[News] ‘Take Off the Garment of Slavery’ - Abu Hamza in His Own Words

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‘Take Off the Garment of Slavery’ - Abu Hamza in His Own WordsMarch 19, 2025
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The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine (IJP) announced on Tuesday the
killing of its leader, Naji Abu Seif, known by the nom de guerre 'Abu
Hamza'. (Design: Palestine Chronicle)

*By Romana Rubeo <https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/romana-rubeo>*


“There is no excuse for anyone to neglect the battle that we are waging on
behalf of the Islamic nation”. – Abu Hamza

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement has confirmed the true identity of
its military wing spokesman, Abu Hamza, who was killed in an Israeli
airstrike on Tuesday evening.

The attack was part of ongoing Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, which
resulted in the deaths of more than 400 Palestinians, including nearly 200
children.

In a statement, the movement announced that Abu Hamza was Naji Abu Seif.
Several of his family members were killed alongside him, including his wife
Shaimaa Abu Seif, his brother Ghassan Maher Abu Seif, his sister-in-law
Sara Abu Seif, and their children.

Below are some of Abu Hamza’s most notable statements.
*‘Sword of Jerusalem’*

Since 2014, Abu Hamza has served as the spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigades,
the PIJ’s military wing.

He was known for his prominent media appearances, particularly after key
military confrontations with Israel.

In June 2021, Abu Hamza made significant statements following Operation
Sword of Jerusalem, the Palestinian name for the resistance against
Israel’s offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip between May 11 and 21, 2021.

The 11-day offensive resulted in the killing of more than 260 Palestinians
in Gaza, with at least 2,000 others wounded.

During this period, Palestinian resistance groups fired rockets toward
Jerusalem for the first time, shocking Israel with their range, which
paralyzed Israeli airports and transportation. For the first time,
Palestinians in Israel also joined the battle.

At the time, Abu Hamza affirmed:

“The Al-Quds Brigades will continue its operations against Israeli
occupation sites at any time. The Palestinian resistance will not bow to
any pressure or threats. Our struggle is ongoing and unwavering.”

*‘Battle of Revenge and Pride’*

On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Resistance launched the Al-Aqsa Flood,
a large-scale surprise attack involving rocket fire into Israeli territory
and an infiltration by Palestinian fighters across the fence separating
Gaza from southern Israel.

“Today, we have begun the battle of revenge and pride. We are in the midst
of a comprehensive war with the Zionist enemy, and this is only the
beginning,” Abu Hamza said on that occasion.

On that same day, Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza, which has so
far killed nearly 50,000 Palestinians and wounded many more, causing
widespread destruction in the besieged Strip.

https://twitter.com/Seamus_Malek/status/1902102184432693409

*‘No Excuse’*

During the first Ramadan under genocide, on March 2, 2024, Abu Hamza
delivered a powerful message to the Muslim world in a statement broadcast
on the Al-Quds Brigades’ Telegram channel.

“There is no excuse for anyone to neglect the battle that we are waging on
behalf of the Islamic nation, especially those who own armies, planes, and
artillery,” Abu Hamza said, adding:

“Isn’t it time for you to mobilize your artillery like the free people in
Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq? Is it not time for you to take off the garment of
slavery and humiliation to America, the Great Satan, and follow the example
of the honorable?”

“We say to the Arabs and Muslims, just as you turn to Allah with obligatory
prayers and fasting, turn to Palestine with weapons and the obligation of
jihad,” he continued.

https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1656739358131515392
*‘Partners in Destiny’*

Abu Hamza has always reiterated the importance of the unity of the fields,
where all resistance movements should work together.

“Let the enemy know that we are with Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq—one front in
peace and war, partners in destiny and decision-making,” he said.
*‘Crowns on Our Heads’*

Addressing the Palestinian people, the late military spokesman said: “You
are the symbol of dignity, pride, and the crowns of our heads, and we will
not relinquish your rights, no matter how much we share the pain and wounds
with you.

“We are able to continue the battle, no matter how long it lasts,” Abu
Hamza concluded.
*‘No Other than the Resistance’*

Addressing the issue of the post-war Gaza, Abu Hamza sent a clear message
to Israel:

“Our message to the enemy and the leader of the herd, Netanyahu, is that
the issue of the next day in Gaza is determined by none other than the
Palestinian resistance.”

*Confronting the Enemy*

On January 22, in a recorded statement three days after a ceasefire was
reached, Abu Hamza rejected the idea that Israel’s war on Gaza was a
reaction to any single military operation.

Instead, he argued it reflected a long-term Israeli policy of war and
genocide against the Palestinian people.

“We embarked on this battle trusting in God, leaving behind our homes,
families, and possessions, fully aware of the gravity of the responsibility
upon us and our people,” he said.

Highlighting the broader alliances of the struggle, he stated:

“We faced the occupation alongside a faithful group in Yemen, Lebanon,
Iraq, and Iran on behalf of 1.5 billion Muslims.”

Directly addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he added:

“From the outset, our motto has been: no matter how long this war lasts, we
are up to it.”

https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1734652367671279842
*‘Face-to-Face’*

Abu Hamza emphasized that Palestinian fighters had directly engaged Israeli
forces throughout the war.

“Everyone witnessed how we confronted the enemy’s tanks face-to-face,
demonstrating our rightful claim to the land,” he said.

“From the first tank entering Gaza, our fighters were in the field,
emerging from tunnels and combat positions to repel the invaders using
combat assets.”

Abu Hamza described how resistance operations continued until the last
moments before the ceasefire, crediting their endurance to years of
preparation.

“The enemy anticipated our surrender with white flags but found only black
banners and death in Gaza’s battlefields.”

“The Israeli military failed to eliminate the resistance, recover its
captives, or achieve any objectives beyond destruction and devastation,” he
added.

https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1744770807715254479
*‘Pillars of This Land’*

Abu Hamza argued that despite its overwhelming military force, Israel had
failed to achieve its objectives.

He pointed to Palestinian resilience as the defining feature of the war:

“One of the most prominent features of this battle was the legendary
resilience of the great Palestinian people, who set an unparalleled example
in struggle and steadfastness.”

Finally, he addressed the Palestinian people directly:

“You are the pillars of this land and the cornerstone of every hope.
Without your steadfastness, resistance would not exist, nor would we have
achieved this success.”

(The Palestine Chronicle)


*– Romana Rubeo is an Italian writer and the managing editor of The
Palestine Chronicle. Her articles appeared in many online newspapers and
academic journals. She holds a Master’s Degree in Foreign Languages and
Literature and specializes in audio-visual and journalism translation.*
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