Palestinian Resistance unwavering on demands despite Israeli attacks
8 Min Read
Hamas underlines that the movement’s demands remain unchanged one year into the Israeli genocide, with a national unity government being the top priority.
-
Al-Qassam Resistance fighters display their combat weapons in the al-Maghazi camp, Gaza, July 13, 2023. (AFP)
Hamas remains firm in its stance that the formation of a national unity government is its top priority, a senior Palestinian source told Al Mayadeen on Monday.
The source revealed that Hamas had communicated this position to all Palestinian factions, emphasizing the need for cooperation during this critical period.
In light of ongoing Israeli aggression, Hamas condemned the recent massacres in Jabalia and northern Gaza, describing them as clear evidence of "the failure and impotence of the Israeli occupation."
The movement reiterated its position, stating, "One year after the enemy’s massacres against our people in Gaza, these crimes continue with the direct support of the US administration and President Biden."
Earlier, on the anniversary of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, Hamas described October 7 as a pivotal moment in their struggle, characterizing it as a natural response to what they referred to as Zionist attempts to eliminate their national cause.
They further claimed that since that date, over the past year, the enemy—whom they labeled as Nazi—has committed atrocities, including massacres and waging a genocidal war against their people.
The group emphasized the resilience of Gaza's population, saying their unity and steadfast support for the resistance has thwarted all enemy plans.
They noted that the October 7 operation had set the stage for the liberation of Palestine, elevating the Palestinian cause to global prominence and disrupting conspiracies.The group also condemned what they called the enemy’s cowardly assassinations of resistance leaders, asserting that these acts would only strengthen their resolve.
They highlighted the Al-Aqsa Flood battle as a symbol of unity and coordination among regional resistance forces in the ongoing struggle for al-Quds.
In their statement, they expressed deep appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices of Hezbollah, the Islamic Group in Lebanon, Ansar Allah in Yemen, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, acknowledging their support during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
A pivotal shift in strategy
On his part, Abu Ataya, the military spokesperson for the Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Brigades of the Popular Resistance Committees, emphasized the ongoing impact of the struggle. He remarked that the "Zionist entity and its settlers" continue to suffer the consequences of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s misguided actions.
Abu Ataya stressed that the battle marked a pivotal shift in strategy, with its lessons on planning and execution likely to be studied in military academies. He pointed out that despite Israeli efforts, their goals—such as eliminating the Resistance and securing the return of Israeli captives—remain unmet, leaving "Israel" in a state of confusion and defeat across Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
The Resistance, he noted, stands firm in its demands for "Israel’s" complete withdrawal, an end to aggression, the return of forcibly displaced people, reconstruction efforts, and the lifting of the siege. He also called on the Arab public to rise against reactionary regimes, reject normalization with "Israel", and demonstrate in support of Palestine and the Resistance.
Abu Ataya highlighted the importance of escalating armed Resistance in the West Bank, framing it as a strategic choice for Resistance factions and a vital component in the broader struggle against Israeli occupation.
A moment that shattered "Israel's" deterrence theory
The Joint Chamber of Palestinian Resistance Factions has also issued a statement marking one year since the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood emphasizing the unity and resilience of the Resistance. The statement highlights October 7 as a decisive moment that exposed the vulnerabilities of the Israeli military and shattered its deterrence theory.
The factions praised the steadfastness of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and across the Arab world, noting that the Resistance movement remains strong despite the Israeli military's efforts. The statement condemned Israeli actions, including aggression against Al-Aqsa, systematic torture of detainees, the ongoing siege on Gaza, and settlement expansion in the West Bank.
"It is a source of pride and honor to witness the fighters from Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq uniting with our fighters and directly supporting them in the battle, targeting their forces and military bases, inflicting losses upon them. The strong attacks executed by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the Zionist entity have also shown its solidarity with our people and the support of their resistance", as per the joint statement.
The leadership also recognized the support from fighters in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran, who have engaged in operations against "Israel", further demonstrating the solidarity across the Axis of Resistance.
The Joint Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to defending the Palestinian people, ensuring their rights, and rebuilding what was destroyed, vowing to continue the struggle until liberation is achieved.
Operation al-Aqsa Flood; an unprecedented defeat for Israeli military
The Palestinian Resistance Committees echoed similar sentiments, expressing that "a year of betrayal, extermination, aggression, steadfastness, and resilience" has passed as Palestinians continue to confront the US-backed Israeli project aimed at displacing them.
The Committees stated, "Operation al-Aqsa Flood represented an unprecedented and major defeat for the Israeli military and security apparatus in the long history of our struggle with the enemy and its allies."
They further praised their regional allies, extending "salutations to the Lebanese resistance, the Yemeni Armed forces, the Iraqi Resistance, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has consistently demonstrated action as well as words."
The Resistance Committees called on the people of the Arab and Islamic world to acknowledge the gravity of the situation, saying, "We call on the nations of the region to understand the critical and pivotal nature of this moment. In this existential and decisive confrontation with the enemy, the Resistance and its axis are standing in for the entire region."
Iraq stands with Gaza
On his part, the Secretary-General of Kataeb Hezbollah in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, said Operation Al-Aqsa Flood brought the Israeli occupation back to the days of the Haganah, referring to the early Zionist paramilitary organization.
He added, "The difference today is that we possess capabilities that our ancestors did not have at the time."
Al-Hamidawi called for the Islamic resistance to "continue delivering focused blows to the heart of the Zionist entity" and urged for stronger cooperation, stating, "The Islamic Resistance must enhance joint operations with our Yemeni brothers to open new fronts for attrition operations."
On the occasion of the first anniversary of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Palestinian Resistance factions issued statements reaffirming their unwavering commitment to resistance as their "strategic choice" and "legitimate right" in the face of Israeli occupation.
In their statements, the factions reiterated their aim of fully liberating their land and establishing an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital.
"Al-Aqsa Flood refocused global attention on the Palestinian cause" they declared, adding that the operation was a "natural and legitimate response" to "Israel's" crimes.
This operation, the factions said, was necessary to challenge "Israel’s" continued aggression and violations.
The factions expressed their gratitude to the people of Lebanon and their movement of Resistance, as well as their supporters in Yemen and Iraq. "We salute the Lebanese people, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, and all the fronts of support in Yemen and Iraq," the factions said.
Uniting all fronts
The Palestinian factions praised Hezbollah for its stance on October 8 and acknowledged its efforts to unite the various fronts despite the escalating aggression against their people.
"We highly value Hezbollah's position on October 8th, supporting us and uniting all fronts, despite the large-scale aggression against our Lebanese brothers," they said.
Both the US and the Israeli regime are fully accountable for "genocidal crimes" and "ethnic cleansing" against the Palestinian people, the statement read.
"We hold the US administration and the Israeli regime fully responsible for the crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing against our people," they declared.
