In support of the Palestinian people and resistance in Gaza and in light of the Israeli aggression on the various South Lebanon villages, the Islamic Resistance continued on Tuesday striking the Zionist occupation sites near Lebanon border.
Hezbollah military media issued consecutive statements to illustrate the attacks and their outcomes.
The first statement affirmed that, at 09:45 AM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted Zibdeen site with appropriate weapons.
The second statement stressed that, at 11:40 on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted the deployment of “Israeli” soldiers in the vicinity of the Ramya site with appropriate weapons, achieving direct hits.
According to the third statement, at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the monitoring room near the Shomera barracks with appropriate weapons, achieving direct hits and causing casualties among their personnel, including fatalities and injuries.
The fourth statement mentioned that, at 12:10 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of enemy soldiers in the vicinity of Doviv Barracks with appropriate weapons, causing casualties among them, including fatalities and injuries.
In the fifth statement, the Islamic Resistance indicated that its fighters killed or injured a gathering of Zionist soldiers at Al-Raheb occupation site.
According to the sixth statement, the Islamic Resistance targeted Command of Division 91 at Branit barracks with the appropriate weapons.
Hezbollah fighters fired Burkan missiles at Zibdin barracks, according to the seventh statement.
The eighth statement pointed out that the Islamic Resistance targeted the Israeli occupation site of Al-Baghdadi with appropriate weapons.
Later on, Hezbollah announced, in a ninth statement, waging an aerial attack on a newly established command headquarters near Kiryat Shmona with a combat drone and inflicting confirmed casualties.
Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon reported that the Israeli artillery fired phosphorus munitions, shells Jabal blat and Marwaheen border areas.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced the death of a soldier who was injured by an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon last week.
Al-Manar cameraman, Khodor Markiz, hospitalized with a bandage over his eye after sustaining injuries following an Israeli artillery shelling that had targeted him and Al-Manar war correspondent Ali Shoeib, December 23, 2023. (social media)
Al-Manar’s Ali Shoeib (L) standing in hospital alongside Khodor Markiz who was lightly injured in his eye by the Israeli aggression (December 23, 2023).
Lebanese broadcasters Al-Manar and MTV’s crews were targeted by an Israeli strike in the Khardali area in southern Lebanon.
Additionally, the Lebanese National News Agency reported that its correspondent in Marjayoun, Aline Samaan, had escaped hostile Israeli shelling that targeted the area.
An artillery shell fell close to Al-Manar’s crewmembers, which included Al-Manar’s prominent war correspondent Ali Shoeib and cameraman Khodor Markiz.
The two journalists survived the close call, however, cameraman Markiz sustained injuries to the eye as a result of the Israeli artillery shelling.
أرواحنا بيد الله .. وليست بيد العدو الإسرائيلي المجرم !!
The Israeli occupation has been systematically targeting journalists in both Gaza and Lebanon since the onset of the war. Notably, three from Al Mayadeen’s own, correspondent Farah Omar, cameraman Rabih Me’mari, and stringer Hussein Aqeel were killed on November 21 in a premeditated airstrike that targeted the group in Tayr Harfa, South Lebanon.
During the initial 10 weeks of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the number of journalists killed surpassed the annual total in any single country, it stressed.
“CPJ is particularly concerned about an apparent pattern of targeting of journalists and their families by the Israeli military. In at least one case, a journalist was killed while clearly wearing press insignia in a location where no fighting was taking place. In at least two other cases, journalists reported receiving threats from Israeli officials and Israel Forces officers before their family members were killed,” the CPJ detailed in its statement.
“Israel” has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, constituting approximately 1% of Gaza’s population, with over 8,000 of them being children.
The CPJ added that there was a “pattern of journalists in Gaza reporting receiving threats, and subsequently, their family members being killed.” The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that the father of Al-Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who is 90 years old, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his residence following numerous threats directed at his son.
The Committee previously reported that an Israeli airstrike resulted in the killing of eight members of photojournalist Yasser Qudih’s family. This massacre occurred after the pro-Israeli group Honest Reporting claimed that Qudih and three other Gaza-based photographers had prior “knowledge of the Hamas attack on Israel.”
Special coverage | The Israeli aggression against Gaza and the response of the resistance from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank and southern Lebanon 12-23-2023
Al-Mayadeen Journalists martyred by Israeli strike in south Lebanon, Farah Omar and Rabih Me’mari (Novermber 21, 2023).
Lebanese press pays another heavy toll in ongoing Zionist attacks on the voice of truth.
Following the assault on journalists last October 13, resulting in the martyrdom of photographer Issam Al-Abdullah and injuries to fellow journalists, today’s attack on a journalist gathering point at the intersection of Tair Harfa and Al-Jebbain in southern Lebanon claimed the lives of Al-Mayadeen channel correspondent Farah Omar, photographer Rabei Al-Maamari, and civilian Hussein Aqeel.
The relentless targeting continues to silence voices and deepen the impact on the press community.
Al-Mayadeen Network announced the martyrdom of its crew members in south Lebanon, Farah Omar and Rabih Me’mari, who got targeted in the drone strike.
"Israel" deliberately targeted #AlMayadeen's correspondent, Farah Omar, and cameraman Rabih Me'mari, killing them both after they had just ended their live broadcast from South #Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/EOvyiRkiM9
Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon Samer Al-Hajj Ali said an Israeli drone fired two missiles at the location where Al-Mayadeen crew was gathering.
Al-Hajj Ali said Al-Manar crew was present near the area where Al-Mayadeen journalists were, stressing that the Israeli drone deliberately targeted Omar and Me’mari.
Another civilian, Hussein Akil was martyred in the strike, National News Agency (NNA) reported.
In retaliation to the targeted attacks, the Islamic Resistance took decisive action on Tuesday, hours after the journalists got martyred .
The resistance fighters targeted a force affiliated with Israeli military intelligence, identified as the ‘Military Assembly,’ situated in a house on the outskirts of Al-Manara settlement. Executing the operation with precision, two guided missiles were deployed, leading to casualties among its members.
Fourth Martyr
Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli strike killed an elderly woman and injured her granddaughter in the southern border town of Kfar Kila.
Al-Manar correspondnet in south Lebanon Ali Shoeib identified the martyr as Laeka Sarhan and her injured granddaughter as Alaa Al-Qassem, adding that other grandchildren of Sarhan survived the Israeli strike.
مراسل المنار :
نجاة عدد من الأطفال من أحفاد الشهيدة لائقة سرحان كانوا في المنزل الذي قصفه العدو الصهيوني في بلدة كفركلا و الذي أدى أيضا إلى جرح شقيقتهم الاء . pic.twitter.com/8t6YhqbWYn
Our correspondent also reported a number of Israeli strikes and artillery shelling on border towns of Ayta Al-Shaab, Yaroun, Rub Al-Thlathin, Khiam, Kfar Shouba and Odeisseh.
Hezbollah Threatens
For its part, Hezbollah firmly denounced the targeted killing of Lebanese journalists and civilians, stressing that the Israeli crime won’t go unanswered.
“The continued direct targeting of media professionals and the killing of journalists reflect the enemy’s extreme unease with the pivotal role played by the media, which through considerable efforts and sacrifices, has successfully shifted public opinion in favor of the oppressed Palestinian people against the murderous Israeli enemy,” Hezbollah said, in a statement released by the party’s Media Relations Office.
Hezbollah flags raised in south Lebanon (photo from archive).
“We assert that this aggression and the accompanying martyrdom of fellow citizens will not go unanswered from the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance, who are engaging the enemy in the field with the most remarkable heroism and redemption,” the statement, carried by Al-Manar, read.
