Half a Million Gazans Pledge Allegiance to Hamas

: On 31st Anniversary of Its Founding

GAZA -- Nearly half a million Palestinians gathered for an afternoon rally on Sunday to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the founding of Hamas, the Islamic government in the Gaza Strip.
They packed out Al-Katiba square in the center of Gaza, waving flags as chants and a military parade were held on the main stage.

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political chief, said in a speech at the rally that a technological device had been seized from the Israeli military after an undercover operation in Gaza was exposed last month.
The device, Haniyeh said, exposed the Zionist military’s operational method in Gaza. 

"The times when the Israeli Special Force entered into and left Gaza are precisely known to (Hamas's military wing) al-Qassam. Moreover, al-Qassam leaders know how many hours the Israeli Special Force stayed in Gaza," he said.

"A trove of technical and security information was collected by al-Qassam after the Israeli Special Force's Infiltration into Gaza. The information will be used to reveal the work mechanisms of the Israeli special forces in West Bank, Arab states and other countries."

Undercover Israeli special forces infiltrated into the territory in a civilian car near Khan Yunis, opening fire and killing local commander Noor Baraka when they were discovered.

The unit was chased by Hamas fighters who killed a ranking Zionist officer. The occupying regime then launched dozens of airstrikes on Gaza, drawing Hamas retaliation. During a two-day flare-up, more than 500 rockets were fired at Zionist targets, forcing Tel Aviv to accept a hasty declaration of a ceasefire.

The Hamas leader also commented on the two attacks in the West Bank this week, where two Zionist troops were killed in drive-by shootings.

"I will also respond to the Zionists who are saying what is happening in the West Bank is based on directives and arrangements from Gaza. This is an accusation that we do not deny… because it is a source of pride reigning over all of us,” Haniyeh said.

Hamas was established in 1987 soon after the first Palestinian Intifada or uprising broke out against the Israeli occupation. The movement has been administering Gaza since 2007 when it scored a surprise parliamentary victory. 

On Saturday, Hamas marked the anniversary of its foundation with a military parade featuring the Palestinian resistance movement’s new rockets. 

"After 31 years since the start of the Hamas movement, the occupation is no longer the only one that controls the balance of the battle,” Hamas said in a statement leading up to the rally. 

"Rather, the resistance has become the most powerful… This is proof of the growth of the resistance and its increase in all forms, day after day, and soon the day will come when the resistance will uproot the occupation from our land.”

He also criticized the Oslo agreement, signed in 1994 as the basis of a "peace” settlement that has not materialized and under which Zionist forces are not allowed to operate in Palestinian cities.

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to unveil his own plan described as the "deal of century” which reportedly strips Palestinians of most of their rights, including their claim to Jerusalem al-Qaeda. 

All Palestinian groups, including the Fatah party of Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, have rejected the proposal which is reportedly backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.  

Gaza expects new developments, Netanyahu’s possible adventure

By Farzad Farhadi

TEHRAN - Following the short war between Israel defense forces (IDF) and Palestinian resistance group, the question is what is awaiting Gaza particularly after the defeat of the Zionists. 

Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Jewish Home leader, speaking at the Knesset in Al-Quds recently, has slammed Netanyahu saying, “Israel has stopped winning and Netanyahu won’t quit the government. Israel is facing a security confidence crisis, not a political crisis. There are enemies, but not an enemy that worries me. The source of the crisis is not its external enemies but is the bad internal situation. Israel has not won as that was the case in the Second Lebanon War (33-day war against Lebanon) in 2006, and it was frustration, disunity, and lack of spirit for Israel. Hamas and Hezbollah have become more courageous because they believe that we are afraid of confronting them. The Israeli ship is not going the right way.”

Tsizka Fogel, an Israeli general and the former commander of the southern Israeli army told Mario, “The Middle East is witnessing new enemies like Hezbollah in the north and Hamas in the south of Israel. Some 50 years ago, in June 1967, Israel fought with three Arab states and defeated them all, but today, we cannot win the battle against Hamas. Israel’s security condition today is an insult to the October 1973 war, because it seems that politicians do not care about the future of Israel and are engaged in political games, and even Benjamin Netanyahu's delivers an unacceptable illusion story to us.

Additionally, some other Zionist authorities have, too, spoken of defeat against Hamas. What remains to be seen is that after the recent grand victory of the Palestinian resistance group and failure of Israeli security operation when Hamas fired 500 rockets to Israeli settlements, what the future holds for the Gazans. Will there be another conflict as Netanyahu is going to bring back glory to its worn down military among the Zionists? 

A senior Hamas official doesn’t see the likelihood of that and in an interview with Raialyoum newspaper said, “A military attack and retaliation against the Gaza Strip is very unlikely because Israeli military commanders have realized that another war will take a heavy toll on them, be it emotionally, financially or human life.  However, it is likely that the Mossad tries to assassinate some of the Hamas's top officials by the US help, especially since the US has recently offered a $5 million reward for two Hezbollah officials, and one with Hamas who is Saleh al-Arouri, a prominent leader of Hamas.

The victory in Gaza has military and political importance and will strengthen Hamas’ position. This is while Netanyahu’s financial pressure on Gaza and Hamas has lost effect after the United Nations monitored the power plant in Gaza. In other words, after the victory of Hamas, the situation in Gaza will not be the same. 

The Zionist regime is quite disturbed as it is apparent from their media which are mirror of all the thoughts of decision-makers in Tel Aviv.

