Islamic Jihad Condemns Israeli Strikes in Gaza

The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine on Tuesday condemned what it called an escalation of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, saying a recent strike killed the son of Hamas Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya. In a statement, the group said the “war criminals’ government of the usurping entity” continues to carry out assaults aimed at assassinating resistance leaders, particularly from Islamic Jihad and Hamas. It said the latest “treacherous raid” targeted Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades leader Hamza al-Sharbasi on Monday and wounded several others, including Azzam al-Hayya, who died of his injuries Tuesday morning. Islamic Jihad accused Israel of seeking to “impose its conditions on the Gaza Strip” and evade obligations from the first phase of agreements that the resistance had “fully committed to.” It said Israel continues to “commit massacres,” disrupt crossings including Rafah, and renege on reconstruction agreements. The statement extended condolences to Khalil al-Hayya, the al-Qassam Brigades, and Hamas, saying the killings would “only increase the resistance forces in steadfastness and resilience.” It ended with the slogan: “It is indeed jihad… victory or martyrdom.”