Prisoners will be at the forefront of upcoming battle says Resistance

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen Net
6 Sep 2023 14:19
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In commemoration of the saga and in the documentation of the second anniversary of Operation Freedom Tunnel, leaders and officials of the Palestinian Resistance factions warn the Israeli occupation in an interview with Al Mayadeen Net.

Operation Freedom Tunnel continues to cause ripples and shake the occupation government security apparatus even two years onward. (Al Mayadeen Net)

Palestinian Resistance faction officials were interviewed by Al Mayadeen Net as part of its coverage of the second anniversary of Operation Freedom Tunnel, where six Palestinian Prisoners liberated themselves from the Israeli prison of Gilboa sending ripples in the occupation government's faltering hypersecurity image.

Hamas to Prisoners: Your cause is a red line, your freedom is a top priority

Member of Hamas' political bureau, Zaher Jabarin, confirmed that Operation Freedom Tunnel which allowed Palestinian prisoners to liberate themselves from the Israeli Gilboa Prison represented a unique and extraordinary event, noting that "6 unarmed heroic prisoners, possessed only the will, albeit limited tools, consisting of a spoon and a small nail, were able to seize their liberty against the will of the Israeli occupation."

In light of the anniversary of liberation, Jabarin stressed that "Israel" is "hollow, weaker than the spider's web, incapacitated, and its threads collapse when it is effectively confronted." Jabarin also pointed out that the message behind this liberation event is "that this great delusion's defeat is just around the corner, and it will crumble and disappear in the face of any real confrontation."

The Hamas official addressed the prisoners, via Al Mayadeen Net, saying: "Today, we stand ahead great challenge in what regards your defense," describing the talk between Hamas and the official spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeidah, in this regard, as "clear and sincere".

Jabarin said that Abu Obeida continues to stand by the proclamation he made days after the Operation Freedom Tunnel where he underscored that "no prisoner exchange will happen unless the imprisoned liberated prisoners of the Operation Freedom Tunnel are involved."

Jabarin also reaffirmed that "there is a strong possibility that the Resistance will seek to impose new equations in what regards this file."

The Hamas official indicated that since inception, Hamas had promised to liberate prisoners, and has since carried out dozens of operations to capture Israeli soldiers for the liberation of prisoners, culminating in the "Dispelled Illusion" operation, through which the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, was captured from inside his tank.

In 2011, the Loyalty of the Free deal was completed, enabling the Qassam Brigades in the Battle of al-Asef al-Makoul, in 2014, to capture Israeli soldiers, more than 9 years ago, asserting that the Resistance remained committed to its unwavering position.

The Hamas official further stressed that the evasion of the occupation from the payment of its dues vis-a-vis the exchange deal "pushes in the direction of conducting new capturing operations," adding that "our next battle with the occupation will be entitled: the prisoners," pointing out that this comes with the occupation government and the Police Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir's, trampling on the right of Palestinian prisoners.

Regarding the open hunger strike, which is anticipated to begin on September 14, Jabarin indicated that the prisoners were at the gates of a battle.

The Hamas official explained to Al Mayadeen Net that, a few weeks ago, when prisoners were attacked, especially in the al-Naqab prison, when the Resistance sent the occupation government strict operational warnings.

PIJ: Resistance bets on its abilities to liberate prisoners

ِِِAl Mayadeen Net interviewed the Palestinian Islamic Jihad official who served also as the director of the Muhjat Al-Quds association, Jamil Aliyan, where he confirmed that the six PIJ members who extracted their freedom during Operation Freedom Tunnel constituted a unique example and "an advancement in the conflict between the Zionist enemy, across all its security and political apparatus, and the Palestinian movement."

Aliyan further explained that the event had very significant effects, especially “regarding the work of the armed Resistance brigades and their spread across the West Bank."

