On Al-Aqsa Intifada anniversary, Hamas calls for Israel to be held accountable

In a statement issued on Thursday, Hamas said the Palestinian people are marking the 11th anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, which erupted on October 1, 2015, following an escalation in Zionist regime’s attacks and settler violence, including the burning of the Dawabsheh family in the Nablus governorate, amid continuing attacks on Occupied Al-Quds and Aqsa Mosque and mounting violations across the occupied Palestinian territories.

Hamas said the Al-Aqsa Intifada would remain “an enduring milestone of struggle” in Palestinian memory, reflecting a period of national unity in confronting Israeli attacks. It stressed that attacks on Al-Quds and Aqsa Mosque would continue to fuel Palestinian steadfastness and struggle.

The Movement said the uprising represented, at the time, a Palestinian response to a series of attacks and crimes, stressing that the blood of those killed “will not be shed in vain, no matter how much time passes,” and that Palestinians would continue defending their rights and holy sites.

The statement said the Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks and settler violence stand as testimony to the crimes of the occupation, stressing that the continuing escalation in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and Jerusalem would neither break the will of the Palestinian people nor extinguish their steadfastness.

Hamas said the continued targeting of Palestinian land, people, and holy sites would not weaken Palestinians’ commitment to their rights, calling for continued efforts to protect the Palestinian people and hold those responsible for violations accountable.

The Movement renewed its call on the international community, including governments and international organizations, to fulfill its political, humanitarian, and moral responsibilities and act to stop the Israeli government’s escalating crimes in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and Occupied Al-Quds.

It called for practical measures to hold Israeli officials accountable, including investigations into crimes and violations and the prosecution of those responsible in accordance with international law, warning that the continuation of such violations threatens international peace, security, and stability.

Hamas concluded its statement by honoring the Palestinian martyrs and wishing the wounded a speedy recovery and freedom for Palestinian prisoners. It also saluted Palestinians remaining steadfast inside Palestine and abroad, reaffirming its commitment to continuing the struggle to achieve the Palestinian people’s aspirations for the liberation of their land and holy sites.