An event titled "February is the Month of Martyrdom" held in Ankara, Turkey, served as a platform for highlighting the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people and their unwavering commitment to liberation.

Organized by the Martyrs Caravan Platform and Prophet’s Lovers Association, the event featured a speech by Taysir Sulaiman, a communications officer for the Hamas Martyrs, Wounded and Captives Office.

Sulaiman's address offered a poignant perspective on the current state of affairs in Palestine. "When they martyred Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, they thought they would destroy Hamas," he declared, referencing the assassination of a prominent Palestinian leader. "But Allah increased the strength of the Islamic movement. Likewise, when they martyred Abdul Aziz er-Rantisia, they also thought that Hamas would be destroyed. Sharon, who martyred them, did not know. Hamas remained and they died."

Sulaiman went on to detail the challenges faced by Palestinians, including widespread imprisonment. "We have the right to defend ourselves," he asserted. "People should ask why didn't you defend yourselves? The resistance led to the production of our own weapons. We make the weapons with which we shoot the enemy. We didn't get them from Arab or Islamic countries. We didn't get them from charity and donations."

A central focus of Sulaiman's speech was the recent "Aksa Flood" operation launched by Hamas in October 2023. He described the operation as a necessary response and a strategic move. "On 7 October, when Hamas wanted to teach the so-called strongest army a lesson, only a thousand mujahideen went to the Aqsa Flood," he explained. "They lived in fortresses. They were protected by electronic walls. We knew that we would defeat these invading soldiers, but we expected Israel to make a better defense. We expected it to last 24 hours, but within 4 hours the Israeli army collapsed."

Sulaiman concluded his speech with a message of hope and unwavering commitment. "We achieved 3 successes on 7 October," he proclaimed. "First of all, we hit Israel. We captured their soldiers. And inshallah, we will bring our brothers out of prisons. Secondly, we carried the Palestinian cause to the whole world. It has ceased to be the cause of Palestinians only. It is no longer only the cause of Arabs. It is no longer only the cause of Muslims. The biggest demonstrations are taking place in Europe. We have made the Palestinian cause universal."

The event concluded with a presentation of a slide show on "February is the Month of Martyrdom," followed by a final performance by the Ankara Prophet Lovers Hymn Group. Attendees left the gathering with a renewed sense of commitment to the Palestinian cause and a determination to honor the sacrifices of martyrs through continued advocacy and support.

Overall, the program served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing injustices faced by Palestinians and the imperative of solidarity in the struggle for freedom and justice. (ILKHA)