Hamas Leader in the West Bank: Palestinian People Determined to Persist in Their Resistance

“The Palestinian people have no alternative but to resist,” Zaher Jabarin stated to Al Jazeera on Tuesday.

He emphasized that the Palestinian people have shown indifference to Israeli threats, asserting that they will not capitulate despite all the Israeli actions.

The Hamas representative reaffirmed the Palestinians’ right to oppose the Israeli occupation using any necessary measures.

Jabarin characterized the situation as “a religious war,” referring specifically to the actions of extremist Israeli officials entering the al-Aqsa mosque compound.

He emphasized that the primary conflict will center around the al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, asserting that Israel’s plans targeting the sacred site will not succeed.

“Inform [Israel’s minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir that he will meet the same end as all those extremists who desecrate our holy sites. Ben-Gvir’s destiny will mirror that of Ze’evi,” he stated, seemingly alluding to Rehavam Ze’evi, an Israeli minister assassinated in 2001.

On August 13, Ben-Gvir participated alongside hundreds of settlers in entering the mosque compound located in the occupied East Jerusalem.

During a recent controversial visit, Ben-Gvir stated that his “policy” permitted Jewish prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. This site, which is the third holiest in Islam, has had a longstanding agreement, established over a century ago, allowing only Muslims to pray there.

This week, Ben-Gvir announced plans to construct a Jewish synagogue within the al-Aqsa Mosque complex.

He mentioned that if it were within his power, he would construct a synagogue within the al-Asqa Mosque complex.

Jabarin called upon Muslim scholars worldwide to fulfill their responsibility in protecting al-Aqsa and other Islamic holy sites.

He emphasized the critical need for unity among Palestinians in their resistance against the occupation, especially given the challenging current conditions.

Concerning the discussions focused on establishing a ceasefire in Gaza, Jabarin criticized Israel’s Prime Minister for the stalled negotiations, claiming that Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to extend the conflict to serve his own interests. Netanyahu is currently dealing with accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, stemming from three separate cases initiated in 2019.

Jabarin’s comments coincide with ongoing negotiations in Egypt aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza.

Months of intermittent negotiations have not succeeded in reaching a deal to halt Israel’s devastating conflict in the blockaded area.

On October 7, Israel initiated military actions against Gaza following a surprise offensive, named Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, conducted by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. This operation was a response to the longstanding violence and destruction inflicted by the Israeli regime on Palestinians.

The regime’s violent assault on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 40,476 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and has left 93,647 others injured. Additionally, thousands remain unaccounted for and are feared to be buried under the debris.

Since Israel commenced its offensive on the blockaded Gaza Strip in October, there has been a surge in violence in the West Bank as well, with actions by Israeli forces and settlers resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians.