Hamas, Islamic Jihad Call for ‘Terror’ During Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan

Leaders of major Palestinian terror organizations have called on Arab states and the Muslim World to engage in “terror”, during the Islamic holy months of Ramadan, even though the Biden Administration is aiming for a Ramadan ceasefire in Gaza.

Jerusalem Post reported Sunday:

Palestinian Islamic Jihad wants Ramadan declared a month of terror and is seeking to intensify attacks in Gaza and the West Bank. Abu Hamza, spokesman of PIJ’s Al-Quds Brigades said in a recent address that he wanted Arab countries and pro-Iranian group to continue “unifying” various fronts and arenas against Israel.

The latest sign that terrorist groups are planning to escalate hostilities in the coming month is this. Hamza’s comments were published by Al Mayadeen, a pro-Iranian news channel based in Beirut that frequently highlights Hamas attacks and Hezbollah.

Comments made by the terrorist group are linked to comments made by Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh who called for a escalation in hostilities over Ramadan.

Ramadan will begin on 10 March, when the new lunar month is announced by the new moon.

Many Arab and Muslim countries have waged wars during Ramadan. One of the most notable was the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where Egyptian soldiers broke their fasts to cross the Suez Canal.

The Biden administration treats Ramadan very carefully, calling it a time of peace that is traditional and attempting to negotiate a hostage-release deal before the month begins.

John Kirby, White House National Security Spokesman, had an exchange last week with White House reporters:

John, thank you very much. I will start with Israel, then move onto Ukraine. You said that a ceasefire is not meant to be a race to Ramadan. How concerned is the Administration about the possible escalation of violence during Ramadan?

MR. KIRBY : We are aware of the sensitivities around Ramadan, and its spiritual significance to the Muslim World. We understand this.

What we do not want is a temporary ceasefire to be in place as quickly as possible. If we can reach an agreement for several week, that would be enough to get you through Ramadan.

We’re more concerned about the clock than the hostages. We can only assume they are being held under abhorrent circumstances and that their health, or even their lives, are in danger. We want them out of there as quickly as possible.

Benny Gantz, an Israeli member of the war cabinet, said that Ramadan was the deadline for any hostage agreement. He also warned that Israel would invade Rafah in southern Gaza, near the Egyptian frontier, if Hamas did not agree to the deal.

Joe Biden appeared to have backed away from his promise that an agreement would be reached on a hostage situation by Monday, 4th March, saying that while he remained hopeful, it was possible that the deal may not be completed before Ramadan.