Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas' Political Bureau, has emphasized that the Palestinian Resistance is currently involved in a heroic and historic epic with its title being al-Aqsa, our sacred places, and our prisoners.

Haniyeh stated that "this is not a time for waiting and watching, not a time for merely nominal support,"  noting that "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood began from Gaza and will extend to the West Bank and beyond, wherever our people and our nation exist."

Haniyeh stressed that the central and fundamental cause for this operation is "the criminal Zionist aggression against the sacred al-Aqsa Mosque, reaching its peak in recent days."

He also pointed out that "thousands of criminal and fascist settlers desecrated the scared place from where Prophet Muhammad (Peace upon Him) ascended to the heavens and performed their prayers there in preparation for imposing Zionist sovereignty over it," in reference to thousands of Israeli occupation settlers who defiled al-Aqsa Holy Mosque in the past few days as part of Yom Kippur rituals.

Haniyeh affirmed that "we would not remain silent about this desecration and this intention of aggression, even if the whole world remained silent."

He also expressed his confidence that "our entire nation, from east to west, from north to south, will be a part of the battle to defend the sacred site."
 
The Head of Hamas' Political Bureau also appealed to "every Muslim everywhere and all the free people of the world to take a just stand in this just battle and to defend al-Aqsa, with every means possible."

Earlier, Saleh al-Arouri, said on Saturday, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is a battle meant for the destruction of the Israeli occupation and a stern response to its crimes, deputy head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri, said on Saturday.

Gazan Resistance fighters have launched "a wide-scale operation in defense of al-Aqsa Mosqe and with the objective of freeing prisoners" from Israeli prisons, al-Arouri told Al-Aqsa TV.

He emphasized that the occupied West Bank is the key factor for the operation's success, highlighting that their fighters possess the capability to confront Israelis in all settlements.

He also emphasized that Palestinians, along with Arabs and Muslims, should collectively join the battle, as he paid particular attention to Resistance fighters in the West Bank.

Read more: Palestinian Resistance operation takes Israeli occupation by storm

Hamas leader addresses fighters

The leader of Hamas' military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammad Deif, addressed Palestinians and Resistance fighters in Palestine and the Axis of Resistance. In his speech, Deif announced the launching of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in response to the continued desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque and assaults on women worshippers by Israelis.

The first stage of the operation included a barrage of more than 5,000 rockets and shells on Israeli settlements and positions, the Hamas leader said.

Read more: Hamas head announces Operation Al-Aqsa Flood responding to IOF attacks

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that the Palestinian Resistance had taken captive several Israeli occupation soldiers.

Israeli media reported that the occupation soldiers were transferred to Gaza.

Furthermore, during the operation led by the Resistance fighters, an Israeli Merkava tank and its crew were captured by the fighters, according to local reports.

الصحافي الفلسطيني حسن صليح: أسر دبابة إسرائيلية بجنودها#فلسطين #طوفان_الأقصى @hassaneslayeh pic.twitter.com/zg2WoSVgqM

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) October 7, 2023

Gazans roamed the streets in celebration of the operation which came in response to ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinians in al-Aqsa Mosque and occupied al-Quds.

Read more: Al-Quds Brigades unveils homegrown weapons at unprecedented parade