Israeli resignations 'clear sign' of defeat in Gaza: IRGC chief

The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the resignations of prominent Israeli officials are a clear sign of the regime's defeat in Gaza.

"All of Gaza was destroyed, but hearts remained strong; in Israel, there was less destruction, but hearts were shattered ... Look at Israeli officials, they are all depressed and disturbed, handing over their resignations. This is a clear sign of defeat as they confess to it," Major General Hossein Salami told a local event in the central Iranian city of Kashan on Thursday evening.

Israel was forced to agree to a ceasefire, which began on January 19, after it failed to achieve its declared objectives in the besieged territory. Palestinians celebrated the ceasefire as a victory with some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set to be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for Israeli captives held in Gaza.

"Those who kept their hearts strong emerged victorious, singing songs of triumph amidst the ruins of their homes," Salami said, noting that despite Israelis, Palestinians are "joyful" as they "resisted under fire, in hunger and thirst, but never abandoned God."

The remarks come as the largest Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth has listed the most high-profile figures from the Israeli military who have resigned over failures in the run-up to the Gaza war and after that.  

It named chief of the general staff Herzi Halevi, commander of the southern region Yaron Finkelman, commander of the Gaza division Avi Rosenfeld, head of the military intelligence division Aharon Haliva, commander of intelligence unit 8200 Yossi Sariel, and commander of the northern brigade in the Gaza Strip Haim Cohen.

Israeli military chief of staff resigns over October 7 failures

The Israeli army

Salami noted that the United States, Israel and Britain colluded with each other to crush a defenseless nation, but Palestinians withstood the scheme, held firm and emerged victorious.

“Recent events have shown that blood triumphs over the sword, and the Palestinian nation won the battle against the Zionists,” the IRGC chief commander said.

He went on to note that arrogant powers, spearheaded by the US and Israel, are sowing the seeds of sedition in the Muslim world.

“All wars that enemies, led by the United States and the Zionist regime, have waged have been in Muslim lands. They destroyed Muslim’s houses, killed men and women and decimated women and children,” said Salami.

He went on to praise the steadfastness of Muslim women and women, stressing that enemies would have taken full control of Muslim countries in case Muslims had not put up spirited resistance.

Salami also noted that Iranians have never capitulated in the face of enemies and will never back down at any point, stating that the Iranian nation has neither worried about enemies’ economic blockade nor their military threats and intimidation.

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