Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas, informed Arab countries that "Israel cannot provide them with any protection." In a speech delivered today, Saturday, he asserted that "the Flood of Al-Aqsa began in Gaza and will extend to the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the lands occupied in 1948, as well as to our people in exile," emphasizing that "this battle is not limited to Gaza alone; since it concerns Jerusalem and Palestine, it involves the entire nation. Therefore, I call upon the people of the nation to engage in this battle in their own ways."
During his address about the developments of the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" battle, Haniyeh highlighted that "our people and our Arab and Islamic nation are destined for a great victory and a clear opening, from the frontlines of Gaza, which ignited the Flood of Al-Aqsa, led by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, resistance factions, and our people." He indicated that "the battle of 'Flood of Al-Aqsa' is led by the Hamas leadership wherever it is present," considering that "Gaza today wipes away the shame of defeats and silence from the nation."
He reminded that "we warned the whole world about this fascist government that unleashed settlers to wreak havoc in Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, and we told them not to play with fire and not to cross the red line, but they turned a deaf ear and closed their eyes." He emphasized, "We warned them about the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. This government planned for a million Zionists to settle in the West Bank in a path towards its Judaization and demographic imbalance, alongside the ongoing aggression."
Haniyeh explained that there have been repeated assaults on Jenin, Tubas, Salfit, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Bethlehem, and all cities, noting that resistance in the West Bank has not surrendered and responded with heroic operations, but the enemy believed that circumstances were in its favor, which led to the continuation of this aggression.
He stated, "How many times have we warned the enemy and the world that there are over 6,000 Palestinian prisoners in the occupation's prisons, some of whom have spent decades, and this enemy continues to mistreat our prisoners," pointing out the resistance's warnings about the continuation of the oppressive siege on the Gaza Strip, which has seen several wars resulting in tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded, and the destruction of homes. He reiterated how many times they warned against trying to isolate our people inside the 1948 territories.
He reported that "Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir makes decisions for further mistreatment of our prisoners, while the entire Zionist government has turned its back on the possibility of reaching a prisoner exchange deal to free our prisoners." He stated, "In recent days, we have witnessed incredible events in Al-Aqsa, and we have verified information that the occupation will impose sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and we have complete information that it will continue its aggression and siege."
Haniyeh emphasized, "The occupation wanted to exploit the sin of normalization to legitimize its presence in the region at the expense of our people, pains, and sorrows," clarifying that "when the threshold was crossed, it was necessary to proceed in this strategic path and complete the cycle of uprisings, revolutions, and resistance, culminating in a battle for the liberation of our land and sacred sites and for our prisoners in the occupation's prisons."
He affirmed that "this battle reveals the preparation and readiness efforts, the sincerity of the promise, and the Flood of Al-Aqsa, and also exposes the fragility of this enemy that suffered political, intelligence, and moral defeats, which we will culminate in a resounding defeat, God willing, so it will leave our land and our sacred places, and we will free our prisoners."
Additionally, he announced, "We had four prisoners, and the occupation refuses to engage with intermediaries. The resistance has stated multiple times that the price will increase, and the cost will rise. Resistance leaders do not speak lightly. Now look at your prisoners and the number that has become in the hands of Al-Qassam and the resistance."
He urged the Palestinian people to "be at the highest level of readiness, for this battle has begun its chapters with blood and fire, with dignity and gunpowder, and the battle has moved to the heart of the entity, not just through the resistance's rockets but also through the men of the resistance and the men of Al-Qassam Brigades."
Haniyeh continued: "The Al-Qassam Brigades have unsettled the enemy within minutes through this blessed and great crossing, and through the presence of men who are writing history with their rifles and their feet that tread upon the occupiers." Responding to Israeli threats, he stated, "Your threats will not benefit you; clearly, leave our land, our Jerusalem, and our Al-Aqsa. We do not want to see you on this land. You are intruders upon this blessed land, and there is no place for you."
