Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday celebrated the resignation of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman as "victory" over Israel.
Announcing the move, Lieberman said he was resigning in protest over the Israeli government's decision to accept an Egyptian-brokered truce with Hamas, following two days of fighting, which were the worst border flare-up in the area since 2014.
He called the deal a "capitulation to terrorism" and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opted to "buy short-term quiet at the cost of long-term harm to Israel's security."
Spirits in Gaza were high following the news that seemed to further cement Gazans' sense of victory over Israel. Sweets were distributed to the residents, and in a rally outside Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's home in Gaza City, posters of Lieberman were burned.
Hamas has described the resignation as a "political victory for Gaza."
"This is a victory for the Palestinian resistance, a recognition of defeat," Haniyeh said in a statement. "It is one of the results of the failure of the crime [Israeli military operation] in Khan Younis, and the failure of Lieberman's policy to impose a siege on Gaza. This is the result of the steadfastness of our Palestinian people."
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that Lieberman's resignation signaled a "recognition of defeat and failure to confront the Palestinian resistance," adding "Gaza's steadfastness sent a political shockwave" through Israel.
In Ramallah, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said Lieberman's decision was "not surprising" and that it was made for political gain.
"We are not surprised about Lieberman's decision to resign because it is clear that he had disagreements with Netanyahu about the situation in the Gaza Strip and the latest decisions were signaling to that.
"For sure, he wants to make use of what is happening in Israel and criticize Netanyahu's policies and he is looking for a higher position than heading the Defense Ministry in the coming elections," he said.
"Lieberman's downfall is a victory for our resistance and for our Palestinian people," said Gaza resident Khaled Othman.
Another Gazan, Said Lulu, said, "The resistance proved its strength and brought joy to the hearts of the Palestinian and Arab people who have pinned hopes on the Palestinian resistance."
