Iran is commemorating the significant impact of the Hamas attack on Israel, referring to it as a “sacred wrath.”
A top Iranian military official on Sunday celebrated the “sacred wrath” waged by Hamas against Israel, saying that the massive surprise attack launched by the terrorist group over the weekend will ultimately result in the crumbling of the “Zionist regime.”
The sharp comments from Gen. Mohammad Bageri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, underscore the deep ties between Tehran and leading anti-Israel organizations in the Middle East, most notably Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran is a top financial backer of Hamas. Gen. Bageri left little doubt Sunday that key elements of his government fully support the weekend assault.
According to Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency, the speaker stated that the Palestinian people, who have endured enforced cruelty for many years, have now become incredibly powerful due to their motivated young generation and adherence to Islam. This newfound strength has captivated military analysts and strategists worldwide. The speaker also mentioned that the military operation was a response to the intense anger provoked among the Palestinian people by the actions of the “Zionists”.
Just days earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the “cancer” of Israel will soon be eradicated.
Last week, he stated that the Palestinian movement is currently experiencing a greater sense of optimism compared to the past seven to eight decades. The Palestinian youth and the movements against usurpation, oppression, and Zionism are more vibrant and prepared than ever before. He expressed hope that the Palestinian people and the resistance forces in the region will successfully eliminate this problem.
Saturday’s coordinated, multi-pronged attack by Hamas marked one of the deadliest days for Israel in decades. At least 600 people have been killed in Israel, according to the Associated Press. More than 300 have been killed in Gaza amid an unfolding response by the Israeli military.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the ongoing conflict as a “war,” bringing attention to the connection between Hamas and the Tehran government. Previously, Hamas officials openly expressed gratitude towards the Iranian government for supplying them with weapons, ammunition, and other resources to fight against Israel.
The Biden administration is currently receiving new criticism for its Iran policy, with some accusing it of supporting Hamas. Specifically, critics are targeting the recent agreement that allowed approximately $6 billion of Iranian assets to be unfrozen in exchange for the release of five American prisoners held in Iran.
The criticism was strongly opposed by administration officials who stated that none of the money was under Iranian control and there was no possibility of it being redirected to Hamas in the future. However, they did acknowledge the clear link between Tehran and Hamas.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on ABC’s “This Week” program that Iran and Hamas have had a longstanding connection. He emphasized that Hamas owes its existence to the support it has received from Iran over the years.
“We have not witnessed conclusive proof indicating Iran’s involvement in this specific attack. However, the consistent support they have provided over the years is evident. This is one of the factors that has driven our unwavering efforts to counter Iran’s backing of terrorism and its destabilizing actions in various nations.”
