Tehran, IRNA – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has agreed to pardon or commute the sentences of over 2,000 prisoners.
On the occasion of Iranian New Year and Eid al-Fitr, Ayatollah Khamenei has agreed to pardon or commute the sentences of 2,127 convicts upon a proposal by Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholmhossein Mohseni-Ejei.
The prisoners had been sentenced in public and revolution courts, the Discretionary Punishments Organization Of Iran, and the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces.
The international Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) will sail in mid April with multiple vessels, carrying 5500 tons of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international human rights observers to challenge the ongoing illegal Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. This is an emergency mission as the situation in Gaza is dire, with famine setting in in northern Gaza, and catastrophic hunger present throughout the Gaza Strip as the result of a deliberate policy by the Israeli government to starve the Palestinian people. Time is critical as experts predict that hunger and disease could claim more lives than have been killed in the bombing.
Getting humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza is urgent, but it is not sufficient. We must end Israel’s unlawful, deadly blockade as well as Israel’s overall control of Gaza. Allowing Israel to control what and how much humanitarian aid can get to Palestinians in Gaza is like letting the fox manage the henhouse. And yet, this is what the international community of states is allowing by refusing to sanction Israel and defy its genocidal policies in order to ensure that enough aid reaches the trapped, beleaguered and bombarded civilian population.
The Cyprus maritime corridor, the U.S. floating pier project, and symbolic air drops of food are all distractions from the fact that these methods of aid delivery are insufficient, and still leave Israel in control of what aid can get to the Palestinian people, all while Israel actively prevents thousands of aid trucks from entering Gaza through the land crossings.
On January 26 the International Court of Justice ruled that, ‘the State of Israel remains bound to fully comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and with the said Order, including by ensuring the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.’ On March 28, the ICJ ordered additional preliminary measures, which included requiring the Israeli forces to stop “preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance” to Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has long violated its responsibility as occupying power to ensure the health and wellbeing of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Now, it is engaging in full scale genocidal conduct in Gaza and using starvation as a weapon of war. Israeli military and political leaders have repeatedly declared their intention to collectively punish the entire population of Gaza, including by denying them food, water and other life-sustaining aid. We therefore reject Israel’s control over the humanitarian aid that can enter Gaza and reject any Israeli inspection of our cargo.For everyone’s safety and to ensure aid is delivered to those who need it, the FFC is bringing hundreds of international humanitarian observers, from many countries and different backgrounds.
“The International Court of Justice’s preliminary measures ordered against Israel are very clear” comments Ismail Moola of South Africa’s Palestine Solidarity Alliance, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. “The court’s ruling requires the whole world to play their part to stop the genocide unfolding in Gaza, including unobstructed access to vital aid. While our governments fail to lead in these urgently required humanitarian responses, people of conscience and our grassroots organizations must act to take leadership. When governments fail, we sail!”
The FFC is a non-partisan international coalition of campaigns who stand for freedom and human rights. We have sailed since 2010 with the goal of breaking the blockade of Gaza, in solidarity with Palestinians cries for freedom and equality. Our non-violent direct action missions support the dignity and humanity of Palestinians, working with civil society partners, rather than any party, faction or government.
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Freedom Flotilla media spokespeople Post navigation
Nearly five months on the start of the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, the Palestinian resistance, by its unwavering resolve, still stands as an impenetrable barrier, despite the relentless aggression and the horrific genocide.
Started on October 27, 2023, the ground offensive was declared with the stated goals of eliminating Hamas and releasing the captives taken by the resistance group during the heroic Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th.
Despite attempts of advance throughout long weeks of ferocious fighting, the Israeli occupation army failed to secure its presence in numerous areas across the strip, and was forced to pull out several brigades from Gaza.
Al-Manar has prepared several maps that show the course of the battlefield since the start of the ground invasion. The maps provide a comprehensive visual representation of the battlefield’s dynamics and tactical maneuvers.
Maps Talk
On the evening of 27 October, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) launched a large-scale ground assault on the towns of Beit Hanoun and Bureij in the Gaza Strip. A day later, the occupation military said the deployed units were still on the ground, marking the beginning of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.
During the first month of the ground offensive, the Israeli incursions initially took place at two areas: Beit Hanoun in the north and in the area near Juhr Al-Deek in the strip’s center, south of the Gaza City (Map 1 gives more details). The occupation troops then expanded their presence from the north to the west, and then to the center.
By November 18, the occupation military ended up in cutting the Gaza Strip in to two halves, the north and the south, and in encircling the Gaza City.
Later in December, the IOF attempted to stage a new incursion in the south, near Al-Qarara city, north of Khan Younis (Map 2). In this stage, the Palestinian resistance was still capable to stage attacks against the occupation forces in the north.
Two weeks later (by December 19), the occupation forces tried to expand their presence in the north, the center and the south (Map3). During this phase, heavy losses were inflicted upon the IOF who were met by fierce resistance.
By December 22, the Israeli occupation army pulled out several brigades from Gaza, including the Golani Brigade, after significant losses inflicted upon (Map 4 gives more details).
The resistance’s say was decisive later in January: The Israeli occupation can never control the northern area of the Gaza strip, it can only lay siege to the area and try to make another attempt in the south, in Al-Qarara and Khan Younis (Map 5 gives details).
During February, the Israeli occupation army tried to bolster its military presence in the north.
In March, and nearly five months on the start of the ground invasion, the Israeli occupation military withdrew from several areas in the Strip’s center and south. It ended up building a 1-kilometer deep path on the Gaza Strip’s border with the occupied territories in Gaza envelope (as shown in Map 6).
The Unbreakable Resistance
By March 19, the official Israeli death toll, announced by the occupation military since the start of the ground offensive, stood at 251, with estimations that the real figures have been far greater.
Fighting in an urban environment, the Israeli troops have been facing many challenging factors that shaped the outcome of the military engagements.
Of these challenging factors are the booby traps and shells. These local-made explosive devices have been used by the well-trained resistance fighters, frequently at point-blank range.
Furthermore, the complex tunnel system in the Gaza Strip is seen by the occupation army as a serious problem. Fighters can move between the buildings without actually going outside into the street, indicating that soldiers are susceptible to ambush.
On the other hand, the resistance fighters are seen as a formidable adversary to the occupation army as they are the native people of Palestine. They are familiar with the territory in Gaza and have been preparing for this for a long time.
Ultimately, the Israeli ambitions have crumbled against the resilience of the Palestinians, leaving their hopes of conquest dashed against the achievements secured by the unbreakable resistance.
The Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip have embarked on yet another day of relentless airstrikes, artillery shelling, and fire belts, perpetrating horrifying acts of violence against innocent civilians. The Palestinian Information Center confirmed that this marks the 116th consecutive day of the genocide inflicted upon the region, resulting in numerous bloody massacres and a staggering number of casualties.
The aggression, which has caused the displacement of over 90% of the population, has led to a catastrophic humanitarian situation exacerbated by an ongoing siege. The occupation aircraft and artillery spared no corner of the Gaza Strip, relentlessly bombarding various areas. Khan Yunis, in particular, bore the brunt of the aggression as homes, displaced persons’ gatherings, and streets were targeted, leaving countless martyrs and a high number of wounded victims.
To make matters worse, the occupation forces obstructed the movement of ambulances belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and continued shelling in proximity to their main headquarters in Khan Yunis. This deliberate targeting of medical facilities demonstrates a disturbing disregard for international humanitarian laws.
Palestinian journalists survived an Israeli airstrike as they reported on the destruction resulting from ongoing bombardment in #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/laHO85Sq1j
Amidst intensified artillery shelling, severe clashes erupted in the Al-Amal neighborhood and the Batn al-Sameen area, west and south of Khan Yunis, respectively. Barrage of lighting bombs and heavy gunfire further added to the chaos and fear gripping these communities.
The occupying Israeli army wreaks havoc inside the Nour Shams refugee camp, in the occupied West Bank, deliberately destroying the streets and infrastructure to make the life of the local Palestinian residents unbearable. pic.twitter.com/uHq8DgX3Z2
The international community has remained largely silent regarding the ongoing genocide, failing to take meaningful action to protect the lives and dignity of the Palestinian people. As the conflict reaches its 116th day, it is imperative for world leaders to step up and address this dire situation, putting an end to the Zionist occupation forces’ ruthless campaign of violence.
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Israeli media reveals an unprecedented increase in the number of Israelis who have left “Israel” and refuse to return, especially following the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th.
Israeli channel Kan TV presented the results of a “remarkable” opinion poll regarding Israelis who have left “Israel” and refused to return, especially after the Palestinian Resistance launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th.
The channel mentioned that the poll conducted by the World Zionist Organization revealed that 80% of Israelis abroad do not want to return to “Israel”.
Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman, the head of the Organization and Relations Department at the World Zionist Organization and the poll’s author, explained that “the public in Israel is going through a state of fluctuation,” adding, “This is a shock, we are not beyond the shock, but rather inside the shock itself.”
In recent times, Israeli media has been observing data that is not usually disclosed by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority regarding the number of applications for foreign citizenship and the possession of a second passport among Israelis, as well as their preferred destinations. According to this data, a significant number of Israeli settlers have already begun the process of moving to Spain, Portugal, the United States, and even Germany.
Israeli media: 1600 Israeli soldiers traumatized, in need of treatment
Earlier this month, Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted sources in the Israeli Occupation Forces stating that around 1600 soldiers have suffered from symptoms of distress and shell shock since the beginning of the war on Gaza.