The official also stressed that the Freedom Tunnel operation represented a unique shift, as it confirmed the Palestinians’ inauguration of a “new phase” through this victory, which in turn built on the victory in the battle of Seif Al-Quds, and the subsequent victories in Unity of the Battlefields and Avenging the Free.

Moreover, the official referred to the Resistance's captivity of four Israeli soldiers, stressing that "in the coming period, they [Resistance] will also be able to increase the number of these prisoners, because of their will and determination to liberate the prisoners."

"When you say that the 6 prisoners will be at the top of the list in any prisoner exchange deal, the world has to trust this decision," Aliyan asserted.

Addressing the Israeli occupation leadership, Aliyan underscored that they must be prepared to expect a Palestinian determination that the exchange will include "the 6 heroes, as well as many Palestinian leaders in [Israeli] prisons."

The PIJ official further pointed out that the movement asserts that "prisoners and prison battlefields [as an aspect of the Unity of Battlefields] are of the most important arenas in the conflict", recalling that the slogan the Unity of Battlefields has always been raised and that prisoners are at the forefront of such battles.

Aliyan, moreover, renewed the PIJ's commitment to defend all prisoners, pointing out that Ben-Gvir "will not succeed with the face of prisoners, in Judaizing Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa, or in the West Bank."

The PIJ leader explained that Resistance fighters in Palestine are able to make Ben-Gvir "the last of the prophecies and the last of the Zionist appeals, before the departure of this [Zionist] entity."

In the same vein, Aliyan asserted to Al Mayadeen Net that the prisoners would blow up in Palestine and across the entire region, so that "this explosion would go beyond the prison basements, extend beyond the West Bank, and then beyond Palestine," pointing to the anticipation of the occupation government that a "total war" with the axis of Resistance is coming.

Popular Resistance Committees: Prisoners Lightning Strike

In an interview with Al Mayadeen Net an official of the Popular Resistance Committees, Mohamed El Barim (Abi Mujahid), stressed that the liberation operation had confirmed that "the enemy is fragile and weak, and can be defeated, with minimal capabilities".

On the basis of his responsibility in the Resistance committees, he also highlighted that the Resistance in the Gaza Strip "possesses a number of trump cards" to free prisoners from enemy prisons, stating that the occupation has been evading implementing its obligations and trying to deceive its public.

Barim further insisted that "there will be no prisoner exchange deal without liberating the heroes of Operation Freedom Tunnel, no matter how long it takes."

Abu Mujahid addressed the Israeli Police Minister, stating that the prisoners were "the lightning stroke of the gunpowder barrel under the feet of the Zionist enemy, soldiers, settlers and criminal leaders," stressing that the fight for Palestinian prisoners is a fight every Palestinian can stand behind and that they are considered a red line for all Palestinians.

In his address to the prisoners, Barim said that the 6 prisoners were "the icons of resistance," and appealed to them for patience reaffirming that their date to freedom and victory has come close.

PFLP to the occupation Ministers: Learn the lesson from Zeevi

In turn, the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) official Haitham Abdo told Al Mayadeen Net that the heroic liberation operation represented a "significant security failure" for the occupation, recalling its significant political and security implications.

Abdo noted that the 6 prisoners' act reflected the strength of the will and determination of the Palestinian people, pointing out that they "would not be the last in their search for freedom."

The PFLP official, also confirmed the pledge of freedom made by the Resistance toward the six prisoners, stressing that "they will be at the head of the first exchange deal."

Abdo further confirmed that the Resistance continues to work against the occupation government and that it will "increase its Resistance operations, especially across the West Bank and Al-Quds," and will not render any effort to "carry out kidnappings aimed at the release of all prisoners."

Abdo also held the occupation fully responsible for the lives of the prisoners and warned them of a "painful response to any injustice committed against them," reminding Ben-Gvir to "take the lesson from the past, in particular, what had happened to Israel's radical Minister of Tourism, Rehavam Zeevi", who had been assassinated by the PFLP.