Wide Condemnations
Al Mayadeen CEO Ghassan Ben Jeddou asserted that the Israeli occupation deliberately and directly targeted the Al-Mayadeen crew. Addressing the Israeli occupation, he declared, “You cannot silence the voice of the squares. Rest assured that we will persist, no matter how many lives you take or attempts you make.”
For his part, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his strongest condemnation of the Israeli attack which targeted the press crew on Tuesday.
“This attack proves once again that there are no limits to Israeli crimes, and that its only goal is to silence the media that exposes its crimes and attacks,” Mikati said, extending his deepest condolences to Al-Mayadeen news network and to the families of the two martyrs.
Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makary also offered condolences to Al-Mayadeen and to Lebanese journalists.
Hezbollah MP Hasan Fadlallah stressed that the “resistance’s formulas are very clear,” vowing that Hezbollah won’t be lenient with the Israeli targeted killings of civilians.
“When the Israeli enemy targets civilians, we become more determined to defend our country,” the Hezbollah lawmaker added, in remarks carried by Al-Manar.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri condemned the attack, saying: “On this year’s Independence Day anniversary, mere moments or even eternities of silence seem inadequate to mourn the martyrs and the humanity crushed by the Israeli machinery of death and extermination—from Gaza and across Palestine to southern Lebanon. Today, we remember the sacrifices of the latest Lebanese media martyrs, Farah Omar, Rabih Me’mari, and Hussein Aqeel, following in the footsteps of the earlier martyr, Issam Al-Abdullah. These courageous individuals have baptized the ideals of independence and national will with their blood, defending the truth, the essence of true independence, which can only be safeguarded through sacrifice.”
President Berri concluded, “Mercy to the martyrs, and may God protect Lebanon and its defenders of independence—the army, the people, and the resistance.”
Head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, expressed on the ‘X’ platform, “Bombing a church, the residence of a Lebanese representative, and unarmed civilians, coupled with the direct targeting and killing of media professionals—these are war crimes! What more must Israel do to drag Lebanon into war? It is fortunate that awareness and diligence align with valor, martyrdom, and resistance. Salutations to the souls of all the martyrs, including the most recent additions, Farah and Rabie from Al-Mayadeen station. My heartfelt condolences to Al-Mayadeen and their families.”
The Lebanese Audiovisual Media Workers Union, in a mournful statement, paid tribute to the two martyred colleagues. The union condemned the treacherous and blatant Israeli attack, expressing concern over the international support that provides an unjustified cover for the Israeli enemy.
The statement highlighted that without this support, the enemy would not persist in its crimes, emphasizing the role of countries and organizations claiming to champion human rights—a facade that often contributes to encouraging Zionist aggression and heinous acts.”
Al-Manar, Al-Nour Condemn
Lebanese Media Group (Al-Manar TV and Al-Nour Radio) also condemned the Israeli crime. In a statement, the group referred to the two journalists as Martyrs All the Way to Al-Quds.
“We voice sympathy with all journalists in such hard conditions,” the group’s statement read.
“The brazen assault on press freedom underscores the urgent responsibility of international organizations, spearheaded by the United Nations, to take a unequivocal stance condemning this flagrant attack on the operational liberty of press teams, whose endeavors are safeguarded by international conventions,” it added.
“Such actions will not waver the resolve and commitment of media professionals who persist in advancing their work while upholding their rights and values. We underscore the imperative to shield this media entity and its workforce, affirming our dedication to press on in the face of such challenges. Our commitment to journalistic principles remains unyielding,” the statement ended up saying.
Omar’s Father
Meanwhile, Father of Al-Mayadeen martyred reporter Farah Omar saluted pro-resistance journalists in Gaza and south Lebanon, calling on them to go ahead with their mission of resistance.
Hisham Omar, Farah’s father during live address through Al-Manar TV
He conveyed a message of resilience to journalists in southern Lebanon and Gaza through Al-Manar Channel, emphasizing that their work constitutes a unique form of resistance.
Omar expressed his pride in the path of resistance, stating, “Every martyr who falls gives additional momentum, and we are steadfastly following that path.”
The Last Message
In her final message during live coverage on Al-Mayadeen TV approximately an hour before her martyrdom, the late martyr, Omar, shared updates on the recent developments in the southern region.
Hezbollah strike at the Israeli post of Al-Raheb near Lebanon border (October 15, 2023).
Hezbollah declared on Sunday several strikes on an Israeli post and a settlement near the border with Lebanon, in retaliation for the aggression on Lebanon which killed three Lebanese in the last two days.
In five statements, Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance declared firing guided missiles, among other weapons, at Israeli settlement of Shtula, Al-Raheb, and other Israeli military sites near the border with Lebanon.
In the first statement, the Islamic Resistance announced striking an Israeli post in Shtula settlement with guided missiles, inflicting losses upon Israelis.
“As part of retaliation to Israeli aggression… Unit of martyrs Ali Youssef Alaaddine and Hussein Kamal Al-Masri targeted an Israeli enemy post in Shtula settlement with guided missiles on Sunday,” the statement, obtained by Al-Manar read.
Israeli media confirmed the strike on Shtula, reporting that at least an Israeli was killed and four others were injured.
An Israeli ambulance at the scene of the rocket attack in Shtula settlement (photo by The Times of Israel).
Hezbollah’s second statement said the Islamic Resistance Mujahideen (fighters) attacked the Zionist post of Al-Raheb “with direct and appropriate weapons, in response to the Israeli brazen aggression on the Lebanese border towns.”
A third statement by the Lebanese resistance party declared that a guided missile directly hit an Israeli Merkava at Al-Raheb site, noting that its crew members were killed or injured.
Israeli media quoted occupation military as confirming that “its soldiers stationed in northern Israel were fired upon,” according to i24NEWS.
Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon reported heavy Israeli shelling of the Lebanese border towns of Ayta Al-Shaab and Ramya.
Videos circulated on social media showed Israeli shelling of Ayta Al-Shaab.
Later in the day, Hezbollah issued another statement which said: “As a response to the tragic incidents involving the killing and injuring of journalists in Alma al-Shaab and civilians in Shebaa, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance carried out an attack this afternoon, on Sunday, October 15, 2023. They targeted the Zionist Hanita barracks with precision-guided missiles, resulting in the damage of two Merkava tanks and a tracked personnel carrier. This action also caused significant casualties and injuries among the enemy army’s personnel.”
The last statement by Hezbollah read: The Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance launched an attack on five Zionist border sites, namely Jal Al-Alam, Birkat Risha, Ramya Site, Al-Manara Site, and Al-Abad Site, utilizing precise and effective weaponry.
Israeli Army Isolates Border Area
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation army declared it was “isolating the area” of up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Lebanon border,” instructing settlers not to enter.
The occupation military added in a statement cited by The Times of Israel that it “stresses that entering the area is strictly prohibited and asks the public to be vigilant and not enter the area.”
Israeli tanks positioned near the border with Lebanon (October 15, 2023 / photo by AFP).
Furthermore, the statement ordered Israelis in the settlements up to 2 kilometers from the Lebanon border “to remain close to bomb shelters until further notice.”
Earlier on Friday, Israeli shelling of the border area between Lebanon and the Palestinian occupied terriotries claimed life of Reuters’ Lebanese journalist Issam Abdallah and the injury of at least three others.
Later on Saturday, another Israeli attack on Shebaa Farms killed two Lebanese elderlies as the shelling targeted their house.
Wissam Dallah, ISIL terrorist who committed suicide during a Hezbollah raid in Hay El-Sellom (August 18, 2023).
Al-Manar offers the full story of the ISIL terrorist who committed suicide in Beirut’s southern suburb, Dahiyeh, last week.