The Israeli media analyzed Netanyahu’s speech on Sunday, and some have suggested the possibility of a war without a frontier by Tel Aviv that is against Palestinian resistance group in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria and other areas.  

Alex Fishman, an analyst at Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said, “The longer it takes for Israel to have an election day, the more likelihood of a war between Israel and Palestinian resistance group. Netanyahu’s speech on Sunday was the most dangerous speeches he has ever delivered in recent years which may push him to a war to restore his face after their defeat in Gaza. Netanyahu’s objective is to postpone election by relying on his position as Israel’s prime minister. However, the election should be held very soon to prevent threats. It is very unlikely that Lt. General Gadi Eisenkot, commander of the Israeli army, whose term ends next December, and other Israeli generals agree to another war.”

However, others consider Netanyahu's speech an attempt to calm Israel’s internal affairs and repair his damaged reputation after his recent defeat. Among these analysts is Simeon Schiff, who in his article in Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper called Netanyahu's speech “a campaign speech”. 
«The editor of Haaretz newspaper Alfuf Ben resembled Netanyahu's speech to an election campaign speech, and said, “Any military adventure in the north or south will be as a major challenge for Netanyahu, which will end its term.”
However, some believe that the pressure that Netanyahu is struggling with may make him think of an adventure or a widespread anti-Gaza war in response to critics, especially since protests in occupied Palestine are still ongoing against Netanyahu.

The Palestinian resistance groups are prepared, especially since all the evidence show that Netanyahu may turn to a military confrontation in Gaza. Netanyahu will not do anything to rebuild his tarnished reputation. 

It is unlikely that Netanyahu takes a new adventure in Syria, but carrying out an operation in Gaza is by far simpler, as he pointed in his speech on Sunday. 

Fadi Abdulhadi, a Palestinian expert told the Palestine Alyoum, "Netanyahu's speeches carry two messages, one for the domestic front and one for the residents of Gaza. Netanyahu's words are dangerous and maybe pave the way for a war on Gaza.” 
Adnan Abu Amer, another Palestinian expert, in an interview with the Palestine Alyoum said, "Netanyahu's speech resembles a war speech."

Ahmad Al-Tayebi, a representative of the Arab Knesset, told the Palestine Alyoum, “It's not unlikely that Netanyahu would launch a new attack on Gaza to improve his condition.”
In any case, it is not unlikely that Netanyahu seeks a new adventure in Gaza.  

Another Defeat for Israel in Gaza

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Zionist regime of Israel experienced yet another military defeat in the besieged city of Gaza this week.

The Palestinian resistance group of Hamas has rightfully described the subsequent resignation of Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman as a "political victory for Gaza", amid threats to an uneasy ceasefire.

Palestinian group's spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri says Lieberman's resignation signals a "recognition of defeat and failure to confront the Palestinian resistance", adding that "Gaza's steadfastness sent a political shockwave" through Israel.

Lieberman resigned in protest over an Egypt-brokered ceasefire reached with Hamas in Gaza.

The truce, announced on Tuesday, was intended to end two days of failed Israeli aerial attacks on Gaza after a botched undercover Israeli operation inside the strip, to which Palestinian factions responded with successful rocket fire.

Lieberman had advocated for a more decisive blow against Hamas and quit in protest. But the usurper regime knows full well that it’s not going to happen.

This is not the first time that the Zionist regime has been forced to surrender to the Palestinian resistance and certainly it won’t be the last. The truce has severely harmed Israel’s so-called invincibility and there’s nothing the regime could possibly do to reverse that.

The situation is so similar to the 50-day conflict in 2014 in which at least 72 Israelis were killed during the Palestinian rocket fire and intense fighting. However, that does in no way mean that Israel will now call it a day. Quite the opposite, the occupying regime will try and find another excuse to attack Gaza, while prolonging the illegal blockade. This is not surprising, because Israel still has the backing of the United States and the diplomatic inaction at the United Nations.

As is, the United States government is in many ways deeply complicit in Israeli war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. This complicity comes mainly through military and financial aid, which is the part and parcel of their unholy alliance; corporations, as the military aid is also a boon to the Military-Industrial Complex; and diplomatic support, which enables Israeli attacks across occupied Palestine by shielding it in diplomatic forums, including at the UN Security Council.

Meaning, Israeli leaders and commanders will continue to commit war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity as defined in the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court. What's more, the US will continue to aid, abet and assist the commission of these crimes by providing Israel with the military means.

Considering the above and reading the tea leaves, war crimes and genocide charges could and must be brought under the Genocide Convention against Israel. The convention also punishes complicity in genocide; Washington’s decision to provision more military aid constitutes complicity.

Although Israeli and US leaders continue to claim that Tel Aviv only acts in self defence, the weight of world opinion and legal cases points in the opposite direction. There is overwhelming opposition to Israeli blockade and military aggression in Gaza and calls for justice and accountability. Both Israeli and US leaders must be criminally prosecuted for committing, aiding and abetting these crimes. There is no other way to bring justice to Gaza.

In between, the international community must remedy its moral responsibility to the victims of Israeli war and occupation, by working to end Israel's occupation and other abuses of Palestinian rights, and by holding Israel to account for this week’s atrocity in Gaza.

Failure to do so will only embolden Israel to carry out yet more botched undercover operations into the besieged city, with deadly consequences for its long-suffering civilians.