Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has called for developing an inclusive, three-dimensional strategy to address Israeli plots and face off the strategic threats posed to the Palestinian cause.

Speaking at a political forum held by al-Quds International Foundation on the 51^st anniversary of the 1969 arson attack on the al-Aqsa Mosque, Haniyeh explained that the first dimension revolves around resorting Palestinian unity, restructuring the Palestinian House, and agreeing on a leadership structure within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), as well as restructuring the PLO itself on the basis of partnership. 

Haniyeh pointed out that the long-term strategy should include means and tools capable of fulfilling the Palestinians’ aspirations.  

The second angle, Haniyeh continued, is based on embracing inclusive resistance, including the popular, legal, humanitarian, political, human rights, and armed resistance, as a strategic option to end the Israeli occupation.

As for the third dimension, Haniyeh urged for cementing ties between the Palestinian people and Arab and Muslim nations and form a solid bloc in the region to support the Palestinians, especially Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem, as the Palestinian cause has Arab, Islamic, and humanitarian angles.   

Haniyeh hailed the Palestinian people everywhere and all Arabs and Muslim rejecting normalisation and saluted Palestinian Jerusalemites for defending the al-Aqsa Mosque.  

The head of Hamas Political Bureau noted that the Emirati-Israeli deal to normalise bilateral relations is “no less dangerous than that the arson attack on the al-Aqsa Mosque,” as it held “negative and painful significance for our Palestinian people and Arab and Muslim nations and the free people of the world.”   

Al-Aqsa Mosque arson attack

The arson attack on al-Aqsa Mosque reflects that Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque is a pivotal and core issue in the Palestinian-Israeli struggle for their religious, political, historical, and civilized, and humanitarian significance, Haniyeh demonstrated.

All Israeli plots nowadays, Haniyeh added, are intended to Judaise Jerusalem, alter its features, divide al-Aqsa Mosque, and deny Palestinian worshippers’ access to the Muslim sacred compound.

Haniyeh stressed that the Palestinian people and resistance factions would continue defending the al-Aqsa Mosque alongside all Islamic and Christian sites. 

Torching al-Aqsa Mosque reflects the hostile nature of the Israeli occupation, which does not respect religions and defile the sanctity of holy sites, Haniyeh concluded.