Each year on 20 June, the world commemorates World Refugee Day reflecting on the ongoing suffering and hardships endured by refugees worldwide while seeking viable solutions to alleviate their plight. Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation of Palestine continues to persist, subjecting our Palestinian people to vicious acts of violence, displacement, killing, oppression, and ethnic cleansing, further exacerbating the suffering of more than nine million Palestinian refugees scattered across the globe.

In the face of the Palestinian refugees’ increasing suffering, the international community remains silent and fails to put an end to the occupation forces’ violations against them.

On this anniversary, the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas states the following:

First: Hamas hails the Palestinian refugees and expresses its appreciation for the refugees’ active role in the Palestinian people’s quest for freedom and return.

Second: Hamas upholds the refugees’ inalienable right to return to their land from which they have been forcibly expelled and rejects all proposed solutions aimed at denying the refugees their sacred right.

Third: Hamas emphasises that the Palestinian people will continue to resist the fascist Israeli occupation until liberation and return.

Fourth: Hamas reiterates the obligation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to deliver its essential services to all Palestinian refugees until their return. We firmly reject any endeavours to transfer or delegate these services to external entities.

Fifth: Palestinian refugees are an integral part of the Palestinian people who have been safeguarding their rights, principles, and sacred sites.

Sixth: We call on Palestinian refugees at home and abroad to promote unity and cooperation in the face of the Israeli occupation’s schemes and aggressive projects.

Seventh: We urge the host countries and rights and humanitarian organisations to show solidarity with the Palestinian refugees who reject resettlement plans and aspire to return to their homeland.

Hamas Movement

Tuesday, June 20, 2023