In commemoration of the first anniversary of the 11-day war on Gaza, known as Sayf al Quds (Sword of Jerusalem), the Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian resistance gathered on 22 May to issue a series of statements and declarations on the situation against the Israeli occupation.

The meeting included speeches by the leaders of the two main Palestinian resistance factions, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

The leader of Hamas political wing, Ismail Haniyeh, declared the Sword of Jerusalem battle was a turning point in the military confrontation with the occupation.

“The effects of the Battle of Sayf al Quds were not limited to Palestine’s geography, but were strategic and resounded throughout the world,” he said.

Haniyeh said that all of occupied Palestinian lands are now within reach of the resistance, and referred to the Sword of Jerusalem battle as having sparked the spirit of resistance in the West Bank.

“The battle of Sayf al Quds united the land, the people, and the cause, and removed geographical barriers within historic Palestine,” Haniyeh said.

The Hamas leader said that the extremist Israelis planning the Flag March near the end of May will be stopped and that they will not be allowed to terrorize the occupied city of Jerusalem.

On 17 May, the leader of Jewish supremacist group Lahava issued a call to action to “demolish” Al-Aqsa Mosque for those participating in the upcoming flag march.

In 2021, a flag march similar to the one being pushed for by Lahava led to escalations that triggered the Sword of Jerusalem battle, where Palestinian resistance factions launched strikes in retaliation for the Israeli escalation of attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and its worshippers.

Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the Secretary General of PIJ, also declared his movement’s readiness to prevent Judaization attempts of Al-Aqsa Mosque sanctuary.

“The [judaization] attack targeting Al-Quds and its blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is still at its peak,” the PIJ chief warned. “The resistance now holds more responsibility in the defence of Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

Al-Nakhalah underlined the importance of preserving unity among the Palestinian population, using the example of the support shown for Shireen Abu Aqla, the Al Jazeera journalist deliberately killed by Israeli forces, who came out in droves for her funeral despite the violent attacks by Israeli forces on the pallbearers.

“The funeral procession of Shireen Abu Aqla showed the unity of our people, Muslims and Christians, standing side by side in a historic image to confront the Israeli occupation,” Al-Nakhalah said.

The Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian resistance spoke of the existential threat faced by the Israeli occupation.

Recently, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and former prime minister Ehud Barak have warned that the future of Israel is in danger.

The Palestinian resistance warned on 30 April that any threat to the Al-Aqsa Mosque will result in major retaliatory confrontations that will escalate into a regional war, pulling in the allies of the Palestinian resistance from across the Islamic world.

Israeli settlers continue to stage provocative tours of Al-Aqsa sanctuary under the protection of Israeli forces, conducting violent raids against Palestinian worshippers in the holy site.