Khamenei: Palestinian resilience forced Israel to retreat

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has hailed the steadfastness of Palestinians and resistance forces as the key factor behind Israel’s retreat.

In a statement shared on X page, Khamenei described the achievement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip as a testament to the perseverance of the Palestinian people, Caliber.Az reports.

امروز دنیا فهمید که صبر مردم غزه و ایستادگی مقاومت فلسطینی، رژیم صهیونیستی را وادار به عقب‌نشینی کرده است.

در کتابها خواهند نوشت که روزی، جماعتی صهیونیست، با فجیع‌ترین جنایات، هزاران زن و کودک را کشتند و در آخر شکست خوردند.#غزه_پیروز_است#GazaIsVictorious pic.twitter.com/Hzi9SLejrR

— KHAMENEI.IR | فارسی 🇮🇷 (@Khamenei_fa) January 16, 2025

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Khamenei stated, “Today, the world understood that the patience of the Palestinians and the resilience of the resistance forces compelled the Zionist regime [Israel] to retreat.”

The Iranian leader expressed his belief that history would record the Israeli actions, which involved the killing of thousands of women and children, as part of a campaign of horrific crimes. According to Khamenei, Israel’s eventual defeat will be an indelible chapter in the history books.

Notably, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement, ending 15 months of conflict, with mediation by Qatar and the US. The deal, contingent on Israeli cabinet approval, aims to halt fighting, deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and reunite hostages with their families. 

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the deal, though the final terms are still being negotiated. Despite the announcement, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continued, killing over 20 people, including 12 in a residential block in Gaza City.

The violence erupted following Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza has suffered over 46,700 fatalities and widespread devastation.

Israel reports 94 hostages still in captivity, with 34 presumed dead, while efforts to address the dire humanitarian crisis remain ongoing.

By Aghakazim Guliyev