Some of them have been treated by specialized teams within the IOF. Meanwhile, 90 were discharged as being unfit for service due to psychological difficulties.
Israeli newspaper Maariv also revealed an increase in psychological challenges among Israelis, amid the ongoing Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Israeli Emotional First Aid Association Eran received 100,000 requests for psychological assistance from various groups and ages.
This phenomenon is not limited to settlers but also includes Israeli soldiers who participated in the ground invasion of Gaza. Israeli Channel 12 reported that one soldier woke up terrified due to a nightmare and fired shots at the wall of the room where he was sleeping, dealing injuries to several Israeli soldiers.
Hezbollah announced on Monday the martyrdom of one of its Resistance commanders on the path to al-Quds, in an Israeli strike targeting his car in the town of Khirbet Selem, South Lebanon.
The Resistance party mourned its senior officer Wissam Hassan Tawil, codenamed Hajj Jawad, who had contributed his life to fighting the Israeli occupation in the past decades, and more recently the terrorist Western-backed proxies in Syria and Iraq, mainly ISIS, making him a key figure in confronting US-Israeli-led plots against the region.
In a special coverage, Al Mayadeen shed light on the life and journey of the martyr and revealed some information about his final moments before his assassination.
The Resistance’s top leader had arrived at his home on the outskirts of the town of Khirbet Selem on Sunday evening, after being away for a long time.
His house is located approximately 19 to 20 kilometers away from the border with occupied Palestine.
The attack was carried out shortly after Tawil left his home around noon and headed to his car parked on the opposite side of the road. Circulating footage shows his car set ablaze.
How Tawil was assassinated remains inconclusive, especially considering Israeli reports suggesting that it could have been carried out using an IED.
The Israeli occupation had labeled Tawil as a top priority target for over two decades, due to his massive contributions to the Resistance and his vast participation in operations against the entity since the 1990s, when it was still occupying the Lebanese South.
He had been pursued by Israelis for many years and survived several assassination attempts.
Since the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, Hajj Jawad has been on the frontlines, even approaching the nearest point from the occupied Palestinian territories on several occasions, being just a few meters away from Israeli military bases.
Among his fellow fighters in the Islamic Resistance, he is known as the “man of the field” and an expert in all its details.
"الشهيد وسام حسن طويل "الحاج جواد" معروف في #المقاومة_الإسلامية بأنه رجل الميدان والخبير بكل تفاصيله"
Following the news of his martyrdom, Israeli media outlets started publishing reports claiming that Tawil was the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. However, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon categorically rejected the reports, stressing that there was no truth to it in any way.
A life dedicated to the Resistance
Hezbollah’s military media published a brief biography of the martyred commander, his contributions, and his key roles.
Part of all Hezbollah’s major operations
In 1985, Wisam Hassan Tawil joined Hezbollah and underwent various training stages, where his commitment to fieldwork became evident.
Between 1992-2000, the martyr became an active fighter among the Resistance ranks, participating in all combat and reconnaissance operations against the occupation, especially in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region, following the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in April 1996, after which he became deputy head of the Iqlim al-Tuffah axis.
Throughout his Resistance years, he sustained severe injuries, notably in 1999 during the Sujud operation.
Present on all fronts
He participated in many Islamic Resistance operations, before the liberation of South Lebanon and Western Bekaa in 2000. After the liberation, he took part in high-end operations against the Israeli enemy positions in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms.
He excelled in reconnaissance and information-gathering operations and was under the supervision of Hezbollah‘s martyred top commander Imad Moughniyeh (such as in the Aramta operation).
He also participated in developing programs related to the development of Hezbollah’s field operations.
In individual photos, martyr Tawil can be seen with current Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, martyr Imad Moughniyeh, martyred leader Mostafa Badreddine, and martyred leader of the IRGC’s Quds Force, martyr Qassem Soleimani, among others.
— علي شعيب || Ali Shoeib 🇱🇧 (@alishoeib1970) January 8, 2024
Transferring experience to the Palestinian Resistance
Tawil took part in the planning and reconnaissance stages of Resistance operations to capture Israeli soldiers in occupied Lebanese territories near the Palestinian border, most notably the Shebaa operation in 2000, al-Ghajar in 2005, and Kallet Warde (Ayta al-Shaab) in July 2006 (Operation Truthful Promise).
After the Israeli occupation launched the war on Lebanon in July 2006, the now-martyred official played a key role in resisting the aggression, leading up to the historic victory against “Israel” in August 2006.
Following the war, Hezbollah engaged in deep structural changes as part of lessons derived from the war aimed at developing and improving the Resistance and its capabilities. Tawil was one of the leading figures to materialize this plan between 2006 and 2011.
As the war on Syria broke out in 2011, he was in the vanguard of the fighters joining forces in the face of terrorist organizations.
Moreover, one of his most crucial contributions was transferring Hezbollah’s experience to the Palestinian Resistance and participating in the liberation of Iraq from US-backed ISIS.
Hezbollah military media released several photos of the Islamic Resistance commander martyr Wissam Hasan Tawil to display his prosperous jihadi journey.
The photos show the martyr in company with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, the Resistance martyred leaders Imad Mughinyeh and Mustafa Badreddine in addition to the former commander of IRGC’s Al-Quds Force martyr General Qassem Suleimani.
Martyr Tawil joined the Islamic Resistance in the late 1980s and contributed the liberation victory in 2000. The commander and trainer collaborated with his comrades-in-arms to confront 2006 war, defeat the terrorist groups in Syria and support the Palestinian resistance in Gaza on the Lebanese front.
With utmost pride and honor, the Islamic Resistance announced the martyrdom of the leader Wissam Hasan Tawil, known as “Al-Hajj Jawad”, from the town of Khirbet Selem in southern Lebanon, who attained martyrdom on the path to liberate Al-Quds.
The Islamic Resistance fighters continued on Tuesday striking the Israeli occupation sites and troops on Lebanon border.
Hezbollah military media issued a statement on Tuesday to give further details about the attack.
“In response to the assassination crime of the great leader, the martyr Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri, and his brothers, the martyred in the southern suburbs of Beirut, and the assassination of the martyr Leader, our brother, the Fighter Wissam Tawil (Hajj Jawad), the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targeted the headquarters of the Northern Command of the enemy’s army in the occupied city of Safad (Dado Base) with a number of assault drones,” the statement read.
It’s worth noting that the Dado base is 29 km away from the Lebanese southern borders.
Northern Command of the enemy’s army in the occupied city of Safad (Dado Base)
The Islamic Resistance announced yesterday the martyrdom of the leader Wissam Hasan Tawil, known as “Al-Hajj Jawad”, from the town of Khirbet Selem in southern Lebanon, who attained martyrdom All the Way to Al-Quds.
The statement was issued minutes before the mourning ceremony for martyr Tawil kicked off in his hometown in Khirbet Selem.
Later on, Hezbollah issued a statement, saying: “In steadfast support of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip, and in solidarity with their courageous and honorable resistance, the Islamic Resistance fighters executed two targeted operations on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.”
“At 9:30 am on Tuesday, the Al-Malikiyah site was targeted with appropriate weapons, and was directly hit,” the statement read.
“At 9:35 a.m., our forces directed missile weapons at Al-Baghdadi’s site, securing a direct hit,” another statement indicated.
Shortly thereafter, at 9:40 a.m., the Yiftah Barracks became the focal point of a second operation, with the Hezbollah fighters employing missile weaponry to achieve another precise and impactful strike.
A fifth statement affirmed that the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 13:00 Hanita site with the appropriate weapons and hit the target accurately.
The sixth statement mentioned that Islamic Resistance fighters struck at 14:20 a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Admeet barracks with rocketry weapons and achieved a direct hit.
Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Israeli occupation site of Ruwaisat Al-Qarn with rocketry weapons and hit it accurately, according to the seventh statement.
The eighth statement indicated that the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 15:40 the newly-established espionage equipment at Bayyad Blida site with appropriate weapons and hit it directly.
Map
Hezbollah military media also mourned the fighters Issa Ali Noureddine, Mohammad Sharif Al-Sayyed Nasser, Hasan Abdul Hussein Ismail, and Ali Hussein Burji who embraced martyrdom All the Way to Al-Quds.
Martyr Issa Ali Noureddine
Martyr Mohammad Sharif Al-Sayyed Nasser
Martyr Hasan Abdul Hussein Ismail
Martyr Ali Hussein Burji
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon has disseminated footage capturing the operation aimed at targeting an Israeli Merkava tank positioned at the Ruwaisat al-Asi site along the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
A screenshot of a video released by Hezbollah Military Media on January 6, 2024, showing the operation targeting the Israeli “Meron” Intelligence and Airforce base in occupied Palestine. (Military media)
Israeli media continue to show signs of shock at the magnitude of the operation conducted by the Lebanese Resistance, Hezbolla.
The strike on the Israeli “Meron” intelligence and Airforce base, conducted by the Lebanese Resistance group Hezbollah, continues to haunt “Israel”.
The military analyst of Haaretz, Amos Harel, pointed out that what was significant in the operation was the choice of the target itself, namely “Mount Meron”.
Harel provided details about what the “Meron” base includes, stressing that the Northern Air Control Unit is stationed there, and radars track every flight in Syrian and Lebanese airspace. These details are identical to those mentioned by the Resistance group in its statement following the operation.
