Quds Force Chief Says Israel’s Settlement Expansion Reflects Deep Internal Crisis

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Chief Brigadier General Esmail Qa’ani has said Israel’s expansion of settlements and intensified military actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza are attempts to divert attention from what he described as a deep internal crisis. Qa’ani said the Palestinian cause “from the river to the sea” remains more alive and attainable than ever, despite Israel’s continued actions in the occupied territories.

Qa’ani argued that Israel’s policies cannot conceal what he described as strategic and battlefield setbacks since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its war on Gaza. He said the developments instead demonstrate what he characterized as military, security, political and social paralysis within the Israeli regime. Qa’ani maintained that the Palestinian cause would continue through what he called popular resistance until the “victory of truth over falsehood,” adding that no actions could extinguish its momentum.

The Quds Force chief also warned that the Resistance Front was closely monitoring developments and would respond to any “adventure” by its adversaries at an appropriate time. His remarks came as Israel advances the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, east of occupied East al-Quds. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the plan poses an “existential threat” to the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state, while the International Court of Justice ruled in July 2024 that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and that its settlement policies violate international law.