Palestine condemns the killing of Khader Adnan in Israeli prison
Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement Secretary-General Ziad Al-Nakhalah, alongside a number of Palestinian leaders and committees, mourn Sheikh Khader Adnan, condemn his murder, and warn of escalations.
Palestinian Resistance factions and figures have condemned the systematic medical homicide policies employed by the Israeli Occupation that resulted in the martyrdom of Sheikh Khader Adnan in Israeli prison as he entered his 87th day of hunger strike.
Al-Nakhalah: We have willfully chosen the path of martyrdom
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement Secretary-General Ziyad Al-Nakhalah said, on Tuesday, that the members of the movement had willfully chosen the path of martyrdom, and that prisoner-turned-martyr Sheikh Khader Adnan was an exemplary model of this choice.
Al-Nakhalah emphasized that the martyrdom of Adnan represents the symbol of the struggle of our people, adding, "If the Palestinian people did not have the likes of Khader Adnan, our cause would have amounted to nothing."
الأمين العام لحركة الجهاد الإسلامي #زياد_النخالة:
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 2, 2023
الإرادة التي جسدها الشيخ #خضر_عدنان في معركته الطويلة واشتباكه المباشر مع العدو هي وسام شرف على صدر الشعب الفلسطيني الشجاع.#الميادين #فلسطين pic.twitter.com/qR7WdSspMc
The Secretary-General of the PIJ noted that "every passing day in Palestine's history confirms to the Palestinian people that victory is imminent, God-willing."
According to Al-Nakhalah, the will embodied by martyr Adnan in his long battle and direct engagement with the enemy is "a badge of honor worn by the brave Palestinian people," stressing that "Khader Adnan will remain a great symbol for the people of Palestine, an icon for freedom fighters across the world, and a raised banner on the path toward Al-Quds."
The PIJ leader said, "Our pledge today to all the martyrs and to the prisoner Khader Adnan is that we will not leave the path of jihad and resistance," and proclaimed "Let us be up to our God-given responsibility to liberate Al-Quds and Palestine, and to expel the murderous invaders from our country and soil."
Shehab: Martyr Adnan emerged victorious
Daoud Shehab, the head of the PIJ media office, confirmed in an interview with Al Mayadeen that Adnan was martyred as a result of a brazen Israeli crime, adding that Adnan followed through with his hunger strike knowing that he had only two options: either snatching his freedom once more, or martyrdom, and Adnan was able to emerge victorious in both.
Moreover, Shehab explained that "the occupation tried in many ways to assassinate Adnan and take revenge on him, because he is one of the most important and influential national leaders," stressing that "loyalty to prisoner Adnan means to follow in his footsteps,” never forgetting his devotion to the cause and in keeping in memory this great legacy that Adnan, the “most honorable and bravest" leader, left behind.
"This crime will not be foregone, and the Palestinian people will continue their struggle," Shehab said, stressing that the martyrdom of Adnan will only add to the Palestinian people’s resolve to continue on the path of resistance toward liberation.
Haniyeh consoling Al-Nakhalah: Battle with the enemy will not be limited
The Head of Hamas' Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, in a phone call with Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziyad Al-Nakhalah, said that "this is an open battle with the enemy."
Haniyeh asserted that the Palestinian people will continue to confront the occupation "tirelessly and relentlessly," stressing that the Palestinian people will continue marching on the path of resistance and martyrdom.
The Hamas chief also touched on the scale of the assassination committed by the Israeli occupation, which was veiled by systematic medical neglect resulting in homicide. The occupation refused to respond to Adnan's call for freedom, which was taken away from him under the pretense of administrative detention, meaning that the martyrdom of Adnan is blood spilled on their hands.
هتافات نجل الأسير #خضر_عدنان بعد تلقي خبر استشهاد والده في سجون الاحتلال الإسرائيلي.#الميادين #فلسطين #الشهيد_خضر_عدنان pic.twitter.com/qKpePTvkfa
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 2, 2023
Haniyeh also highlighted the immense courage and strength shown by Sheikh Khader Adnan as he marched toward martyrdom by continuing his hunger strike as part of the Battle of Empty Stomachs. He also emphasized the significance behind Adnan's willful choice to attain martyrdom.
