According to the Lebanese Hezbollah movement’s Al-Manar TV website, the statement said, “The blood of the martyred leaders strengthens the path of resistance across generations, strengthens the steadfast commitment in their efforts and guarantees loyalty to their sacrifices and march until the liberation of the land and holy places.”
The statement added: “A full year has passed since that heroic epic that the world witnessed. That hero was the leader of the al-Aqsa flood battle, the martyred leader Yahya Sinwar. He ended his life of jihad and sacrifice not retreating but moving forward. Steadfast and at the heart of the battle, waving his staff, he resisted the atrocities and crimes of occupation.”
He continued, “One year after the martyrdom of our great national leader, our people have achieved a national feat with perseverance and fortitude, and our resistance with strength and courage.” The statement referred to the agreement that “stopped all plans of occupation forces to invade our lands and people” and said the agreement stipulated “an end to wars of invasion and extermination, starvation, forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.” He also claimed that the agreement, titled “Flood of Freedom,” would allow “1,968 Palestinian prisoners of war to enjoy freedom and break the arrogance of their Zionist guards.”
On the anniversary, Hamas said it was “proud and fondly remembering his fragrant life and blessed journey.” The paper said that Mr. Sinwar “lived his life as a mujahid from a young age with unwavering determination, defeating his guards during his 23 years of captivity.” The movement said he “continued his journey of preparation, construction, and planning after his release until his birth at dawn on October 7, 2023,” which “conquered the occupation, shook its substance, shattered the military legend, and culminated in his martyrdom on the battlefield.”
The movement asserted that “the martyrdom of our brother leader Yahya Sinwar and all the leaders and icons of the movement before him only strengthens the strength, fortitude and determination of our resistance to the movement, our people and their approach.”
“The flame of the Al-Aqsa Intifada continues to pulsate and burn in the spirit of right-mindedness,” Hamas said. “No matter how great the sacrifices may be made, that flame will never be extinguished in the soul of our great people.” He added: “We uphold the pledge of our martyred leaders. The flag will never fall, and its wavering and defense will remain held high by all our people until the comprehensive liberation and establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Addressing Shinwar directly, the movement said: “On the first anniversary of your martyrdom, Abu Ibrahim, rest in peace. You fulfilled your duty and truly fought to bring down the enemy’s flag. Your pure body has disappeared from the land of Gaza, but your spirit fills the universe and leaves an eternal mark on Palestine.” The report concluded that “the enemy was unable to achieve any offensive goals in the proud land of Gaza and was forced into a humiliating ceasefire.”
Hamas concluded its statement by saying, “Mercy, glory and eternity be to the souls of the martyred hero Yahya Sinwar (Abu Ibrahim) and all the martyrs, leaders and sons of our people and nation. We ask Almighty God to grant them the highest level of paradise with the prophets, the true, the martyrs and the righteous. And what wonderful companions they are.”
MNA