Abu Obeida: Israeli claims of seizure, control are 'ridiculous'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
14 Jan 2024 22:58
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Al-Qassam Brigades Military Spokesperson addresses Palestinians and the people of the Ummah on the 100th day of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and promises close victory.

Abu Obeida, the military spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades, speaks during a videotaped address, in front of a banner that reads, "100 days: Resliencse and Sacrifice, Heroism and Valor," on January 14, 2024. (Al-Qassam Brigades/Military media)

Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades has received messages from its allies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, in which Resistance factions have revealed their intent to intensify military operations against the Israeli occupation, Abu Obeida, the military spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, stated.

In a broadcast videotaped address, marking the 100th day of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, Abu Obeida emphasized that the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood is a critical point in the history of the Palestinian people and the Ummah, saying it is a "scream that resonated [deeply], freeing the [entire] nations and colonized people."

The spokesperson highlighted great disparities between the Resistance and the Israeli occupation, in terms of military capabilities, in which the Palestinian Resistance was able to overcome these difficulties and deal heavy blows to the occupation. He stressed that the operation launched on October 7 came as a response to the Israeli "massacres that sought to crush our people."

Abu Obeida said the Resistance in the Gaza Strip inflicted significant losses on the enemy and continues to do so. He said that the losses incurred by the occupation, throughout its invasion of the Gaza Strip, surpass those inflicted on it on October 7. He added that the ground operations conducted by the Resistance fighters, in the context of the ongoing battle, "will go down in our Ummah's history as one of the greatest and holiest struggles."

Gaza's greatest product: Palestinian fighters

In terms of numbers, the spokesperson said al-Qassam fighters destroyed and targeted around 1,000 Israeli military vehicles in the Gaza Strip. He stressed that most of the weapons used by the faction's fighters were homegrown weapons, which included improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades, claymores, explosively formed penetrators, sniper rifles, and bullets, among other equipment.

However, Abu Obeida emphasized that these weapons would have been futile were it not for the "most crucial [locally produced] product," which is Palestinian fighters, who creatively utilized these tools to bravely confront occupation forces, despite the harsh conditions.

"Al-Qassam Brigades and these [weapons] would not have been of any benefit against the dirty American arsenal were it not for the most crucial product, which is the Palestinian fighter, whose will and determination stand as an unstoppable force on the ground."

Ceasefire or nothing

Addressing future operations and the main goals of al-Qassam Brigades, the spokesperson made it clear that any talks that do not revolve around a commitment to stop the aggression against the Palestinian people "have no value." He also highlighted that the Resistance's operations would keep on expanding on a daily basis until the occupation halts its hostilities.

As for the multiple Israeli captives held by the Resistance in the Gaza Strip, Abu Obeida stressed that the fate of many captives has recently become unknown, indicating that many of them have likely been killed. He held the occupation responsible for their fate, reaffirming that "the enemy failed to achieve its objectives and could not free any captive held by the Resistance."

In response to the occupation, Abu Obeida clarified that the enemy's alleged achievements were "laughable". He pointed specifically to claims made by the Israeli occupation forces regarding strikes on loaded multiple rocket launchers and weapon depots, saying the Resistance had taken precautionary measures on October 7 to distribute stored weapons, a statement which debunks Israeli lies.

Messages received; operations to expand

"We extend greetings to the fighters in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and all fronts of the Ummah. We mourn their martyrs, and the world has witnessed how the forces of darkness (the collective West) formed alliances and struck those who support the people of Gaza," Abu Obeida said, addressing people outside Palestine.

The spokesperson revealed that al-Qassam Brigades has "received messages from [Resistance factions] in the region indicating that they will expand their operations in the coming days, amid the continued aggression on Gaza."

Furthermore, Abu Obeida urged the Mulsim Ummah to rise against the Israeli occupation, which seeks to "control al-Aqsa [Mosque]."

"It is our duty to inform billions of Muslims around the world that the Zionist enemy has destroyed most mosques in the Gaza Strip," Abu Obeida highlighted in his call to action.

Finally, the spokesperson concluded by saying, "The dawn of freedom for all our people is approaching by the will of Allah. The efforts and blood of our people will not be in vain."