Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah Holds a Special Place in Palestinian Hearts

In a recent interview with the Arabic Khamenei.ir, Ziayd al-Nakhalah, the Secretary-General of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), spoke about the desperation of the Zionist regime in ceasefire negotiations. “Israel will ultimately be compelled to implement the agreement to secure the release of its prisoners, especially since there are soldiers and generals among the remaining captives,” he remarked. Mr. al-Nakhalah expressed appreciation for Hezbollah’s role in defending Palestine and described Martyr Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah as the “Master of Martyrs of Palestine.”

The Secretary-General of the PIJ emphasized the importance of a grand funeral procession for Martyr Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyid Hashem Safieddine. “All the Palestinian Resistance groups will participate with strength in the funeral procession of these two martyrs,” he stated.

Question: You and your accompanying delegation had your first meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution following the ceasefire [in Gaza] and the achievement of victory during your most challenging confrontation with the Zionist enemy. What stood out as the most significant aspect of this meeting, and how would you evaluate it?

1. al-Nakhalah: Firstly, our meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution holds great significance for both the people and the Resistance of Palestine. You’re aware that a few days ago a delegation from our brothers in Hamas also met with him. We have confidence and certainty in the Leader of the Islamic Revolution’s role in supporting the Palestinian Resistance on political and spiritual levels, as well as in other areas. Therefore, the Palestinian people and Palestinian Resistance are very grateful to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. This underscores the importance of our meeting with him. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has strongly commended the Palestinian Resistance and its achievements in Palestine, Lebanon, and the region. Here [in this meeting] too we can find the significance of meeting with the magnanimous leader, as the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. He has played and continues to play a fundamental role in supporting the Palestinian Resistance, Lebanon, and the entire region.

Question: More than 500 days have passed since the beginning of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The Islamic Jihad Movement has stood alongside other Islamic Resistance groups since the very first day, and it has also sacrificed many martyrs on the path of Islam and the Quran. Let us honor the memory of Martyr Sinwar and Martyr Haniyeh here as well. The last time we met with Martyr Haniyeh he was with you. We clearly saw that the Resistance dealt powerful blows to the Zionist enemy. After the ceasefire in Gaza, we saw that the Islamic Jihad Movement has played a clear and significant role in the process of prisoner exchanges, particularly during the event where Israeli prisoners were handed over, an action that incited anger from the Zionist enemy. How did you perceive the unity among Palestinian Resistance groups during this battle? Could the presence of this unity among the Palestinian Resistance groups be regarded as one of the achievements of the Resistance in this battle?

1. al-Nakhalah: The Resistance groups, especially Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), stood together as a united front and with a unified stance from the very first day. We declared [from the very first day] that we are united on the battlefield. In the political arena and negotiations too, we have a single team with a unified perspective. All the martyrs of the Palestinian Resistance, particularly the martyrs of Hamas and the PIJ, are martyrs of this grand and blessed battle. From here, I declare that the Palestinian people offered their great leaders and commanders in this battle. Our brothers, Commander Ismail Haniyeh, Commander Yahya Sinwar, and other great commanders from the Jihad and Hamas movements have attained martyrdom.

In a spirit of gratitude, appreciation, and loyalty, I must also acknowledge our brothers in Lebanon, the Lebanese Resistance, for their steadfastness and support of the Palestinian people and Resistance over the course of more than a year. The Lebanese Resistance continues to stand as a supporter of the Palestinian Resistance. Our great Sayyid, the master of the martyrs of Palestine, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, along with senior Hezbollah commanders, were martyred in the path of jihad and resistance. All these events unfolded within the framework of a unified and cohesive stance [by the Resistance] against the Zionist enemy. I would also like to pay tribute to the martyrs of Yemen and our martyred brothers from the Islamic Republic. The Resistance, in every region, fought together as one. In particular, I must say that Hamas and the PIJ operated on a single front in the field and under a unified leadership during negotiations. Both in negotiations and on the battlefield, there was a cohesive management because the Resistance stands united and integrated. That is why we achieved this accomplishment. This historic resistance had a fundamental factor, which was the unity among the Resistance groups — including Hamas and the PIJ — within a single front.

Question: Haj Abu Tariq … You mentioned the topic of support fronts. What is your evaluation of their role? Particularly in light of the fact that the Al-Aqsa Flood battle resulted in the unification of the Resistance ranks on the front supporting the Palestinian people …

1. al-Nakhalah: Firstly, I must say that the Al-Aqsa Flood battle was a manifestation of the unity of Resistance groups in the region. This was clearly evident in light of the participation of our Lebanese brothers in the support front during an extensive and genuine battle over the course of more than a year. The great sacrifices of Hezbollah demonstrate the unity of the Resistance in the region, while also illustrating the profound interconnectedness between the Palestinian Resistance and the Lebanese Resistance. This cooperation is commendable. Therefore, the loss of Hezbollah leaders, especially Sayyid Nasrallah, is also a loss for Palestine.