Talking to Al-Manar, Head of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit Wafiq Safa said that Wissam Mazen Dallah, from the Syrian nationality, was one of the ISIL terrorists involved in the deadly attack which targeted Sayyeda Zeinab (AS) Shrine on July 27.
Hezbollah liaison and coordination official, Hajj Wafiq Safa.
“Dallah is the one who received and rode the explosive-laden motorcycle to the holy shrine in Damascus,” Safa told Al-Manar’s Mona Tahini.
The senior Hezbollah security official said the Syrian security raided Dallah’s house but he was at large.
“The Syrian security services found and seized what prove that Dallah was involved in the terrorist attack.”
Dallah then infiltrated Lebanon via Wadi Khaled and then he resided in Hay El-Sellom, at his relatives’ apartment, Safa revealed, noting that the terrorist wanted through his move to avoid arousing suspicions by hiding in an area considered as a “bastion” for Hezbollah.
Tahini reported that Hezbollah security services raided the apartment in Hay El-Sellom on August 18, noting that Dallah committed suicide by throwing him self from the building’s roof.
Safa noted that Dallah’s father and the apartment owner, who is the husband of the terrorist’s aunt, were both arrested during the raid.
The Hezbollah senior official warned, in this context, that the Takfiri terrorist group decided to renew its activity in the region, citing attacks in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
“Who said that ISIL is not planning terrorist attacks in Lebanon,” Safa wondered, noting that all those who stand against ISIL are potential targets, including the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah.
Hitting back at those who doubted the Lebanese resistance party’s narrative on the ISIL terrorist in Hay El-Sellom, Safa was clear: “Hezbollah’s history is filled with different forms of achievement including those which are on security level.”
Not too distant from the northern region of occupied Palestine, amidst a picturesque landscape adorned with lush green trees, a member of the Mujahideen from the Central Military Media unit directed us to park our vehicle. We were requested to leave behind all our electronic devices and mobile phones within the car.
Journeying from one strategic point to another along the southern expanse of the Litani River, we were accompanied by the military media team.
Our expedition led us to a concealed “studio” nestled deep within a forest whose precise location remained undisclosed, though we were acutely aware of its proximity to the Israeli separation barrier dividing Lebanon from its northern territories.
Every facet had been meticulously arranged: cameras poised, two chairs positioned facing each other, and a banner unfurled bearing words that had been selected with utmost care:
“We are in an open war against the enemy until full liberation.”
Curiosity compelled me to inquire to our military media escort, “When you mention ‘ultimate liberation,’ are you referring to Lebanon or Palestine?” A faint smile graced his countenance as he replied, “Let’s leave the realm of speculation to the Israelis.” With this response, our efforts to maintain an air of secrecy began in earnest, aimed at precluding any possibility of the enemy discerning even the minutest facets related to the impending interview.
Elements such as the interview location, the timing, and the interviewee’s identity were all meticulously concealed. For instance, even the time displayed on the watch on my wrist – an aspect that might inadvertently be captured by the camera during the interview – underwent adjustments, exemplifying the level of preciseness that characterized our approach to the task at hand. The subtlety of these measures is only matched by the imagination to envisage the breadth of precautions taken.
It didn’t take long for our interviewee to arrive.
Referred to as “Hajj Reda” by the military media unit, he seemed apparently to be from the founding age of the resistance, and also, it was obvious that he possessed an intimate familiarity with even the smallest details of our rendezvous point, and even had a commanding authority over it.
Points of Strength and Weakness
With a smile on his face, a smile which resembles that of Hezbollah’s eighties generation, caring “Hajj Reda” asked me about family, work and “brothers” at Al-Manar. Whoever attended the interview would suggest that it was not the first meeting with ‘Hajj Reda’, and that we had several past meetings.
Starting the interview, I asked “Hajj Reda”: What is the difference between the resistance’s power in 2006 and that in 2023?
After putting forward the resistance’s analysis of the 2006 Divine Victory’s ramifications, “Hajj Reda” used a significant statement to describe the difference between the resistance’s power in 2006 and 2023: It’s just like the difference between its power in 1982 and 2000.
“Hajj Reda” then offered the resistance’s interpretation of the Israeli enemy’s current power level compared to that in 2006. Such interpretation helps in understanding the power of the resistance.
Here we are to talk about the strength factors which distinguish the Islamic resistance’s capabilities during any future war with the Israeli enemy. According to “Hajj Reda”, one of the main factors is the incubating environment which supports the resistance’s choices regardless of the price it would pay.
Game-Changing Surprises
Based on such reading, what are the surprises that await the enemy’s military and its battalions in any future war? Hajj Reda’s answer was shocking.
That answer prompted us to dare to ask the Hezbollah officer another question: “What are the surprises of the next war?”
Galilee Formula
The Galilee formula is also referred to by the Israelis as the “Galilee nightmare”. Why this formula – declared by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah in 2011 – is being highly debated by the Zionists? “Hajj Reda” unveiled some of the changes such formula has led to, with the most dangerous change being related to the Israeli fighting ideology.
Kfar Kila Camera Incident
Despite the fact that the Israeli enemy re-installed surveillance cameras at the border in mid-July, ‘Hajj Reda’ considered the incident in which Lebanese young men removed the cameras earlier as ‘disastrous’.
In-short message to the journalists: Get ready for media coverage beyond the border!
“At Your Service”
The interview on the seventeenth anniversary of the Divine Victory couldn’t be concluded without delivering a message to the resistance leader, Sayyed Nasrallah. Echoing that sent by the Mujahideen in 2006 July War, “Hajj Reda” affirmed Hezbollah fighters’ full readiness, voicing their passion to engage in a new confrontation that will teach the enemy a harsh lesson.
British Journalist Nicholas Blanford sits with Al-Manar’s Batoul Wehbe.
As it grows globally, Hezbollah rouses attention of foreign journalists who are interested in monitoring the development of the Lebanese resistance movement’s formidable capabilities, military techniques and policies.
Nicholas Blanford, a renowned British journalist, lays out to Al-Manar Website some noticeable incidents, highlighting his interest in comprehending and delving into Hezbollah’s military structure.
In an exclusive interview with Al-Manar, Mr. Blanford discusses many regional and Hezbollah-related issues with Batoul Wehbe, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Manar English Website.
On the seventeenth anniversary of the divine victory which followed the 33-day July War in 2006, Al-Manar posts its video interview with the British journalist who has unique experience in Lebanon beginning in 1994.
To know more about Mr. Blanford, here is Al-Manar video that gives a glance on the activities of the journalist who resides in Beirut and has followed up on Hezbollah’s news for nearly thirty years.
US Interests in the M.E.
How does the West eye Lebanon and what has drawn the US interests in the Middle East? Mr. Blanford answers Al-Manar’s question.
Hezbollah’s Stockpile
When Hezbollah staged a large-scale maneuver in south Lebanon two months earlier – on Sunday, May 21 – Mr. Blanford was among foreign journalists who visited the resistance camp in Aramta.
Describing Hezbollah’s conduct during the drill as “impressive”, Mr. Blanford tells Al-Manar that the resistance movement didn’t showcase new weapons in the exercise.
As he uses the term “Al-Mokawama” to refer to the resistance, Mr. Blanford says that since 2006, Hezbollah has expanded enormously in terms of numbers, and that it has accumulated experience from the 10-year Syrian War.
Israeli Defense Ministry Under Hezbollah Fire
Talking about Hezbollah’s precision missiles, Mr. Blanford believes that ‘Israel’ knows very well that Hezbollah is capable of targeting several Israeli military utilities, including the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Hezbollah an Army
Comparing between the fight against the Israeli enemy and the fight during the Syrian war, Mr. Blanford deems that Hezbollah has become an army now. The British journalist elaborates on the description, by saying that the resistance movement is a “hybrid force”.
