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After the July 31, 2024 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) published a statement, two articles, and a message from Afghan Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hasan Akhund.
The four messages, published on Justpaste.it and the IEA website on July 31, August 1, 3, and 4 – celebrate Haniyeh's "martyrdom," and argue that such sacrifices herald the freedom of nations, and say that the killings of previous Hamas leaders, such as Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, have only emboldened the next leaders of Hamas to continue the resistance against Israel.
Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hasan Akhund's message of condolence was published on August 4, three days after the Haniyeh assassination. "This heinous crime by the Zionist regime underscores its failure to achieve substantial military gains in the Gaza conflict," he said, adding: "The martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh is a profound loss for the Islamic Ummah, yet it will only strengthen our resolve. The Palestinian resistance will undoubtedly continue their righteous struggle for rights and freedom."
Following are excerpts from the July 31 statement:
"We Reiterate Our Call To Influential Parties, Particularly Within The Islamic And Arab World, To Intensify Their Efforts To Thwart The Zionist Invasion And Its Associated Atrocities"
"It is with profound sorrow that we received the news of the martyrdom of Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), who was killed in an attack in Tehran last night. Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. Martyr Ismail Haniyeh was a distinguished, wise, and resolute Palestinian leader who made significant sacrifices in his successful struggle and Jihad, fulfilling his commitment in this manner.
"For a Muslim and a fighter, martyrdom represents a tremendous victory; he has succeeded and left behind a legacy of resistance, selflessness, patience, perseverance, struggle, and practical sacrifice for his followers. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his grieving family, the leadership of Hamas, and the mujahideen who continue to resist the Zionist invaders. We pray that Allah Almighty grants martyr Haniyeh eternal paradise and bestows patience and strength upon his family and all the mujahideen.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan regards defending Hamas and the sacred land of Palestine as both an Islamic and humanitarian duty. We strongly condemn the atrocities, bombings, and genocide perpetrated by the Zionist regime against Palestinian Muslims as egregious crimes against humanity. We consider the martyrdom of this great figure a significant loss to the Islamic Ummah and the Jihadist cause.
"We reiterate our call to influential parties, particularly within the Islamic and Arab world, to intensify their efforts to thwart the Zionist invasion and its associated atrocities. The ongoing crimes of the Zionist regime will undoubtedly lead to further instability in the region and its countries, with the resulting disturbances and adverse outcomes falling squarely on the shoulders of the invading Zionists and their supporters."
Following are excerpts from the August 1 article:
"Haniyeh Was A Strong Critic Of Israeli Occupation And Advocates For Its End; He Supported The Use Of Armed Resistance Against Israeli Occupation"
"In the wake of the tragic martyrdom of a prominent leader of a legitimate resistance movement against an oppressive occupation, the flames of defiance burn brighter than ever. Such sacrifices, though deeply mourned, serve not to weaken but rather to invigorate the resolve of those fighting for liberation. The movement stands unyielding, embodying a spirit that transforms martyrdom into a beacon of inspiration, propelling its members forward with unwavering determination towards the shores of triumph and justice.
"Ismail Haniyeh was a prominent Palestinian political figure and the current head of Hamas, a Palestinian political party and a freedom movement. He has been a key figure in Palestinian politics for decades, playing a significant role in the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
"Early Life And Education
"Ismail Haniyeh [was] born in 1962 in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh's life was shaped by the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation. He studied Islamic Studies at Islamic University of Gaza and later earned a master's degree in Islamic education from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt.
"Political Career
"Haniyeh joined Hamas in the early 1980s, becoming deeply involved in the organization's social and political activities. He rose through the ranks of Hamas, becoming known for his strong religious convictions and commitment to Palestinian self-determination.
"After the martyrdom of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 2004, Haniyeh became the leader of Hamas. Haniyeh served as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza from 2006 to 2014. His government was not recognized by Israel or the international community."
Symbol of Resistance
"Haniyeh, as head of Hamas, led the organization's political and social activities. He was a key figure in Palestinian politics, representing the interests of the Palestinian people and advocating for their rights. Haniyeh is a vocal advocate for Palestinian self-determination and an independent Palestinian state.
"Haniyeh was a strong critic of Israeli occupation and advocated for its end. He supported the use of armed resistance against Israeli occupation, although he has also called for a ceasefire and negotiations under certain conditions. Haniyeh's political views are rooted in his Islamic beliefs, and he always emphasized the importance of faith and justice in the Palestinian struggle.
"Ismail Haniyeh remained a significant figure in the Palestinian struggle, representing the views of most Palestinians and advocating for their rights. His political career has been marked by both challenges and achievements, and his legacy continues to be remembered."
"History Attests That Such Sacrifices Only Serve To Fertilize The Soil From Which New Seeds Of Leadership And Courage Emerge"
"Martyrdom Legacy
"The legacy of martyrdom stands as the cornerstone upon which the edifice of liberation is built, for without the profound act of sacrifice, no tyranny can be vanquished. Each martyrdom echoes a resounding message that oppression, no matter how entrenched, will ultimately yield to the unwavering spirit of resistance.
"As the leader and predecessor of the martyred Ismail Haniyeh (Shaikh Ahmad Yasin) was himself martyred by the oppressive regime in a bid to extinguish the flame of resistance, but history attests that such sacrifices only serve to fertilize the soil from which new seeds of leadership and courage emerge.
"Today, the movement stands not only resilient but emboldened by the sacrifices of the past, with each martyrdom giving birth to a legion of future leaders who carry the torch of defiance forward with unyielding determination.