Palestine and the Palestinian Resistance consider the martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah to be a tremendous loss for Palestine, Lebanon, the entire Ummah, and the entire Axis of Resistance, just as the martyrdom of Palestine’s great leaders in this battle is a great loss for us. Therefore, the Al-Aqsa Flood battle has united all Resistance groups together. It has unified the Islamic Ummah behind the Palestinian people and the Resistance in Lebanon.

This battle had a regional and international dimension, reaching the level of nations as well. It shifted the region from one point to another, in such a way that the Resistance took root in the hearts and eyes of the people where it gained great respect and appreciation. Yes, although the challenges and losses are significant, the historic achievements realized in return are immense. For instance, in 1982, the Zionist enemy was able to enter Lebanon and occupy its south within three months, but today, the enemy has suffered substantial losses and could not even advance a few kilometers into Lebanon.

The enemy also failed to bring the Resistance in Gaza to its knees. Furthermore, the Palestinian people in the West Bank continue to fight against the Zionist enemy. Today, we are in a position where we can fight with a unified and clear vision. We are able to defend our people and our land. The Resistance groups stand in a united position and share a single perspective, and, God willing, we will continue to resist and challenge all the projects that target the land of Palestine and the Palestinian people.

Question: Over the past period, we witnessed the Resistance standing firm against the actions of the Zionist regime’s prime minister, who, with US backing, sought to pressure the people of Gaza and derail the ceasefire agreement. Through its steadfastness, the Resistance disrupted all the calculations of the Zionists and Americans in recent days. How did this come about?

1. al-Nakhalah: I must say that all the news circulated about attempts to undermine the second phase of the agreement is worthless global propaganda. Israel will ultimately be compelled to implement the agreement to secure the release of its prisoners, especially since there are soldiers and generals among the remaining captives. Therefore, Israel will have to make concessions and will not enter into a new battle. This is certain and clear. I assure the Palestinian people and Palestinian families that Israel will be unable to do anything, because over the past few days and throughout the last year and a half, it has done everything it could.

Meanwhile, not only did the United States support Israel, but it also fought alongside it. It provided Tel Aviv with technology and assisted it in countering the missiles of the Islamic Republic. Support was also extended in many other instances. Therefore, all the media claims about Netanyahu’s efforts to derail the agreement are baseless, as they [the Zionists] actually need this agreement. We are fully confident that the agreement will be implemented as signed. All claims suggesting its disruption are without merit. I would also like to issue a warning about a fundamental issue: the stance of Arab countries must be unified, and they must not grant any concessions contrary to the interests of the Palestinian people [to the enemy], whether in the political arena or during the upcoming summit of leaders.

Question: Haj Abu Tariq, in a few days, the funeral ceremonies for Martyr Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and Martyr Sayyid Hashem Safieddine will be held. As you mentioned, these martyrs played a significant role in supporting the Palestinian people and advancing the liberation of Al-Quds. What are the plans of the Palestinian Resistance groups for participating in this ceremony, and will we see a strong presence of the Palestinian Resistance at the event? What message will this presence send to the Zionist enemy?

1. al-Nakhalah: First of all, I must say that a ceremony befitting the stature of the martyrs Sayyid Hassan [Nasrallah] and Sayyid Hashem Safieddine is essential. All the Palestinian Resistance groups will participate with strength in the funeral procession of these two martyrs. I am not speaking out of mere courtesy. Sayyid [Hassan Nasrallah] is the martyr of Palestine; he is the martyr of Islam and the martyr of Al-Quds, and he holds a place in all our hearts. As the nation and as the Resistance of Palestine, we will remain loyal to this great exemplar and symbol of jihad and resistance. He is a martyr who has departed from among us, and today we feel the immense void of his absence in the Resistance Front.

Nevertheless, we must ask God to reward him and honor the memory of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and all our brothers who departed in this enormous battle. Yes … they have left us, but they left behind a profound legacy and a deep-rooted history of supporting the Palestinian Resistance. They never hesitated for a moment in supporting the Palestinian Resistance and backing it in the recent battle, which lasted over a year. This action reflects the unity of the Resistance in the region. Hezbollah’s historic resilience [alongside the Palestinian Resistance] has not been forgotten nor will it ever be forgotten. God willing, our attendance at the funeral ceremony to bid farewell to Sayyid [Hassan Nasrallah] will be a significant and important one. The Palestinian people will never forget these prominent martyrs.

Source:khamenei.ir