Hezbollah’s Secret
Mr. Blanford mentions several characteristics that distinguishes Hezbollah. Impressed by what he called Hezbollah’s cleverness, the veteran journalist talks about the resistance fighters’ determination and patience in building up Hezbollah’s infrastructure while evading Israeli reconnaissance.
Hezbollah after Mughniyeh
Mr. Blanford has a clear answer when being asked about Hezbollah after the martyrdom of its top commander Imad Mughniyeh, martyred in Damascus in February 2008. The journalist stresses that Hezbollah is an “institution that doesn’t depend on one person.”
“Noisy Blanford”
Putting a wide smile on his face, Mr. Blanford narrates to Al-Manar one of the funny incidents that happened with him during his coverage of Hezbollah’s activities in south Lebanon.
The comparison between the Western media coverage of the Ukraine war on the one hand, and Yemen and Palestine events on the other, has been exhausted by many, but the point holds.
The closed channels had more than 500 thousand subscribers with more than 7 thousand videos and more than 90 million views.
Not for one day of the 9-year war on Yemen did the Saudi-Western blockade and controls against the country restricted to the physical, but also expanded and widely covered the media and information sectors. On Monday, July 17, YouTube removed dozens of channels from its network that belonged to various organizations in Yemen. The Revolutionary Media Center (RMC), which is situated in Sanaa, the Yemeni military media, the Ansar Allah band, and its creative and documentary production divisions are among the organizations that were be impacted by the ban, according to Yemeni Al-MasirahTV channel.
The closed channels had more than 500 thousand subscribers with more than 7 thousand videos and upwards of 90 million views.
According to the Yemeni Military Media, the recent shutdown of its platforms, along with those of other national platforms, on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, is a blatant example of “double standards and a two-faced policy by the management of these companies in support of hostilities led by the US-Saudi-Emirati coalition of aggression.”
YouTube, according to the military media, is “seeking to harness the media assets of the countries of aggression to serve their colonial project.” They also called the unfriendly action an act of “intellectual terrorism.” Yemen-related national pages, accounts, and channels have previously been blocked, restricted, and closed without providing a clear cause or an explanation.
Yemeni media during the war
During the long war on the country that followed the 21 September revolution, Yemeni media had an almost impossible task to achieve. Reporting on the conflict against an almost complete dominance of Arab media from the Saudi-led coalition and a general Western complacency proved to be an arduous task, but nevertheless, Yemeni national media was up for the task.
Yemeni national media used what little was available of modern equipment to fulfill its duty as the blockade made importing such equipment much more difficult. The Yemeni media had to report the events ongoing on the fronts of Yemen, to dispel the claims of the Saudi-led coalition of achieving full dominance over the battlefield on one hand, and to show the Yemeni people the achievement of its soldiers on the frontlines, thus almost nullifying the effects of the ongoing psyops aiming to shake the morale of the people in this war of liberation.
On the other hand, Yemeni media outlets had a more strenuous task, one of reporting the crimes the Saudi-led coalition, which never fell short of committing war crimes against civilians using mostly Western-manufactured munitions. The media had to report the casualties caused by the air raids and artillery, as well as the calamities the blockade was causing, such as the lack of medications, food, and baby formulas, and their consequent effects.
Narrating tales of soldiers and ordinary Yemenis during the war was a mission that Yemeni media paid dozens of martyrs to accomplish, never retreating even one step backward in their path.
Western coverage biases
The great majority of Western media choose the Saudi-led coalition’s side, complementing their respective countries’ Navies in imposing a firm siege against a country in a war fought in self-defense.
Every now and then, reports did come to light showing only narrow and reductive images regarding the humanitarian crisis that struck the country, but rarely did that light reveal or point at the party responsible for such inhumane acts, as if the “the conflict” had been raging for obscure and convoluted reasons. In that optic, for “some reason” ships can’t land in Yemeni ports, that reason is rarely specified though.
The comparison between the Western media coverage of the Ukraine war on the one hand, and Yemen and Palestine events on the other, has been exhausted by many, but the point holds. Without going into the details or examples of such behavior, such discrepancy in coverage and double standards shows in earnest the level of symbiosis between the Western governments’ foreign policy and its media outlets’ editorial lines.
A few examples of Western reports regarding arms supplies of their countries to Saudi Arabia, such as in Italy, Germany, or the UK, are hardly capable of ruffling any feathers. Such reports can be seen in the optic of the internal power struggle if published by mega-budget mainstream media outlets, more than an actual attempt to shed light on crimes against humanity being committed with Western arms.
The editorial line regarding Ukraine shows that there is no room for maneuvering or second opinions, as dissidents are either discredited publicly or attacked on a career level, not to mention the threat of legal charges being pressed in some scenarios. The line is clear, and the narrative regarding the holy Western war against Russia must be respected by all. It contributes to the fact that media outlets in capitalist societies are enslaved by the source of their funding, or punished on a market level if they break the general line of conduct, such as advertisers pulling and fewer funds being funneled.
Official foreign policy megaphones
In light of previously mentioned mechanisms prevailing in Western societies, and the current unitary Western foreign policy that is hostile to Sanaa and the Yemeni revolution, it seems that a change is far from happening. Anticipating such a change is akin to waiting for apples to fall off an orange tree.
YouTube’s actions in blocking Yemeni content go in line with such conclusions, as any liberty or freedom of expression can only be valid if it goes with official US foreign policy in such regards, especially if it comes from a location where people possess the material means to liberate themselves and their country. In other words, the Yemeni revolution employed military means of resistance and possessed the ability to change facts on the ground, meaning that even the culture and art it produced were targeted for bans and forbidden; otherwise, why would you remove a channel posting Nasheeds and songs?
In 2006, one of the prime targets of the Israeli air raids in Lebanon was the Al Manar TV channel. Why would you bomb a TV channel? It makes even less sense from an Israeli standpoint. So if the channel was, according to the Israeli narrative, spreading fake news and lies, wouldn’t it be foolish to bomb an outlet that is hurting your enemy since that’s what fake news does?
In reality, the bombing at that time was a deliberate attempt to hollow and crush the Lebanese people’s spirit, since combatants are hardly affected by news from the frontlines because they are situated there. Going back to the Yemen case, attacks against media platforms and journalists fall into the same category of military actions, i.e. a psyop.
The psyop in this case targets both the people of Yemen and the Yemeni revolution’s supporters abroad, in the West and the Arab world in particular. YouTube, alongside Telegram, was a prime source of not only battle updates and news from Yemen, but also the cultural and artistic content that made up the identity and face of the Yemeni revolution. Removing the virtual link between Yemen and its supporters abroad aims to alienate the latter by making it harder to resew such liaison.
Conclusion
YouTube removing Yemeni media platforms this July was not the first incident committed by the platform, not to mention other media platforms that support the resistance project against foreign hegemony in the region.
Fortunately, As previously mentioned, Telegram and other platforms are still available to share content on the Yemeni revolution and Yemen in general, as the social media and information sphere drift further away from the total domination of Western outlets and firms. In the era of multipolarity and the great variety of choices of social media, dodging bans can prove to be much simpler than expected. Such actions by YouTube can hardly shake Sanaa and the Yemenis, as they were subjected during these years to the harshest conditions of war and siege, let alone changes to the situation on the ground.
The effects are then limited, but it shows the extent Western media and social media platforms are willing to reach in tarnishing their proclaimed values, such as freedom of expression, when it comes to abiding by their governments’ foreign policy interests.