The military analyst, regarding the escalation on the front with Lebanon, said “Israel” is in a situation where it sees that the intense fire that has been ongoing for three months in the north, which led to the evacuation of the settlements there, “is the least bad option,” indicating that war or wider action with Hezbollah will have worse repercussions for not only the Israeli-occupied north but for all of occupied Palestine.
"Meron" base entered the long list of Israeli targets struck by the Resistance in Northern Occupied #Palestine.
Here's all you need to know about the base which was struck today with 62 rockets and missiles by the Lebanese Resistance.
‘Meron’ saga continues: Iron Dome inapt against Hezbollah’s Kornet EMs
Israeli media outlets pointed out on Sunday that the Israeli army’s “Meron” air control and surveillance airbase was targeted by Hezbollah with an advanced version of Kornet missiles with an effective range of up to 10 km.
The media outlets warned that the Iron Dome, the entity’s state-of-the-art anti-air system, is not designed to deal with this type of threat, cautioning that the Israeli army must find solutions to address this issue.
Israeli media also reported that the army opened an investigation into the attack in an attempt to limit similar incidents and failures, adding that it had admitted to the same damages Hezbollah reported yesterday.
The “Meron” base is one of the most strategic centers for the entire Israeli entity and the primary intelligence and military command hub on the northern front.
It is the sole facility responsible for managing and controlling air operations toward Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Cyprus, as well as the northern part of the eastern Mediterranean Sea basin. Moreover, the base acts as a central hub for electronic warfare interference in the mentioned directions, staffed by a significant number of elite Israeli officers and soldiers.
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon Hezbollah announced on Saturday morning striking the base with 62 missiles and rockets, noting that this was the “initial response” to the Israeli assassination of Hamas’ senior leader Shiekh Saleh al-Arouri and his companions earlier this week in Beirut’s Southern Suburb.
Footage revealed that “Meron” was targeted with a number of guided missiles, later identified as the enhanced Kornet-EM anti-tank guided missile.
Israeli media wondered that although there is no system that could intercept anti-tank missiles on their way to hit “Meron”, it is not clear why the Israeli army did not install fences around such sensitive facilities, as it did along the northern border, claiming that these walls would absorb the impact of the anti-tank missile, cause the warhead to explode, and prevent most, if not all, of the damage to the facilities at the base.
Israeli media also reported that following the targeting of the “Meron” base, the Air Force re-activated the “Tal Shamayim” (“Sky Dew”) spy balloon, which is supposed to provide “Israel” with long-range early warning of any air threats targeting it.
This comes as the head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, said, “We must restore Israeli deterrence, which has eroded to zero.”
Hezbollah’s recent operation targeting the Meron Air Base has captured intense scrutiny from the Israeli enemy’s media and circles, highlighting the operation’s field achievements and its broader implications.
Israeli media acknowledged the precision of Hezbollah’s strikes on Meron, emphasizing the lack of a tangible Israeli response and the notable absence of Meron’s air defense system in thwarting the attack.
Describing the operation as a ‘significant blow’ to the Israeli army, the Israeli media underscored the use of various weapons by Hezbollah, including missiles, drones, and anti-armor missiles, striking from a distance exceeding 8 km.
⚡️ Israeli media:
The targeting of Meron Air Base this morning by #Hezbollah was accurate.
The Hebrew newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” reported that the video released by Hezbollah revealed precise damage to two domes at the Meron base, signalling severe consequences.
In interpreting the importance of Meron Air Base in Hezbollah’s statement, the media stressed that Hezbollah sought to articulate the substantial toll exacted from the Israeli army. Yedioth Ahronoth writer Nadav Eyal commented on the operation, noting that whoever assumed Hezbollah’s deterrence had waned had overlooked the party’s steadfastness since the conflict’s initiation on October 8.
Additionally, concerns were raised in Zionist media about Hezbollah’s intention to disrupt the northern command’s capabilities, emphasizing the need for vigilance against potential strategic impairments.
Commenting on the operation, an Israeli analyst for Channel 14 highlighted that the Israeli occupation is deliberately hiding the extent of the damage dealt to the intelligence system at the sensitive base yesterday.
Meanwhile, Israeli Walla! news website described Hezbollah’s operation as only a “trailer” of what would happen if the party’s “multidimensional threats expand.”
Former Northern Command commander in the Israeli army, Asher Ben Lulu, offered his perspective on the operation, characterizing Hezbollah’s attack on Meron as a “rare strike on a first-class strategic site.” Lulu criticized Israel’s ambiguous response, emphasizing that clarity in addressing the aftermath of the attack was essential for building deterrence.
Haaretz’ Amos Harel said ‘Israel’ seeks to “avoid escalating Northern hostilities after Hezbollah’s ‘contained’ reaction to Hamas leaders’ killing,” analysing that Hezbollah, at present, seems uninterested in escalating the conflict, “although Israelis who left their homes in the north will likely wait for months before returning.”
Israeli media: "The Israeli Army" is hiding the damage incurred by Meron.
Hezbollah's capabilities cause concern.
Israeli media warn of Hezbollah's capabilities, especially after the operation targeting the air force base in Meron pic.twitter.com/aC8GzvhZXa
The Israeli Media outlets have issued warnings, highlighting the vulnerability of the Iron Dome, the sophisticated anti-air system of the entity, against the specific threat posed by Hezbollah’s recent rocket attack. Concerns have been raised over the system’s limitations in effectively countering this type of threat, prompting a call for the Israeli army to urgently devise solutions to address this security gap.
Israeli media reported that the army has initiated an investigation to examine the incident closely. The investigation aims to identify the causes of the attack, assess potential failures in the system’s response, and formulate strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Remarkably, the Israeli army acknowledged the damages reported by Hezbollah, signifying a rare admission of the impact and effectiveness of the resistance group’s offensive capabilities.
Times of Israel has reported that the Israeli army admitted on Sunday that damage was caused to its air traffic control base on Mount Meron in the Hezbollah missile attack on Saturday.
“The IOF does not elaborate on the damage to the base. But according to Hezbollah’s video, the radar domes were hit,” the Israeli website reported, adding that the army was investigating on the incident.
Following the assassination of Palestinian Resistance leader Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri in Dahiyeh, Hezbollah executed a swift and strategic response by targeting one of the Israeli occupation forces’ critical installations. The focus of this retaliation was the Air Traffic Control Base situated in northern occupied Palestine. Positioned atop Mount Jarmaq, also known as “Meron,” the highest peak in the ’48 occupied territories, the base was subjected to a barrage of 62 rockets launched by the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon.
The precision attack, executed at 8:10 am (local time) on Saturday morning, was specifically aimed at the “Meron” Air Traffic Control Base.
Hezbollah emphasized that this facility holds a unique position as the sole center responsible for managing and monitoring air traffic in the northern occupied territories. Notably, there exists no equivalent alternative to Meron Base, creating a significant operational void for the Israeli occupation forces.
Meron Air Surveillance Base plays a pivotal role in the administration and control of air activities in the northern usurping entity. Mitzpe Ramon in the south serves as the other key base.
The six martyrs includes four brothers: Hazaa (27 years old), Rami (22 years old), Ahmed (24 years old), and Alaa Naji Hassan Darwish (29 years old).
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported the martyrdom of six Palestinians early Sunday in an Israeli drone attack on al-Shouhada Roundabout south of Jenin following an Israeli raid.
The six martyrs included four brothers: Hazaa Naji Hassan Darwish (27 years old), Rami (22 years old), Ahmed (24 years old), and Alaa (29 years old).
Razkallah Nabil Suleiman (18 years old), and Mohammed Yasser Musa Asa’as were also among the martyrs.
UPDATE: One Palestinian youth from a village south of Jenin was also critically injured, and later succumbed to his wounds, raising the number of martyrs to seven.
Tweets
These horrific images of a new massacre against the Palestinians are not from Gaza; they are from the city of Jenin in the West Bank today. The targeted individuals were all civilians. The area where they were gathering is considered a place for laborers to assemble before… pic.twitter.com/Jc6Rn8sUgj
The Palestinian Jenin Brigades executed a lethal ambush on Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank city of Jenin.
The fighters trapped the invading forces in a fiery ambush, employing successive explosives followed by direct and intense gunfire. The operation resulted in unspecified casualties among the occupation troopers, prompting the Israelis to call for reinforcements, warplanes, and reconnaissance aircraft to evacuate their wounded and dead.
The Jenin Brigades, an armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, in a statement, emphasized that the Palestinian ambush compelled the Israelis to unleash violence on civilians, targeting the As’ous family and resulting in the martyrdom of six individuals All the Way to Al-Quds.
At least six Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli drone strike on Jenin, amid an uptick in violence from Israeli forces against the West Bank since October 7. The strike targeted a gathering of civilians south of Jenin early on Sunday morning, killing at least six Palestinians, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah said in a post on Facebook.
Israeli helicopters fired heavy machine gun rounds toward civilian homes in the Jenin refugee camp and large Israeli reinforcements were sent in through the Jenin checkpoint.
An Israeli soldier was also killed during the early Sunday raid of Jenin.
Al-Qassam Brigades – Jenin:
⭕ We ambushed zionist infantry forces that stormed the city of Jenin, confirming that a number of occupation soldiers were seriously injured. pic.twitter.com/D5AtPNllFs
Issuing a stern warning, the statement highlighted a miscalculation by the Israeli forces, stating, “You have made a mistake in studying the Jenin Brigade. By the grace and favor of Allah, we succeeded in trapping you in a fiery ambush, and assure you that what awaits you is worse and more bitter.”
