In a video message addressed to the Iranian people and leaders, the deputy chief of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, asked for support against Israel. The video comes at a time when during the last 2½ months knife stabbings by Palestinians and shootings by the Israeli military have so far resulted in the deaths of 19 Israelis and 106 Palestinians. The video also comes as a surprise given that relations between Iran and Hamas have soured over the Syrian civil war, and even scheduling a meeting between the two has been an impossible feat.

In the three-minute video shared by Raja News, Haniyeh attempted to convince Iranian leaders the current unrest by mostly unorganized Palestinian youths is indeed a third intifada. “From the holy land of Palestine, from Jerusalem, to the Muslim and brotherly nation of Iran, I state this intifada is blessed, this intifada is sacred,” he said. “From the scenes at Al-Aqsa Mosque, it has taken shape from the spirit of faith, the spirit of jihad and the spirit of resistance.”

He continued, “I realize the place Jerusalem and Palestine have in the hearts of the people and for the leader of Iran. In this message I invite the people of Iran and Arab and Islamic nations for the strategic support of our great intifada, so that the intifada continues, and can confront plans and accomplish our goals of supporting Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and stop the excessive demands of settlers and liberate our holy land and our people.”

Haniyeh said, “Brothers and sisters, the great nation of Iran, today we know the important place that Palestine is to the leader of the Islamic Revolution, the administration, parliament and the people of Iran. And we know how great and holy Palestine is to you dear ones — that is why this intifada will continue.”