In this picture released by the official website of the Iranian Army on, April 20, 2023, Shahed-136 suicide drones are seen in a military compound in Iran. (AP)
Hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles are reportedly heading toward Israeli-occupied territories, according to Israeli media.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force announced that it targeted Israeli positions in occupied Palestine with dozens of drones and missiles, as part of the retaliatory response to the malicious Israeli crime against the Iranian embassy in Syria.
Described as “unprecedented”, by a Sky News correspondent, the IRGC’s Aerospace Force announced that the operation dubbed “Truthful Promise” was launched in the context of “punishing the criminal Zionist regime.”
The force said that the operation came “in response to the numerous evil crimes of the Zionist regime,” including the attack on the embassy. It said that its forces, supported by other units of the Iranian Armed Forces, launched the “wide-ranging” military operation.
The statement added that the operation was conducted with the approval of the Supreme National Security Council and under the supervision of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, with the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the backing of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces.
“Details of this operation will soon draw the attention of the heroic Iranian people and the free peoples of the world,” the statement concluded.
Later the IRGC announced that it targeted Israeli military sites that successfully hit and destroyed their targets.
At least three batches of drones and cruise missiles were launched toward Israeli-occupied territories, with another three batches of ballistic missiles launched toward targets, Al Mayadeen‘s correspondent reported.
Concurrently, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah attacked the air and missile defense headquarters in the “Keila” barracks in the occupied Syrian Golan with dozens of Katyusha rockets.
So far, Israeli warning sirens have sounded in central occupied cities and al-Quds, concentrating in the southern part of al-Naqab desert which hosts essential Israeli military infrastructure.
Israeli media outlets captured moments in which swarms of drones and missiles were heading toward their targets in Haifa, Safad, and “Tel Aviv”. Moreover, aerial objects were also seen over the Israeli Knesset in occupied al-Quds.
For the first time since the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip was launched, no Israeli aircraft were recorded flying over the besieged territory.
Supporters of the Resistance went out to celebrate the operation in the Southern Suburb of Beirut, multiple Iranian cities, Baghdad, and the occupied West Bank in Palestine.
Iran’s ballistic missiles impact their Israeli targets
Another video, reportedly from al-Naqab desert, showed multiple objects striking their targets.
IRNA said that an Israeli Air Base in al-Naqab was successfully targeted by the IRGC. The news agency added that the attacking jets launched to attack the embassy took off from the targeted Air Base.
Previous statements made by Iranian officials said that the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy was conducted via US-made F-35 fighter jets. Further investigation reveals that the F-35 fighter jets are stationed at the “Nevatim” Airbase in al-Naqab, due to operational reasons.
Israel media report on incoming swarms of missiles, drones
Meanwhile, Israeli media outlets reported that three swarms of attack drones were launched from Iran toward Israeli-occupied territories on Saturday night.
The spokesperson for the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) confirmed that dozens of drones were launched toward occupied territories. He said that Global Positioning Systems were also jammed across Israeli-occupied territories.
“A short while ago, Iran launched unmanned aerial vehicles from its territory towards the territory of the State of Israel,” the spokesperson said.
“The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country’s skies,” the statement continued as the situation develops.
The spokesperson stressed to settlers that “Israel’s air defenses” are not completely tight, asking them to abide by emergency instructions and protocols.
Three swarms of Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly been launched by Iranian forces toward Israeli positions, with the first swarm reportedly launched at around 8:00 pm (al-Quds Time).
On its part, The New York Times, citing US officials, estimated that Iran would try to synchronize the drone attack with faster-moving missiles, which would be launched later, explaining that the slower drones could be used to distract Israeli occupation “defense systems”.
According to a security source, the Israeli occupation government issued instructions that included entering fortified shelters more capable than those set for precision missiles.
Simultaneous drones, missiles attack set to confuse ‘Israel’s’ airborne ‘defense systems’: Bloomberg
A simultaneous attack with drones and missiles may confuse “Israel’s” anti-air system, as they may arrive at different speeds, altitudes, and directions, Bloomberg quoted a US official, who asked not to be identified discussing internal assessments, as saying.
A state of panic and anxiety escalated on the Israeli occupation home front, where strict measures were issued according to occupation security estimates, as Israeli media revealed that all Israeli politicians received orders to stay in “Israel” and cancel their travel abroad.
In this context, Israeli occupation forces spokesperson Hagari announced changes in the home front command that will take effect from 11:00 pm today, Saturday, and will continue until the same hour next Monday.
In detail, the measures, according to the spokesperson, include, “in the Gaza envelope, up to 100 people are allowed to gather in open areas and up to 300 people in built-up areas, and beaches are closed,” while in other settlements, only 30 Israelis are allowed to gather in open areas and 300 in built-up areas, while in other settlements, only 30 Israelis are allowed to gather in open areas and 300 in built-up areas.
West Asian exports to Israel have skyrocketed since 2020. These are the Arab and Muslim governments that put goods on Israeli shelves, despite their public stances supporting Gaza.
Israeli import data reveals that a number of Arab countries play a significant role in buoying the occupation state’s trade volume, despite attempts by other regional nations to weaken Israel’s economy.
Since this decade’s onset, Israeli ports have been teeming with the arrival of goods from across the region. Each shipment not only boosts the occupation state’s economy, but also weaves a narrative that goes beyond trade statistics as these economic interactions carry a hidden stream of political significance.
Although not an Arab country, Turkiye was the first Muslim state to establish diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv, and today leads the pack of West Asian states boosting Israeli imports. In 2020 alone, the value of Turkish exports spiked to $5.7 billion, constituting 6.2 percent of total Israeli imports that year.
Iron and steel ($1.06 billion), plastics ($464.67 million), electrical and electronic equipment ($346.83 million), vehicles ($331.48 million), machinery ($298.89 million), metals ($261.66 million), and building materials ($188.39 million) form the cornerstone of Turkish exports to the Zionist entity.
In second place is the UAE, which normalized ties with Tel Aviv as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, and was the first Arab state to sign a free-trade agreement (2022) with Israel as part of a plan to boost mutual trade to $10 billion annually. The Persian Gulf state’s exports were valued at $1.89 billion in 2022, accounting for 2.1 percent of all Israeli imports.
Particularly intriguing is the 1543 percent surge in the value of Emirati exports to Israel since the normalization agreement. Noteworthy export categories include precious metals and stones ($525.32 million), iron and steel ($483.95 million), electrical and electronic equipment ($210.71 million), and oil ($94.55 million).
