In an audiocassette released August 27, 2005 by the information bureau of the 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassem Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, the Brigades' military commander Muhammad Deif threatens to "turn all of Palestine into hell for Israel." [1] Deif also warns the Palestinian Authority not to touch the "weapons that freed Gaza," promises to continue to "defeat the occupation in Jerusalem and the West Bank," and asks Allah to help the Palestinians liberate cities in Israel.
The following are excerpts:
Women Urged Their Sons to Commit Martyrdom
"Members of our patient nation, persistent and victorious... I thank Allah the exalted for His support in the Jihad of our people and for the liberation of the beloved Gaza Strip, and I ask him to help us to liberate Jerusalem and the West Bank, Acre, Haifa, Jaffa, Safed, Nazareth, Ashkelon, and all of Palestine. He is all-powerful… I am proud of you and your Jihad. We remember the martyrs, the wounded, and the courageous prisoners. Thanks to the grace of Allah the exalted and thanks to your sacrifice, Gaza was liberated.
"Who will forget the soul, the family, the money and the children that you sacrificed from the day that the Al-Qassam Brigades asked you to support them? We saw our expectations [realized], beyond our hopes, until [even] women urged their sons to commit martyrdom for the sake of Allah, and the fathers received the message of the sons' martyrdom in praise and cries of 'Allah Akbar.'
"Our brothers, fighters of Jihad in the Al-Qassam Brigades, be blessed for the Jihad and your blood, for your sweat, for your sleepless nights, and for your suffering… All know that your qualitative and victorious operations would not have been successful if not for the help of Allah the exalted and if not for your determination, your steadfast resistance, your perseverance, your love, and your dedication, until you became a model for the path of resistance…"
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After Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank and All of Palestine Will Be Liberated
"Our brothers in Jerusalem and the West Bank, I am sure that Gaza is just the beginning of the process… In the next phase, we will defeat the occupation [in your area]… Residents of Occupied Palestine of 1948, in my name and in the name of all Gaza Strip residents, I ask you for your assistance to us and to our Jihad… We shall not rest until our entire holy land is liberated…
"Our men and dear ones in the diaspora, patience will bring victory. We will not be still and we will not rest until all of our nation returns and our families are unified…
"To the Zionists who plundered our land, those who pretend to represent Solomon's Temple and the Star of David, we have a greater right with regard to Solomon and David, may they rest in peace… You conquered our land, and behold, you are leaving it in disgrace. Indeed, the dictionary of your distorted language [includes an expression] 'go to Gaza' which means 'go to Hell,' and today you are exiting from the hell, but we promise you that tomorrow all of Palestine will become hell for you, with Allah's help…"
Warning to PA: Do Not Collect Hamas's Weapons
"To our brothers in the Palestinian Authority, the liberation of Gaza is an important lesson for all of us. [Indeed], part of our homeland is being liberated thanks to Allah the exalted, and thanks to the blow of the faithful fighters of Jihad from among all our Palestinian people. Let us all learn this lesson, and leave the weapon of resistance as a legal weapon alongside the political activity. We are warning against tampering with this weapon that liberated Gaza. Let us keep it as an effective tool that will free the rest of our homeland."
A Message to Iraq's Residents
"To our dear residents of Iraq… The liberation of Gaza is a lesson for us, you and all those seeking freedom in the world. Do not abandon your weapons; resist your enemies until their noses rub in the mud…"
[1] The audiotape was posted August 27, 2005 on the 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades website, www.alqassam.ws/risala.htm.
