Ismail Haniya, the head of Hamas's political bureau, affirmed that any bets on arrangements in Gaza without Hamas and the resistance factions are mere illusions and mirages. In a televised speech on Wednesday evening, he stated that "since its inception on December 14, 1987, which coincides with its 36th anniversary on Thursday, Hamas has utilized all its capabilities and resources to achieve the national goals of our people in freedom, independence, the right of return, and self-determination."
He noted that "the Al-Aqsa Flood battle on October 7th dealt a resounding blow to the occupation, shaking its military, political, economic, security leadership, and social structure." Haniya emphasized, "The heroism and bravery of the Al-Qassam Brigades and the resistance factions continue to manifest in confronting the Israeli occupation, inflicting severe losses in both northern and southern Gaza, with the latest heroic scenes in Shuja'iyya, Jabalia, and elsewhere, as well as the joint operations between Al-Qassam Brigades and their brothers in Saraya al-Quds."
He stressed that "this legendary steadfastness has created interactions with significant implications, placing the enemy's alliances at stake." Haniya further remarked, "We have reflected on notable international and western positions in recent hours, which will have both short and long-term effects."
He stated, "Every soul lost—whether child or adult, man or woman—every tear shed from the eyes of a mother or father or child, is precious, and every home or dream destroyed by the Zionist attacks, along with every suffering from hunger, thirst, and shortages in livelihood will remain engraved in our memory, and we cannot forget or forgive the perpetrators. The enemy will pay for all of this, no matter how long it takes."
Haniya expressed his respect for every individual from his people, particularly the families of martyrs and wounded. He stated, "We will remain loyal to our people and to all our citizens who are orphans, bereaved, and families of the martyrs."
He confirmed that the leadership of Hamas is working alongside everyone, including international parties, to exert intense efforts to assist our people and alleviate their suffering. He noted that "the occupation has not only waged war on the Palestinian people in Gaza, but it is also intensifying its crimes and assassinations in the West Bank and Jerusalem, practicing the most horrific forms of racism against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and diaspora, asserting that the Palestinian people in all their locations have been and remain a target of the enemy's occupation and aggression."
Haniya acknowledged the international popular movement supporting Palestine and its people in various cities and capitals around the world, recognizing the efforts from intellectual, political, and media elites, as well as everyone supporting the struggle in their own way from outside Palestine. He praised the member states of the seven-member committee stemming from the Arab and Islamic summit under the leadership of Saudi Arabia for their political and diplomatic efforts to halt the aggression and support the Palestinian people.
He expressed appreciation for the UN Secretary-General's stance, especially his message to the Security Council regarding the situation in the Palestinian territories as a threat to international peace and security. Haniya is confident that "the brutal aggression will end, and the resistance will remain a steadfast guardian of the Palestinian people's rights and legitimate aspirations."
He also stated that Hamas is "open to discussing any ideas or initiatives that could lead to halting the aggression and pave the way for reorganizing the Palestinian house at the level of the West Bank and Gaza, ultimately reaching a political path that secures the right of the Palestinian people to their independent state with its capital in Jerusalem." Haniya welcomed the resolution passed by the UN General Assembly the previous day, which called for a ceasefire with a significant majority.
