Palestinian leaders meet with new Quds Force chief after funeral

The Palestinian leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements have met with the new commander of the Quds Force, General Esmail Ghaani, in the Iranian capital Tehran, after visiting the house of Qassem Suleimani to offer his family condolences.

Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziad Nakhleh also attended Suleimani’s funeral on Monday.

In a speech in Tehran, Haniyeh called Suleimani “the martyr of Jerusalem”.

Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniya addresssing the crowd during a prayer for Qassem Suleimani (AFP) — Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniyah addresssing the crowd during a prayer for Qassem Suleimani (AFP)

Several Palestinian movements have issued statements offering Iran condolences.

The Islamic Jihad said in a statement that Suleimani was “a great master, and an unrivalled leader and no one could match him in his position and his jihad for decades in Palestine and the region.”

The historically Marxist-Leninist movement of the Popular Front of the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), said in a statement that Suleimani took the initiative to “struggle against the Zionist enemy and support the forces of resistance and develop its capabilities.”