Business as usual
Taking third place is Jordan, whose exports to Israel in 2022 reached $469.25 million, a massive 489 percent increase from 2018. Key export categories from the Hashemite Kingdom include plastics ($135.2 million), electrical and electronic equipment ($127.93 million), and iron and steel ($74.35 million).
As for Egypt, the first Arab state to make peace with and recognize Israel, its 2022 exports to the occupation state amounted to $179.31 million. Notable export categories include inorganic chemicals, precious metals compounds ($61.15 million), building materials ($14.26 million), foodstuffs ($12.78 million), and plastics ($11.32 million).
Surprisingly, in fifth place is Algeria, with Israel-bound exports reaching $21.38 million in 2022, the majority of which are inorganic chemicals, precious metals compounds, and isotopes. The revelation of trade relations between Algeria and Israel by the UN database raises questions about Algeria’s long-held stance against normalization, including its criminalization two years ago.
Morocco stands in sixth place, with exports to Israel amounting to $17.92 million in 2022, predominantly composed of foodstuffs. Rabat resumed diplomatic and trade relations with Israel as part of the 2020 accords.
Finally, Bahrain’s exports to Israel in 2022 reached $10.58 million, reflecting an astounding 12,083 percent increase from 2020, the year of the normalization agreement between Manama and Tel Aviv. Key exports include aluminum ($8.78 million) and iron and steel ($2.62 million).
As such, the combined exports of West Asian countries to Israel surged by $4,359.530,000 between 2020 and 2022, marking an increase of almost 111 percent.
Israeli Energy Imports
Israel depends heavily on oil and natural gas for its power generation, with these sources constituting 80 percent of its total energy supply. It is a net exporter of natural gas, having sent 9.4 billion cubic meters abroad in 2022, with 6.5 billion cubic meters going to Egypt and 2.9 billion cubic meters to Jordan.
In contrast, Israel imports all its oil supply, and consumes approximately 220 thousand barrels per day. Of this, 62 percent comes from two Muslim-majority countries, namely Kazakhstan (93 thousand barrels) and Azerbaijan (45 thousand barrels). The remainder is sourced from West African countries, including Gabon, Nigeria, and Angola, in addition to Brazil, and an undisclosed amount is transported illegally from Iraqi Kurdistan.
To facilitate the import of most of Israel’s oil, the Turkish port of Ceyhan in southeastern Turkiye plays a crucial role. It serves as a loading point for oil tankers carrying crude from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan through the Caspian Sea via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Tankers also transport oil from Iraqi Kurdistan along the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the ports of Haifa and Ashkelon.
Oil tankers arrive in the occupied state via two main seaports: the aforementioned Ashkelon, equipped with 22 tanks holding 11 million barrels, and Eilat in the south, with 16 large oil tanks capable of holding about 1.4 million cubic meters of oil. The latter has seen an 85 percent fall in activity amid increased naval operations executed by Yemen’s Ansarallah-aligned forces in the Red Sea against vessels bound for Israel.
Approximately 180,000 barrels per day reach Ashkelon, from where internal pipelines transport the oil to the ports of Ashdod and Haifa. Both ports have oil refineries with capacities of 100,000 and 197,000 barrels per day, respectively. Additionally, a pipeline connects Ashkelon and Eilat, traversing the Negev desert with a capacity of 1.2 million barrels per day.
Despite the growing tensions and sharp rhetoric by some regional states toward Israel since its military assault on the Gaza Strip commenced, trade activity remains largely uninterrupted. Turkiye, despite calling Israel a “terrorist” state, contributes heavily to Israel’s economic well-being by helping Tel Aviv circumvent the Yemeni blockade, increasing its overall exports to Israel, and playing a pivotal role in oil transportation.
Despite the war on Gaza, Turkish exports grew from 319.5 million dollars in November 2023 to 430.6 million dollars in December — higher even than the 408.3 million dollars exported in July, prior to the 7 October Al-Aqsa Flood operation.
Exports to Israel from the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco are hardly surprising: these are the Arab states most vested in championing regional policies that serve the interests of the occupation state. The more surprising connection, however, is the trade relations — however minimal — between Algeria and Israel.
To understand the true positions of states means to skip over the official rhetoric and examine the economic ties that politics often conceals.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle.
Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah addresses a memorial service of a senior Hezbollah commander in the southern town of Khirbet Selm (Sunday, January 14, 2024).
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said it clear on Sunday: “We don’t fear war and there are no talks before the war on Gaza ends.”
Addressing a memorial service of the senior commander Wissam Tawil, known as “Hajj Jawad”, the Lebanese resistance leader hit back at the US and Israeli threats to expand the war in the region, especially in Lebanon and Yemen.
Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that Hezbollah has been ready for the war for 99 days, and fear nothing.
His eminence said that the Israeli brigades which the Zionist enemy threatened to send to the border with Lebanon are already defeated and exhausted, using a sarcastic term to respond to such threat: “Hello and welcome!”
As he saluted the resistance in Gaza over its epic steadfastness for 100 days, the Hezbollah leader underlined the huge Israeli human losses in the battles in both Gaza and Lebanon, pointing to the Israeli restrictions on announcing the real number of casualties.
Commenting on the US-UK aggression on Yemen, Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed that US President Joe Biden and his administration will find out that they have committed a folly.
Sayyed Nasrallah, meanwhile, revealed that the information obtained by Hezbollah confirms that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired a cruise missile at a sensitive target in the Israeli occupied city of Haifa, and that the Zionist enemy kept silent over the incident.
About the Occasion: “Valiant Hajj Jawad”
Sayyed Nasrallah saluted martyr Tawil as a valiant and calm Hezbollah commander who joined the resistance ranks in 1990 at early age (16 years).
The Hezbollah S.G. then talked about the great contributions of martyr Tawil, whom Sayyed Nasrallah said he would prefer to refer to with his nom du guerre, “Hajj Jawad.”
Senior Hezbollah commander Wissam Tawil, known as Hajj Jawad, who was martyred last week by an Israeli drone strike in his town of Khirbet Selm.
Senior Hezbollah commander Wissam Tawil, known as Hajj Jawad, who was martyred last week by an Israeli drone strike in his town of Khirbet Selm.
“Hajj Jawad took the command of several frontlines of the resistance in south Lebanon until the liberation in 2000. He was one of the commanders in the war against ISIL terrorist group in Syria, a war we have been proud to take part in,” Sayyed Nasrallah said in his televised address via Al-Manar.
“Hajj Jawad left everything behind him as the war started in Lebanon 99 days ago. He went to the frontlines in the south, only going home on the last night before his martyrdom.”
“Epic Steadfastness”
Sayyed Nasrallah praised the Palestinian people and resistance in Gaza as saying: “100 days have passed and Gaza is still holding out. Gaza has been showing an epic steadfastness that is unparalleled in the history.”
He pointed to the Zionist entity’s policy of media blackout, especially regarding the Israeli casualties and losses.
“Israel in this war on Gaza is more restrictive and secretive than any other war. Political commentators, analysts and experts agree that Israel is mired in failure.”
In this context, Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that the Zionist entity have failed to achieve both the implicit and explicit goals of the war on Gaza.
“The implicit goals of the Israeli war are to occupy Gaza, displace the Gazans and to turn the enclave into a beach for the Israeli settlers in Gaza envelope.”
“The Israeli enemy was neither able to eliminate the resistance in Gaza, nor able to eliminate the Hamas government. It is still fighting in Gaza city and Khan Yunis.”
“100 days on the war, rockets are still being fired from northern Gaza towards Tel Aviv and settlements in Gaza envelope,” his eminence said, referring to Gaza resistance’s ability to run the battle.
“Unprecedented Israeli Losses”
Sayyed Nasrallah noted that the Israeli occupation has been covering up its casualties and losses in Gaza since this will lead to a great frustration and cause low morale within the Israeli army and settlers.
“The enemy is still fighting to secure some achievements before moving to the third phase of the war in which it will redeploy its forces.”
His eminence cited Israeli media reports that talked about 4,000 soldiers who have become disabled.
“The Israeli media reports that 4,000 soldiers are now disabled, and that the number could reach 30,000. Brothers and sisters, if this is the case, how many Israeli soldiers have been killed or injured?!”
“According to numbers and figures, the Israeli human cost on all fronts is unprecedented.”
On the other hand, Sayyed Nasrallah noted that the legal case against the Zionist entity at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) “defames the image of the occupation regime and exposes the moral decline of the West over its support to Israel.”
Aggression on Yemen a “Folly”
Meanwhile, the Hezbollah S.G. said that the US and its Western allies worked to thwart the fronts which have been opened in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq in support of Gaza.
“The recent aggression on Yemen represents foolishness of both the US and the UK, as it also shows US’ contradiction. While Washington calls for not expanding the war, it is doing so. If Biden and his administration think that Yemen will retreat after the aggression, then they are wrong, suspicious, and ignorant.”
Attendees of the memorial service in Khirbet Selm watch Sayyed Nasrallah via a screen (January 14, 2024).
He affirmed, in this context, that the US aggression won’t stop the Yemeni attacks on Israeli ships and ships bound for the Zionist entity.
“The American aggression will harm the security of maritime navigation in the Red Sea, which will turn into a battlefield, and this is stupidity in itself.”
“Biden and his administration will find out that they have committed a folly by staging an aggression on Yemen.”
Sensitive Haifa Target Being Hit
Sayyed Nasrallah, furthermore, revealed that according to information obtained by Hezbollah, a sensitive target in Haifa was targeted by a cruise missile fired by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
“The Islamic Resistance in Iraq struck Haifa with a cruise missile, but the Israeli occupation kept the issue a secret.”
Meron Strike
Talking more about the Israeli media blackout on war losses, Sayyed Nasrallah gave another example, by revealing that the Israeli media claimed that Hezbollah struck Meron base, in retaliation for Israeli assassination of Hamas senior official Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri, with only 40 rockets.
“As the Israeli media reported that only 40 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Meron base, we confirm that Hezbollah fired 62 rockets and missiles towards the base. 40 of these were Katyusha rockets, while the other 22 were Kornet missiles,” Sayyed Nasrallah said, affirming that 18 out of 22 missiles hit the base inflicting casualties and huge losses upon the Israeli enemy.
“Defeated Brigades”
Hitting back at US and Israeli threats for Lebanon, Sayyed Nasrallah said that similar threats have been made since the start of the war and that they were futile, wondering: “Will they be fruitful now following 100 days of failure and exhaustion?!”
He recalled the epic victory secured by the resistance in Lebanon during the 2006 July war, saying: “Though the Israeli army was fully prepared during July War, it was defeated.”
“The one who should fear the war in Lebanon is ‘Israel’ and the Israeli settlers. As for the resistance in Lebanon, we have been ready for the war for 99 days, we are not afraid of it. We fear nothing, and we will fight without limits and without borders.”
“They threaten us with defeated brigades in Gaza, we say: Hello and welcome.”
Sayyed Nasrallah then warned the US by saying: “The US which presents itself as a neutral player that is keen on Lebanon’s interests has to be concerned about the fate of its puppet in the region, Israel.”
He concluded his statement by stressing that there will be no talks to calm the front in Lebanon before the war on Gaza ends, noting that this also applies on other fronts that erupted in Yemen, Iraq and Syria in support of Gaza.
“Our stance is clear that the front in Lebanon is to support Gaza, and its goal is to stop the aggression on Gaza. The US and the UK, which approached the region, will hear one stance in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq: Stop the war on Gaza.”
Evening | 100 days of resistance, confrontation and steadfastness 01-14-2024
Abu Ubaida, audio and video
Special coverage | Abu Ubaida: The flood of Al-Aqsa will expand day after day, and there is no value other than a ceasefire 01-15-2024
Scene | 100 days of resistance… solid equations
About a hundred days ago, the face of the region changed – the American involvement in the war and the threat to Lebanon confirm the absence of rationality
Faisal Abdel Sater is the guest of journalist Louay Falha on the Lebanon Today program
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Israeli statements on the explosion’s details have been contradictory. Some Israeli media outlets claimed that the blast in the occupied Haifa Bay refineries was due to a malfunction, characterizing it as “non-security-related.” Conversely, other Israeli media sources proposed that the explosion was a result of a missile strike.
At the same time, Israeli affairs expert Feras Yaghi stated to Al Mayadeen that there appears to be a security incident in the occupied Haifa Bay, with talks within “Israel” about a possible missile strike.
