GAZA, (PIC)
The Hamas Movement and its armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, have mourned commander Mohamed Awda, who was assassinated in an Israeli strike in northern Gaza on Tuesday evening.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas said that Awda, the Brigades’ chief of staff, was martyred, together with his wife and children, in a “treacherous Israeli airstrike that targeted an apartment building in Gaza City.
The Movement described the attack as a “desperate attempt to undermine the steadfastness and will of our people and their resistance,” and as a “blatant violation of all values, norms, laws, and divine ordinances.”
“After a lifetime of sacrifice and resilience spanning over 30 years, commander Awda was martyred. He was one of the pioneering founders of military and resistance work whose legacy shaped every blessed phase of the resistance,” Hamas said.
Hamas affirmed that “the blood of commander Mohamed Awda, his family and all martyrs from among our people and leaders will not go in vain. Their sacrifice will remain a source of strength, fueling determination to continue the path of struggle and steadfastness.”
“The fascist occupation government’s escalation of its crimes, assassinations, siege, and starvation in Gaza will not succeed in achieving its failed objectives, nor in breaking the will of our people and their resistance,” Hamas added.
For its part, al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas mourned commander Awda, saying his martyrdom came on the Day of Arafah and on the eve of Eid al‑Adha.
“The blood of our leaders will only strengthen the resistance’s determination to uphold its path,” the Brigades said.
“Such sacrifices deepen our faith in the righteousness of our path and strengthen our resolve to complete the journey that our people began nearly a century ago,” the Brigades added.
Mohamed Awda is considered one of the most prominent first‑rank leaders of the al‑Qassam Brigades. He held several military and leadership positions within the Brigades over many years.
On Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians gathered to bid farewell to Mohamed Awda and his family. The funeral procession followed noon prayers in Gaza City.
From an-Noor Mosque on Thawra Street, mourners marched in protest against Israeli aggression and in support of the resistance, while carrying the bodies on their shoulders to their final resting place.
The Israeli occupation army assassinated commander Awda, along with his wife and his children, in an airstrike on an apartment in Gaza City’s al‑Rimal neighborhood last Tuesday.