Mishaal confirmed that the Palestinians are defending themselves and they have escalated their resistance because of the occupation’s insistence on its crimes by storming Al-Aqsa and its plans to displace the residents of Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Occupied Jerusalem.

On what it takes to end such escalation, he said: “Let the occupation withdraw from the Al-Aqsa Mosque, prevent settlers from approaching it, prevent tampering with the Old City and its gates, stop trying to displace Sheikh Jarrah’s residents, stop his aggression on Gaza, and release the detainees who were arrested during the recent escalation.”

The Hamas leader emphasized that the Palestinians in Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the 1948 occupied lands are one people. “We are under occupation and blockade and any people under occupation have the right to resist”, he underlined. 

On efforts exerted to deescalate the situation, Mishaal said that there are efforts by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US administration with its allies and Russia and these efforts are appreciated. 

He concluded by appreciating the support of the Arab and Islamic nation to the Palestinian people and their resistance. (ILKHA)