On a related note, the Iraqi resistance last week targeted a vital target in Israeli-occupied Haifa. According to the official statement released by the Iraqi Resistance, the operation was conducted using the now-revealed “al-Arqab” upgraded long-range cruise missile.
The Resistance emphasized it “will continue to target enemy strongholds,” promising that more is yet to come.
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah stressed on Saturday that in the Lebanese front, eyes should be on the battlefield, noting that the events taking place in the combat zone will dictate the course of the war against the Israeli enemy.
In a televised speech addressing a ceremony marking Hezbollah Martyr’s Day, Sayyed Nasrallah said that the front in Lebanon witnessed an escalation last week as the resistance used, for the first time, onslaught UAVs and Bukran missiles.
He revealed that the Lebanese resistance flies drones that reach Haifa and the Israeli depth daily.
In this context, the Lebanese resistance leader noted that Hezbollah had warned the enemy via mediators that targeting civilians in Lebanon won’t be tolerated and will be harshly met.
Sayyed Nasrallah lashed out the Israeli savagery in targeting civilians and hospitals in Gaza, emphasizing that such crimes represent the reality of the Israeli occupation.
Meanwhile, his eminence lauded the “glorious and legendary” fight of the Palestinian resistance fighters who are defending their land against the Israeli invaders.
Sayyed Nasrallah also hailed the “magnificent resolution” of Gaza people who have been for weeks subjected to all forms of genocide.
The Hezbollah S.G. vowed victory as he voiced hope that the current generations will witness the liberation of Al-Quds and will perform prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
About the Occasion
As in every address, Sayyed Nasrallah started his speech talking about the occasion. He recalled the heroic operation carried out by self-sacrifice martyr Ahmad Kassir at the headquarters of the Israeli military command in Tyre on Nov. 11, 1982.
“Martyr Ahmad Kassir’s blood defeated the sword of the US and the Zionist entity in our region. His operation is still the greatest and the most significant one in the resistance’s history,” his eminence said.
“11/11 is the day of all those who have sacrificed their lives on the path of resistance since 1982 till today. We feel the sacrifices of our martyrs as we live in security and dignity.”
“Our martyrs are those who shouldered their responsibilities towards the Ummah (nation) despite the high cost,” Sayyed Nasrallah stated, noting that this year’s Martyr Day coincides with significant events taking place in Palestine and Lebanon.
“Savage Aggression”
Sayyed Nasrallah lashed out at the Israeli occupation over the brutal aggression on Gaza, stressing that the “Zionist attacks expose the reality of this cruel enemy.”
“The Israeli enemy is ramping up the brutal aggression on Gaza as the resistance fighters are heroically defending their land.”
“The Israeli enemy flagrantly attacks Gaza hospitals and civilian targets before the eyes of the entire world.”
He stated that one of the major aims behind the Israeli crimes is to subdue the people of the region, noting that “despite the Israeli atrocities throughout 75 years, the people of this region have been sticking to the choice of resistance.”
In this context, Sayyed Nasrallah pointed to a shift in the international public opinion.
“Time is running out for the Zionist entity as its savagery and cruelty are exposed in front of the international community.”
“Israeli Failure”
He stressed that the US is the side who runs the war and decides on the ceasefire in Gaza.
“In the Zionist entity, there are only idiots who are just thinking about their personal political future.”
Sayyed Nasrallah addressed the US by saying: “If you don’t want a regional war then stop the aggression in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, he slammed the stance of the Arabs, wondering: “Can’t 57 states open the (Rafah) crossing in order to facilitate the delivery of aid and fuel to Gaza?”
His eminence praised the resistance fighters in Gaza whom he said “despite horrible conditions are standing firm and defending their land.”
“The glorious and legendary battlefield in Gaza is the decisive factor in the course of the war.”
Touching upon the Israeli performance, Sayyed Nasrallah described it as a failure.
“When Israel sends elite forces to Gaza then this is a failure. Israel failed to portray itself as the victorious power.”
“Axis of Resistance Backs Gaza”
The Lebanese resistance leader lauded the Yemeni and Iraqi resistance movements over their intervention against the Israeli enemy in support of Gaza.
“Yemen’s leadership and people took a brave, bold, official and public stance and sent missiles and drones to Palestine. This had important effects, even if was right that the missiles and drones did not reach its targets as the Israelis claim.”
“Attacks by the Iraqi resistance represent high courage in defiance of the US occupation forces stationed in the Arab country.”
Sayyed Nasrallah then revealed that the US pressed the resistance movements in the region in a bid to stop the attacks against its bases in Iraq and Syria.
“The US has been futilely pressing the resistance in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen via Western and Arab channels. The only way to halt the Iraqi and Syrian attacks is to stop the war on Gaza.”
His eminence hailed the unwavering Iranian support to the resistance movements across the region.
Lebanon Front
Sayyed Nasrallah said operations on the Lebanese front have been continuing since October 8 until today, and despite all preventive measures and the constant presence of armed Israeli drones.
His eminence said that last week, the resistance in Lebanon ramped up operations against the Israeli enemy on both qualitative and quantitative levels
“Onslaught UAVs and Burkan missiles, which weighs 300 to 500 kgs, entered service last week,” Sayyed Nasrallah said.
In this context, he revealed that Hezbollah has been flying drones over the occupied Palestinian territories.
“Our reconnaissance drones fly daily over Safad, Acre, Haifa and sometimes to regions that are farther.”
The resistance leader noted that the resistance in Lebanon retaliated instantly to the horrible crime that killed Lebanese women and her three granddaughters in Aynata last week.
“We’ve informed the Israeli enemy that we won’t be lenient regarding targeting civilians.”
His eminence, meanwhile, hailed the Lebanese political and popular stance in Lebanon which supports the resistance.
Regarding the coming steps, Sayyed Nasrallah said he is “not the one who announce such moves.”
“Our policy in the current battle is that the battlefield speaks louder than the words. In the Lebanese front eyes should be on the combat zone.”
“We look forward to the victory of Palestine and to the Israeli defeat. The Victory is coming, our generations will witness the liberation of Al-Quds and will pray at Al-Aqsa,” Sayyed Nasrallah concluded his speech.
A Turkish military frigate docks for the first time in over a decade as part of a NATO patrol.
The Turkish frigate TCG Kemalreis (F-247)
A Turkish warship docked Saturday in the Haifa port in occupied Palestine as part of a mission for NATO forces in the region, for the first time in 12 years.
