Hamas marks Al-Aqsa Intifada anniversary, urges Arab, Muslim support for Palestinians

Palestinian group Hamas marked the 26th anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Intifada on Monday and called on Arabs, Muslims and supporters worldwide to back the Palestinian people in regaining their rights, Anadolu reports.

“Our compass will remain firmly directed toward liberating the land and holy sites, and we call on our nation and free people around the world to support our people’s struggle and steadfastness until they secure their legitimate rights,” Hamas said in a statement marking the intifada, which erupted on Sept. 28, 2000.

It said this year’s anniversary comes amid an “unprecedented escalation” by Israel against the Palestinians and holy sites, including East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“This was accompanied by Israeli protection for extremist occupiers and efforts to Judaize Al-Aqsa, desecrate it and erase its features, as well as advance annexation and displacement plans,” it said.

“Israeli measures will not succeed in extinguishing the flame of resistance or undermining the determination and will of the Palestinian people,” the group said.

It reiterated that Palestinians “will not relinquish their land, rights, national principles or holy sites,” saying Israeli government plans “are destined to fail.”

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The group called for Palestinian agreement on a unified strategy, backed by sustained Arab, Muslim and international support and “effective partnership” from supporters around the world.

It called on Arab and Muslim countries and supporters worldwide to take political, diplomatic, media and popular action to support Palestinians and oppose measures targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque.

On Sept. 28, 2000, then-Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem under heavy security, an event that sparked the Al-Aqsa Intifada.

The uprising lasted around five years, during which 4,412 Palestinians were killed and 48,322 others injured, according to official figures.

​​​​​​​Israel was established in 1948 on Palestinian land seized by armed Zionist groups that carried out massacres and displaced at least 750,000 Palestinians. Israel later occupied the remaining Palestinian territories and continues to reject withdrawal and the establishment of a Palestinian state as stipulated in UN resolutions.

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