestinian people.”
“The next day will be decided with the entire national team.”
As for the day after the war, Haniyeh affirmed that the Hamas movement and al-Qassam Brigades “are here to stay,” and that “the administration of the Strip after the war will be decided by the movement in conjunction with the national whole, following the highest interests of our people.”
He added that the issue of managing the Gaza Strip after the war “was at the heart of the Palestinian national dialogue that was held in Moscow, and in the bilateral meeting with the brothers in Fatah, and in the meeting with the brothers in the leadership of the Islamic Jihad and Popular Front movements that took place recently in Istanbul.”
He continued, "We are confident this aggression will be broken and defeated from our land, no matter how long it takes. Rows must close with Gaza and the Palestinian people must move in all arenas."
'An unprecedented scene'
Commenting on the student demonstrations in support of the Gaza Strip around the world, Haniyeh said, “The movement of students around the world in support of the Palestinian cause in the face of the usurping entity is an unprecedented scene in history."
He pointed out that "Gaza has become an icon for the world's youth in all movements. It has dismantled the Zionist narrative, revealed the true bloody nature of the occupier, reunited the nation around Palestine, embodied the unity of the fronts in the Axis of Resistance, unleashed all the pent-up and repressed feelings, and opened a broad horizon for reformulating history and remapping geopolitics."
He also highly appreciated all the pro-Palestinian stances and their right to freedom, return, and independence, and to stop the aggression against Gaza. He specifically mentioned the decisions taken by Turkey to halt commercial activity with the occupier and join the lawsuit submitted to the International Court in The Hague, as well as the Egyptian and Libyan positions in joining this lawsuit.
'Al-Aqsa Flood will bring freedom to the prisoners'
Haniyeh greeted the "lions crouching behind the bars of detainment," who are "facing the fiercest campaign of persecution at the hands of this criminal Zionist government."
He revealed that the movement "prepared a file on attacks on prisoners, and began delivering it to states, international regional institutions, and human rights institutions."
Haniyeh addressed the Palestinian prisoners by saying that "with hardship comes ease," "the dawn of freedom is coming," and that "the Al-Aqsa flood will bring you freedom, God willing."
He concluded his speech by saluting the Resistance fronts that have pledged their commitment to Palestine through their sacrifices in southern Lebanon, including the honorable Resistance led by Hezbollah, the Palestinian Resistance, and the Islamic Group. He also paid tribute to the resilient fronts of Yemen and Iraq. Additionally, he expressed high appreciation for the blow dealt by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Israeli enemy, demonstrating 'Israel’s' vulnerability and its need for protection.
