(AP) — Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, a senior military officer in the Iranian army and commander of its Quds Force—a division primarily responsible for extraterritorial military and clandestine operations, has congratulated Ismail Haniyeh on his nomination as the new Hamas leader.
In his message, Soleimani wrote that Iran hopes to strengthen its cooperation with Hamas, expressing support of their efforts for the Palestinian cause and hope for the “liberation of Palestine” from “Zionist influence.”
According to al-Mayadeen news channel, General Soleimani in his message also felicitated Yahya Sinwar, freed in a 2011 prisoner swap with Israel, for being elected as Hamas’ new chief in the Gaza Strip following an internal election.
“We are hopeful about your efforts on institutionalizing resistance along the Hamas’ jihadi line. The possibility for a virtuous fate for the Palestinian people is in your hands,” Soleimani said in his message.
The general underlined the “evil plots” of the Zionists and arrogant global powers who seek to weaken the Islamic community, claiming “they are trying to distract our people’s holy war from its Islamic path and are seeking to seize Jerusalem.
“Great tasks belong to great men; as promised, we rely on your foresight to reach a future in which the domestic crises are solved with prudence. We await to strengthen our bond with Hamas, the ally of the resistance axis, who can raise the issue of Palestine once again.”
“To this aim, we count on your efforts to place the Palestinians on the top of the Muslims’ global fight,” reads part of the message.
“I insist that all should serve the Palestinian ideal and do not allow the issue to be victimized by others’ interests,” urged Soleimani, expressing hope that Haniyeh’s efforts will continue until the “liberation” of Al-Aqsa and the entire Palestinian territory, meaning all of Israel, and for Jerusalem to once again become a hub for all Muslims and Christians.