HAMAS TERRORIST GROUP REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO DESTROY ISRAEL: Hamas recently reaffirmed its commitment to destroying the Jewish State, while tens of thousands of Palestinians celebrated the terrorist group’s 28th anniversary. “Hamas vows to remain faithful to the liberation of Palestine and to keep its weapon directed at the Israeli occupation only,” read a Hamas statement. Hamas praised the recent wave of Palestinian terrorism plaguing Israel, calling it the “Jerusalem intifada,” and encouraging others to engage in “heroic resistance against Israeli soldiers and settlers.” According to the statement, Hamas will “never compromise even one inch or grain of its soil or holy sites.” Hamas continues to be dedicated to the erosion of Jewish sovereignty in any form and does not distinguish between Israel proper and the Palestinian territories - viewing the entire land of Israel as an occupation. This rejectionist sentiment is at the core of Hamas’ ideology, obstructing any potential for a meaningful peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. Reinforcing that message, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal glorified Palestinian terrorists involved in recent attacks against Israelis, calling for the path of “Jihad and blood” as the only way Palestinians can achieve their objectives. (J. Post)