Palestinian factions warn: Retaliation is imminent
The Hamas Resistance movement also asserted in a statement that "the murder of Khader Adnan was premeditated and committed in cold blood," further adding that "the criminal occupation government will pay for the murder committed by refusing to release [Adnan] and medically neglecting him."
It stated that "this crime has been added to the long list of crimes and terrorist acts committed by the occupation against our heroic prisoners and people," and must be "prosecuted."
Hamas also noted that "the Palestinian people, though all their powers and factions, will escalate [confrontations with the occupation] using any means or tools available."
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Al Mayadeen that "Khader Adnan is one of the symbols of the Palestinian people who have carried the banner of resistance," adding that "the Palestinian revolution today has gained new momentum... and our people will not let this crime go unpunished."
"The path of revolution and resistance will escalate throughout Palestine in response to this crime and all the occupation's crimes," Qassem said, before adding that "this crime exposes all international institutions that claim to stand by human rights and affirms that this unjust world stands idle and is incapable of supporting our prisoners."
Similarly Ismail Radwan, also a Hamas movement leader, underscored that "the crime of occupation will not pass without reckoning, and that the Resistance will remain the shield and sword defending our prisoners."
"The martyred hero, Khader Adnan, has created a legacy in his struggle, confrontation, and rejection of arbitrary and administrative detention within the prisons of the occupation."
Fatah movement: New phase for liberation ahead
In turn, Fatah spokesperson Monzer Al-Hayek said that the blood of martyr Adnan is on the hands of the "occupation and the terrorist government of Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir."
As such, Al-Hayek underscored that "the occupation government bears the consequences of the premeditated murder committed by the Zionist prison administration against Adnan."
The spokesperson also told Al Mayadeen that "the heroic prisoner has always called for the national unity that we must uphold in the face of this criminal enemy. And despite the crimes of the occupation, the world remains silent," thus encouraging the occupation to continue its criminal practices against Palestinians.
ِAl-Hayek further said "We are facing a new stage, titled resistance and resilience in prisons," noting that the struggle has reached a new phase, which is "liberation at all costs."
Concluding, Al-Hayek stated, "The prisoners won with their unity. Therefore, we have to remain unified, and thus secure our victory," adding "It is up to our resistance and factions to continue working to release our prisoners."
In turn, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said that "the occupation deliberately assassinated Khader Adnan by refusing to release him and neglecting him medically."
The Presidency of the Legislative Council of the Palestinian Authority also stated that "the martyrdom of the prisoner Khader Adnan is a deliberate and premeditated murder for which the occupation bears full responsibility."
PFLP: Occupation to pay a heavy price
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said that "this crime is an assassination of a Resistance fighter who was one of the most prominent administrative detainees, who launched the hunger strike battles."
Adnan was also one of the first who called for "anger and escalation in the face of the occupation and its settlers," urging Palestinians to "engage in confrontations across all areas of the occupied territories," according to the PFLP, which stressed the need to make the occupation "pay a heavy price."
Read more: Who is martyr Khader Adnan?
Palestinian factions stand up for Adnan
The Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustafa Barghouti held "the fascist criminal occupation government responsible for the assassination of the brave Resistance fighter Khader Adnan."
Barghouti also told Al Mayadeen that "the assassination of Khader Adnan is a premeditated crime carried out by the occupation authorities," stating that there are "1006 prisoners in occupation prisons who are administratively detained."
The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, on its part, stated that "the Zionist enemy is responsible for this crime against Captive Khader Adnan, and therefore bears all the consequences thereof", demanding that "international human rights institutions intervene promptly and immediately to protect our prisoners and stand up to their legal responsibilities."
In this context, former PFLP prisoner Abdul Aleem Daana called Adnan "a role model and a national symbol, and he is one of the founders of the national Captive Movement's struggle."
"Pray that God accepts me as a sincere martyr in His service."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 2, 2023
With these words, Sheikh #KhaderAdnan sealed his will when he wrote it on the 58th day of his hunger strike. Today, on his 87th day on strike, Adnan was martyred after the Israeli occupation committed homicide… pic.twitter.com/OcBBpIFYQX
Moreover, he added that "the Captive Movement has been able to raise generations of Resistance fighters inside and outside prisons," as "some 1 million Palestinians have entered prisons since 1967."
Read more: Martyr Khader Adnan's will: Do not despair whatever the occupier does