Iran parliament speaker hails West Bank operation in meeting with Haniyeh

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has praised the latest retaliatory operation by two Palestinian resistance fighters near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

The Iranian official said the retaliatory operations have confounded Israel.

Qalibaf made the remarks in a meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the resistance movement Hamas, and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Thursday.

The senior Iranian legislator pointed to the popular struggle of Palestinian groups for more than seven decades, describing resistance as the only way to victory.

“Palestinian groups have trodden the path of popular struggle thanks to the spirit of resistance and martyrdom, and in the meantime, Hamas is known to be the strongest established group. Accordingly, enemies are forced to reach out to others for negotiations and this is due to Hamas’ spirit of resistance,” Qalibaf said.

The Iranian parliament speaker said dignity is formed in light of resistance, and that history shows anytime Palestinians have opted the path of negotiation and surrender to Israel and the United States, they have failed. However, Qalibaf said, anyone who has strived, resisted and fought against the Israeli occupation has honorably emerged victorious.

“The entire Muslim nation is indebted to [the late founder of the Islamic Republic] Imam Khomeini, who taught us the spirit of transformation, revolution and resistance against hegemonic powers. He underlined that unity within the Islamic Ummah is paramount to victory,” Qalibaf said, stating that Iranian officials pursue the same policy.

He also commended Palestinian retaliatory operations across the West Bank, stating that the actions have stunned the Israeli regime and changed power equations in favor of the resistance front.

For his part, Haniyeh described the Israeli regime and the United States as oppressors. He said the resistance front needs to be further beefed up in order to confront arrogant powers.

The Palestinian official also paid homage to top Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020. Haniyeh said the Iranian general stood by Palestinians in their struggle against Israel.

Haniyeh went on to point to ongoing challenges across the occupied West Bank. He said resistance fighters are always present on the battlefield despite potential challenges.

“Nowadays, the resistance front is in its best form. I must say that [resistance fighters in] Gaza and the West Bank have never been this much ready as they are right now,” the Hamas chief said.

MG