Hamas, Islamic Jihad reaffirm adherence to resistance against Israel on Nakba anniversary

Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad have reaffirmed their adherence to resistance against Israel until Palestine is liberated, urging the international community to stop the regime’s “terrorism’ which poses a “real threat” to the security and stability of the region and the world.

The statement was issued on Friday on the 78th anniversary of Nakba (Catastrophe) day, which marks the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes when the Israeli regime was established in 1948.

“On the 78th anniversary of the Nakba: There is no legitimacy or sovereignty for the occupation over the land of Palestine, no matter how much time passes and how great the sacrifices,” Hamas said.

The movement urged the world to “criminalize the occupation and work to stop its terrorism against our land, our people, and our sanctities, and to empower our people with their legitimate rights and the establishment of their independent state with al-Quds as its capital.”

Referring to “heinous” Israeli massacres and crimes committed over the past decades, including the genocidal war in Gaza, the movement noted that “the fascist occupation government continues to blatantly and deliberately violate the ceasefire agreement through systematic bombing and direct targeting of civilians,” leaving more than 850 Gazans killed since the agreement went into effect last October.

The group described the ceasefire violations as an “exposed attempt to escalate pressure and blackmail and impose a fait accompli that the enemy has failed to achieve” during the war.

The movement hailed the Palestinian people’s steadfastness, noting that Israel’s crimes have failed to undermine their determination to resist and liberate their land.

Hamas also paid tribute to the martyred resistance leaders “whose blood and sacrifices will remain fuel for the masses of our people in our ongoing battle until the Zionist enemy is defeated.”

The group warned that the global inaction has emboldened the Israeli regime to expand its “terrorism” beyond the borders of Palestine, becoming “a real threat to the security and stability of the region and the world.”

Noting that resistance in all its forms is “a natural and legitimate right” guaranteed by international charters, laws, and divine laws to peoples living under occupation, Hamas dismissed demands for the movement’s disarmament.

“Any talk of disarming it [the resistance in Palestine] while the occupation and its criminality remain is considered collusion with the enemy's agendas to impose its control, perpetuate its aggression, and erase the essence of our just cause.”

In a separate statement, Islamic Jihad noted that this year’s anniversary of the Nakba comes in light of the escalating "American-Zionist" aggression against the Muslim Ummah, “with Palestine at its heart, in relentless attempts to impose hegemony and control over our Arab and Islamic homeland.”

Referring to the so-called “Greater Israel” project, the statement said it confirms the dimensions of the dangers posed by Israel at the Arab and Islamic level.

“The Zionist project is an imminent danger to all peoples and countries in our region. Therefore, confronting this project is a religious, national, and moral duty, and everyone must bear their full responsibility to repel the danger of the criminal entity,” the Islamic Jihad stressed.

While referring to the Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians, the movement stressed that the Israeli entity, “is living a deep existential crisis from which all these practices will not save it, thanks to the steadfastness of the resistance forces in all arenas.”

“On this occasion, we extend our greetings to all the fighters, in all arenas, in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, and foremost among them the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its steadfast, courageous people, its wise leadership, and its solid government.”

The movement affirmed that the Israeli atrocities “will not dissuade our people and its resistance forces from adhering to Jihad and resistance as a path to liberating our sanctities, our land, and our prisoners, and preserving the rights of our people.”

It urged “the sincere and free people of our nation and the world to continue in solidarity and exposing the criminal practices of the usurping entity and its sponsors in the American administration.”

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