The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said the “qualitative and heroic operation” in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank was a vivid expression of the determination of the Palestinian people and a clear message to Israel that the resistance would continue and grow stronger until the occupation is driven from Palestinian land and holy sites.
In a statement issued Friday morning, Hamas said the operation at the northern entrance to Hebron was a natural and legitimate response to what it described as ongoing crimes and attacks against Palestinians, their land and holy sites in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as the continued aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.
The following is the full statement:
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Press Statement
The qualitative and heroic operation in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank is a vivid expression of the determination of our steadfast people and a clear message to the Zionist enemy that our resistance will continue and grow stronger until the occupation is driven from our land and holy sites.
We affirm that this heroic operation at the northern entrance to Hebron comes as a natural and legitimate response to the ongoing crimes and brutal attacks against our people, our land and our holy sites in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as the continued aggression against our people in Gaza.
As we mourn before our Palestinian people and our nation the two perpetrators of the operation who were martyred in an armed exchange of fire with soldiers of the occupying Zionist forces, we affirm that our steadfast people will neither surrender nor yield. They will continue on the path of resistance and rejection of occupation, injustice and aggression, and will not lay down their arms until the aggression ends, the occupation of our land is brought to an end, and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is cleansed of the presence of settlers.
We call on our heroic people in all cities, villages and refugee camps to mobilize fully and “turn the land into a fire” beneath the feet of the occupiers and settlers who have spread destruction throughout the steadfast West Bank.
We call on everyone among our free people and our young men who carries weapons to direct their fire at the occupiers, their soldiers and their criminal settlers, who continue to commit what we describe as the most heinous crimes against our people in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
It is jihad — victory or martyrdom.
