The spokesman for Hamas’ Qassam Brigades confirmed that the resistance remains entrenched across Gaza and will continue to fight.
Israel has failed to achieve all of its goals since it launched its war on the Gaza Strip, the spokesman for Hamas’ Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said in a speech marking the 200th day of war on 23 April.
“200 days and our resistance in Gaza is as firm as the mountains of Palestine,” Abu Obeida said.
“The occupation forces are trying to convince the world that they have eliminated all resistance factions, and this is a big lie … The enemy was unable, in 200 days, to achieve anything other than mass massacres, destruction, and killing. The enemy is still stuck in the sands of Gaza, and what he will reap will only be more anger, revenge, and disgrace,” he added.
In a message addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abu Obeida said, “Your death, the end of your occupation, and your downfall are your fate, and your crying in front of the world will not help in changing your image.”
Hamas’ military wing, the Ezzeddine al-Qassam Brigades, and several other resistance factions, including the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement’s Quds Brigades, remain entrenched across the Gaza Strip and engaged in operations against Israeli troops.
Despite this, Israel claims that southernmost Rafah is Hamas’ final stronghold – and is planning a devastating assault on the desperately overcrowded city.
During his speech, Abu Obeida praised the several fronts that opened in support of the resistance in Gaza at the start of the war in October.
“We appreciate every military and popular effort towards Al-Aqsa flood, especially the fighting fronts in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.”
The spokesman also praised the resistance factions in the occupied West Bank, as well as Iran’s Operation True Promise, which saw hundreds of drones and missiles target Israel on 14 April in response to the Israeli strike on the Tehran consulate in Damascus at the start of this month.
“Iran’s response, in its size and nature, established new rules and confused the enemy’s calculations.”
Abu Obeida confirmed that “resistance will continue as long as the occupation’s aggression or its presence continues on any inch of our land.”
“We will not give up the basic rights of our people, most notably withdrawal, lifting the siege, and the return of the displaced to their homes. The resistance will remain faithful to the sacrifices of our people, and we carry their pain and hopes.”
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