Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has united the Palestinian people and reinforced the Resistance's path toward liberating occupied land and holy sites, Hamas stressed on Wednesday, in a statement marking the 55th anniversary of the incident of burning the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque fire, which occurred on August 21, 1969, was carried out by an extremist Australian national named Michael Dennis Rohan. The flames consumed the entire contents of the eastern wing of the Qibli Mosque, located on the southern side of the Al-Aqsa compound, including its historic pulpit known as the Salah al-Din pulpit.

Hamas said that this anniversary comes amid ongoing international silence, complacency, and complicity, as well as American and Western support for the crimes, massacres, and violations committed by the Israeli occupation.

The group underlined that the burning of al-Aqsa and all crimes of the Israeli occupation have only strengthened the Palestinian people's steadfastness and adherence to the land and sacred sites.

It affirmed that all attempts by the occupation to Judaize al-Aqsa, alter its features, erase its identity, or divide it temporally and spatially will fail.

"The occupation has no sovereignty or authority over a single inch of the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque," Hamas made it clear, asserting that the Mosque is and will remain an Islamic endowment.

The Palestinian movement reiterated the necessity of supporting and protecting al-Aqsa, saying, "Our nation’s leaders and governments, who rallied to support Al-Aqsa after the fire in 1969, are today called upon to fulfill their historical responsibility in defending it."

In the same vein, Hamas emphasized the need for the entire nation—leaders, officials, people, governments, and organizations—to assume their historical roles and responsibilities in supporting the steadfastness and resistance of the Palestinian people.

It also called upon the nation and all free people around the world to mobilize and gather in every venue on the upcoming Friday, demanding it be a day of mass mobilization and action to support and defend Gaza, al-Quds, and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Defending Al-Aqsa is every free, honorable person's duty

On its part, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement underscored that the Palestinian people, who have offered immense sacrifices, will not yield to Israeli schemes.

The PIJ warned that al-Quds faces real dangers, including forcible displacement projects, attempts to empty the city of its inhabitants, and ongoing efforts to Judaize Al-Aqsa.

The group reaffirmed that al-Quds will remain the symbol of Resistance, pointing out that defending al-Aqsa is a duty for every free and honorable person.

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