Al-Qassam Website - The Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, announced the martyrdom of a distinguished group of the Palestinian people and valiant fighters who had passed away following the occupation’s breach of the ceasefire and the resumption of its criminal war last March.

In a speech delivered Monday, Dec 29, the spokesperson for the Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obaida, said: “With pride and honor, we mourn the great martyred commander and fighter, Chief of Staff of the Qassam Brigades late Mohammed Sinwar (Abu Ibrahim); the great commander Mohammed Shabana (Abu Anas), Commander of the Rafah Brigade; the great commander Hakam Issa (Abu Omar), head of the Combat Weapons Division; and the great commander, the martyred sheikh Raed Saad (Abu Muadh), head of the Manufacturing Division of the al-Qassam Brigades.”

He added: “Declaring that at this very moment, we can only stand in reverence and esteem to the one who used to shine in this place, who had long addressed you with his powerful voice and awaited announcements, the masked figure loved by millions who anticipated his appearances with eagerness, the martyred great commander Hudhayfah Samir al-Kahlout (Abu Obaida), the late spokesperson for the Brigades and its media office head, best known as the resounding voice of the nation and a man of word and stance, from whom we inherited the title ‘Abu Obaida.’ Peace be upon you among the immortal, and we pledge to continue the path.”

The military spokesperson emphasized that October 7 was a resounding eruption in the face of oppression, repression, and siege, and of all forms of aggression against Al-Aqsa and the Palestinian people, actions that crossed all red lines, ignored all demands and warnings, and disregarded all covenants and agreements.

 Abu Obaida stressed that the “(Al-Aqsa) Flood came to correct the course, bring a cause that had begun to fade from memory back to the forefront, awaken the consciences of free people across the nation and the world, expose the occupation’s brutality, criminality, and acts of destruction, and place it under accountability”.

Reiterating that steadfastness and sacrifices of the Palestinian people thwarted all the enemy’s schemes, he explained that the ceasefire that came into effect more than two months ago was the result of the steadfastness of “our people’s sacrifices and its fighters’ resilience”, and “should our enemy had gone unnoticed and witnessed submission or surrender from our people, it would not have ceased its destruction of people, property, and the land”.

“Despite all the attacks and violations since the cessation of the war, which crossed all red lines, the resistance fulfilled its obligations and acted with the utmost responsibility, prioritizing the interests of our people and denying the occupation the opportunity it seeks to fabricate false pretexts to resume bloodshed, Abu Obaida continued”.

Reaffirming that the right to respond to the occupation’s crimes is inherent and guaranteed, the spokesperson called on all concerned parties to restrain the occupation, halt its aggression, and compel it to abide by what was agreed upon. “We also urge those who may concern to work on disarming the occupation’s lethal weaponry, which has been and continues to be used in the destruction of our people, instead of wasting time focusing on the light arms of Palestinians the enemy seeks to use as a flimsy pretext to sabotage the ceasefire agreement. Our people are defending themselves and will not lay down their weapons as long as the occupation remains.”

The military spokesperson affirmed that the occupation’s aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque, the West Bank, and detainees is escalating, and the desecration of Al-Aqsa, the forced displacement of our people in West Bank (refugee) camps, and settler terrorism in its streets, endeavours to complete annexation plans, and the brutal aggression against detainees and the passing of a law legalizing their execution are good points in case that require our people’s confrontation.

Addressing the nation, he said: “Relieve Gaza, which continues to endure severe suffering. It is your duty to assist and alleviate its hardship since you are able to do so. This is the least that can be offered to its people after many abandoned them while they were subjected to genocide.”

He stressed that the occupation’s dismay has begun and that what he described as the “eight decade’s curse” has befallen it, and that a future war would shake its foundations and erode them, considering that as indicators of its dismay. He also confirmed that the blood shed of children, women, and civilians, and the destruction of livelihoods, will continue to pursue it, and that its growing isolation and loss of support signal an approaching end.

Abu Obaida concluded by saluting the “heroes of our Ummah from Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan and from elsewhere as well as all who supported our people in various forums and organized marches, activities, and freedom flotillas”.