In a phone call with the head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, on Thursday, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed that the immediate end of Israeli crimes against the people of Gaza is necessary for establishing peace and stability throughout the region.

The Iranian Foreign Minister expressed his admiration for the Palestinian Resistance over the last 4 months in the face of the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, emphasizing that the Palestinians, as the owners of the land of Palestine, have the full right to determine their future, emphasizing that "no party can impose their will and political plans on them."

Haniyeh reported on the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their Resistance groups in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the plans and political initiatives suggested to bring an end to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners, while emphasizing that the Resistance groups maintain unity and integration.

Amir-Abdollahian also held a separate call with Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in which he expressed the necessity of continued Palestinian, regional, and international efforts to immediately stop Israeli crimes in Gaza, provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and oppose any forced displacement of the people of Palestine.

He reiterated his admiration and praise for the Resistance and underlined the importance of Palestinians deciding their future.

Al-Nakhalah expressed his support for the country of Iran, its leader, and its President for their commitment to the freedom of Palestine.

He touched on the heroic resistance of the people in Palestine and groups in Gaza and the West Bank, emphasizing that the Palestinian people and resistance will be victorious in their battle against the Israeli occupation. 

Hamas dictates battle pace: Ex-Israeli anti-air force chief

Hamas sets the pace and the rhythm of the battle in the Gaza Strip, the former chief of the Israeli Anti-air Force, Zvika Haimovich, told Israeli Channel 12.

On the ongoing mediated talks for a ceasefire and prisoners exchange deal, Haimovich pointed to the fact that the Palestinian Resistance maintains the edge in these negotiations, as the proposals are being presented to its representatives rather than the Israeli ones. According to Haimovich, this gives the Palestinians the final say in these proposals.

"We propose [deals], and ultimately, they decide," indicating that "this is part of the psychological [warfare] used by Hamas."

A leading figure from the Palestinian Resistance factions revealed earlier that no agreement around a ceasefire deal has been reached yet.

The remarks come after news outlets reported that Hamas had approved in principle the most recent ceasefire proposal made by Qatari officials. The official also described the statement made by the Qatari Foreign Ministry as rushed and inaccurate.

Hamas officials had announced earlier that its representatives would submit a unified response in Cairo, Egypt, that represents all Palestinian Resistance factions.

Haniyeh is expected to deliver a unified response that represents Palestinian Resistance factions to Egyptian officials in the coming days. The Resistance has affirmed through multiple statements and interviews conducted by top-ranking officials that an internationally guaranteed ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip will be the prerequisite to any prisoner exchange deal.

This comes as Palestinian Resistance fighters continue to deal the occupation's military heavy blows across the Gaza Strip. The most recently released list of killed soldiers and officers included Major Yitzhar Hoffman, a platoon leader in the special forces Shaldag Unit.

A recently released video by al-Qassam Brigades' military media has highlighted the capabilities of Palestinian Resistance fighters who are well-versed in urban warfare. In the video, one of the fighters who had just targeted multiple Israeli armored vehicles details how he and his comrades "confused the enemies", after utilizing multiple tunnel entry points located to the west of Khan Younis.

#بالفيديو | إلتحام مجاهدي القسام مع آليات العدو غرب مدينة #خان_يونس جنوب قطاع #غزة.#طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/xampSDVvaE

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) February 1, 2024