'Israel' will only draw resilience from Palestinians: Haniyeh

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Hamas Media Office
16 Jun 2024 13:21
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Ismail Haniyeh hails the steadfast Palestinian people and members of the Axis of Resistance in this year's Eid al-Adha message.

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Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' Political Bureau, speaks in a televised speech on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, on June 16, 2024. (Hamas Media Office)

The leader of Hamas' Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, congratulated the Islamic Ummah on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, pointing to the fact that this year's Eid in Palestine coincides with the Palestinian people's steadfast resistance against the Israeli occupation.

"We are in the midst of a historic battle, defending our land, our identity, [al-Quds], and our holy sites," Haniyeh said in a televised speech.

"Our people are living under a suffocating siege, enduring the most extreme suffering," the top Hamas official said, adding that Palestinians are being displaced from one area to another and bombed wherever they go.

Haniyeh also promised that the Israeli occupiers would not be able to draw anything from the Palestinian people other than "resilience, steadfastness, resistance, and an even deeper rootedness and sense of belonging (to Palestine)."

Haniyeh saluted Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades and its fighters for resisting the Israeli occupation's military onslaught on Gaza for the past 254 days.

He also highlighted the role of Resistance factions on supporting fronts, namely Lebanon's Hezbollah, Iraq's Islamic Resistance, and Sanaa's Yemeni Armed Forces.

"You affirm that our enemy is one, and our nation is one," he said.

Regarding mediated negotiations with the Israeli occupation, Haniyeh confirmed the serious efforts and flexibility shown by Hamas' negotiators in order to reach a final agreement that serves the best interests of the Palestinian people.

"Our response to the ceasefire proposal aligns with the principles outlined in Biden's speech and the Security Council resolution," he said, in reference to the Palestinian Resistance's positive response to a deal proposed by United States President Joe Biden.

He reiterated that Hamas is "serious about achieving an agreement that ensures a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction, and a prisoner exchange deal."

On the other hand, he said the Israeli government continues to attempt to maneuver away from reaching a deal and instead opting to continue its genocide of Palestinians.

This year's Eid al-Adha comes on a unique occasion, where the Israeli occupation is launching a war of genocide on Palestine, specifically residents of the Gaza Strip. Although the occasion is one of the most sacred holidays for Muslims and an opportunity to give thanks, religious and political leaders have made clear the importance of supporting Palestinians during this time of the year.