The Israeli Kan channel reported that the Turkish frigate TCG Kemalreis (F-247), accompanied by the USS Forrest Sherman, an American-guided missile destroyer arrived at the Haifa port as part of a NATO patrol.
A spokesperson for Haifa Port mentioned that the frigate will remain in the port for several days.
Kan cited the captain of the Turkish warship as saying that the Israeli Ministry of Interior prevented the navigators from disembarking the TCG Kemalreison under the pretext of not holding official passports, adding that they were planning to tour Haifa and occupied Al-Quds.
The captain added that the navigators and soldiers on board the military naval vessels of the fleets of NATO countries travel using cards issued by the alliance.
Israeli media pointed out that this is the first Turkish warship to dock in an Israeli port since 2010, noting that the ship is participating in maneuvers carried out by NATO in the Mediterranean.
The Jerusalem Post quoted an Israeli occupation forces (IOF) spokesperson as saying that “The docking is part of Israel’s cooperation with and support of NATO.”
The arrival of the Turkish warship comes in light of the recent improvement in relations between the Israeli occupation and Turkey after years of estrangement.
Relations between Ankara and “Tel Aviv” had reached their lowest level after Israeli occupation commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara ship that was carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in 2010, which led to the deaths of nine Turks.
After a reconciliation deal in 2016, tensions escalated again between the two sides when both exchanged withdrawing ambassadors in 2018 over the IOF killing Palestinian protesters in Gaza, and after the US moved its embassy to occupied Al-Quds.
However, in recent months, Israeli-Turkish relations have witnessed a remarkable improvement. In March, Israeli occupation President Isaac Herzog visited Ankara and met his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The announcement came less than two weeks after the Israeli occupation launched a brutal aggression on Gaza that left at least 49 martyrs, including 16 children.
It is noteworthy that according to The Jerusalem Post, Turkey and “Israel” had for years “been close allies in the defense industry, security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and military training.”
An expert in hazardous materials has warned that the “Israeli” entity might suffer from a catastrophic blast Like the Beirut port explosion.
“‘Israel’ has an acute problem of ammonium nitrate factories located next to residential areas,” Danny Kronenberg said, in remarks published Sunday in the “Israeli” newspaper, Haaretz.
The military correspondent at the Maariv Newspaper, Tal Lev-Ram, discussed several potential scenarios that the ‘Israeli’ army is preparing for in case of a war with Hezbollah. The ‘Israelis’ are conducting assessments and developing strategies in an upcoming military exercise.
“The army expects two incidents related to hazardous materials in the city of Haifa over a three-week period, in addition to the targeting of the port with precision missiles that can be fired from the Lebanese side,” Lev-Ram explained.
He indicated that “the home front, the police, and the various rescue services will maneuver on this basis next month.”
“Amid Hezbollah’s developing capabilities in terms of the number and accuracy of missiles, our army has prepared several assessments of the damage that will occur in the war,” he added.
“These assessments are considered to be highly likely for the next confrontation scenario. After examining the data about Hezbollah’s capabilities as well as the capabilities of the ‘defense’ systems in the ‘Israeli’ army, the latter took into account that approximately 6% of the rockets launched by the party will hit urban areas and will not be intercepted by ‘defense’ systems.”
He pointed out that “in the industrial zone adjacent to Haifa Bay, there are many facilities housing hazardous materials that are expected to be targeted and cause a very large explosion, while releasing these hazardous materials.”
According to Lev-Ram, Tel Aviv is “very seriously considering the possibility of damage and the great threat from this scenario as the area is inhabited by a number of settlers who may inhale these dangerous materials.”
“Every year, prior to the home front exercise, the authorities assess scenarios attributed to the extent of the expected damage in their cities, so that they can prepare accordingly. Among other things, the heads of the emergency services and agencies in each local authority are required to plan their activities in order to be ready to evacuate about 4% of their settlers after their homes are directly or indirectly hit.”
Lev-Ram claims that “in recent years, efforts have been made to reduce the size of the threat by fortifying facilities in Haifa Bay or reducing the quantity and type of materials stored there, but it is still considered a strategic target for Hezbollah fire, as well as the seaports in Haifa and Ashdod.”
“The qualitative difference between the situation in the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and the situation today is that Hezbollah is accumulating accurate capabilities, a given that makes this threat very significant in the upcoming confrontations with the party,” the Maariv correspondent added.
“After the end of the maneuvers, which will begin on November 10 of this year, a joint exercise will be conducted by the Home Front Command and the various rescue services in Kiryat Shmona, which will simulate a missile hitting a factory containing dangerous materials.”
Lev-Ram notes that when it comes to hazardous materials, “one war room is supposed to work for all the relevant rescue services: the home front, the fire department, the police, the Magen David Adom, and additional government agencies.”
“After a complete fortification, the forces are supposed to work together with the factory management to determine the source of the leak of hazardous materials, in return the police will block roads to prevent citizens from entering the dangerous area.”
“The Home Front soldiers will work to evacuate the residents in accordance with the standards of the leakage of hazardous materials, the severity and level of danger, and the extent of its impact on residential communities in the area,” Lev-Ram said.
Egyptian, Iraqi, and Jordanian meetings are being held to reinforce a trilateral project with an economic title failing to mask political, and possibly, strategic dimensions. This project called “The New Shaam ” does not answer how a project bearing the name of Syria (Al Shaam) could be founded while excluding Syria from its consideration. Those involved in the project are incapable of denying the reality of the role of isolator between Syria and Iran that this trio is playing, in addition to isolating Iraq and Jordan from Syria which geographically falls in the middle between those two countries. Those involved also fail to deny the declared American paternity of this project in parallel to American declared paternity of the Gulf-Israeli normalization, with both projects being complimentary and a guarantee for each other’s success.
The economic return of this “New Shaam” project is not unrelated to its political role. Egyptian electricity to Iraq compensates Egypt for the loss of Suez Canal returns resulting from Gulf-Israeli normalization, while simultaneously acting as a substitute for electricity to Iraq from Iran. Similarly the exchange of Iraqi oil and Egyptian gas via Jordan detaches Iraq from need for Iranian gas, and provides additional compensation for anticipated Suez Canal revenue loss from the reliance of the Gulf trade on Israeli ports after normalization. As for what has been promised to Jordan from this project has been financing to compensate for the halting of goods from Syria in transit via Jordan to the Gulf, and becoming a compulsory junction for the goods arriving at the Occupation’s ports and destined for the Gulf.
