Palestinian, Lebanese struggle intertwined, Hamdan tells Al Mayadeen
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Hamas political bureau member Osama Hamdan addresses the latest developments regarding the wars on Gaza and Lebanon in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression.
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Hamas political official Osama Hamdan speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Doha, Qatar, on August 13, 2024. (AP)
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan expressed during an interview with Al Mayadeen his solidarity with the Lebanese resistance and denounced the Israeli occupation's actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as its alliance with the United States.
Hamdan emphasized that the Israeli occupation is attempting to demoralize the Resistance in Lebanon and its people while evading accountability on the world stage.
"I don't believe the resistance in Lebanon was surprised by Israeli actions, nor were we," the Hamas top official said. He also accused the United States of complicity in Israeli crimes, despite its public claims of working toward stability in the region.
"The occupation cannot endure in the face of the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon without US support," he stressed.
Hamdan also criticized the current international system, stating, "The global order needs reform, as it has become paralyzed. Those who are crippling it must understand that it is on the verge of collapse."
Touching on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy, Hamdan said, "Netanyahu is trying to divert the world's attention from Gaza, and the expansion of aggression to Lebanon is further proof that the occupation is inherently criminal."
Lebanon and Gaza are a united front
He further clarified that the wars on Lebanon and Gaza are not separate, saying, "We are not in competition for who makes headlines be it Lebanon or Gaza. We are in a unified battle against aggression."
Highlighting the shared struggle, Hamdan pointed out, "The wounded and martyrs in Lebanon mirror those in Gaza, showing that we face the same enemy." He also warned those pursuing normalization with the Israeli occupation, stating, "Those who think normalization is the solution will pay a heavy price in the end."
Hamdan placed responsibility for the escalation in the region on the United States, claiming, "The US is not in control of the events as the resistance continues to defy their plans."
In a similar vein, he stressed that an end to the war can only come through halting the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon. He dismissed any US-Israeli negotiations as self-serving, stating, "The negotiations between the Americans and Israelis are about their mutual interests in the ongoing conflict, not about ending the war."
'Israel' battered
He also highlighted the incapacity of the Israeli occupation forces, noting, "The Israeli army is no longer able to decisively win battles, so the occupation's leaders are fighting to secure a political advantage."
He warned of the consequences if the Israeli occupation attempts to widen the scope of the war, saying, "If the occupation seeks to expand the war, we will confront this escalation, and victory will be the only outcome."
Hamdan moreover emphasized that the occupation's strategy of targeting Resistance military leaders would get it nowhere, as it would not succeed in achieving its goal of weakening the movement. "The aim of targeting resistance leaders is to influence the battlefield, but the occupation is mistaken, as this will not diminish the strength of the resistance," Hamdan stated.
He went on to highlight the resilience of the Palestinian resistance, noting, "The resistance has lost hundreds of leaders and martyrs throughout its journey, yet it only grows stronger. These sacrifices reinforce its position."
According to Hamdan, the Israeli efforts to dismantle the Palestinian cause have failed. "The plan to eradicate the Palestinian cause has failed. We do not need declarations urging for a state through negotiation."
US uncommitted to peace
Hamdan addressed US President Joe Biden, calling into question his commitment to ending the violence. "If Biden is serious about ending the aggression, all he has to do is stop supplying Israel with weapons and cease shielding Netanyahu in the UN Security Council."
The top official further noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains confident that no matter who occupies the White House, US support for the occupation will remain unchanged.
Hamdan underscored the historic nature of the current resistance against Israeli aggression, stating, "For the first time in the history of the Palestinian cause, we are witnessing such resilience in the face of aggression, with this level of strength and ferocity."
He added that this battle is about ending the occupation, not merely improving the terms of negotiation: "This confrontation is distinguished by its goal of ending the occupation, not just enhancing the conditions for negotiations."
Concluding his statements, Hamdan reaffirmed the resistance's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Palestinian people and ending the aggression. "The resistance will rise to the occasion in achieving the hopes of its people, and we reaffirm our dedication to bringing an end to the aggression."
