Thousands of people flooded the streets of Van on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the Al- Operation Aqsa Flood, voicing unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian resistance and condemning the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The mass rally, organized by Islamic civil society organizations in Van, carried the theme “We Stand with the Resistance.” It became a resounding show of support for the Palestinian struggle and a rejection of Israeli oppression.

The march began at Kent Park and advanced through Maraş Street to Kent Square, where a large crowd gathered waving Palestinian flags and holding banners denouncing the Israeli occupation.

Participants shouted powerful slogans such as “Greetings to Hamas, continue the resistance!”, “Down with Israel!”, and “Gaza is not alone!” as the streets echoed with chants of defiance and solidarity.

Many carried placards reading “Stop the genocide,” “Victory belongs to the resistance,” and “Palestine will be free.”

At Kent Square, the program opened with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a video presentation portraying the suffering of the Gazan people under Israel’s two-year-long assault — a presentation that moved many in the crowd to tears.

The rally featured a live video link with Emrah Atiş, a teacher from Van who is currently aboard the Freedom Flotilla heading toward Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Atiş spoke about his mission to deliver humanitarian aid and stand shoulder to shoulder with Gaza’s besieged population.

Another keynote speaker, Dr. Zahir Elbek, Head of the Ankara Branch of the Palestinian Diplomacy Center, a Gazan academic, and journalist-writer, delivered an emotional address that deeply resonated with the audience.

Expressing gratitude to the people of Van for their unwavering support, Dr. Elbek said: “Yes, I am from Gaza. I was born in beautiful Gaza, I grew up in Gaza, and I was wounded in Gaza. There are 20 martyrs in my immediate family from this ongoing genocide. I bring you greetings from Gaza’s innocent child martyrs, from the heroic mothers, and from the mujahideen who continue their resistance beneath the rubble. And from this sacred and ancient city of Van, I send a thousand greetings back to heroic Gaza. Your brothers and sisters in Gaza love you.”

The crowd, moved by his words, erupted into chants of “Allahu Akbar!” and “Free Palestine!”

Elbek declared that the Zionist regime had already suffered defeat through the courage and faith of the Palestinian resistance.

“When the occupiers killed our leaders in Hamas, they celebrated. But our martyrs do not die; they live eternally. We weep for them, yes, for we are human. Yet we are proud because they sacrificed their lives for Allah’s sake — for a free Palestine. And we say clearly: May hell be the home of the oppressors, may hell be the home of the Zionists!”

Recalling the historic morning of October 7, 2023, Elbek described how 1,200 mujahideen of the resistance carried out the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, transforming the course of the struggle for liberation.

“They performed ablution, prayed the dawn prayer, and marched forward in the name of Allah. Within four hours, they crushed the so-called invincible Zionist army — their elite Gaza brigade was annihilated. That day, the resistance proved that the occupation is weak, and by Allah’s will, the struggle will continue until victory.”

The gathering concluded with collective prayers for Gaza’s martyrs, for the victory of the resistance, and for the liberation of Al-Quds. Scholars, families, and youth stood shoulder to shoulder, reaffirming their commitment to the Palestinian cause.

“Gaza’s struggle is the struggle of the entire ummah,” one participant said. “Every Muslim heart beats with Gaza. As long as there is oppression, resistance will continue.”

The Van rally transformed into a powerful declaration of Islamic unity and steadfast defiance. On the second anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood, the people of Van reaffirmed their unbreakable bond with Gaza, proclaiming to the world that the resistance will endure, the martyrs will be honored, and Palestine will be free — no matter how long it takes. (ILKHA)