Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has described resistance as the only way to liberate Palestinian lands from Israeli occupation. 

Addressing tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered in Gaza City to mark Hamas' 24th foundation anniversary, Haniyeh said on Wednesday that the only remaining option for the liberation of occupied Palestinian territories is resistance since other ways, including negotiations, have failed. 

''We affirm that resistance is our strategic option and the only way to liberate our land, from the sea to the river. God willing, Hamas will lead the people ... to the uprising until we liberate Palestine, all of Palestine," Haniyeh said. 

The Hamas Prime Minister also described reconciliation among Palestinian factions and the prisoner exchange deal with Israel, under which 1,050 Palestinians were released from Tel Aviv jails in return for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, as two great victories for Palestinians achieved through resistance. 

"The issue of prisoners' exchange was a political and security battle with the enemy in which we won by making Israel bowing to the will of Palestinian people," Haniyeh said. 

He also described Hamas movement as the strongest part of Palestine that has stood against political isolation and the years-long Israeli siege. Haniyeh also described Gaza and Hamas as a source of inspiration for the Arab Spring. 

Hamas, the democratically elected ruler of Gaza, was founded on December 14, 1987, shortly after the beginning of the first intifada, or uprising, against Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.