Hamas says it ‘remains steadfast’ in face of Israeli offensive in Jabalia refugee camp

By Mohammed Ragawi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq said on Friday that the resistance group “remains steadfast” in the face of an Israeli military offensive in the Jabalia refugee camp, which has continued for the past six days.

Since Oct. 6, the Israeli army has imposed a tight siege on Jabalia, following an escalation of violence in northern Gaza, marking the fiercest clashes since May.

In a statement, Rishq said: "Our people's choice will always remain … steadfastness on the ground, resilience, and resistance against the occupation's aggression."

He characterized the Israeli actions as akin to "Nazi terrorism," highlighting that “since Oct. 7 of last year, the Israeli army has engaged in various forms of aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Jerusalem without achieving any of its violent objectives.”

"Those who hold firmly to their land and defend their rights will have the final word, while this fascist enemy will only reap further disappointment, failure, and defeat, despite international silence and complicity," he added.

The Israeli army has warned Palestinians in Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahia to evacuate their homes and move south. However, the Gaza authorities cautioned residents about complying, labeling these warnings as "deception and lies."

This marks the third ground operation by the Israeli army in Jabalia since the onset of the ongoing war on Oct. 7, 2023, following previous incursions in November and December of last year.

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

More than 42,100 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 98,100 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi