Al-Qassam Website - The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has marked the 18th anniversary of the Israeli occupation's withdrawal from the besieged Gaza Strip, a testament to the unwavering determination of the Palestinian resistance and the sacrifices of brave Palestinians.

In a press statement, Hamas said the Palestinian resistance had compelled the then-Israeli occupation Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, who had once said, "The fate of Tel Aviv is the fate of Netzarim," to evacuate his armed forces and dismantle the colonial settlements built on private Palestinian lands in the coastal enclave.

Hamas paid tribute to the heroic Palestinian martyrs who had sacrificed their lives in the struggle for freedom against the Israeli occupation.

Hamas reaffirmed that the strategy of comprehensive resistance, which had led to the Israeli occupation's withdrawal from Gaza, remains the sole path to counter the occupation's Judaisation efforts and colonial settlement expansions in the occupied West Bank.

In the face of the escalating attacks on occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank by the Israeli occupation, Hamas emphasised that these attacks would not confer legitimacy upon the settler colonial occupation entity, nor would they change facts of history.

On the 17-year-long unjust siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, the Islamic resistance movement said the siege "is a stain on those who remained silent and inactive, failing to denounce or put an end to this inhumane blockade".

Hamas expressed its deep appreciation for the efforts exerted by some states and organisations to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. Hamas also encouraged them to continue, promote, and expand their humanitarian projects commensurate with the gravity of the repercussions of the blockade.