The Jenin Brigades further challenged the Israeli occupier to publicly disclose their real losses before 9:00 PM, threatening to reveal the extent of human and material losses suffered by the occupying forces in the ambush unless the regime heeded the call.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported at least six casualties from an Israeli drone strike on Jenin, escalating tensions in the West Bank amid heightened Israeli aggression since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7.
The Israeli army’s midnight raid on Jenin city and its refugee camp, including helicopter attacks on civilian homes, further exacerbated the situation, resulting in a surge of casualties and injuries in the Occupied West Bank.
TOPSHOT – The sun rises above the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip on January 1, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by AFP)
Gaza Strip is witnessing a sharp escalation in violence, with Israeli military operation in last night’s onslaught in Al-Faluga and Khan Yunis leaving at least 20 Palestinians martyred, a toll that tragically includes civilians seeking refuge and victims from an attack on a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school in the Mughazi refugee camp.
20 Palestinians lost their lives during the night as the Israeli occupation forces launched airstrikes on Al-Faluga in the Jabalia refugee camp, situated in the northern Gaza Strip. Among the targeted locations was a building belonging to the Abu Alba family in Al-Faluja. Concurrently, air strikes pounded Tal Al-Zaatar in the northern Gaza Strip, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
Adding to the toll, 16 Palestinians were martyred in the bombing of the central Gaza Strip since evening.
Deir al-Balah witnessed 11 casualties due to Zionist attacks, while in Khan Yunis, located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, the death toll rose to 17. Artillery shelling intensified in the neighborhoods of the city’s center, west, and north.
Rafah also bore the brunt of the occupation’s aggression, with several areas being targeted. The toll rose to 7 as a result of an Israeli bombing that specifically aimed at a building housing displaced people. Disturbingly, reports emerged of injuries resulting from an air strike on a house belonging to the Al-Ajez family in the Al-Zuhur neighborhood, situated in the northern part of Rafah.
According to reports from the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, the Israeli military targeted a residence in Khan Yunis, where a significant number of displaced individuals sought refuge. Tragically, this resulted in the loss of at least 12 civilian lives and injuries to 50 others.
Furthermore, Israeli warplanes struck a school operated by the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Mughazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, leading to the death of at least four individuals, including a woman.
The report indicates that the Israeli military employed drones and engaged in intensive firing at homes and streets in the Mughazi camp. Simultaneously, Israeli warplanes launched a fire attack near Sekka Street west of the camp, accompanied by heavy artillery fire from the army.
Eyewitnesses reported a fire breaking out east of the neighboring Nuseirat camp due to sustained Israeli airstrikes.
The Israeli aggression extended to Tel al-Zaatar and the city of Deir al-Balah, where fierce airstrikes resulted in additional casualties, according to the report.
The grim statistics underscore the severity of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, with the death toll reaching at least 22,700 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children. Additionally, 7,000 individuals are reportedly missing under the rubble, presumed to be casualties of the conflict. The international community faces an urgent call to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and seek a sustainable solution to the longstanding conflict in the region.
Display of Resistance
Palestinian forces thwarted the advances of the Zionist enemy, effectively dealing heavy blows and preventing any consolidation of occupation across various regions of the Gaza Strip.
Despite the passage of two and a half months since the commencement of the ground operation, the relentless efforts of the Palestinian resistance have led to successive defeats for the occupying forces, compelling their withdrawal from the majority of areas in the northern Gaza Strip—an accomplishment of significant magnitude for the steadfast resistance fighters.
A notable triumph unfolded today as the Al-Qassam Brigades orchestrated the complete destruction of a Zionist personnel carrier situated in Al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip, employing the formidable “Al-Yassin 105” shell. Scenes depicting the obliteration of the personnel carrier were released by Al-Qassam, symbolizing a powerful stance against the occupiers.
The resilience of Al-Qassam forces further manifested as they obliterated enemy forces that had penetrated Al-Maghazi camp, utilizing a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells. Simultaneously, the Al-Quds Brigades announced the successful missile salvoes targeting strategic locations, including “Nahal Oz,” “Sufa,” and “Hulit.”
In another commendable operation, the Brigades revealed their precision and efficacy by targeting an occupation army force entrenched in a house in Tal al-Hawa, Gaza, with an OG-7V anti-personnel missile. This precise strike resulted in casualties within the force, and the Mujahideen successfully seized the soldiers’ equipment.
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Hezbollah fighters hold the Resistance’s flags and Lebanese flags, as they perform during a rally marking the ninth anniversary of the July 2006 victory, in Wadi al-Hujair, South Lebanon, on August 14, 2015. (AP)
The Lebanese Islamic Resistance’s operation comes as an initial response to the assassination of martyr Saleh al-Arouri and his martyred brothers.
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah targeted at 7.50 am one of two Israeli occupation forces’ Air Traffic Control Base in northern occupied Palestine, with a barrage of 62 rockets, as an initial response to the assassination of Palestinian Resistance leader, martyr Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri, and his brothers in the Southern Suburb of Beirut.
A statement released by the Resistance said its fighters accurately and successfully targeted the air control base located atop Mount Jarmaq (“Meron”), which constitutes the highest peak in the ’48 occupied Palestine.
The Islamic Resistance in #Lebanon announced that its freedom fighters targeted the Israeli "Meron" Air Traffic Control Base with 62 rockets of various types, causing direct and confirmed hits.
In a statement, the Islamic Resistance said this comes as part of the initial… pic.twitter.com/zM8JTijHCW
The attack was launched at exactly 8:10 am (local time) on Saturday morning, targeting the sole center for the management and monitoring of air traffic in northern occupied territories, the “Meron” Air Traffic Control Base. Hezbollah added that the occupation possesses no equivalent alternative to the bombarded facility.
The “Meron” Airbase organizes, coordinates, and manages all Air Force operations in the direction of Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Cyprus, as well as the northern areas of the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The base is also a main center for Israeli electronic warfare in the aforementioned directions, and it houses elite Israeli officers and soldiers.
Later, as part of the Resistance group’s ongoing operations in support of Gaza, the Resistance fighters targeted the “Metulla” site and a gathering of Israeli occupation soldiers in the vicinity of the Hounin Barracks with appropriate weapons at 9:40 am and 9:55 am respectively, confirming direct hits in both.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah mourned its martyr Mustafa Hassan Saad – Abu Hassan Nour – originating from Bint Jbeil and a resident of the town of Burj al-Shamali in southern Lebanon, who rose as a martyr on the path to al-Quds.
Swift, calculated response
The Resistance faction’s swift and calculated response to “Israel’s” assassination of Hamas’ Deputy Political Bureau Chief in the Southern Suburb of Beirut has been anticipated by supporters of the Axis of Resistance. Hezbollah sticks to its pledge promising further operations in a broader response to the horrific Israeli crime.
Speaking on two different occasions, on Wednesday and Friday, the Secretary General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, reiterated the Resistance’s commitment to response to the “flagrant and dangerous violation,” which he confirmed “will not go unanswered.”
Indeed, Hezbollah’s initial unprecedented attack on the Air Traffic Control Base marks a first, in terms of the Resistance’s confrontation with the Israeli occupation, hitting an integral and sensitive site of the Israeli Air Force. The only other Israeli Air Force Traffic Control Base is located around 250 km to the south, in al-Naqab Desert, dubbed “Mitzpe Ramon” Airbase, as revealed in the statement.
Importantly, Saturday’s statement stressed that the operation was only an initial response to the martyr al-Arouri’s assassination, promising further actions against the occupation. Sayyed Nasrallah had underlined the impact of the treacherous assassination on the military, security, and political level, stressing the significance of the site of the aggression, the Southern Suburb of Beirut.
In this context, the Lebanese Resistance leader emphasized that an encompassing response would be spurred by the assassination and the flagrant security violation in the Southern Suburb, which had not experienced an Israeli strike since 2006.
Sirens go off all over northern Palestine
Earlier on Saturday, Al Mayadeen‘s correspondent reported that a large salvo of rockets was launched from Lebanon toward the occupied upper al-Jalil, indicating that emergency sirens went off across all northern occupied territories.
Our correspondent also revealed that the rocket attack consisted of different types of rockets, as was later confirmed in Hezbollah’s statement.
Israeli media outlets confirmed that drones and rockets were launched from Lebanon targeting an intelligence site of the Israeli military in “Meron”. Alarm sirens sounded in more than 90 settlements in the region, the Israeli Army Radio announced.
Simultaneously, our correspondent in South Lebanon reported that the occupation launched an airstrike targeting the town of Ayta al-Shaab and a drone struck the outskirts of the town of Yaroun.
He also mentioned that Israeli artillery shelled the western outskirts of the towns of al-Teereh and Rsheif, in addition to empty areas between Blida and Aitaroun.
An aerial image of the Israeli army air control and surveillance “Meron” base, revealing advanced radar systems, communication systems, and monitoring equipment.
This is the first time during this battle that Hezbollah strikes Mount “Meron” and its military base serving as the primary security and military command center for aerial warfare and intelligence on the northern front.
In a significant development, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon Hezbollah announced on Saturday morning that it had targeted the Israeli army air control and surveillance “Meron” Base, situated atop Mount Jarmaq.
This attack marked the first time that the base, a strategic center for the entire Israeli entity, and a primary intelligence and military command hub on the northern front, had been targeted during the ongoing border escalations between the Resistance and the occupation army.
