Khamenei Meets with Hamas Leaders Amid Ongoing Ceasefire in Gaza

As the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip continues and the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners takes place, Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, met with several leaders of the Hamas group in Tehran on Saturday, February 20. Iranian media reported that Khamenei stated in this meeting that Hamas has managed to defeat Israel and, in fact, the United States, preventing the realization of their goals. He also emphasized the importance of cultural planning alongside military actions and the reconstruction of Gaza, calling for the continuation of this path. According to Iranian media reports, Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's political office, Mohammad Ismail Darwish, head of the group's leadership council, and Zahir Jabareen, in charge of the West Bank branch, were present at this meeting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following the fifth exchange of hostages and prisoners under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, emphasized that he would destroy Hamas and return all Israeli hostages. In a message released on Saturday, he stated, 'We will eliminate Hamas and bring back our hostages.' Netanyahu also referred to the members of this group as 'monsters.' These statements came as three Israeli hostages were released during an exchange in the Gaza Strip early Saturday. Published images show that these individuals were in poor physical condition and apparently spoke under duress in front of the camera. Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, along with Hezbollah in Lebanon and other armed groups in the region, is supported by the Islamic Republic. Iranian officials consider these groups part of the 'Resistance Axis.'