TEHRAN -- Leader of the 
Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei told a Hamas delegation here Satruday that the Palestinian resistance defeated Israel and the U.S. in their war on Gaza, and made a “great achievement” by securing a ceasefire.
Ayatollah Khamenei received Hamas Shura Council chairman Muhammad Darwish, acting Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, and other members of the group’s political bureau.
“God Almighty granted you and the people of Gaza honor and victory, and made Gaza an example of the noble verse that says, ‘How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah’,” he told them.
“You overcame the Zionist regime and, in fact, the U.S. and by the grace of God, you did not let them achieve any of their goals,” the Leader added. 
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the suffering of the Gaza people for a year and half of the Israeli war, saying the ultimate result is “the victory of right over wrong”.
“The people of Gaza became an example for all those who have their hearts in resistance,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also praised Hamas negotiators, saying their deal forcing Israel to halt its brutal war on Gaza and release thousands of Palestinian prisoners is a “great achievement”.
The first 42-day phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for 33 Israeli captives and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners to be released.
So far, the agreement has held, but U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to clear Gaza of its inhabitants and take over the territory is creating hiccups amid widespread denunciation around the world.
Ayatollah Khamenei called on the Palestinian resistance to stay put, saying it is “necessary to plan for cultural works and continue the current path of PR works alongside military affairs and the reconstruction of Gaza”.
The Leader described faith as the main “asymmetric weapon” of the resistance front against the enemy. “It is because of this faith that the Islamic Republic and the resistance front do not feel weak against the enemies.”
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the recent U.S. threats against the Islamic Republic and the people of Iran, saying they “have no effect on the mentality of the nation and our officials, as well as the country’s activists and youth”.
Iran, which targeted Israel twice with a volley of missiles and drones during the Gaza war, has seen a rise in sanctions and threats of attack from the U.S. and Israel since Trump came to office.
On Thursday, the United States imposed its first sanctions on Iran after Trump revived his so-called maximum pressure strategy against the Islamic Republic. 
Ayatollah Khamenei said there is no question in the minds of the Iranian people about defending Palestine and supporting the Palestinian people, and the issue is a “resolved” matter.
“Palestine is a major issue for us and the victory of Palestine is also a definite issue for us,” the Leader said. 
He stressed that the ultimate victory belongs to the Palestinian people, saying certain vicissitudes should not cause doubt and instead, the move forward should 

continue with the strength of faith and hope for divine assistance.
Addressing the Hamas leaders, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “By the grace of God, the day will come when you have proudly solved the Al-Quds issue for the Islamic world. That day will definitely come.”
The delegation, which also included top Hamas official Nizar Awadallah, presented Ayatollah Khamenei a report on the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and “the victories and successes that were achieved.”
“We have come to meet your Excellency today while we are all proud and this great victory is a common victory for us and the Islamic Republic,” Hayya said.
The Shura Council is the main consultative body of Hamas that elects the resistance movement’s politburo. The visit to Tehran by Darwish and his team is part of their regional tour which has already taken them to Egypt and Turkey.