“Meron” Base: A hub for Israeli electronic warfare in the region
Located just 8 kilometers from Lebanon’s southern border, “Meron” Base overlooks the Lebanese towns of Rmeish, Yaroun, and Maroun al-Ras in the central sector. It occupies the summit of Mount Jarmaq in northern occupied Palestine, making it the highest peak within the occupied territories.
Sitting at an altitude of approximately 1200 meters above sea level, the base sprawls across an area of up to 150,000 square meters, with a substantial portion of the surrounding areas believed to be under its control for military and intelligence purposes.
According to the Resistance statement released today, “Meron” primarily serves as an aerial surveillance center.
It is the sole facility responsible for managing and controlling air operations toward Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Cyprus, as well as the northern part of the eastern Mediterranean Sea basin. Moreover, this base acts as a central hub for electronic warfare interference in the mentioned directions, staffed by a significant number of elite Israeli officers and soldiers.
Mount “Meron”/Jarmaq from the Lebanese town of Yaroun
A report by a specialized research group based in the US state of Texas, which was brought to light by Israeli media months ago, revealed problems in pinpointing the locations of some civilian aircraft in the region, particularly over southern Lebanon and northern occupied Palestine.
After precise monitoring of jamming signals disrupting receivers’ ability to detect satellite waves, “Mount Meron” was determined as the source of interference against civilian GPS devices.
Indeed, satellite-based location systems were entirely disrupted during the first week following the Al-Aqsa Flood operation. Israeli media reported that the disruption was aimed at preventing the Resistance in Lebanon from using devices for precise missile or drone strikes against the entity.
The targeting of “Meron” by Hezbollah holds strategic significance of disrupting, or even with later operations potentially hindering, “Israel’s” ability to conduct precise military strikes.
A center for aerial operations against Lebanon and Syria
Historically, the high-base served as the command center for Israeli aerial operations and surveillance on the northern front of the occupation.
Its geographical position offers direct surveillance of a substantial portion of Lebanese territory and complete oversight, including broadcasting and receiving capabilities. This provides the base with powerful control and communication abilities towards Lebanon. Moreover, for hostile operations against Syria, “Meron” Base is complemented by radar and broadcasting facilities located on the occupied Mount Hermon, overlooking Syrian territories.
In recent years, the base has gained increased significance, especially with the expanded use of military drones.
As “Israel” increasingly relies on UAVs for intelligence gathering in Lebanon and Syria on a nearly daily basis, the base has emerged as the primary command center for aerial operations against both countries. It facilitates direct communication with the drones, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and making it more challenging to disrupt their signals. The base also streamlines military operations due to the concentration of communication devices, command centers, and radars on “Mount Meron.”
Thanks to its extensive geographical oversight of Lebanese territory, the base can receive and broadcast various wireless communications directly to and from Lebanon. This makes it a critical communication component with informants and a central hub for tracking and monitoring wireless communications, including espionage activities.
The base’s giant advanced cameras and modern monitoring devices provide strategic oversight over a large portion of the line between Lebanon and occupied Palestine. It also covers Israeli sites and their corresponding locations in Lebanon.
Consequently, “Meron” Base plays a pivotal role in intelligence gathering that was previously concentrated in locations in proximity with the Lebanese borders, many of which have been targeted and destroyed by the Resistance in recent weeks.
The strategic base has not been immune to threats since the beginning of the military escalation in southern Lebanon.
Many Israeli analysts have spoken about the possible evolution of the Resistance’s targets list. This is particularly relevant given that Hezbollah previously repeatedly struck the base during the 2006 July war, which resulted in the death of two settlers and the injury of five others, as acknowledged by Israelis.
However, attacking the base today during a period below the threshold of an all-out war constitutes a heavy blow to the entity. Its implications go beyond direct consequences.
The Resistance has meticulously chosen the nature of its targets throughout this period as part of its precise management of the escalation ladder with the Israelis.
Over the past three months, Hezbollah has effectively controlled the pace and general course of events, compelling the Israelis to adhere to its equations.
This applies to the military operations zone, the nature of the strikes within Lebanon, and the deterrence of the occupation from targeting Lebanese civilians within the equation of reciprocity.
However, “Israel’s” assassination of Palestinian Resistance leader Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri and a number of his comrades in Beirut’s southern suburb (Dahyeh) with missile strikes, prompted Hezbollah to opt for an escalation.
Today’s strike was described by Hezbollah as an “Initial Response” to the assassination of al-Arouri, leaving the door open for potential confrontations should the occupation entity decide to respond to this escalation in kind.
Historical and religious significance
In addition to the military and intelligence critical role it provides to the Israeli entity, the “Meron” Base holds special importance for Zionist Jews, as they consider the mountain itself to be mentioned in the Torah and revere a tomb they claim belongs to a Jewish Rabbi who lived in the second century AD.
Annually, Zionist Jews hold celebrations near his alleged tomb located in the settlement of “Meron” on the eastern slope of the mountain, overlooking the Lebanese side, situated about one and a half kilometers from the mountain’s peak and the base.
Within this settlement, which has a population of approximately 1,500 inhabitants at best, there are several graves and shrines that Zionist Jews claim belong to revered figures. They insist on celebrating there annually because the area holds particular sanctity for Eastern Sephardic Jews.
The settlement was established after the Nakba in 1949 on the ruins of the Palestinian town of Meron. Meanwhile, occupation settlers looted its artifacts and a history dating back about 2,000 years.
It was within this settlement that the largest non-military catastrophe in the history of the occupation occurred in 2021 when grandstands collapsed during religious commemorations attended by settlers. The stampede resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 settlers.
Striking the “Meron” Base with precision-guided missiles marks Hezbollah’s confirmation that it has introduced the latest-generation Kornet E-M missiles into the battle.
These missiles have a range of up to 10 kilometers and were most likely used in the accurate targeting of the base, as indicated by footage recorded by one of the Zionist settlers during the strike today.
The precision targeting of a base of such importance, housing command centers and equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars and regularly hosting leaders of the occupation’s military, in addition to specialized and elite personnel, is indicative of the base now serving as a prime target for the Resistance. It also signifies that the Israeli entity is facing a genuine predicament.
While its main headquarters in the north is now under imminent threat from Hezbollah, the occupation entity cannot evacuate the base, pushing “Israel” into a very difficult dilemma. Additionally, the Resistance has effectively pushed the front line with the Israeli entity to 8 kilometers inside the occupied Palestinian borders.
Furthermore, Israeli generals had believed that their main headquarters were largely out of the Resistance’s reach and that their war against it was mostly remote, relying on aircraft and drones. This has changed after the operation today.
Most importantly, given the base’s role in operating and coordinating air strikes, the base is a central target to respond to the occupation army for assassinating al-Arouri earlier this week.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the “calamity of the occupation is great” today, as the military leadership’s headquarters in the north has been targeted. This means that the Resistance has placed the ball in the court of the Israeli army and its government.
Israelis must choose between remaining silent in the face of this humiliating and perilous strike, or heading toward a response, the repercussions and limits of which they do not know.
استهدفت #المقاومة_الإسلامية في لبنان، عند الساعة 08:10 من صباح اليوم، قاعدة ميرون للمراقبة الجوية بـ 62 صاروخًا من أنواع متعدّدة وأوقعت فيها إصابات مباشرة ومؤكّدة، ووفق بيان المقاومة، يأتي ذلك في إطار الرد الأوّلي على جريمة اغتيال الشيخ صالح العاروري وإخوانه في #الضاحية_الجنوبية… pic.twitter.com/gtYUKZjjYn
Scenes from Hezbollah’s attack on Meron. (Photo: video grab)
On Friday, the leader of the Lebanese Resistance group Hezbollah had vowed retaliation against Israel for its assassination, on Lebanese soil on January 2, of a top Hamas leader, Saleh al-Arouri, and other leading members of the group.
The first wave of Hezbollah’s response arrived on Saturday in the form of an unprecedented attack on the Israeli Meron air surveillance military base in northern Israel.
Scenes from the unprecedented carried out by the Lebanese Resistance movement Hezbollah on the Israeli Meron air surveillance base in northern Israel.
Hezbollah published this video on its Telegram channel, hours after the attack, with the following text:
“Video: Scenes from the operation by the Islamic Resistance targeting the “Meron” air surveillance base belonging to the Israeli enemy army in the north of occupied Palestine.
“Notes:
“0:18 –
Meron Base – YABA 506
– Located about 8 km from the Lebanese border.
– Its elevation is 1200 meters above sea level.
– The base covers an area of 160,000 square meters.
“0:27 –
– A central hub for administration, monitoring, and air traffic control in the north of the usurping entity.
– Its mission includes organizing, coordinating, and managing air operations towards Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and the northern basin of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
“0:37 –
– A major center for electronic jamming operations in the northern direction.
– The base is staffed by numerous elite zionist officers and soldiers.
“0:47 –
– Equipped with long-range surveillance and detection radars.
– Includes a control room for managing reconnaissance drones.
– Contains a collection of digital communication systems.
“0:58 – A dome for controlling drones.
“1:00 – Domes for long-range radar collection.
“1:02- Antennas for intelligence, guidance, and communication.”
For the 92nd day in a row, the people of Gaza are standing strong against Israeli aggression. With the backing of the United States and silence from other countries, the Palestinian resistance in the besieged Strip continues to fight back.