The Gulf-Israeli normalization built on the foundation of granting the Occupation a pivotal economic role in the region, redraws the political-economic map of the countries in the region, and markets it using appealing names such as the “The New Shaam.” The new map imposes on Egypt accepting the loss of the role which the Suez Canal has played in exchange for the crumbs meted by the designated replacement role, and imposes on Iraq the role of separating Syria from Iran, encircling Syria with an Iraqi-Jordanian siege, accepting the loss of Iraq’s natural common interests with both Iran and Syria, and placing Iraq’s internal cohesion, unity, and stability in danger. Jordan, however, will be the most vulnerable to the influences and pressures resulting from this project, irrespective of the enticements Jordan is offered to accept this role.
Jordan lies at the intersection of two fault lines portending renewed crises, namely the closed door to a resolution for the Palestinian Cause, and the wide open door to the Gulf-Israeli normalization, along with the connection to a third fault line of high tension entitled separating Syria from Iran, and separating Jordan and Iraq from Syria and besieging her. The question becomes could the delicate situation in Jordan withstand such pressures, given the weight of the Palestinian Cause and its influence on Jordan especially in light of the Palestinian united opposition to the “Deal of the Century” and Jordan’s inability to isolate herself from such Palestinian transformation, and in view of the strong Jordanian-Syrian social and political intertwinement, and the popular climate in Jordan aspiring to speeding up the natural and cooperative relationships between Jordan and Syria? Given the popular demand in Jordan for the closure of the Israeli Embassy, can Jordanians tolerate scenarios of trucks crossing Jordan with goods loaded from the Port of Haifa in transit to the Gulf?
If “The New Shaam” project does not become quadrilateral, open to and inclusive of Syria, refusing the designated role of marketing normalization at the expense of the Palestinian People and Egyptian interests, and rejecting playing the role of isolating and besieging Syria, Iraq and Egypt will pay a political and economic toll from their stability. Jordan, on the other hand, will be facing fateful and possibly existential challenges, similar to what pushed Lebanon in the eve of Camp David.
للمرة الثانية ينعقد لقاء مصري عراقي أردني تأكيداً على مشروع ثلاثي بعنوان اقتصادي لا يُخفى البعد السياسي وربما الاستراتيجي وراءه، فالمشروع المسمّى بالشام الجديد، لا يملك جواباً على كيفية قيام مشروع يحمل اسم الشام ويستثني الشام من حساباته؟ بل لا يستطيع القيّمون على المشروع إنكار حقيقة أن الثلاثي الجديد يلعب دور العازل بين إيران وسورية، عدا عن كونه يعزل الأردن والعراق عن سورية بينما هي تتوسّطهما معاً، كما لا يمكن لأصحاب المشروع إنكار ما قاله الأميركيون عن أبوتهم للمشروع بالتوازي مع أبوتهم للتطبيع الخليجي الإسرائيلي، حيث يكمّل أحد المشروعين الآخر، ويضمن نجاحه.
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العائد الاقتصادي للمشروع غير منفصل عن وظيفته السياسية، فالكهرباء المصرية للعراق هي من جهة تعويض لمصر عن خسائر قناة السويس الناتجة عن التطبيع الخليجي الإسرائيلي، ومن جهة مقابلة تأمين بديل كهربائي للعراق عن المصدر الإيراني، كما تبادل النفط العراقي والغاز المصري عبر الأردن فك للعراق عن حاجته للغاز الإيراني، وتأمين موارد إضافيّة بديلة عن خسائر ستحلق بقناة السويس من الاتجاه للاعتماد التجاري للخليج على موانئ كيان الاحتلال بعد التطبيع، أما العائدات الموعودة للأردن من هذا الربط فهي لتمويل يعوّض على الأردن ما سيُصيبه من خسائر توقف خط الترانزيت الى الخليج عبر سورية مقابل لعب دور المعبر الإلزامي للبضائع الواصلة إلى موانئ كيان الاحتلال والمتجهة نحو الخليج.
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التطبيع الخليجي الإسرائيلي المؤسس على ركيزة منح كيان الاحتلال دوراً اقتصادياً محورياً في المنطقة، يُعيد تشكيل الخريطة السياسية والاقتصادية لدول المنطقة، ويتم تسويق هذه الخريطة بأسماء جاذبة مثل الشام الجديد، فعلى مصر وفقاً للخريطة الجديدة أن تتلقى خسارة قناة السويس لدورها وتصمت لقاء فتات دور بديل، وعلى العراق الذي يكلف بمهمة فصل سورية عن أيران وتطويق سورية بحصار عراقي أردني، أن يرتضي خسارة مصالحه المشتركة الطبيعيّة مع كل من سورية وإيران، وأن يعرّض تماسكه الداخلي ووحدته واستقراره الأمني للخطر، لكن الأردن سيبقى الساحة الأشد عرضة للضغوط والتأثيرات الناجمة عن هذا المشروع رغم العروض التشجيعيّة التي يتلقاها لقبول الدور.
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الأردن الذي يشكّل خط تقاطع فوالق الأزمات المستجدّة بفعل التوتر العالي لخطَّي إغلاق أبواب الحلول أمام القضيّة الفلسطينية، وفتح الباب الواسع للتطبيع الخليجيّ الإسرائيليّ، يتم ربطه بخط توتر عالٍ ثالث عنوانه فصل سورية عن إيران، وعزل العراق والأردن عن سورية بنية حصارها، ويصير السؤال هل الوضع الدقيق في الأردن يحتمل هذه الضغوط، في ظل حجم حضور القضية الفلسطينية وتأثيرها على الأردن، خصوصاً مع وحدة الموقف الفلسطيني بوجه صفقة القرن، وعجز الأردن عن تحييد نفسه عن هذه التحولات الفلسطينية، وفي ظل حجم التشابك الاجتماعي والسياسي الأردني السوري، وتنامي مناخ شعبيّ أردنيّ يتطلع لتسريع العلاقات الطبيعيّة والتعاونيّة بين سورية والأردن، وفي ظل مطالبات أردنية بإغلاق السفارة الإسرائيلية هل يمكن للأردنيين تحمل مشاهد الشاحنات العابرة من مرفأ حيفا نحو الخليج؟
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ما لم يكن مشروع الشام الجديد رباعياً يضمّ سورية، وينفتح عليها، ويرفض الدور المرسوم لتسويق التطبيع على حساب الشعب الفلسطيني والمصالح المصرية، ويرفض لعب دور العزل والحصار بحق سورية، فإن العراق ومصر سيدفعان أثماناً سياسية واقتصادية، من استقرارهما، لكن الأردن سيكون أمام تحديات مصيرية وربما وجودية، تشبه تلك التي دُفع لبنان نحوها عشية كامب ديفيد.
