Islamic Jihad Says Resistance Operation against Israel Could Expand beyond Gaza
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Islamic Jihad resistance movement said the ongoing operation against Israel is no longer confined to the Gaza Strip, and other fronts, including resistance groups in the occupied West Bank, may soon join the large-scale battle.
Abu Hamza, a spokesman for the al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement, stated in an audio speech that "Operation al-Aqsa Storm" could expand to include the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948, according to Lebanon's al-Mayadeen news channel.
He emphasized that the scope of the conflict is broadening and noted that the events in south Lebanon were only a small example of what may be in store for the enemy.
Abu Hamza expressed confidence in an imminent victory.
He called on resistance fighters in the West Bank, including the Jenin and Lion's Den brigades, and all Palestinians there to engage in confrontations with the Israeli occupation, stating, "We have come prepared for you outside Palestine, just as we were inside Palestine, and the events that unfolded in the Gaza Envelope shall be mirrored in other battlegrounds."
Abu Hamza pointed to Israel's brutal attacks on the Gaza Strip and highlighted the enemy's inability to face the resistance, resulting in its targeting of women and children.
The resistance movement Hamas on Saturday initiated Operation al-Aqsa Storm in response to Israeli violations at al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East al-Quds and growing settler violence, marking the largest military operation against Israel in decades.
Israeli media outlets have reported over 1,300 settlers and troops killed, with more than 3,300 injured as a result of the conflict.
In response to Hamas' actions, Israel launched deadly strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip and imposed a total blockade on the territory to compensate for losses suffered during Operation al-Aqsa Storm.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in a death toll of 1,354, including numerous children, and more than 6,000 people injured.
The recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza also claimed the life of Abdul-Rahman Shehab, a senior commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement, and his family, as Israel's relentless onslaught in the enclave entered its sixth consecutive day.
The United Nations has called for the establishment of a safe corridor to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies, including medical, food, and fuel, for Gaza's electricity generation station.
The UN's human rights chief has stated that Israel's imposition of a total blockade on the Gaza Strip constitutes a war crime and a violation of international law.
Since the start of the conflict, over 340,000 Palestinians have been displaced across Gaza, with nearly 218,600 taking refuge in UNRWA schools in the territory.