"The martyrs, through their unparalleled courage and unyielding resilience in the face of invasion, have transcended mere mortality to become eternal symbols of resistance and fortitude. Their spirits, indomitable and unwavering, have woven themselves into the very fabric of the collective consciousness, where they shall reside in perpetuity. In the hearts and minds of the people, their legacy stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, a reminder that even in the darkest hours, the light of resistance burns brightly, guiding future generations towards a future where oppression is but a distant memory and freedom reigns supreme."
Following are excerpts from the August 3 article:
"Experience And The Nature Of The Holy Religion Of Islam Have Shown That The Martyrdom And Shedding Of A Muslim's Blood, Especially When The Martyr Is A Leader, Do Not Cause Fear Or Retreat"
"Another great servant of Allah almighty, who dedicated his life to jihad and struggle, has passed away, leaving a profound sorrow in our hearts. This brave mujahid endured many years of exile and migration to alleviate the suffering of the Ummah. He sacrificed his life and wealth for this cause until his earthly mission ended, and he ascended to the heavens, leaving the Ummah in mourning.
"Undoubtedly, the loss of mujahid, martyr Ismail Haniyeh (may Allah accept him), has deeply hurt the hearts of every believer and freedom fighter. He was the beacon of hope for the oppressed people who have endured suffering for years. His struggle was not for himself but for an oppressed nation.
Screenshot of a video shared by @khurasany01 on August 3, 2024. In this video, Anas Haqqani, a senior Afghan Taliban commander, is seen meeting with Khalid Mashal in Doha on the occasion of Haniyeh's funeral. Image courtesy: X.com
"He and his faithful companions, in these dark and turbulent times, were among the few who genuinely demonstrated their commitment to the Muslim Ummah, especially Gaza and Palestine. The unprecedented Al-Aqsa Storm operation, which disturbed the sleep of the usurping and bloodthirsty enemy, stands as the best evidence of this.
"Those who stained their hands with the pure blood of martyrs like Ismail Haniyeh believed they could stand against Islam and instill fear in the mujahideen. However, experience and the nature of the holy religion of Islam have shown that the martyrdom and shedding of a Muslim's blood, especially when the martyr is a leader, do not cause fear or retreat. Instead, it acts like a spark that ignites the flame of faith and steadfastness even more."
"Did Hamas's Plans Get Disrupted After The Assassination And Martyrdom Of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin? Never! On The Contrary, The Mujahideen Of Hamas, Under New Leadership, Acted With Even Greater Zeal, Enthusiasm, And Courage"
"Did Hamas's plans get disrupted after the assassination and martyrdom of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin? Never! On the contrary, the Mujahideen of Hamas, under new leadership, acted with even greater zeal, enthusiasm, and courage, narrowing the field for the oppressive and usurping Zionists and Jews, as witnessed with the commencement of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.
"Indeed, the martyrdom of these great men leaves a wound in the heart. However, it will never lead to retreat or diminish the motivation to liberate Jerusalem. If that were the case, Hamas would have ceased to exist years ago, but that did not happen. Similarly, if Islam's mission ended with martyrdom, the Islamic Emirate would have ended with the martyrdom of Emir Al-Momineen Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour. Yet, it did not, because that is not the nature of Islam.
"Ismail Haniyeh martyrdom teaches us that martyrdom is the price of freedom, and true freedom is unattainable without sacrifice and martyrdom. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him a place with the prophets, the righteous, and the martyrs of Badr and Uhud [the earliest Battles of Islam]. Amen!"
Following are excerpts from the August 4 message of condolence from Afghan Taliban Prime Minister Alhaj Mullah Muhammad Hasan Akhund:
"May Allah Grant Him And All The Martyrs Of Gaza The Highest Ranks Alongside The Martyrs Of Badr And Uhud [Early Battles Of Islam]"; "This Heinous Crime By The Zionist Regime Underscores Its Failure To Achieve Substantial Military Gains In The Gaza Conflict"
"It is with profound sorrow and deep indignation that we mourn the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, the esteemed head of the Political Office of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). The targeted assassination of Martyr Haniyeh in Tehran by the Zionist regime is not only a heartbreaking loss but also a blatant violation of international laws and norms. This egregious act by the Zionist regime occurred while he was a guest of the government, highlighting the enemies' utter contempt for diplomatic sanctity and the principles of international conduct.
"The persistent silence of Western institutions and human rights organizations over the past ten months, during which the genocide of women and children in Gaza has unfolded, starkly reveals the true nature and biases of these entities. I unequivocally condemn this cowardly and unjustifiable attack on Martyr Ismail Haniyeh. May Allah grant him and all the martyrs of Gaza the highest ranks alongside the martyrs of Badr and Uhud. We remain unwavering in our belief that their noble sacrifices will ultimately pave the way for liberation.
"This heinous crime by the Zionist regime underscores its failure to achieve substantial military gains in the Gaza conflict. Despite its relentless campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people, the regime's strategic objectives remain unmet. The assassination of Hamas's political leader is a desperate and transparent attempt to divert attention from its military shortcomings and failures. The martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh is a profound loss for the Islamic Ummah, yet it will only strengthen our resolve. The Palestinian resistance will undoubtedly continue their righteous struggle for rights and freedom.
"In light of these events, I urgently call upon the international community, particularly the influential nations of the region and the world, to take immediate and decisive action to halt the Zionist regime's atrocities in Gaza. It is imperative to prevent the further escalation of this conflict, which threatens to engulf the entire region in flames. The responsibility for any expansion of this war rests solely with the Zionist regime and its supporters."
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