يعرف الذين يحملون بوجه المقاومة ثنائية العودة للاستسلام والدفع نحو الانهيار المالي، أن مشروع الحكومة التي يدعون إليها القائم على التحقيق الدولي والانتخابات المبكرة، يعني وضع المقاومة بين خياري الجوع أو القتل، وفقاً للمعادلة التي صاغها الأمين العام لحزب الله السيد حسن نصرالله وانتهى بها إلى معادلة، لن نجوع وسنقتلك ثلاثاً؛ بينما التطبيع الإماراتي “الإسرائيلي”، وصلته بتفجير مرفأ بيروت لشطبه من الخريطة لحساب مرفأ حيفا وسلوك الفريق المناهض للمقاومة بعد التفجير رفعاً من فرضيات التفجير المدبّر على حساب فرضية تقاطع الفساد والإهمال. ويأتي التصعيد والتهديد على الجبهة الجنوبية، والمقاومة بيدها رصيد الحق المؤجل للرد على الاعتداء الذي أدى لاستشهاد أحد مقاوميها قرب مطار دمشق الدولي، ليقول كل ذلك ترقبوا شهراً ساخناً في أيلول.
إيران لا ترى مبرراً لتسوية تقيمها مع الرئيس الأميركي دونالد ترامب، ولا تثق بنتيجتها، ولا بالتزامه بأي تفاهمات، وهي تستعدّ لمواجهة طويلة إذا أعيد انتخابه، ولا تقبل بديلاً عن العودة الأميركية مع هذا الرئيس أو سواه، إلى الاتفاق النووي ومناقشة كل شيء في إطار الاتفاق وليس من خارجه، ولن تتراجع عن هذا الموقف لو بلغت الأمور حد الحرب الشاملة. وهي ترى باغتيال القائدين قاسم سليماني وأبي مهدي المهندس نموذجاً عن العروض الأميركية، والتلاعب مفهوم الانسحاب من العراق مثال آخر، والتطبيع الإماراتي الإسرائيلي لوضع الموساد على مياه الخليج قبالة إيران نموذج رابع، وتتكرّر النماذج.. لذلك لم تعد إيران مهتمة بتهدئة أنصار الله ودعوتهم لتحييد الإمارات، التي يمكن أن تلقى ردوداً يمنية على تورطها بالعدوان على اليمن.
في المنطقة روسيا تقف في صف المواجهة مع التلاعب الأميركي، الذي كان يراهن على الوقيعة بين موسكو وطهران وأُجهضت مساعيه، وما جرى في شرق سورية من مواجهة مباشرة عسكرياً بين الروس والأميركيين علامة على القراءة الروسية للمواقف الأميركية، وبالتوازي ما جرى في مجلس الأمن تجاه المشاريع الأميركية ضد إيران إشارة للنظرة الروسية للسياسات الأميركية، بقدر ما هو إشارة للقلق الأوروبي من الرعونة الأميركية، وفي الحصيلة هناك تصعيد على الجبهتين السورية والعراقية بوجه الأميركيين، ستترجمه عمليات مقاومة يعرف الأميركي أنه سيدفع ثمنها، ولا يستطيع لا هو ولا حماته في العراق وسورية تفاديها.
الرهانات الانتخابية الأميركية على جولات العلاقات العامة تحت عنوان السلام التي يجريها وزير الخارجية الأميركية مايك بومبيو، ومحاولته حشد الحلفاء العرب للتطبيع مع كيان الاحتلال، ستصبح خبراً عاشراً في الإعلام الأميركي عندما تندلع النيران على جبهات المقاومة بوجه الكيان، واليمن مع الإمارات، وفي سورية والعراق بوجه الأميركيين، وعندها سيذهب ترامب إلى انتخاباته مكشوفاً، بنتائج الخسارة المعلومة، وسيكون على خلفه البدء من حيث انتهى السلف فإما التصعيد أو التسليم بالحقائق بلا مواربة. أما السلاح الاقتصادي والمالي، الذي يهدد لبنان، فلن يدفع ثمنه في السياسة مهما اشتد الخناق، واللبنانيون يعرفون أن هناك بدائل عرضتها المقاومة، وهي جاهزة للسير بها في أي حكومة، بدءاً من شراء المشتقات النفطية بالليرة اللبنانية من إيران، وانتهاء بالتوجه نحو الصين لعقود استراتيجية تضم مرفأ بيروت وخطوط سكك الحديد ومحطات وشبكات الكهرباء.
المنطقة لا تبدو في مرحلة تسويات تتناسب مع المساعي الفرنسية، ويبدو أن خيار التصعيد يتقدم، إلا إذا قرأ الأميركيون والإسرائيليون، حقيقة أن أوهامهم حول ضعف محور المقاومة ستدفعهم بسبب الحسابات الخاطئة، نحو جحيم المواجهة.
The tragic context requires a sacred union, in order to overcome the humanitarian crisis, and not to settle political accounts; Hezbollah has mobilized all its resources to help the victims
All the accusations claiming Hezbollah is somewhat responsible are outrageous, because Hezbollah has never had any activity, no warehouse and no role or control over what goes on in the port; this slanders constitutes an incitement to civil war
At this stage of the investigation, no hypothesis can be ruled out as to the intentional or accidental nature of the explosion, but criminal negligence seems to be proven in all cases.
An impartial investigation must identify and severely punish all the culprits, and break with the traditional sectarianism of the judicial system which judges people according to their political and religious affiliation; without a fair & transparent trial and full accountability, Lebanon will always be a failed State
The Lebanese army is the body most able to carry out this investigation, and all the calls to form an international commission of inquiry are only delaying tactics aimed at perpetuating the establishment and impunity.
