Head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Khalil Al-Hayya, said on Thursday, “The world stood in awe of the sacrifices, steadfastness, and patience shown by the people of Gaza.”
“The people of Gaza fought a war the world had never witnessed before, confronting the tyranny, brutality, and massacres of the enemy’s army. The people of Gaza stood firm like mountains, their resolve unbroken despite death, displacement, hunger, loss of loved ones, and destruction of homes.”
On the anniversary of the glorious October 7 Battle, we honor our martyred leaders — Haniyeh, Al-Arouri, Al-Sinwar, and Al-Deif — the initiators of the operation, he added.
“We stand before the heroism of the resistance fighters who fought from point-blank range and stood like towering mountains before the occupation’s tanks.”
“Just as you were men on the battlefield, your brothers were men at the negotiation table, keeping the interests of our people and the preservation of their blood foremost in our minds from the very first moment of the battle. Yet, this criminal enemy stalled, committed massacre after massacre, and repeatedly sabotaged the mediators’ efforts,” Hamas leader said.
When we began a ceasefire on January 17, the enemy quickly violated the agreement, confirming its persistent policy of breaching accords, breaking promises, and fabricating lies, Hayya added.
“Despite all this, we continued indirect negotiations that went through long periods of stalling, regression, and obstruction at every attempt. Still, we never ceased to exert every possible effort to stop the aggression and end the war of extermination. We acted with a high sense of responsibility regarding the US President’s plan and presented a response that upholds our people’s interests, rights, and safety, including our vision for ending the war. Our delegation arrived in the Arab Republic of Egypt with full responsibility and positivity, which enabled us and the resistance factions to reach an agreement we now present proudly to our beloved people.”
“Today, we announce that an agreement has been reached to end the war and aggression against our people, initiating the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions. The agreement also includes a captive exchange, under which 250 captives serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza arrested after October 7 will be released, along with all women and children,” he said.
“We have received guarantees from the mediators and from the US administration confirming that the war has completely ended. We will continue to work with national and Islamic forces to complete the remaining steps, safeguard our people’s interests, ensure their right to self-determination, and achieve their full rights until the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
“We salute our people everywhere — in the West Bank, the 1948 territories, and abroad — with the highest appreciation, and we extend deep gratitude to our brothers, the mediators, in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Türkiye, and to our partners in blood and battle in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
“We salute all those who stood in solidarity with us across the world — the free people who took to the streets by the hundreds of thousands, even millions, raising their voices for truth. We also extend our appreciation to those who joined the support and freedom convoys by land and sea, and to everyone who stood with us, speaking a word of truth against tyranny and oppression on this earth.”
“For two years, Gaza has performed miracles alone, healing its wounds. For two years, Gaza has defended Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa, fighting this enemy with unmatched bravery and heroism, affirming that Gaza is forbidden to its enemies — its men do not break, and the betrayal of others cannot harm them,” Hayya said.
“Peace be upon Gaza, peace upon the men of Gaza, peace upon the women of Gaza, peace upon the children of Gaza, peace upon the elders of Gaza, peace upon the martyrs of Gaza, the wounded of Gaza, the prisoners of Gaza, and peace upon the great martyred leaders,” Al-Hayya concluded.
