Hamas on its anniversary: Al-Aqsa Flood a pivotal milestone toward liberation and return

In a statement on Sunday, the Movement added that the Palestinian people confronted this aggression “in unity with their valiant resistance,” with steadfast will and legendary resilience. It saluted the steadfastness of Palestinians across all arenas, especially in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jerusalem, the lands of 1948, and refugee camps and the diaspora, wishing recovery to the wounded and freedom to prisoners and detainees in the Israeli occupation’s prisons.

Hamas paid tribute to the souls of the martyrs and founding leaders, foremost among them Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, as well as the martyred leaders of “Al-Aqsa Flood”: Ismail Haneyya, Yahya Sinwar, Saleh al-Arouri, and Mohammed Deif, in addition to all martyrs of the Movement, the Palestinian people, and the nation.

The Movement affirmed that “Al-Aqsa Flood” constituted a towering milestone in the path of struggle toward freedom and independence, and will remain a firm landmark marking a true beginning for repelling the occupation and its demise. It stated that Israel has failed, despite two years of war, to achieve its objectives, succeeding only in targeting civilians and human life, with direct American support.

Hamas stressed its full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, accusing Israel of continuing to violate it daily and evade its obligations. It called on the mediators and the US administration to pressure the Israeli government to implement the terms of the agreement, halt attacks, open crossings, especially the Rafah crossing, and intensify the entry of humanitarian aid.

The Movement also renewed its categorical rejection of any form of guardianship or mandate over the Gaza Strip or any part of the Palestinian territories, warning against attempts at displacement and re-engineering the Strip according to occupation plans.

It affirmed that the Palestinian people alone decide who governs them, and that they have the legitimate right to resist, liberate their land, and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Hamas called on the Arab and Islamic countries, governments, peoples, and organizations, to take urgent action to pressure Israel to stop its aggression, open crossings, and implement relief, shelter, and reconstruction plans. It held Israel responsible for crimes of genocide and starvation, describing them as “systematic and documented,” asserting they will not lapse with time, and calling on the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to continue pursuing its leaders.

The Movement reaffirmed its steadfastness to its principles since its founding and its loyalty to the blood of the martyrs and the sacrifices of prisoners, until liberation and return, emphasizing that Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque will remain the main core of the conflict, and that there is no legitimacy or sovereignty for the occupation over them.

Regarding prisoners, Hamas said that the crimes of the Israeli government against them constitute a sadistic approach and a systematic policy of revenge, affirming that their cause will remain at the top of its priorities, condemning the international silence over their suffering.

It also stressed that the Palestinian people’s right to resistance in all its forms is a legitimate right guaranteed by the international law, calling for the achievement of national unity and the building of Palestinian consensus on a unified struggle strategy to confront plans aimed at liquidating the cause.

The Movement considered that Israel’s war of genocide has exposed a “rogue entity” that poses a threat to regional security and stability and to international peace, necessitating international action to isolate it, halt its terror, and end its occupation. At the same time, it praised the support of resistance forces and free people around the world, as well as the global popular movement in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, calling for its escalation until the occupation ends and freedom and independence are achieved.