In a significant development, Muqtada al-Sadr, the prominent leader of the Sadrist movement, conveyed a stern message to Israel through a representative during his Friday sermon at a massive rally held on October 13, 2023. The rally, which drew over a million supporters of the Sadrist movement, was organized in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

During the sermon delivered by Sheikh Mohannad al-Mousawi, Muqtada al-Sadr issued a powerful message that emphasized his views on the situation in Gaza and the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

In his message, al-Sadr declared, "Jerusalem is not merely a slogan for us; Israel is an occupying entity on our land and a violator of our sanctities. Israel is, without a doubt, a terrorist entity, and its actions in Gaza constitute terrorism against the people of Gaza."

Furthermore, the leader of the Sadrist movement stressed that all Islamic nations stand ready to make sacrifices for the cause of Palestine. He highlighted the million-strong rally as a significant show of support for Palestinian rights and the ongoing struggle.

In a separate part of his message, Muqtada al-Sadr called for unity among Islamic nations and the immediate closure of Israeli embassies across all Islamic countries. He also urged for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Gaza Strip, with a particular focus on providing essential drinking water to its residents.

Al-Sadr instructed his followers to initiate the collection of aid for Gaza, stating, "You are now committed to preparing an aid convoy to assist Gaza, and it must be delivered to Palestine through either Syria or Egypt."

The backdrop to this message is the recent "Al-Aqsa Storm" operation launched by Hamas on October 7. The operation involved Hamas fighters infiltrating Israeli territories via sea, land, and air, launching thousands of rockets towards Israel, and infiltrating military installations and residential areas, resulting in casualties on both sides.

In Israel, the conflict has claimed the lives of 1,200 people, with a majority of them being civilians, since the commencement of the hostilities. The number of wounded individuals has reached 3,297, and approximately 150 hostages have been taken by the Israeli army.

In Gaza, where the situation is dire, 1,537 people have lost their lives, and more than 6,600 have been injured due to the intense Israeli airstrikes in response to the Hamas operation. The Hamas-affiliated Ministry of Health has reported that among the casualties, 500 are children.

Muqtada al-Sadr's message underscores the continuing regional tensions and the strong emotions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with leaders and movements across the Middle East expressing their positions and concerns. The situation remains highly charged and fluid, with international efforts ongoing to seek a resolution to the conflict.