Tasnim � Secretary-General of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement Seyed Hassan Nasrallah said the liberation of Jerusalem al-Quds from the Israeli occupation is �closer than ever�.

�Today in the year 2020, and despite all the international and regional transformations and all the storms, earthquakes and sedition that have stricken our region, and due to the faith, resilience, patience, honesty, loyalty and communication among the nations and forces of the axis of resistance in our Arab and Islamic world, we find ourselves closer than ever to Jerusalem and to, God willing, its liberation,� Nasrallah said in a televised address marking International Quds Day.

Every year, millions of Muslims hold demonstrations worldwide to underscore the plight of Palestinians, heeding a call by the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, who designated the last Friday of every Ramadan as the International Quds Day.

He added, �The real scene upon which any interpretation, vision or evaluation of the future must be based is the firmness, resilience, rise and growth of the resistance forces -- be them governments, nations, factions, movements, peoples or elites -- in Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, and across our Arab and Islamic world�.

�The real scene is being reflected by the statements and stances of the Zionist officials, who are scared and terrified by the victories of the axis of resistance and are stunned and disappointed by the defeat of their allies and America's allies on several fronts and in several wars and confrontations in our region,� Nasrallah went on to say, Naharnet.com reported.

He also noted that Israeli officials �are clearly expressing their extreme concern over the growth of the resistance's capabilities as to quantity, quality, manpower, armament, technical expertise, morale and every other aspect.�

�We in Hezbollah, in the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, stress our firm commitment to this (Palestinian) cause and pledge that we will carry on this path, alongside our patient, aggrieved, besieged and Mujahid Palestinian people,� Nasrallah added.

He pointed out that �the sacrifices and patience of the mujahideen and resistance fighters and our peoples, men, women, youngsters and elders will change all equations.�

Recalling Iran's top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq earlier this year, Nasrallah pledged to honor him through �continuing this path, exerting every effort, removing every obstacle, closing ranks, uniting, showing solidarity, preparing all circumstances and paving the way for the day, which will certainly come, in which we will all pray in Jerusalem (al-Quds).�

�Al-Aqsa Mosque will be liberated by the arms and blood of our nation's loyal sons,� he said.