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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">‘Take Off the Garment of Slavery’ - Abu Hamza in His Own Words</h1>March 19, 2025</div>
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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)
<p><strong>By <a href="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/romana-rubeo" title="Display all articles for Romana Rubeo">Romana Rubeo</a></strong> </p>
<blockquote>
<h3><span>“There is no excuse for anyone to neglect the battle that we are waging on behalf of the Islamic nation”. – Abu Hamza</span></h3>
</blockquote>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p>Below are some of Abu Hamza’s most notable statements.</p>
<h4><strong>‘Sword of Jerusalem’</strong></h4>
<p><span>Since 2014, Abu Hamza has served as the spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigades, the PIJ’s military wing.</span></p>
<p><span>He was known for his prominent media appearances, particularly after key military confrontations with Israel.</span></p>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>The 11-day offensive resulted in the killing of more than 260 Palestinians in Gaza, with at least 2,000 others wounded.</span></p>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>At the time, Abu Hamza affirmed:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“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.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><b>‘Battle of Revenge and Pride’</b></p>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>“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.</span></p>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Seamus_Malek/status/1902102184432693409">https://twitter.com/Seamus_Malek/status/1902102184432693409</a></p>
<p><b>‘No Excuse’</b></p>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>“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:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“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?”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><span>“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.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1656739358131515392">https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1656739358131515392</a></p>
<h4><strong>‘Partners in Destiny’</strong></h4>
<p><span>Abu Hamza has always reiterated the importance of the unity of the fields, where all resistance movements should work together.</span></p>
<p><span>“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.</span></p>
<h4><strong>‘Crowns on Our Heads’</strong></h4>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>“We are able to continue the battle, no matter how long it lasts,” Abu Hamza concluded.</span></p>
<h4><strong>‘No Other than the Resistance’</strong></h4>
<p><span>Addressing the issue of the post-war Gaza, Abu Hamza sent a clear message to Israel:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“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.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<h4><strong>Confronting the Enemy</strong></h4>
<p><span>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.</span></p>
<p><span>Instead, he argued it reflected a long-term Israeli policy of war and genocide against the Palestinian people.</span></p>
<p><span>“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.</span></p>
<p><span>Highlighting the broader alliances of the struggle, he stated:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“We faced the occupation alongside a faithful group in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran on behalf of 1.5 billion Muslims.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Directly addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he added:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“From the outset, our motto has been: no matter how long this war lasts, we are up to it.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1734652367671279842">https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1734652367671279842</a></p>
<h4><strong>‘Face-to-Face’</strong></h4>
<p><span>Abu Hamza emphasized that Palestinian fighters had directly engaged Israeli forces throughout the war.</span></p>
<p><span>“Everyone witnessed how we confronted the enemy’s tanks face-to-face, demonstrating our rightful claim to the land,” he said.</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“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.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Abu Hamza described how resistance operations continued until
the last moments before the ceasefire, crediting their endurance to
years of preparation.</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“The enemy anticipated our surrender with white flags but found only black banners and death in Gaza’s battlefields.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><span>“The Israeli military failed to eliminate the resistance,
recover its captives, or achieve any objectives beyond destruction and
devastation,” he added.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1744770807715254479">https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1744770807715254479</a></p>
<h4><strong>‘Pillars of This Land’</strong></h4>
<p><span>Abu Hamza argued that despite its overwhelming military force, Israel had failed to achieve its objectives.</span></p>
<p><span>He pointed to Palestinian resilience as the defining feature of the war:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“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.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Finally, he addressed the Palestinian people directly:</span></p>
<blockquote>
<h4><span>“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.”</span></h4>
</blockquote>
<p><span>(The Palestine Chronicle)</span></p>
<div>
<p><br></p>
<p><span><i><span>– 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.</span></i></span></p></div>
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