Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says the “steely will” of the Palestinians heralds the final victory over the Israeli regime.
Raeisi made the remark in a phone conversation with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, on Sunday, a day after Hamas launched the large-scale Operation al-Aqsa Storm with a heavy barrage of rockets in response to Israel’s desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.
“What happened with the glorious operation of the Palestinian fighters in the occupied territories was the realization of the 70-year-old expectation of the Palestinian nation and the Islamic Ummah,” the Iranian president said.
Raeisi said all Muslim nations would soon pray together in the al-Aqsa Mosque, the first ‘Qibla’ of Muslims.
The president praised the courageous Palestinian operation and said Muslim nations honor the dignity of the Palestinian resistance.
Haniyeh, for his part, appreciated Raeisi’s principled stance as well as the support by the Iranian government and nation for resistance.
He said although the resistance fighters lack the proportionate military equipment and facilities in comparison with those of Israel, they succeeded in disrupting the regime’s balance in the surprise operation.
Haniyeh said the achievements of Palestinian fighters in the battle against Israel were made with the support of the Islamic Ummah and Iran.
Israeli media outlets say more than 700 Israeli settlers and troops have been killed as a result of Operation al-Aqsa Storm. Over 2,100 Israelis have also been injured. The media also say by unofficial estimates approximately 750 Israeli soldiers and settlers have been missing.
In the wake of the Palestinian operation, a spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed that settlers and soldiers are held captive in Gaza. But the spokesperson declined to specify any exact number.
In the Gaza Strip hospital officials have recorded the death of over 370 Palestinians and the injury of nearly 2,200 others. A large number of buildings, homes, and public facilities have also been badly damaged due to heavy Israeli bombardments.
