Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the besieged Gaza Strip on Saturday to mourn the death of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards General, Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a US airstrike in Baghdad on January 3.
Leaders and officials from the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements joined the mourners, who erected a tent in Soleimani’s honor in the heart of Gaza city.
Mourning tent for Qassem Soleimani, Gaza, Palestine. pic.twitter.com/9IchlkxqPf
— Bosni (@Bosni_94) January 4, 2020
“Flags of the United States and Israel were laid on the ground for visitors to tread on as they entered,” reported the Reuters news agency, while large posters of General Soleimani were erected everywhere.
“We are loyal to those who stood with the resistance and with Palestine and we hold the US administration and the Zionist occupation fully responsible for the consequences of this deplorable crime,” Hamas official Ismail Radwan was quoted as saying.
Palestinians in Gaza Strip pay tribute to General Soleimani https://t.co/qpXOmc3ApW
— Joe Catron ????? (@jncatron) January 4, 2020
Shortly after Soleimani’s assassination, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, Izz al-Din al-Qassam, issued a statement of solidarity with the Iranian leader, crediting him for the support of the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.
An Islamic Jihad official told Al Mayadeen news agency in Lebanon on Friday that Soleimani has helped the Gaza Resistance in developing its missile capabilities, which allowed it to survive several Israeli wars and onslaughts.
Palestinian activists also remembered the assassinated Iranian leader on social media:
A Symbol of Resistance
#Gaza today commemorates the martyrdom of General Qassem Soleimani, who was a symbol of resistance for all the oppressed Palestinians. His blood will surely liberate Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/Vv5zqSKG6z
— لمى (@Lebvant) January 4, 2020
Defeating Israel and ISIS
If it wasn't for Qassem Soleimani, southern Lebanon would never have been liberated, Lebanon would have been defeated by Israel in 2006 and would have no deterrent, ISIS would still exist, and the people of Gaza would be unable to defend themselves against Israeli aggression.
— Irfan Chowdhury (@irfan_c98) January 4, 2020
‘Son of Palestine’
Leila Khalid, icon of Palestinian resistance and feminism: “I say to martyr Qasem #Soleimani, you are the son of #Palestine, and Palestine will never forget its children!”
What say you leftovers of the world?!?! pic.twitter.com/kAAS83skCg
— Laith لَيث (@LaithMarouf) January 4, 2020
‘One of Us’
from Jerusalem..
Soleimani of us is the people of Palestine pic.twitter.com/LFv5ccjKAl— Y.N.M.S (@ynms79797979) January 4, 2020
Various resistance groups in the Middle East have already declared that avenging General Soleimani’s murder is the responsibility of everyone, not just Iran alone.
(The Palestine Chronicle)
