The Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) has issued a statement regarding the 9th anniversary of The Wafa al-Ahrar (True promise of freemen) swap deal.

The full text of the statement is as follows:

October 18, 2011 is a turning point in the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation—a day when nationwide appreciation of the Palestinian resistance was exhibited.

The Wafa al-Ahrar (True promise of freemen) swap deal represented a series of notable victories in the conflict of minds with the Israeli occupation and the strength and cohesion of the Palestinian home front.   

This prisoner exchange agreement restored the freedom of more than 1,400 Palestinian detainees, including women, bring great joy to their families and all Palestinians, in addition to the free people of the world.  

The Palestinian resistance has secured a remarkable victory in a security battle and a conflict of minds since capturing Israeli occupation solider Gilad Shalit and holding him for more than five years in a very complicated security environment, with Israeli occupation warplanes, drones, and surveillance blimps hovering in the skies above the besieged Gaza Strip, until entering into indirect talks to hammer out a prisoner swap deal, in which the Palestinian resistance set an example for negotiating, until delivering Shalit in a process that confused the Israeli security establishment.

This agreement proved the Palestinian resistance’s ability to restore Palestinian rights and force the Israeli occupation to cross what it described as red lines.

In light of this anniversary, the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas states the following:

First: We salute the masterminds of this deal, foremost among them is al-Qassam Brigades commander Ahmad al-Jabari, and all freedom fighters who captured and held Shalit for more than five years.  

Second: We hail all Palestinian detainees for remaining steadfast in Israeli prisons and reassure them that the Palestinian resistance will not rest until releasing them all. We also warn the Israeli occupation against subjecting Palestinian detainees to its racist policies and undermining their legitimate rights in its jails. 

Third: Resisting the Israeli occupation is our option; the Palestinian resistance will satisfy the expectations of its people, defending their dignity and fighting for their rights to freedom, return, a decent life, and independence. 

Fourth: Achieving national reconciliation and unifying the Palestinian decision-making are a cornerstone of an effective and influential resistance approach, which will remain a strategic option for us. The Palestinian Prisoners' Document served as a solid basis for the National Conciliation Document, which represents a common ground agreed upon by all Palestinian factions. 

Fifth: Hamas calls for the Palestinian people to continue demonstrating their solidarity and support for Palestinian detainees, urging human rights groups and the free people of the world to expose the violations and crimes committed by the Israeli occupation authorities against them, including repressing children, women, parliamentarians, and sick detainees held in their prisons and extending their administrative detention, and pile pressure on the Israeli occupation to immediately release them, particularly Palestinian detainee Maher al-Akhras along with all detainees on hunger strikes.

Finally, the Wafa al-Ahrar agreement will always be a bright and inspiring point for us until releasing all Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (ILKHA)