Related Videos
YouTube blocks websites and platforms that documented the seasons of victory | 2023-07-26
Special Coverage | The continuation of the blockade on Yemen and the continuation of aggression and war in various forms | 2023-07-26
Special Coverage | Continued attempts to divide and fragment Yemen based on what is happening in the south
July’s Panoramic Timeline one of prominent digital documentations of 2006 July War prepared by AL-Manar.
Get ready to discover one of the most significant digital documentation achievements of the 2006 July War. Al-Manar website presents an interactive timeline that documents the war that drove the final nail in the coffin of the US’ “New Middle East” project.
“July’s Panoramic Timeline”, an interactive one that falls within the category of data journalism and is a user-friendly reference for the most important events during the 33-day war.
This digital project documents the diaries of the July war on the military, political, and humanitarian levels, providing the user with a complete and interactive view of the war days through icons that symbolize the most prominent events.
Furthermore, Al-Manar’s timeline is rich with multimedia including videos and photos that offers credible documentation of the war days.
Multimedia added to Al-Manar interactive timeline on July War.
“July’s Panoramic Timeline” can be considered as a prominent reference for the messages delivered by Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during the July War, as it provides easy and clear documentation via audio and video of the resistance leader’s speeches and interviews.
In addition to users in English-speaking countries, this project addresses Arab users and others around the world, as Al-Manar website has prepared the timeline in the following international languages: Arabic, French and Spanish.
Join us on this exceptional journey of documentation that will take you on a journey from escalation and fighting to relative calm, from devastating bombardment to steadfast resistance, and from massive destruction to the will to live. You will find yourself immersed in real events and scenes that revive memories and shed light on the true heroes.
Join us on this exceptional documentary journey that will take you from escalation and clashes to relative calm, from devastating bombardment to steadfast resistance, and from massive destruction to the passion for life. You will find yourself immersed in real events and scenes that revive memories and shed light on the true heroes.
The Egyptian intelligence, which mediated the truce talks, announced late Saturday that the Palestinian resistance and the Israeli enemy agreed to commit to a ceasefire, starting from 10 p.m.
According to a copy obtained by Al-Manar, the Israeli side accepted the terms and conditions of the Palestinian resistance related to halting the assassinations against the factions commanders and the attacks on the civilians as well as their properties.
Egypt will follow up the implementation of the ceasefire terms, the copy added.
Al-Manar reporter indicated that a cautious calm prevailed in Gaza after ceasefire had taken into effect since 10 p.m., noting that Palestinian resistance fired missiles even after the truce took into effect.
Gaza locals took into streets to celebrate the victory which consecrated the deterrence formulas against the Israeli enemy.
Following the ceasefire agreement, the Joint Chamber of the Palestinian Resistance factions issued a statement, announcing the end of the “Revenge of the Free” Operation:
In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful
“Surely Allah loves those who fight in His cause in ˹solid˺ ranks as if they were one concrete structure.” {61:4} Operation “Revenge of the Free” is a new page of glory, fought by the resistance, united like a concrete structure. We address our great Jihadi people, wherever they are… A round of fighting, resistance, and steadfastness has ended, but our resistance has begun again, more powerful and vigorous. The joint chamber has terminated the Battle of the “Revenge of the Free”, but the banners have not and will not shatter, and the determination to fight has not and will never recede. The Israeli enemy incorrectly estimated when they assumed they had sufficient time and that the chance to eliminate a few prominent resistance commanders was opportune. They also aimed to wrap up the round as soon as possible and in the way they desired, believing that by doing so, they would have achieved something and emerged with an aura of victory. However, they were taken aback by the resistance’s wisdom and tenacity as well as its inventiveness in managing the war, which perplexed the enemy’s calculations and forced them into the attrition equation. This battle has also distracted the Israeli security system, exhausted their frail internal front, and put them in a state of expectation and anxiety. Thus, the resistance had the upper hand in the power and deterrence equation by pelting the enemy with countless rockets and artillery rounds, murdering, injuring, tearing them apart, and demolishing their structures. Following the valiant and honorable “Revenge of the Free” battle and in light of these remarkable sacrifices, the joint chamber affirms the following:
First, we pay tribute to the martyrs of this blessed battle who were assassinated by Zionism’s treacherous hand, including resistance leaders, heroes of the Al-Quds Brigades, resistance fighters, and mujahideen from the Joint Chamber branches, as well as all our people who were martyred in this battle and whose blood symbolizes pride and victory.
Second, we would want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our people in Gaza, who stood shoulder to shoulder with us during the battle, supporting and encouraging us to continue. We would also like to thank the families of the martyred, the injured, and the owners of the demolished residences, who showed obstinacy and resistance against the Israeli enemy’s crimes.
Third, the resistance entered the battle and emerged as a concrete structure, and a new epic of fortitude, sacrifice, and heroism was penned.
In addition, we warn the cowardly enemy not to return to the policy of assassination; we still have our swords and our fingers on the trigger. If you return, we will return.
Fourth, the resistance has foiled the deceitful enemy’s scheme and vile crime through its steadfastness, unity, and honorable combat. The resistance also proved that it is most capable of confronting the enemy. It demonstrated that the Zionist assassinations were and would continue to be a curse on the entity until, God willing, it is eradicated from our country.
Fifth, this battle is a new chapter in the history of our people, its martyrs, and its resistance. Indeed, the resistance is always eager to meet its people’s aspirations. The resistance will always be ready in every area of the land and on all fronts of combat, like a sword and a shield for the nation, the people, and the holy sites.
Joint Operations Chamber of the Palestinian Resistance Factions
The Secretary General of Islamic Jihad Ziad Nakhalah announced the victory, stressing that the Movement led the resistance factions in face of the Zionist aggression on Gaza.
Nakhalah hailed the martyrs claimed by the Israeli aggression, praising the role of the media outlets which covered up the Zionist war on the Strip.
The Palestinian resistance had remained firing missiles at Tel Aviv and the various Israeli settlements and cities till last minutes of the confrontation.
Israeli occupation carried out a wide-scale aggression on Gaza early on Tuesday, killing 13 Palestinians including three senior Islamic Jihad commanders.
Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, pronounced the martyrdom of commanders Khalil Al-Bahitini, Tareq Ezzeddine and Jihad Ghannam along with members of their families in several strikes that targeted a number of sites in Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Yunis.
A merciless Zionist drone attack on two apartments in Khan Younis claimed on Thursday the lives of three civilians and led to the martyrdom of the esteemed fighter commander Ali Hassan Ghali, known as “Abu Muhammad”.
Ali Hasan Ghali, Islamic Jihad rocket commander who was assassinated by Israeli occupation (Thursday, May 11, 2023).
Islamic Jihad mourned late Thursday martyr commander Ahmad Abu Dakka who was assassinated by the Israeli enemy late Thursday in Khan Younis.
Martyr Ahmad Abu Dakka
Iyad Al-Hasani (Abu Anas), senior Islamic Jihad commander who was assassinated by Israeli occupation (May 12, 2023).
Rockets are launched from the southern Gaza Strip towards occupied territories on May 12, 2023 (SAID KHATIB / AFP)
Revealing that Hezbollah has been in constant contact with Palestinian resistance in Gaza, Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah affirmed that the Lebanese resistance party “won’t hesitate to take actions as duty forces some moves.”
The Hezbollah leader concluded this statement by: “We’ll see,” in a clear threat to the Zionist entity and its premier Benjamin Netanyahu who has been in the last few days boasting of the brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Sayyed Nasrallah remarks were during a ceremony marking the seventh martyrdom anniversary of Hezbollah senior commander Mustafa Badreddine – known with his nom du guerre “Sayyed Zulfiqar”.
