Resistance groups announce 1st phase of ceasefire plan; hail Gazans’ successful steadfastness against war

The statement was issued jointly on Friday by Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The statement came a day after Hamas reached a deal during indirect negotiations with the regime aimed inaugurating the first phase of the 20-point plan that has been forwarded by US President Donald Trump.

The lead-up to the deal saw Hamas agree to releasing the Israeli captives remaining in Gaza and handing over the territory’s administration to a Palestinian body.

Collectively referred to as “The Three Powers,” the groups described the first phase as a “national achievement” born of the “legendary steadfastness” of the Palestinian people and their resistance fighters.

‘Immortal lesson in defiance’

The statement lauded Gazans for preventing realization of the objectives that the regime sought to achieve through the war, including occupying entire Gaza and forcing out its population.

Despite losing around 67,200 of their compatriots as a result of the onslaught, Gazans “recorded an immortal lesson in steadfastness and defiance that will remain engraved on the brightest pages of Palestinian history,” they noted.

“We affirm that their steadfastness is a living symbol of our people's will and unbreakable determination, and proof that their will is stronger than any Zionist machine of destruction.”

The deal, they noted, marks a crucial step towards halting the aggression, ensuring full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, and releasing Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

‘No foreign guardianship’

The trio, meanwhile, reiterated their past assertions that the territory’s administration should not be assigned to “any foreign guardianship.”

They welcomed Arab and international participation in reconstruction efforts, provided that such support respected Palestinian sovereignty and rights.

Appreciating allies, intl. solidarity movement

The groups praised the wartime support that was provided to Gazans by Palestinian people’s allies, including Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.

Those were the countries that “stood by our people,” and offered sacrifices down the path of eventual liberation of the Palestinian territories, including the holy city of al-Quds, from Israeli occupation.

They also commended Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their mediation efforts.

The factions urged the trio to pressure the Israeli regime into standing by the deal, while laying special emphasis on the US’s role in ensuring sustained Israeli commitment.

They also expressed gratitude over the “unprecedented global solidarity movement” that took form following the onset of the war.

The movement featured countless international protests and witnessed many aid flotillas sailing towards Gaza to break the regime’s siege of the territory.

‘Palestinian cause now universal’

The movement, the groups said, serves as proof that the Palestinian cause has become a universal moral and humanitarian issue.

On the contrary, the regime, “a rogue entity,” has become “isolated and besieged,” the statement said, calling for the isolation to be “increased and escalated.”