Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei: Iran will never hesitate to support Palestine

Ayatollah Khamenei, in a meeting with Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, and his delegation in Tehran on Tuesday, honored the unparalleled resilience and steadfastness of the Palestinian resistance forces and the people of Gaza and stated: “The historic patience of the people of Gaza in relation to the savagery and crimes of the Zionist regime, which are being perpetrated with the full support of the West, is a great phenomenon that has truly become a source of dignity for Islam and has transformed the Palestinian issue into the number one priority for the world, despite enemy's will and efforts.”

In this meeting, the Leader emphasized that the killing of the people of Gaza, and the on-going genocide, affects the conscience of every human being, adding: "The Islamic Republic of Iran will never hesitate to support the cause of Palestine and the oppressed and resilient people of Gaza."

Ayatollah Khamenei evaluated as important the international public support, especially in the Arab world, for the people of Gaza and stated: "The media campaigning and activities of the Palestinian resistance have been very good and in many ways superior to that of the Zionist regime, but still more needs to be done in this regard."

Ayatollah Khamenei also paid tribute to Saleh al-Arouri, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, who was assassinated in the Lebanese capital Beirut in January in a drone attack attributed to the Israeli regime, saying, "This honorable martyr was a prominent figure whose blessed martyrdom was a reward from God Almighty for his efforts."

The Hamas Political Bureau Chief, Ismail Haniyeh for his part thanked the Iranian government and the nation for the support they have provided to the Palestinian cause and the people in Gaza during the ongoing war, and briefed Ayatollah Khamenei about the latest political developments surrounding the war, and the situation on the ground.

He said the Israeli regime has failed to reach any of the objectives it declared at the beginning of the war in October because of “the exemplary patience and steadfastness" shown by the Palestinian people and resistance groups in Gaza. 

Haniyeh emphasized that the "Al-Aqsa Storm Operation” shattered the belief in the unbeatable strength of the Zionist regime, and now, after six months, the Zionist enemy has suffered heavy losses with thousands of its soldiers being killed or injured.

He added, "The Gaza war is a global war, and the ruling elite in America is the main partner in the crimes of the Zionists because they are responsible for directing the military actions of the Zionist regime."

In his closing remarks, Haniyeh underscored, "I assure Your Excellency that despite all the savagery, crimes, and genocide taking place in Gaza, the people of Gaza and the resistance forces stand strong and will not allow the Zionist enemy to achieve any of its goals."