His eminence hailed the Palestinian resistance for heroically confronting the Israeli aggression on Gaza, today on its fourth day.
In this context he stressed that the united stance of the resistance factions foiled the goals of the Israeli occupation which has been trying to single out the Islamic Jihad and to sow discord between resistance groups in Gaza.
Sayyed Nasrallah, meanwhile, described the Arab League (AL) invitation to Syria as an important step, calling on Lebanese government to restore ties with the Arab country.
On the local affairs, the Hezbollah S.G. said there have been positive developments in the issue of Lebanese presidential elections, but stressed that until a new president is elected the caretaker government must continue to assume its responsibilities.
“Sayyed Zulfiqar”
Talking about the occasion, Sayyed Nasrallah hailed “Sayyed Zulfiqar” as an insightful commander who had deep knowledge and strategic mind.
“Sayyed Zulfiar attained all honorable medals a resistance fighter could get. First, he obtained the medal of a fighter who was present in battlefields. Sayyed Zulfiqar also obtained the medal of an injured fighter and the medal of a prisoner. He took then the medal of a commander who secured achievements and victories. Finally, Sayyed Zulfiqar came by the most sublime medal, martyrdom.”
“Martyr Sayyed Zulfiqar and his companions, by their insight and mindful performance, managed to secure great achievements,” Sayyed Nasrallah addressed the ceremony in Beirut’s southern suburb (Dahiyeh).
“Sayyed Zulfiqar, who came up with the slogan of ‘United Banner Till Victory’, manifests, along with great martyr Hajj Qassem Suleimani, unity among powers in the Axis of Resistance,” the Hezbollah leader said, referring to the former commander of the Quds Force, of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who was martyred in a US strike near Baghdad airport in January 2020.
Full Support for Gaza
On the brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza, Sayyed Nasrallah said all know that ‘Israel’ is the one who initiated the attack by assassinating three senior Islamic Jihad commanders last Tuesday (May 9).
He lashed out at Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu, saying his motives behind the offensive were to restore the Israeli deterrence and to find a way out of the internal impasse the Zionist entity have been observing for months.
“Netanyahu, through the aggression, seeks to restore the Israeli deterrence and to handle the split of the Israeli governmental coalition as well as to bolster his popularity.”
Image prepared by Al-Manar that displays quotes by Sayyed Nasrallah
Meanwhile, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that the Islamic Jihad is in powerful position, voicing confidence that the resistance group is capable to rehabilitate its organizational structure despite the assassinations that targeted its senior commanders.
In this context, his eminence praised the Gaza-based group’s calm performance in the battle, stressing that the united stance of the resistance groups foiled the Israeli goals.
“The Islamic Jihad acted wisely in a way that confused the Israeli enemy. The resistance stance was united through the Joint Operations Room of the Resistance Factions.”
“Netanyahu has failed in his scheme to single out the Islamic Jihad and to sow discord between the Palestinian resistance factions.”
Sayyed Nasrallah revealed that Hezbollah leadership has been in contact with Palestinian resistance factions, voicing full readiness to offer all forms of support to Palestine.
“We are in constant contact with the Palestinian factions’ commanders. We keep a close eye on the situation and its developments thanks to our brothers. In addition, we offer, within certain limits, feasible assistance.”
“But, I must emphasize, when duty forces specific actions or scenarios on us, we won’t hesitate to take an action, God willing. I will stop by this sentence… and we’ll see!”
The video* below shows Sayyed Nasrallah addressing the Israeli aggression on Gaza:
Syria Back to the Arab League
Sayyed Nasrallah welcomed an invitation by the Arab League to Syria, saying the move is of high significance.
“Syria has neither changed its stance nor its strategy,” his eminence said, stressing: “We recall Sayyed Zulfiqar whenever Syria achieves a political or military victory.”
In this context, the Hezbollah leader called on the Lebanese government to follow suit of the Arab countries and restore ties with Syria.
“Lebanon is called to restore ties with Syria, what are we waiting for? Restoring ties serves Lebanon’s national interest.”
Meanwhile, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that handling the issue of Syrian refugees requires dispatching Lebanese ministerial delegation to Damascus and a national stance that doesn’t yield to foreign pressures in this regard.
Lebanese Presidential Elections
He noted, on the other hand, that are positive developments in the Lebanese presidential elections. The Lebanese resistance leader said that Hezbollah has announced his nominee for the presidential post, stressing that his party has not imposed him on any Lebanese side.
Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed the need for the caretaker government to assume its responsibilities as long as no president is elected.
His eminence called, in this context, to utilize from the positive regional developments, referring to the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Sayyed Nasrallah concluded his speech by renewing allegiance to martyr “Sayyed Zulfiqar” and other martyrs.
“We will follow the suit. We will stick to the resistance path.”
Senior Islamic Jihad commander Tareq Ezzeddine during an interview with Al-Manar (May 2, 2023).
Hours after the martyrdom of Palestinian hunger striker Sheikh Khader Adnan last week (May 2), Al-Manar TV interviewed martyr EzzedineEzzedine, senior Islamic Jihad commander who was assainated along with other two commanders during Israeli air strikes on Gaza strip on Tuesday (May 9).
Ezzedine, who was interviewed by Al-Manar as the spokesman of the Palestinian resistance movement, praised the slain Sheikh Adnan’s sacrifices and promised to pursue his path. Yet, martyr Ezzedine had no idea that he will, himself, follow suit of Sheikh Adnan and join the ranks of martyrs.
After his assassination, Al-Manar recalls some of the martyr Ezzeddine’s most significant remarks in this video*:
Three Islamic Jihad commanders who were martyred by Israeli strikes on Gaza (Tuesday, May 9, 2023).
Israeli occupation carried out a wide-scale aggression on Gaza early on Tuesday, killing 13 Palestinians including three senior Islamic Jihad commanders.
Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, pronounced the martyrdom of commanders Khalil Al-Bahitini, Tareq Ezzeddine and Jihad Ghannam along with members of their families in several strikes that targeted a number of sites in Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Yunis.
Four women and four children were among people martyred. Twenty others were injured in the aggression, dubbed by the occupation army as “Operation Shield and Arrow,” according to Israeli media.
lsraeli warplanes hit Gaza Strip, killing 12 Palestinians including children. pic.twitter.com/4wlsOC8CbS
The Islamic Jihad warned that the Israeli aggression won’t go unanswered.
“Blood of the martyrs will increase our resolve, resistance will continue,” the resistance group said in a statement.
Watch: “I want my dad..”
A Palestinian girl fearfully cries as her father was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the besieged Gaza Strip while people were peacefully sleeping. pic.twitter.com/SGVd1lLKHb
Spokesman of Al-Quds Brigades Abu Hamza vowed that the resistance will heroically confront the Israeli aggression against Palestinian people.
In a speech posted on his Telegram channel, Abu Hamza said the Israeli occupation committed flagrant massacre by killing the resistance commanders in Gaza along with their wives and children.
Abu Hamza, Spokesman of Al-Quds Brigades
“We pronounce martyrdom of three of our commanders Jihad Ghannam, Khalil Al-Bahitini and Tareq Ezzeddine.”
He pledged allegiance to the martyrs, vowing to follow their path. “Thousands will come after our martyred commanders, as this path shall be ended by the defeat of the occupation.”
Abu Hamza affirmed that the “Israeli terrorist crime won’t but increase the Palestinian people adherence to resistance choice.”
In this context, he called on Palestinian people to rally behind resistance.
The 3 Commanders
The Jerusalem Post identified Bahitini as the commander of the Al-Quds Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip, and the most senior operational commander in the resistance group who was responsible for the rocket fire toward the occupied territories in the past month.
