Iran cornerstone in Axis of Resistance: Hamas politburo chief

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Iran is an unwavering cornerstone on which the Palestinian Resistance and the Axis of Resistance rely in their fight against the Israeli enemy and the US hegemony, said Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh on Monday.

Responding to a letter sent out by Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Crops (IRGC)'s Quds Force to the people of Palestine on the occasion of the Palestinian Resistance's victory against the Israeli occupation in Operation Avenging the Free launched in light of the latest round of aggression waged by "Israel" on the people of the Gaza Strip.

"The enemy believes that this aggression will help it escape its internal issues and bring back the facade of deterrence to its army," Haniyeh said. "The effects of Operation Avenging the Free deepened the crisis that the enemy is going through."

The victory of the resistance factions, headed by Al-Quds Brigades in this battle "was based on strength and unity on the ground and in politics, and it is a role model," Haniyeh said.

"Qaani's message expressed the position of the leader of the revolution and Iran's adherence to its unlimited support for the resistance in Gaza, the West Bank, and abroad," the Hamas leader added.

Excerpts from Qaani's letter to the Palestinian Resistance:

You have inscribed another epic in the fight against the Israeli enemy and the powers of global arrogance who stand behind it, proving once again that through your reliance on Allah Almighty and through your unwavering will and wisdom, you subdued the enemy and defeated it.

I congratulate you and the Palestinian people, on my behalf and that of the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its faithful people, on this great victory. I also offer my condolences and congratulate you for the martyrdom of all the martyrs that God chose in this battle to attain one of the two best things: victory or martyrdom. I especially address the leaders some of whom were martyred alongside their wives and children to underscore with their honorable blood that we are part of a cause whose leaders stand on the front lines to combat fiercely and make sacrifices toward the cause. We also pray to Allah almighty to bless those wounded with a swift recovery.

I reiterate that the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to stand with the Palestinian people and their valiant resistance. It will continue to support the Axis of Resistance in all the capabilities available to it until the usurping Zionist entity is uprooted from the entire blessed Palestinian lands.

The Israeli occupation launched a five-day aggression against the Gaza Strip, targeting residential houses in the north, center, and south of the Strip.

In retaliation, Al-Quds Brigades and the Palestinian Resistance factions launched Operation Avenging the Free, in which it fired advanced rockets and missiles that bypassed the Iron Dome and targeted several Israeli settlements, occupied cities, and occupation sites.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinians killed in the aggression rose to 33 martyrs, including six children and three women, and 147 people were wounded.

The Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian Resistance Factions in Gaza said that Operation Avenging the Free was a new chapter of glory that the Resistance fought as a unified structure.

In a statement, the Operations Room said although Operation Avenging the Free has ended, the banners will not and shall not be lowered, and the will to fight will not and shall not ever dwindle.