The Martyr Izz al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has announced their recent success in repelling Israeli occupation soldiers. They reported that their fighters successfully took out a Zionist foot force of 8 soldiers in an ambush. Another 9 Israeli soldiers were surrounded and killed in a road in the Al-Qassam Brigades. The resistance also detonated anti-personnel devices and targeted Israeli tanks in other areas of the Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam Brigades also sent a strong message to the families of captured Israeli soldiers, warning them of the danger of putting their trust in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The video highlighted the death of Netanyahu’s brother in an attempt to free Israeli prisoners and urged Israeli society not to trust Netanyahu.
As the resistance continues to push back against Israeli occupation forces, the people of Gaza remain steadfast in their fight for freedom and justice.
Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah pledged a swift response to Israel’s airstrike in Beirut that killed Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri, asserting Lebanon’s chance to liberate its remaining land after Gaza aggression ceases, and emphasizing the need for a real equation preventing sovereignty violations.
Addressing the memorial ceremony for the late Hezbollah official Hajj Mohammad Yaghi (Abu Salim) in Baalbek on Friday, Sayyed Nasrallah indicated that the ongoing battle in the south represents a historic opportunity for the full liberation of Lebanon. Emphasizing that the resistance’s operations along the southern border confirm deterrence equations with the Zionist enemy, he highlighted the chance to establish an equation preventing any encroachment on Lebanon’s sovereignty. He credited the Lebanese front for creating this new opportunity.
Tackling the Islamic resistance front opposing the Zionist enemy along the southern Lebanese border which has initiated operations one day after the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted the media’s disregard for this crucial front.
Sayyed Nasrallah revealed that, spanning over 100 kilometers and lasting more than 90 days, the resistance systematically targeted all enemy border positions and numerous rear sites and settlements in response to Zionist attacks on civilians. “Spanning over 100 kilometers and extending across a duration surpassing 90 days, our response to attacks on civilians encompassed the precise targeting of not only all Israeli border sites but also a significant array of rear sites and settlements. The resistance executed over 670 operations in the past months, with some days witnessing up to 23 operations,” Sayyed Nasrallah said.
“The targeted sites comprised 48 border sites and 11 rear positions. Additionally, 50 border points, where enemy soldiers sought refuge, were repeatedly targeted, along with 17 settlements,” his eminence specified.
Reflecting on the results of this ongoing confrontation, which endured for three months, he underscored the significant toll on enemy soldiers and officers, emphasizing the exhaustive nature of the operations. “Despite the enemy’s media secrecy, the resistance countered with approximately 90 video releases, revealing the reality of the situation.”
“Every hostile location was systematically targeted, focusing on technical and intelligence equipment. No border post remained untouched, as each one underwent multiple rounds of precise strikes. The technical equipment targeted by the resistance is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars,” the S.G. said.
Addressing the destruction of tanks and vehicles, including incidents involving collapsing roofs on soldiers, Sayyed Nasrallah cited enemy sources from the Israeli Defense Ministry, suggesting that the number of disabled soldiers may have reached 12 thousand since October 7. He emphasized that every border site had been targeted multiple times, with a focus on the destruction of technical and intelligence equipment in all hostile locations.
Hezbollah’s leader dismissed misconceptions about the resistance’s actions, clarifying, “Our skilled marksmen direct the guided missile through the window of the enemy’s vehicle,” and refuted claims that they were merely “bombing the column.” He highlighted the precision of the resistance’s actions, explaining, “We are targeting equipment on poles worth hundreds of millions of dollars, exercising control over extensive parts of Lebanon.”
“In the second stage, enemy soldiers sought refuge in evacuated settlements and in the vicinity of the sites due to fear of the resistance factions and their targeted attacks on specific locations,” Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted, emphasizing the acquisition of accurate intelligence, photos, and footage regarding enemy positions and gatherings, leading to the destruction of numerous tanks and vehicles. Sayyed Nasrallah noted that the enemy attempted to compensate for technical losses by deploying drones and reconnaissance aircraft, maintaining strict media secrecy about casualties.
He pointed out that experts within the enemy entity estimate the real death toll to be three times higher than what the occupation army discloses. According to the Israeli Ministry of Health sources, there are over 2,000 casualties on the northern front.
Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that if people were aware of the enemy’s human and vehicle losses, they wouldn’t doubt the futility of fighting on the northern front. He asserted that the enemy’s concealment of losses is part of psychological warfare to avoid embarrassment in its society.
Addressing the situation on the southern border, Sayyed Nasrallah quoted an Israeli minister describing it as a humiliation for ‘Israel’. He clarified that the resistance targeted military objectives, officers, and soldiers, and any strikes on houses were responses to the enemy’s attacks on civilians.
Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that one outcome of the fighting on the southern front was the displacement of people from northern settlements, reversing the historical trend where Lebanese people were the ones being displaced during wars. “This displacement is expected to exert psychological, political, and security pressure on the enemy’s government, along with increasing anxiety on the northern front.”
Responding to queries about the feasibility of opening the northern front, Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed that the primary goals were to pressure the enemy’s government, exhaust the enemy to halt aggression on Gaza, and relieve pressure on the resistance in Gaza’s field situation. He asserted that these goals have been achieved through the Lebanese front, forcing the enemy to deploy a significant number of soldiers and withhold information about entire divisions and brigades from Gaza due to fears of developments on the front.
Sayyed Nasrallah questioned, “Does the significant number of casualties, destruction of vehicles, and displacement on the northern front not exert pressure on the enemy’s government?” Sayyed Nasrallah explained that the security belt within the entity in the north extends to a depth of 3 km, and in some areas, it reaches 7 km.
Addressing settlers seeking a ‘solution’ with Hezbollah, Nasrallah cautioned that such a choice is misguided, and they would be the first to pay the price. He urged them to turn to their government to halt the aggression against Gaza, emphasizing that any other option would only result in more displacement and higher costs for the settlers in the north.
Responding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments about the resistance tent at the border, Sayyed Nasrallah challenged him to acknowledge the destruction of 48 border sites, 11 rear sites, and attacks on 17 settlements and 50 border points. He questioned whether it was the resistance causing Israeli soldiers to hide like ‘mice’, emphasizing that the scale of daily operations serves as a deterrent. Sayyed Nasrallah underscored that what is happening on the southern border is a real war, far beyond the symbolism of a ‘tent’. “The era of the tent which Netanyahu boasts about is now relegated to the past, as we find ourselves engaged in a tangible and substantial battle today.”
Sayyed Nasrallah reminded that the current operations on the southern border are not a new initiative by the resistance since 1948. In the past, only one operation similar to today’s activities occurred, resulting in Israeli bombings in Beirut. “In previous times, a single operation would result in extensive destruction across southern Lebanon,” Sayyed Nasrallah said. He noted that the Israelis are now proving the deterrence equations established by the resistance many years ago.
The secretary general saw an opportunity for Lebanon to liberate the rest of its land after the cessation of aggression against Gaza, extending from the B1 area to the Shebaa Farms. Emphasizing the chance to establish an equation preventing the enemy from violating Lebanon’s sovereignty, he stressed that dialogue and negotiation would yield no results unless the aggression against Gaza stops.
“We find ourselves at a historic juncture, presenting a unique opportunity to fully liberate every inch of our land and establish an equation that safeguards our country’s sovereignty, an opportunity initiated by the blessings of the Lebanese front,” his eminence said.
Arouri Assassination
Regarding the recent Zionist attack on Beirut and the assassination of Hamas’ Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri, Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed that such a major and dangerous breach in the southern suburbs of Lebanon is unacceptable. He expressed deep sorrow for the loss of Sheikh Saleh, emphasizing a strong friendship.
Saleh Al-Arouri, Chairman of Hamas’ politburo who was martyred in an Israeli drone strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh (January 2, 2023).
Sayyed Nasrallah asserted that the killing will not go without a response or punishment, with the field being the venue for this inevitable retaliation. “The killing of Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri will undoubtedly not go unanswered or unpunished, the decision lies in the hands of the field, and it will undoubtedly be implemented,” he warned.
Remaining silent about such a serious violation would expose all of Lebanon to greater harm than any potential risks from responding in the field. “We cannot remain silent in the face of such a grave violation, as it puts Lebanon at risk.”
In his Wednesday’s speech, Sayyed Nasrallah warned the Israeli enemy against launching an all-out war on Lebanon, affirming that the Islamic Resistance will then fight without any limit. His eminence indicated that, till now, the operations carried out by Hezbollah are regulated in a way that abides by the Lebanese national interests, threatening the Israeli enemy that the limits will backlash in case of any war on Lebanon.
Iraqi Front
Shifting to the situation in Iraq, Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted a historic opportunity for the country to rid itself of American occupation, especially given the current strategic defeat faced by the United States and NATO in Ukraine. “The underlying motive is the support for Gaza, and the American administration is apprehensive about it, grappling with a predicament in Ukraine,” Sayyed Nasrallah said on the Iraqi military operations taking place nowadays.
He pointed out that the American forces have targeted members of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, emphasizing the chance for Iraq to break free from the deception and lies of American occupation. “An advantageous outcome of the Islamic resistance in Iraq opening a front in support of Gaza is the genuine prospect for Iraq to liberate itself from the American occupation.”
Sayyed Nasrallah urged the Iraqi government, the House of Representatives, and the Iraqi people to unite in rejecting the criminal occupiers who are complicit in atrocities in Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon. “Today, there exists a historic opportunity for the Iraqi government, the House of Representatives, and the Iraqi people to extricate themselves from the occupiers and perpetrators of violence, those responsible for the bloodshed of Iraqis, Iranians, and the people of the region,” his eminence said.