The Israeli media outlet said Ezzeddine was responsible for the communications between the movement and its branches in the West Bank and “for transferring funds and coordinating incitement efforts” in the occupied territories.
“Ghanem was one of the most senior and veteran operatives in the movement and served at one point as the commander of the Al-Quds Brigades in the southern Gaza Strip,” The JPost reported, claiming that in his latest position, Ghanem “was responsible for coordinating the transfer of funds and weapons from the Islamic Jihad to Hamas.”
Shelters Opened
The Israeli occupation military said it conducted the assassinations in three separate locations simultaneously with 40 fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft.
An Israeli settler enters a public bomb shelter in Ashkelon, in the Zionist entity’s south (Tuesday, May 9, 2023).
Following the strikes, Israeli ‘Home Front’ Command has given the go-ahead for settlements bordering Gaza to begin evacuating Israeli settlers, with officials estimating that fighting will last at least three days, Channel 13 outlet reports.
According to the channel, settlements “already have plans drawn up for such an eventuality, along with arrangements for where residents who must leave home for fear of rocket attack can be housed.”
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has okayed the army to call up reserves troops as needed, in any field, The Times of Israel reported.
Hamas Says ‘Israel’ to Pay Price
Hamas politburo head Ismail Haniyeh said Israeli actions won’t bring it security, but rather more violence.
“The enemy made a mistake in its estimations and will pay the price for its crime,” he said.
Haniyeh stressed, meanwhile, that the “resistance is unified,” seemingly indicating that his group will back Islamic Jihad in the coming fight, or will even join in.
On Thursday at 17:15, a heavy blast rocked an apartment in Jamous area, Beirut’s southern suburb, killing one woman and causing a bast damage.
The same apartment witnessed an explosion on March 27, 2023, when the Lebanese army intelligence units arrested a traitor (M. Al-Ghoul) involved in preparing explosives to be used in coordination with foreign sides.
Al-Manar Website sources indicated that the Lebanese military intelligence had interrogated the traitor’s mother and inspected the whole apartment before handing it to the family two days for today’s explosion.
After the second explosion occurred, the traitor’s mother was not injured, according to Al-Manar Website sources which added that his aunt was killed and an unknown man was injured.
Al-Manar sources added that the Lebanese army intelligence will interrogate the mother and the unknown man in order to determine the source of the explosives detonated today.
Smoke rise in south Lebanon following Israeli strikes on open areas on Thursday, April 7, 2023 (photo by Al-Manar reporter Ali Shoeib).
The Israeli occupation goes ahead with its aggression in Palestine’s Gaza and Al-Quds, with Lebanon coming on the scene on Friday as Israeli warplanes launch several strikes on the country’s south.
Al-Manar correspondent Samer Hajj Ali said three Israeli strikes targeted at dawn on Thursday open areas in Qlayle, Ras Al-Ein and region surrounding Rashidiyya refugee camp.
For its part, the Israeli occupation military confirmed the strikes, claiming they targeted “infrastructure” of Hamas resistance movement in Lebanon.
Israeli army will not allow Hamas “to operate from Lebanon and considers the state of Lebanon responsible for all fire from its territory,” the occupation military said in a statement.
Al-Manar reporter Ali Shoeib posted a photo showing damage caused by the strikes on an open area in Qlayle valley and the vicinity of Rashidiyya camp.
اضرار الغارة الإسرائيلية التي استهدفت أحد البساتين في سهل القليلة و خراج مخيم الرشيدية فجر اليوم . pic.twitter.com/ylLvri3K1Z
— علي شعيب || Ali Shoeib 🇱🇧 (@alishoeib1970) April 7, 2023
Following the strike, Hamas issued a statement, stressing that the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility for the attack on Rashidiyya camp.
It stressed that the attack represents the true image of the Israeli occupation’s criminality.
Al-Aqsa
Meanwhile in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), thousands of Palestinian worshipers defied Israeli attacks and repressive measures and performed Al-Fajr (dawn) prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli occupation forces assault Palestinian worshipers making their way to Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Fajer prayer near Bab Hitta in occupied #Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/JEIEOu4NTz
Following the prayers, Palestinians took to courtyards of the holy compound and held a protest, voicing support to the resistance and chanting anti-Israel slogans.
Earlier, Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad Palestinian resistance movement, warned the Israeli enemy that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line.
In a video, Al-Quds Brigades fighters were shown preparing rockets to fire at the occupied territories in a clear warning to the Israeli occupation.
The video was concluded with a statement in Arabic and Hebrew: “Al-Aqsa is a red line.”
Meanwhile, Al-Quds Brigades spokesman Abu Hamza that the resistance is proceeding its retaliation in support of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
On his Telegram account, Abu Hamza said: “Our Jihad is going ahead.”
Gaza Strikes
On the other hand, Gaza was subjected to aerial attacks that targeted several areas across the coastal enclave, with the Paslestinian resistance retaliating with firing rockets at the settlements bordering Gaza.
Palestinian media reported several strikes across Gaza, as the occupation military claimed targeting sites belonging to Hamas.
The resistance, meanwhile, fired several barrages of rockets at Israeli settlements bordering Gaza, with Israeli media reporting that at least 40 missiles were launched.
During Panorama Today talk show, Al-Manar TV showed the cartridge clip snatched by one of the Lebanese civilians from the M16 rifle of an Israeli military officer on border off Houla town.
The magazine and the bullets were clearly displayed in order to highlight the extent of the humiliation and fragility the Israeli enemy has reached in face of the Lebanese Resistance.
Al-Manar English Website was honored by obtaining exclusive photos of the cartridge clip.
Al-Manar TV also displayed the photo of the Israeli major who lost the cartridge clip. The Zionist major serves in the Armored Brigade, engineering battalion (603)
Al-Manar English Website prepared an infographic image illustrating the countries which provided aid to Syria following the devastating earthquake which killed at least 6,000 in Syria and 41,000 others in neighboring Turkey.
The infographic image shows the dates and the nature of the aid provided, in addition to some other details on the issue.
Illustrative image prepared by Al-Manar Website on the French mission which was foiled by Iranian authorities in May 2022.
Iran had been in late 2022 the scene of protests which turned violent, allegedly over living conditions and the death of a young woman at police custody. The suspicious riots last September, led to the death or injury of tens of Iranians, including security forces, as well as the arrest of dozens others.
Amidst all this chaos, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei said it all: Role by foreign intelligence in the riots was obvious.
As he urged the government to meet people’s livelihood demands, the insightful leader warned against repeated schemes by foreign services to destabilize the Islamic Republic.
The September riots were preceded by several protests held by members of teachers’ syndicates in Iran in May 2022. However, it became evident that the suspicious demonstrations were aimed at fomenting unrest across the Islamic Republic, but failed to do so as the Iranian intelligence announced the arrest of two French spies who were stoking the protests.
“The Special Mission” Documentary
In a documentary, Al-Manar Channel disclosed details on the activity of the two spies, Jacques Paris and Cecile Kohler, and how they were spotted and busted by the Iranian intelligence and security bodies.
The nearly 30-minute documentary, entitled “The Special Mission – Spies of France”, was aired earlier in February. It shows the chronicles of the French intelligence mission since the two spies landed in Imam Khomeni International Airport in Tehran on April 28, 2022.
Al-Manar’s editor of Iranian affairs Hasan Haidar speaks to our website on the documentary:
French Spies
Cecile Kohler and her partner, Jacques Paris, who traveled between Iranian cities such as Tehran, Kashan, and Isfahan, were the French mission’s protagonists. The two spies of the French intelligence agency were arrested in May while visiting Iran as ordinary tourists.
