Sinwar: Next Battle with Israel will Change Shape of Mideast

Arab World

June 6th, 6:56am

Ramallah - Kifah Zboun

Hamas Leader in Gaza Yehya Sinwar (EPA)

The next battle with Israel will change the shape of the Middle East, warned the Hamas leader in Gaza during a meeting with academics and public figures in the Strip. Yehya Sinwar said that the group only used half of its force and weapons during the 11 days of deadly fighting between Israel and Gaza last month. However, the enemy failed to destroy the capabilities of the resistance. Sinwar denied Israel’s claims that it had destroyed a significant part of Hamas’ tunnel system in the latest fighting, indicating that “not even three percent of it was destroyed.” “Ninety fighters were killed at most in the latest escalation, but Israel aimed at more than 10,000 fighters. Israel planned to assassinate half of the resistance force and failed big time.” He explained that Israel erred in testing the strength of the Palestinians, which allowed the achievement of strategic goals in the last battle, manifested in unity everywhere. “We humiliated Tel Aviv,” the Hamas leader noted, indicating that “the uprising of our people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the 1948 lands (Israel) put pressure on the enemy more than the rockets of the resistance.” Sinwar also addressed the intra-Palestinian reconciliation, stressing that there is an opportunity to end the division and put the Palestinian house in order, noting that everything that was put forward before May 21 is no longer valid. He called for restructuring the Palestine Liberation Organization, stressing that without Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the rest of the factions, the PLO would be insignificant. “We must form a Palestinian National Council that represents everyone,” stressed Sinwar, saying Hamas is a military force that confronts the enemy, but is not represented in the organization. Sinwar also discussed Hamas' goals and a comprehensive national strategy, asserting that, through an agreement with the rest of the factions, the group wants to create an international environment that forces the occupation to respect international laws. Sinwar warned the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership against falling into "false wishes" from the United States, stressing that Washington will not give Fatah and the PA anything unless Palestinians are united and organized. He also discussed the movement’s strategic goals, indicating that “we are organizing ourselves” on liberation and return of Palestinian people. The Hamas leader in Gaza stressed that the coming days will be a real test for the occupation and the world to translate what was agreed upon. Sinwar announced that the aid will relieve the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza, rebuild the territory and revive its economy. He also vowed not to hinder the reconstruction of the territory, while stressing that the reconstruction aid will not be used to fund Hamas. "We will not put obstacles to Gaza’s reconstruction, and we will not take from the reconstruction funds for the benefit of the resistance.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3012006/sinwar-next-battle-israel-will-change-shape-mideast