On Hamas Anniversary, Khaled Meshaal Promises To ‘Continue Resistance’
Exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, vowed to continue resistance in his speech at Saturday’s rally marking the 25th anniversary of the Palestinian Islamist group.
Over 100,000 Palestinians gathered in the Gaza strip on Saturday afternoon to listen to Meshaal’s speech.
The Hamas leader took to the main stage accompanied by his deputy, Mussa Abu Marzouk, and Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniya.
The venue – the Al-Qitaba complex, west of Gaza City – was covered with green Hamas flags and large portraits of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Ahmed Jabari, the military commander assassinated in an Israeli strike on 14 November, framed the stage.
A model M75 missile was also erected on the open-air stage to recall the rockets that were fired last month towards Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Addressing the crowd, Meshaal said that Hamas would never recognize Israel.
“There is no legitimacy for occupation. Hence, there is no legitimacy for Israel, however long time lasts,” he told supporters.
Meshaal went on to say that Palestinians will not cede and part of their land.
“Palestine is our land and nation from the [Mediterranean] sea to the [Jordan] river, from north to south,” he said.
The Hamas leader told cheering fans: “Statehood will be the fruit of resistance, not negotiations.”