Both well-prepared, Kohler and Paris appeared in the documentary confessing to carrying their mission. They revealed how they were trained at the French intelligence service’s headquarters that specializes in Asia, primarily the Islamic Republic of Iran. Kohler’s department was also dedicated to collect data on Iran’s technological, industrial, and scientific progress.
French spy Cecile Kohle appears in Al-Manar’s documentary “The Special Mission”.
Cecile Kohler is a member of the French External Security Service’s Intelligence and Operations Service (DGSE), since 2018. Similarly, Jacques Paris has been a member of DGSE since 2000. He serves as an agent in the Iran office, in a syndical and political framework, the spies said, as disclosed by the documentary.
According to Kohler, the DGSE utilized the International Labor Organization (ILO) to destabilize and exert pressure on states that oppose it. In addition, the International Organization for Education granted federal aid to any syndicate seeking to overthrow and destabilize regimes hostile to imperialism.
“We came to set the stage for the overthrow of Iran’s Islamic Republic regime. France is also interested in pursuing the nuclear program”, Kohler added in the documentary.
How It Was Going?
After members of the illicit Iranian syndicates reached out to the DGSE, the mission began in earnest. The DGSE agents started to outline the mission’s goals, which include contacting the syndical members and guiding them on how to organize the country’s so-called ‘revolution’ on the International Workers’ Day (Labor Day).
Kohler and Paris held joint meetings with the aim to “mobilize saboteurs to overthrow the government.” As was foreseeable, the Iranian intelligence service was actively monitoring their movements since the day they landed, the documentary revealed.
French spy Jacques Paris appears in the doccumentary “The Special Mission”.
The agents appointed people like Reza Shihabi, who was previously backed by French intelligence and a member of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) terrorist organization, as well as Shaaban Mohammadi, who was in a connection with the terrorist Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, according to the documentary. It is worth noting that both organizations were involved in agitating several sabotage activities across the Islamic Republic.
During the meetings, illicit syndical members expressed their willingness to take up weapons and riot against the police to demand their ‘rights’. Thereupon, the agents explained to the syndicalists the Fourth International (FI) revolutionary conceptual framework and emphasized the significance of assembling all employees, young and old, to enhance the level of impact of the demands. Consequently, the French money was utilized to hire syndical figures and to subsidize the costs of demonstrations, a procedure Kohler alluded to as “purchasing demonstrations.”
After a few days, the participants present at the meeting became protest leaders. The foreign-backed Iranian opposition media hastened to assist them in broadening the scope of their demonstrations.
Scheme Foiled
However, many demonstrators were unaware of those meetings, as well as the plans and funds spent on protesting. Despite all of their efforts, they failed to parlay the demonstrations into activities that could contribute to Iran’s destabilization at the time (May 2022). As members of syndicates, they were the first to demand their rights. That is because people’s first concern was to demand their rights as citizens, the documentary “The Special Mission” revealed.
Kohler and Paris as they appeared touring Iranian cities in “The Special Mission” documentary.
Eventually, Cecile Kohler acknowledged in the documentary that the objective of the US embargo, which was endorsed by European states, is to bankrupt the Iranian government and force it to make unpalatable decisions by raising taxes and gasoline costs, increasing public anger and creating internal conflict and division. She also affirmed that the mission’s ultimate goal was to destabilize the Iranian regime, overthrow it, and bring forth a regime that advocates imperialism and fulfills the agendas of French imperialism and the US, as well. Hence, all of these efforts, as evidenced by the newly aired documentary were focused on flaring the civil war in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Lastly, the documentary displayed scenes of the operation in which the French spies were arrested, demonstrating the immense effort of Iran’s security and intelligence authorities to safeguard the country’s security and divert Western efforts to overthrow the republican regime.
“The Special Mission” is just an episode in a series of documentaries uncovering the Western conspiracy against Iran, with the eyes being on the next episodes that Al-Manar will air soon and will tackle other schemes against the Islamic Republic.
Report by Marwa Haidar, Documentary translated by Areej Fatima Al-Husseini.
Lebanese MP Faisal Karami in an interview with Al-Manar (Thursday, November 25, 2022).
Lebanon’s Faisal Karami said that the Constitutional Council’s decision to restore his parliamentary membership is an indication of Tripoli’s Arabism identity.
The remarks of the pro-resistance Lebanese figure were in an interview with Al-Manar on Thursday, few hours after the Constitutional Council annulled the parliamentary membership of his rival Rami Fanj.
He stressed that the northern city of Tripoli will remain loyal to Arabism and national principles.
“The real congratulation is to the people who elected us, bet on our political choice and confronted all forms of fabrications and bullying campaigns. As for us, nothing has changed, neither our policy, nor our performance,” Karami told Panorama Today host Manar Sabbagh.
As he thanked people who elected his list, Karami hailed the courage of Constitutional Council chief Tannous Meshleb.
In this context, Karami slammed the performance of the Lebanese Interior Ministry during the parliamentary elections in May, calling to avoid in the future vote counting mistakes which he attributed to the electoral law.
“Attempts to overthrow Karami’s family in Tripoli is impossible, stressing that neither a parliamentary seat nor a ministry portfolio change the fact that this family is one of Tripoli’s prominent political powers.”
Mr. Tim Anderson in an interview with Al-Manar (November 2022).
Al-Manar Website Editor
Internationalist academic Tim Anderson unleashed that the US has been for years creating proxy wars across the world, noting that Washington and Tel Aviv are obsessed with powerful Iran.
In a recent interview with Al-Manar, Mr. Anderson tackled with Batoul Wehbe, Al-Manar English Website’s Editor-in-chief, several regional and international issues, including Palestine, the Zionist entity, Iran and the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
The senior lecturer in the Department of Political Economy at University of Sydney has been known for his pro-Palestine stances. He has been also known for his position supporting the resistance. He had several publications and books, including “The Dirty War on Syria” and Axis of Resistance: “Towards an Independent Middle East.”
“Resistance Kept Palestine Alive”
Starting with Palestine, Dr. Anderson hailed what he said “big changes coming in Palestine,” referring to acts of resistance across the occupied country, especially in the West Bank.
The Australian academic noted that the Zionist entity is facing internal divisions as well as accusations of committing the crime of apartheid against Palestinian people.
US Waging Proxy Wars in Ukraine, M.E.
Dr. Anderson stressed that the United States has been waging a proxy wars against Russia in Ukraine.
He likened the conflict in Ukraine to the conflict in Syria, noting that as Washington funded the terrorist groups of Daesh and Nusra Front in Syria and Iraq, the same thing is being done with the neo-Nazi groups in Ukraine.
US, ‘Israel’ Working to Destabilize Iran
As he repeatedly used the term “North Americans”, Mr. Anderson said that the US and ‘Israel’ are so obsessed with Iran because it is a strong and independent state that supports the resistance.
In this context, he noted that the US and the Zionist entity use any pretext to destabilize Iran, citing the recent riots across the Islamic Republic.
Misleading Media Coverage
Dr. Anderson was fired from the Australian university in 2019 after he superimposed a swastika over an Israeli flag in a slideshow presentation about media coverage of the Israeli aggression on Palestine.
In his interview with Al-Manar he revealed that there have been negotiations with the University of Sydney to get reinstated.
Stressing that the Western media coverage is misleading, the Australian academic said that anti-Palestine powers want to silence all those who support the resistance.
The Last Word
Asked to say the last word to the region’s people, Mr. Anderson stressed that the only key to confront the war waged against this region is the unity of resistance factions in Palestine, Syria Iraq and Iran.
UPROOTED PALESTINIANS: SALAM ALQUDS ALAYKUM 