He commended the Iraqi government’s courageous stance against the Al-Aqsa flood and called for the expulsion of American forces from Iraq, asserting that Iraq does not need Americans to combat ISIL, highlighting the national blessing of solidarity with Gaza as an essential part of the opportunity for American forces to leave Iraq.
“Iraq does not need American forces to combat ISIL. Currently, there are indications that certain elements associated with ISIL in Syria have sought refuge or support from American forces,” Hezbollah leader said.
Yemeni Front
Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted that certain Arab regimes and media outlets, in an attempt to deflect attention from their own failures, resorted to ridiculing the actions of the resistance front, particularly when Yemeni forces targeted Eilat. These critics accused Yemen of seeking to restore its image in the Arab world. “Al-Qaeda actively sought to undermine and discredit all efforts by the axis of resistance in supporting Gaza, attempting to mask their own failures. Those who underestimate the actions of the resistance axis today are individuals who have failed to contribute anything since the onset of the aggression on Gaza,” his eminence said.
“Engaging in jihad brings honor, while refraining from it leads to humiliation,” Sayyed Nasrallah stressed, adding that the silent and negligent regimes were taken aback by the unexpected actions of the Yemenis in the Red Sea.
Hezbollah’s Top commander commended Ansarullah, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, and the government in Sanaa for their steadfastness, emphasizing that their concern was always about their image and status before God Almighty.
Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that some individuals are fundamentally unsuitable for positions that require confronting the enemy, as their psychological and spiritual levels are much lower.
He noted that the Yemeni position has prompted various segments to reassess their internal stance towards Ansarullah, emphasizing that Yemen has now firmly established itself in regional and international equations, causing the world to take notice.
“A significant national achievement is that the Sanaa government has evolved from being an internal faction to becoming a pivotal component of the international equation, compelling the world to reckon with it despite attempts to marginalize it,” his eminence said.
Sayyed Nasrallah questioned the absence of the Israeli Air Force in Yemen, attributing it to Yemeni deterrence.
Addressing the Yemeni people’s recent demonstrations, Sayyed Nasrallah conveyed a message directed at the American administration, particularly President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and the Minister of War. He emphasized that Yemen’s message to America is that it is not facing just a government, state, or army named Ansarullah. Instead, it confronts tens of millions of Yemeni people with a history of inflicting defeats on occupiers. “The message from Yemen today is directed at the United States. It emphasizes that the challenge is not merely against the Ansarullah movement but against tens of millions of Yemeni people with a history of thwarting aggressors and inflicting defeats.”
Sayyed Nasrallah urged the Biden administration to understand this history and emphasized that Yemen will not stop or hesitate. He concluded by stating that Yemen is gaining increasing pride in the Arab and Islamic world, as well as in the eyes of friends and enemies alike.
To the Resistance environment
Addressing the families of the martyrs of the Islamic Resistance, Sayyed Nasrallah wholeheartedly expressed his with to take part in condolences. “Given my security circumstances, what I earnestly desire and hope for is to stand by your side, expressing my deep gratitude by kissing your hands and foreheads.”
Turning to the people in the south, he said: “Had the fate of the enemy been to defeat the resistance in Gaza and displace its people, their next target would have been southern Lebanon, particularly in southern Litani. It is you who shattered their ambitions!”
“Hezbollah fighters are courageously battling in a cold and rain-soaked terrain, amidst enemy shellings. They persist in advancing and launching attacks on enemy positions and gatherings, ready to be the ones to respond to the significant breach in Dahiyeh,” his eminence indicated.
At the beginning of his speech, Sayyed Nasrallah renewed condolences to the martyrs who fell at the shrine of Hajj Qassem Soleimani in Kerman. He offered condolences to Iraq, Sayyed Ali Sistani, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the Nujaba Movement on the martyrdom of Hajj Abu Taqwa al-Saidi.
Sayyed Nasrallah allocated a significant part of his speech to talk about Hajj Abu Salim Yaghi, whose commemoration ceremony was held in Sayyeda Khawla Shrine in Baalbek. He enumerated the multiple traits of Yaghi along with the deep friendship that gathered them.
“Hajj Abu Salim emerged as a revolutionary force and dedicated activist in the Baalbek region, leaving an indelible mark on his surroundings. My testimony regarding Hajj Abu Salim is not just a mere account; it stands as a tangible testament to our enduring connection that dates back to our youth in 1978… From the outset, a profound bond of brotherhood, love, friendship, and unwavering trust blossomed between us within the first few hours of our acquaintance.”
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“Israel” has dropped 65,000 tons of explosives and missiles on Gaza in three months, which outweighs and is more powerful than three nuclear bombs that the US dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, a report by Gaza’s Government Media Office revealed.
In more detail, the report said that the “occupation aircraft dropped over 45,000 missiles and giant bombs, some of them weighing two thousand pounds of explosives, during the comprehensive genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, deliberately targeting entire residential areas.”
The deliberate targeting of civilians is further proven by the occupation’s use of “dumb bombs”; i.e. imprecise and unguided bombs.
Moreover, the occupation used at least nine types of internationally prohibited missiles in the Strip, including the repeated use of white phosphorus which has been intensely criticized and condemned.
‘Israel’ crumbles in Gaza at the hands of the Resistance
Just this morning, the Resistance targeted IOF vehicles and soldier gatherings in Gaza.
Al Mayadeen‘s correspondent in Gaza reported that the Resistance engaged in intense confrontations with the occupation forces, who are attempting to advance on multiple fronts in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the central and southern regions, with confirmed reports of explosions sounding in various areas of the central governorate of the Gaza Strip.
The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, has confirmed the destruction of an Israeli Merkava tank east of al-Maghazi in the central Gaza Strip. Additionally, the Resistance fighters successfully detonated an explosive device targeting Israeli occupation forces stationed in a house north of the Nuseirat camp in the middle of the Gaza Strip.
Similarly, al-Qassam targeted a gathering of occupation vehicles and soldiers in al-Bureij refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip with heavy-caliber mortar shells. They also successfully detonated an anti-personnel device within an Israeli force stationed inside a building in the al-Mughraqa area in the center of the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, they confirmed the destruction of the forces assembled in the same area with mortar shells, according to the military media of the al-Qassam Brigades.
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إذا وضعنا في كشف حساب منفصل المجازر اليومية التي يرتكبها جيش الاحتلال بحق المدنيين، وخصوصاً النساء والأطفال، ونجاحه في دفع الحالة الإنسانية الى الانهيار كما قال الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة أنطونيو غوتيريس، فإنّ العملية البرية لجيش الاحتلال في غزة تدخل الشهر الثالث وهي تنتقل من فشل إلى فشل على ثلاثة أصعدة، الأول هو إنجاز السيطرة المطلقة على أيّ جغرافيا كافية لتشكيل قاعدة ارتكاز مريحة في كلّ قطاع غزة رغم مرور ستين يوماً من القتال، فشل في السيطرة على مدينة غزة وأحيائها الممتدة من مخيم الشاطئ إلى حي الشجاعية، وفشل في السيطرة على جباليا ومخيمها، رغم عمليات القصف التدميري وعمليات التوغل وهما نقاط ثقل الشمال، ولا تزال المعارك الضارية تدور في كلّ منهما والصواريخ تطلق على تل أبيب منهما، والحال في خان يونس التي يحاول السيطرة عليها أسوأ بكثير. الفشل أشدّ وضوحاً أيضاً في العنوانين المعلنين للعملية البرية وهما، اجتثاث حماس وإطلاق الأسرى، وقد توسّع انتشار جيش الاحتلال على خطوط طولية وعرضية والثقافية بين المدن والبلدات والمخيمات والأحياء تزيد بمجموعها عن ألف كيلومتر، حوّلتها المقاومة الى خطوط تختار منها أفصل نقاط الضعف والخواصر الرخوة كي تهاجم وتضرب، وحيث تجمّعت آلياته وحشود جنوده صار طعماً لقذائف الهاون، وحيث توزع صار هدفاً لمجموعات القذائف الصاروخية والرشاشات، والحصيلة واضحة، أنّ زمام المبادرة في الميدان للمقاومة، وأنّ النزيف في جسد جيش الاحتلال بأضعاف مضاعفة لما يعلن، وقدرة الاحتمال النفسي قبل أيّ شيء آخر تتآكل بسبب الفشل وضراوة القتال، وفي ملف الأسرى الفشل مضاعف حيث تتسبّب عمليات القصف من جهة ومحاولات اقتحام أماكن احتجاز بعض الأسرى من جهة مقابلة، الى قتل هؤلاء الأسرى بدلاً من تحريرهم.
