Gaza resistance movements reiterate their resistance to the Israeli occupation and determination to liberate Palestine

Both Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) held well-attended events in the Gaza Strip in the past week, celebrating the anniversaries of their founding and reiterating their resistance to the Israeli occupation and determination to liberate Palestine.

December 12 marked the 48th anniversary of the PFLP, while December 16 was the 28th birthday of Hamas.

Referring to the 2006 elections, "a crucial transition in the history of Hamas and Palestine," Hamas noted they "clearly were not the horse Israel or the western powers bet on, and in a barbaric and uncivilized way, the world backed Israel to impose a siege and wage three wars on Gaza to end Hamas rule and put an end to the free and democratic choice of the Palestinian people."

"28 years ago, a handful of Hamas members were a crucial part of the first Palestinian intifada, throwing stones, barricading the roads so that the Israeli military jeeps could not pass, and fighting the occupiers' brutality with Molotov, knives, and later on pistols. Today, 28 years later, Hamas has strategically improved and developed and grown militarily, socially, politically, and institutionally. Hamas now is capable of defending the Palestinian people against Israeli aggression without kneeling, without giving up Palestinian rights and demands. Hamas is here to acheive an independent, free Palestine. Hamas is here to stay," they said.

The Islamic Movement released a Press Statement to mark the occasion:

A statement on the 28th anniversary of Hamas foundation

On the 28th anniversary of Hamas foundation, which coincides with Jerusalem intifada that defends Al-Aqsa Mosque and the sanctities in Jerusalem, Hamas is proud of its contribution to the resistance project, mainly armed resistance, after the PA abandoned it and adopted fruitless negotiations and security coordination.

Despite assassination of Hamas's prominent Leaders and cadres, Hamas did not give up Palestinian rights and constants, and has recorded unprecedented heroic acts in defending the land and people of Palestine.

Hamas won the municipal and legislative elections, liberated Gaza from Israeli occupation and freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, both men and women.

Hamas and al-Qassam Brigades have defended the Palestinian people against three Israeli offensives, achieving a balance of terror and deterrence with Israeli occupation, and proving that the Palestinian people are able to defeat the Israeli siege and strangulation.

Over the years, Hamas has proved uncontainable, unbreakable despite the enemy's plots and conspiracies. Hamas is still embraced by the Palestinian people and the noble peoples of the Arab and Muslim nations. It also remains a source of inspiration to the free peoples all over the world.

On our 28th anniversary, we in Hamas vow to continue our resistance and steadfastness until almighty Allah grants us triumph.

Hamas takes the opportunity of its 28th anniversary to emphasize the following:

1. Hamas will never recognize the Israeli occupation, and confirms that Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean is an Arab, Islamic country.

2. The right of return is a sacred, non-negotiable individual and collective right.

3. Jerusalem is the core of our struggle with the Israeli occupation, its holiness inspired from our faith and the blood of the martyrs, men, women and children. Therefore, we will never compromise even one inch or a grain of its soil or holy sites.

4. We vow to free our heroic Palestinian prisoners in an honorable prisoners swap deal similar to Wfaa Alahrar's.

5. Palestine is the trust of the nation, and it is a must for all free honest people in our nation to contribute to the liberation of Palestine. Hamas vows to remain faithful to the liberation of Palestine and to keep its weapons directed at the Israeli occupation only.

6. We confirm that the Jerusalem intifada is an opportunity for unity. We support its continuation, we call on the PA to end security coordination with the Israeli occupation, and leave the illusions of peace with it, for Israel does not recognize our right to our land and holy places.

7. We salute our people in the Occupied Territories of 1948 for their heroic struggle against Judaization schemes, particularly Sheikh Raed Salah, the families of martyrs and wounded and worshipers at Al Aqsa Mosque.

8. We salute the Palestinian people in the Occupied West Bank who broke barriers of fear and terror of the Israeli occupation, and carried out heroic resistance operations against Israeli soldiers and settlers.

9. We salute the Palestinian people in Gaza, who have endured three brutal Israeli offensives and a nine-year-long siege, and who still struggle against all threats and conspiracies.

10. We also salute the Palestinian refugees in the diaspora, who are suffering displacement and internal conflicts, and we urge Arab countries to honor and relieve them until they return to their land.

The Islamic Resistance Movement 14 December 2015

On 12 December the PFLP held a march from Soraya to the UN Headquarters in Gaza City, where Jamil Mizher, member of the Political Bureau and leader of the PFLP branch in Gaza, delivered the keynote speech. He saluted those who have died in the struggle to liberate Palestine, and made special mention of Sami Madi, who was killed in Bureij by Israeli occupation forces the previous day while participating in demonstrations on the Gaza border to mark the Front's anniversary.

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails were also singled out for attention. PFLP General Secretary Ahmad Sa'adat and his fellow leaders Khalida Jarrar and Ahed Abu Ghoulmeh, as well as the diverse Palestinian leaders held behind bars such as Marwan Barghouti, Jamal Abu al-Hija and Hassan Salameh were all honoured for their sacrifices and struggles.

Mizher stressed that the role of the people in the current uprising is superseding all narrow interests and internal divisions, noting that US imperialism and the so-called "Quartet" in Palestine would be unable to stop the intifada without forcing their strategic partner, the Israeli occupier, to recognize the rights of the Palestinian people.

"Our people will no longer accept the path of negotiations and Oslo," he said, while strongly criticising the Palestinian leadership in the occupied west Bank for continuing to "impede the implementation of decisions by the PLO's Central Council" through its ongoing security coordination with Israel.