Hamas: No concessions, no recognition of the Israeli occupation

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On the 34th anniversary of Hamas' establishment, the Head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said that "Hamas has incorporated quality in the struggle of our people, as well as their resistance, which has been ongoing for 100 years," adding that Hamas has restored consideration to the Palestinian cause and pushed it to be among "the top priority for our people."

Haniyeh contended that Hamas has pushed the Palestinian cause to the "international arena," through which Palestinian people have regained the power to create waves and initiate, in addition to allowing the Palestinian cause to be perceived through Arab and Islamic lenses at a time where attempts to limit the cause to the Palestinians are ongoing. Resistance as a strategic option after the events in Lebanon are on the table.

He continued, "After 34 years of the launch, we are still committed to the rights of our people and the protection of their principles," stressing that "there is no negligence, no concession, or recognition of the occupation on any inch of land in Palestine, and that all attempts to barge the movement by siege, war, or conspiracies to abandon it have failed and will not succeed."

Regarding occupied al-Quds, Haniyeh stressed that the ancient city is the "center of the conflict with the enemy and the capital of the State of Palestine," noting that "what the enemy is doing to al-Quds cannot change history and geography, and that the Palestinian people are still ready to offer martyrdom for the sake of al-Quds and the holy sites."

In the context of the war which occurred earlier this year, the battle of Seif al-Quds, Haniyeh contended that "The sword of Jerusalem will not be sheathed except with the liberation of al-Quds and our borders - this is our pledge, no matter the price," continuing to say that "protecting al-Quds requires us as a people and as factions in one trench united against the occupation." 

The head of the political bureau of Hamas considered that "national unity is a national necessity and a legitimate obligation," expressing the movement's readiness to "build true national unity."

"With unity, we face the occupation's horrendous schemes and projects to do away with Palestinian identity," Haniyeh said. 

"We will block attempts to spark a conflict in the refugee camps"

Regarding the latest events in Burj al-Shemali camp for Palestinian refugees in southern Lebanon, Haniyeh said that the fall of martyrs in the south at the hands of Palestinians is shocking. 

He added that the movement is dealing responsibly with the events since it aims to block any attempts to spark conflict in the refugee camps in Lebanon.

Haniyeh demanded that those responsible for the deliberate murder be turned in to Lebanese authorities, calling the Palestinian Authority to halt its policy of aggression against "our [Palestinian] people." 

Two days ago, a dispute arose during the funeral of martyr Hamza Ibrahim Shaheen, who is a member of Hamas, in the Burj al-Shemali refugee camp. The dispute developed into a shooting, which led to deaths and injuries. 

Palestinian sources confirmed at the time that communications were taking place between Palestinian and Lebanese officials to limit the scope of the incident. 

Shaheen was martyred in an explosion at Burj al-Shemali camp last Friday. Hamas' statement said the explosion was caused by a short circuit that occurred in a warehouse containing oxygen and gas cylinders designated for COVID-19 patients. 

"Our patience is short when it comes to our prisoners"

Furthermore, Haniyeh addressed the Palestinian prisoners from Hamas and other factions. He announced Hamas' support for their struggle, stressing that the movement is working through Al-Qassam Brigades to liberate the prisoners from captivity.

رئيس المكتب السياسي لـ #حركة_حماس إسماعيل هنية في الذكرى الـ34 لانطلاقة الحركة:

"حماس" ستنجز صفقة جديدة من أجل #الأسرى ومعركة تحريرهم مفتوحة في كل الساحات، ولن نصبر طويلاً على بقاء الأسرى في سجون الاحتلال.#فلسطين pic.twitter.com/P9sxBH0eeL

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) December 14, 2021

Haniyeh announced that Hamas will achieve a new deal for the prisoners, adding that the battle for their liberation is open. He noted that the movement patience is short when it comes to the prisoners in the occupations jails, adding that the "Zionist POWs" will not "see the sun" if "our [Palestinian] prisoners did not." 

On the issue of the siege on Gaza, Haniyeh said that bargaining for lifting the siege on Gaza will not happen, adding what was not taken by war will not be taken by the siege. 

Regarding the West Bank, Haniyeh said that nothing can extinguish the "volcano of the intifada in it." He added, addressing the residents of the occupied territories in 1948: "You are an essential part of our people to protect Al-Aqsa [mosque]." 

In this context, Haniyeh said that the Palestinian Authority must stop its security cooperation with the occupation. He added that the PA must halt everything related to political arrests in the West Bank, otherwise it will be complicit in the siege on Gaza.

Haniyeh continued, addressing the Arab and Islamic peoples by saying that "the Palestine cause is Arab and Islamic," calling for "the overthrow of normalization," stressing that normalization will not make the enemy stronger and will not protect anyone who believes that his "relationship with the enemy may strengthen him." 

Addressing the free people of the world, he added: "Continue your standing by Palestine," contending that "the enemy must be besieged, boycotted, and its narrative attacked."