Historic Convention of Palestinian Resistance in Tehran

TEHRAN -- The leaders of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, two prominent Palestinian groups fighting the Israeli occupation, have expressed their gratitude to Iran for its support in the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip. 

During separate meetings with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, both Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Ziyad al-Nakhala of the Islamic Jihad acknowledged Iran’s backing since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023.
Haniyeh said the war in Gaza is a world war and the U.S. governing body is the main accomplice of the Zionist crimes as it is in charge of guiding the military operations of the Zionist regime.
Nakhala, for his part, compared the conflict to the 7th century Battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, an event that holds particular significance to Shia Muslims to this day, during his talks with Ayatollah Khamenei, highlighting the resilience and unity of the people and resistance forces of Gaza against the plots by the U.S., Israel, and their allies.
“Despite facing numerous difficulties and conspiracies, the people of Gaza have displayed an unparalleled steadfastness alongside the Resistance forces,” Nakhala said. “Together, they have successfully foiled the plots devised by the U.S., the Zionist regime, and their supporters to dismantle the Resistance.”
With Ayatollah Khamenei lauding the Gaza-based movements for having “turned Palestine to the world’s first issue,” the talks showcased the emergence of a broader

 “Axis of Resistance” coalition, as well as Tehran’s leading role in the multi-front war against the U.S. hegemony and Zionist occupation. 
“The peak of dignity and steadfastness of the people of Gaza and Palestine and the failure of the Zionist regime in this six-month war is a divine occurrence and phenomenon,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. 
“The Zionist regime’s continuing to kill women and children despite all the military equipment and support it receives from the world’s oppressive powers is proof that regime is unable to counter and defeat the Resistance forces.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Up until now, the Resistance forces and the people of Gaza are the winners in the battlefield.” 
“With God’s grace, you will see the ultimate victory of the people of Gaza,” he added.
Nakhala said there is complete coordination between the resistance forces, especially Hamas and Islamic Jihad. He said the people of Gaza and the resistance forces are determined to continue standing until the final victory which will be achieved “in the not too distant future”.
 Haniyeh and Nakhala also separately met with President Ebrahim Raisi, chairman of the Chief Staff of Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Bagheri and Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, who reiterated Iran’s support for the resistance movements and the people of Gaza.
“Today, Gaza is the scene of the victory of the Palestinian people’s resistance and faith against the dark, oppressive and unprecedented crimes of the Zionist regime and the United States,” the president said. 
Meanwhile, Gen. Bagheri said the Palestinian cause has been the centerpiece of Iran’s major strategies since the Islamic Revolution, adding “this will definitely continue with full force”.