على جبهاته الأخرى لا يملك جيش الاحتلال قدرة تحقيق إنجاز، وقد فعل سقف ما يستطيع فعله في الضفة الغربية، وإذا ارتضى معادلة المواجهة الراهنة على جبهة لبنان فهو في قلب حرب استنزاف يخسر فيها مهابته وجنوده وثقة مستوطنيه، ورغم التكتم على حجم الخسائر فما أعلنته مستشفيات المنطقة عن استقبال مئات الإصابات منها مئتي إصابة خطيرة يدلّ على حجم ما تحققه المقاومة على هذه الجبهة من إنجاز، وما قاله وزير الحرب في حكومة الاحتلال يوآف غالانت يصف الوضع بشكل دقيق، «حربنا لا مفرّ منها وإنْ لم نحقق الانتصار فلن تكون لنا حياة في هذه المنطقة»، وما دامت الحرب على غزة تتحوّل الى حرب استنزاف وحرب جنوب لبنان كذلك، والجبهتان مترابطتان، ووقف النار من بوابة غزة هزيمة، بينما وقف النار من بوابة لبنان نصف هزيمة، وقابل للتصوير كنصف انتصار، والاحتكام الى فائض القوة الناري والجوي تحديداً في غزة استنفد قدراته وهو عبء ثقيل لأنه قتل للمدنيين من طرف واحد، انقلاب الرأي العام العالمي والغربي خصوصاً والأميركي بالأخص خير دليل، والوقت عامل استنزاف أيضاً، بينما استخدام فائض القوة النارية والجوية تحديداً في مواجهة لبنان يستدرج فائض قوة مواز، وربما يخلق توازناً سياسياً ويتيح الادّعاء بأنّ كيان الاحتلال يتعرّض لحرب إبادة، بما يفتح الباب لتحقيق نسبة من التوازن في الرأي العام العالمي، ووربما يتيح الفرصة لإعادة توحيد الداخل الإسرائيلي تحت شعار مواجهة الخطر الوجودي، وعندها لا مانع من وقف إطلاق نار شامل تصبح فيه غزة جزءاً من كلّ، ما دام البديل هو الهزيمة البائنة.
يطرح قادة الكيان هذا الخيار أمام حلفائهم الغربيين وخصوصاً الأميركيين، الذين فشلوا بنظر قادة الكيان في إثبات فعالية الردع الذي تعهّدوا به في بداية الحرب، وقد فشلوا على جبهة لبنان، وفشلوا على جبهة اليمن والبحر الأحمر، وفشلوا حتى في تجنيب قواعدهم العسكرية في العراق وسورية خطر الاستهداف، وهكذا تتحرك واشنطن وتحرك معها باريس، وربما عواصم عربية، لشراء نصر لجيش الاحتلال على جبهة لبنان دون قتال عبر وهم فعالية الضغط التلويح والتهديد، لكن المقاومة التي تقرأ ماذا يدور في عقول قادة الكيان كما يقرأ المرء الخطوط على كف يده، تعرف انّ اللحظة الحرجة تقترب، وقد أعلنت بلسان قائدها السيد حسن نصرالله أنّ كلّ الاحتمالات مفتوحة، وأنّ كلّ الخيارات مطروحة وفي أيّ وقت، والعين على الميدان، خصوصاً ما يجري في غزة وسلوك الاحتلال تجاه جبهة لبنان، والمقاومة لن تتوقف إلا بضمان وقف العدوان وانتصار المقاومة بعنوان حركة حماس.
While the idea of relocating Palestinians to Iraq’s Anbar region may appear improbable, western-backed conflicts have already displaced millions in the region – many of which appear to be demographically-engineered.
The settlement of Palestinians in the Anbar desert, western Iraq, has become a topic of renewed discussion among Iraqis, thanks to the US-championed “Deal of the Century.”
As far back as February 2020, Iraqi MP al-Baldawi, the representative of the al-Fatah coalition in Iraq’s parliament, was alleging:
“The US is plotting to keep out Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units, or PMU) from the western provinces of Iraq, specially al-Anbar province, in a move to provide a proper ground for sheltering the Palestinians inside Iraq.”
But now, the renewed interest in the topic coincides with the recent, unpublicized visit of the British ambassador to Iraq to Anbar Governorate.
Since the unveiling of the Trump era peace plan in 2019, reports have surfaced suggesting that the continued US presence in western Iraq has broader intentions beyond establishing military bases.
It is speculated that the goal is to create an “alternative homeland” for Palestinian refugees in the Anbar desert. This notion might have remained confined to the realm of “conspiracy theories” if it weren’t for suggestions made by Israeli leaders following the 7 October Al-Aqsa Flood resistance operation, and their unprecedented genocidal aggression against the Gaza Strip.
Engineering another nakba
Israeli media leaked a document issued by the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence, proposing the displacement of 2.4 million Palestinians from Gaza to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and other regions, a proposal strongly rejected by both Cairo and Amman.
The leaked plan has renewed serious Iraqi interest in the potential project to displace Palestinians to Anbar. Concerns of another Nakba have been echoed in statements from Iraqi political and religious leaders, including leading figures like Muqtada al-Sadr and Qais al-Khazali, as well as representatives of the Iraqi parliament – particularly those hailing from Anbar Governorate.
The leader of the National Resolution Alliance, Jamal al-Karbouli, condemned “the suspicious projects that attempt to displace the Palestinians out of Palestine,” and warned “everyone who dares to go too far with the people of Anbar and donate its land to please his masters..
Karbouli’s statements prompted Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi, the representative of Anbar in the council, to emphatically reject any attempt to implement the Deal of the Century in Iraq.
But observers like political analyst Mohsen al-Amiri believe that Karbouli’s claims forced Halbousi into issuing a denial: “It seems as if Anbar’s representative in parliament Al-Halbousi, who has close relations with foreign countries, especially the United Arab Emirates (the UAE has led the Arab normalization process with Israel), was trying to distance himself from these accusations.”
Hidden agendas in Anbar
The discussion surrounding the Israeli plan to displace the population of the Gaza Strip coincided with the unannounced visit of British Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Charles Hitchen to Anbar Governorate. Hitchen headed up the UK Foreign Office’s Iran Political Team at the start of the Arab uprisings, and moved up the ranks quickly to direct national security efforts in the entire region.
It’s worth noting that Hitchen’s meetings were limited to two Taqadum Party officials, whom he met separately, namely the Governor of Anbar Ali Farhan al-Dulaimi, and Ramadi Mayor Omar Dabbous. These individuals hold significant authority over administrative units and lands in the Anbar Governorate.
A source within the local administration informs The Cradle that the British ambassador discussed the construction of low-cost housing complexes to be financed by Britain in the desert areas to the west of the governorate. He also mentioned water desalination projects, although the exact nature and purpose of these initiatives remain undisclosed.
The source tells The Cradle that there were strict instructions to keep the visit of the British ambassador confidential and not to publish any news about it on the governorate’s website.
An Anbar-based journalist explains that there are often media blackouts imposed on visits by US and British ambassadors to the governorate, saying “we only learn about these visits days or weeks later by coincidence.”
Despite attempts to confirm this information from local administration officials, some refused to comment, and others claimed they had no knowledge of the visit. However, a photograph was obtained showing the British ambassador meeting with the mayor of Ramadi inside the municipal building.
An Iraqi political source tells The Cradle about the increasing frequency of American and British visits, both public and secret, to the governorate, fearing that Anbar might be manipulated to serve Washington’s agendas.
But political analyst Dr. Muhammad al-Anbari expresses surprise at the visit of a representative of a major power to a local mayor whose responsibilities are typically limited to urban management and sanitation. He tells The Cradle: “These suspicious visits did not occur until after one party took control of Anbar Governorate and its government departments.”
‘Autonomous Anbar’
In December 2022, Speaker Halbousi hinted at the possibility of the Sunni blocs leaving the political process and suggested the formation of an independent region in Anbar. Halbousi wields significant political influence in the governorate, which is not only Iraq’s largest in terms of geographical area, but also spans a desert region that extends from the Syrian border through the Jordanian border to the Saudi border, representing the western part of the country.
A political source in the governorate, who requested to remain anonymous, confirms that Halbousi is holding extensive meetings with Arab tribal sheikhs in the governorate to create the so-called autonomous Anbar.
Some Iraqi political sources view these actions as supporting Washington’s Deal of the Century project, aimed at resettling Palestinians – with the UAE and Britain identified as major supporters. They noted extensive meetings between Halbousi and Emirati representatives in Abu Dhabi and Baghdad in recent months.
Trump’s Deal of the Century also broke with decades of US policy by recognizing Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, a move guaranteed to upset Arabs and Muslims everywhere.
This plan includes the displacement of Palestinians, particularly those from Gaza, and the creation of a small state for them in an Arab country’s desert, as reported in various press articles, including one from the Ultra Iraq website in May 2019, titled “Anbar is part of the deal of the century.”
The west’s ambition to reshape West Asia
Secretary-General of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement Qais al-Khazali warned, in a statement, that “Israel aims to occupy Iraq to implement the biblical prophecy (from the Euphrates to the Nile is your country, O Children of Israel),” calling on his supporters to prepare for “a major upcoming battle if the country and its sanctities are exposed to any new danger.”
Speaking to The Cradle, London-based Iraqi researcher Adnan Abu Zaid says that there is a US and European-backed plan to displace the people of Gaza and resettle them in Iraq. But he believes that “no one will be able to implement this plan, at least at the current stage.”
While the plan to relocate Palestinians to Anbar may not be immediately attainable, it remains a part of a broader US effort to reshape the West Asian region, potentially leading to the creation of small sectarian mini-states that may lack political or economic independence from the influence of the US and its ally, Israel.
For those skeptical of a plan to displace more than two million people from one country to another, it is worth taking into account the ongoing displacement trends in the wider West Asian region – much of it caused by western wars – which has seen millions uprooted from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yemen since the US occupation of Afghanistan.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle.
UPROOTED PALESTINIANS: SALAM ALQUDS ALAYKUM 
