Hamas Marks 26th Anniversary of Al-Aqsa Intifada, Calls for Global Support Hamas commemorates the 26th anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, urging Arabs, Muslims, and supporters worldwide to back Palestinian rights and defend Al-Aqsa Mosque. Hamas marked the 26th anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Intifada on Monday, calling on Arabs, Muslims, and supporters worldwide to back the Palestinian people in regaining their rights. The uprising erupted on September 28, 2000, after then-Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy security. Hamas Calls for Unified StrategyIn a statement marking the occasion, Hamas said its compass will remain firmly directed towards liberating the land and holy sites. The group called on its nation and free people around the world to support the Palestinian struggle and steadfastness until they secure their legitimate rights.Hamas said this year's anniversary comes amid an unprecedented escalation by Israel against the Palestinians and holy sites, including occupied East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque. It said this was accompanied by Israeli protection for extremist occupiers and efforts to Judaize Al-Aqsa, desecrate it, and erase its features, as well as advance annexation and displacement plans.The resistance group said Israeli measures will not succeed in extinguishing the flame of resistance or undermining the determination and will of the Palestinian people. It reiterated that Palestinians will not relinquish their land, rights, national principles, or holy sites, saying Israeli government plans are destined to fail.Hamas called for Palestinian agreement on a unified strategy, backed by sustained Arab, Muslim, and international support and effective partnership from supporters around the world. It also urged Arab and Muslim countries and supporters worldwide to take political, diplomatic, media, and popular action to support Palestinians and oppose measures targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque.Background of the Al-Aqsa IntifadaThe Al-Aqsa Intifada began on September 28, 2000, when Ariel Sharon, then Israeli opposition leader, visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem with heavy security. The visit sparked widespread protests that escalated into an uprising lasting around five years.During the uprising, 4,412 Palestinians were killed and 48,322 others injured, according to official figures. The intifada was a major period of conflict between Palestinians and Israel, shaping subsequent developments in the region.Israel was established in 1948 on Palestinian land seized by armed Zionist groups that carried out massacres and displaced at least 750,000 Palestinians. Israel later occupied the remaining Palestinian territories and continues to reject withdrawal and the establishment of a Palestinian state as stipulated in UN resolutions.Current Tensions and Regional ReactionsThe anniversary comes amid heightened tensions, with illegal Israeli settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian shops being forced to close. UK's Miliband described Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank as a stain on the conscience of the world.Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly met with the UAE leader over reports of a pre-October 7 Hamas warning. In other developments, Gaza recovered the remains of Palestinians from a house destroyed by Israel in 2023, Pakistan killed dozens of alleged India-backed terrorists in Balochistan, and Kosovo arrested nine Serbs on suspicion of war crimes over missing intellectuals.