Lebanon must use the current opportunities to overcome the US embargo and revive its economy
All those who hope to weaken Hezbollah through this crisis demonstrate their moral bankruptcy and lack of lucidity
Transcription:
Prior to this terrible event, I had announced a speech for Wednesday (August 5), and I intended to speak about several issues which were the hottest news at the time, namely:
– the situation on the border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine, and the ongoing clash between Hezbollah and the Israeli enemy;
– the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (and the expected verdict) on August 7 (concerning the assassination of Rafik Hariri in 2005);
– the coronavirus, its development and the recent increase of cases in Lebanon;
– the oil shortages and the gasoline crisis in the country;
– other questions related to the regional situation.
But when the catastrophic event happened on Tuesday (August 4), I decided to postpone my speech, and today I am not going to bring up any of these topics, but only talk about one point, namely the cataclysmic event that occurred (in the port of Beirut) and the humanitarian crisis that engulfed Lebanon and the Lebanese people in recent days.
[A major and unprecedented cataclysm]
Regarding the event itself, first of all, we are faced with a colossal incident, a great tragedy, be it from a humanitarian or national perspective, or by any (other) criteria. There are more than 150 martyrs, the vast majority being Lebanese. Notably, there are a large number of Syrian martyrs, and martyrs of various nationalities. There are thousands of injured. The latest figures speak of nearly 80 missing people. As a precaution, let’s talk about dozens of missing people. There are tens of thousands of families who had to leave their homes damaged (and rendered uninhabitable) by the explosion. Thousands and even tens of thousands of people have lost their property, their source of livelihood, their business. (Not to mention) the state of fear and even terror that has indeed struck the hearts of millions of people, and not hundreds of thousands of people, for the inhabitants of Beirut and its suburbs make up almost half of the population of Lebanon, if not more [Lebanon’s population is almost 7 million]. The buildings were shaken to the point that people believed there was a huge earthquake, and each neighborhood felt like the explosion was happening in its own neighborhood. What people have experienced in terms of fear and worry, be it men, women or children (is indescribable).
Of course, the consequences of all of this are huge and very dangerous, as are the (apocalypse) scenes we have all seen. We are facing an event which has considerable consequences on the humanitarian, economic, health and social levels. Concretely, the port of Beirut was almost completely destroyed, which implies a necessary reconstruction of the port, with economic repercussions which are added to the serious financial and social crisis which the country was already going through. In short, at all levels, we are facing a major cataclysm.
I extend my sincere condolences to all the families of martyrs… One thing should be stressed: you know that Lebanon, in general, is divided along sectarian and regional lines, and that a region can be affected (by a problem) without affecting another. But this explosion has crossed sectarian and regional lines: there are martyrs and wounded from all sects, and all the neighborhoods & regions (of the capital) have been affected. Beirut is the city of all Lebanese, and embraces all Lebanese. The inhabitants of Beirut are a microcosm of all Lebanese people, in their different regional, religious and sectarian affiliations. This tragedy made no distinction.
I therefore extend my sincere condolences to all the families of martyrs, and I ask God the Most High and the Exalted to inspire them with patience and endurance in the face of the loss of their loved ones, and I also ask Him to grant a speedy recovery to all the injured and to all those who have been affected (in one way or another). I ask God the Most High and the Exalted to inspire them all with the patience and the ability to bear and endure (this tragedy), and to grant the determination (required) to overcome this terrible ordeal to all those who have been affected, whether in their relatives, homes, livelihoods or property, or who have been displaced from their homes. I ask Him to give them the patience, endurance and mutual assistance (required) to overcome this tragedy. Of course, this requires the Grace of God the Most High and the Exalted, and the cooperation, effort and sacrifice of all.
By this brief description, I wanted to indicate that we are facing an exceptional event, at least in the modern history of Lebanon, which requires exceptional behavior at all levels, whether at the psychological level, at the level of action on the ground, at the media, political and judicial levels: all measures must be strong and exceptional because of the major and unprecedented nature of this event.
Of course, man is unable to express (as it should) his feelings in front of our people, our beloved ones in Beirut and its suburbs, in all the districts of Beirut and its suburbs, and put into words the suffering, sadness, sorrow (that we feel), as well as our solidarity and our presence by their side, and our (sense of) common responsibility.
Likewise, in the face of this event and its consequences, and I will now turn to the other points, we were able to see several things in Lebanon. I want to talk about each scene, comment on it and take a stance.
[The sacred union of the Lebanese people and their institutions]
First, the popular scene alongside the State. Since the first hours, very naturally, the departments concerned, the security, military and health authorities, civil defense, emergency services, firefighters, all have been on the ground, but what is remarkable is the popular atmosphere, the ardor of the people in all regions, this rapid presence of many civil and popular groups and associations, whether they are firefighters, ambulance workers, rescue organizations, volunteers, in order to help the State authorities, because this situation exceeded the capacities of the State, whether it be hospitals, doctors, nurses, blood donations… It is perhaps the first time that Hezbollah officially appealed for blood donation, and thank goodness all the required blood was obtained, even though the number of injured was huge from the start.
This atmosphere of compassion & popular responsiveness has also continued in the clearing of debris, the cleaning of streets, houses and squares, and we still see a massive presence of volunteers in these squares. A (large) number of municipalities and communities, religious associations and political forces, families and houses have announced their willingness to guarantee housing for those who have lost their homes, whether it is temporary damage or total destruction. Despite all the financial and social crises that the country is going through, we have seen such a level of compassion and solidarity. Of course, we also have to consider the psychological and emotional side that has reached a high level of excellence, namely this (massive) ardor, this sadness, this compassion. At the popular level, we do not see abuse or indifference, everyone feels concerned, everyone is affected. These are the emotions of the inhabitants. We must give this scene (of popular solidarity) a very high grade, at the level of civilization, humanity, ethics, nation, emotions. It is evidence of the conscience, life, soul, culture, ethics and humanitarian and national feeling of our people in all regions, in all sects and in all places.
[Total mobilization of Hezbollah to rescue and relocate the victims]
Of course, as far as Hezbollah is concerned in this regard, from the first moments, the presence of our bodies, our associations, our members and our popular base, the municipalities and communities in which we are represented or present, I considers that they did not spare any effort, and that they were present (massively). And today, I confirm once again that Hezbollah, at the level of all its bodies, associations and staff, and of all our human and material resources, we are entirely at the service of the Lebanese State and the Lebanese government, and of the relevant ministries, and we are available to all our people and all our fellow citizens who have been affected by this tragedy.
Of course, I want to stress our relocation project for disaster victims, because we have had a lot of experience in this regard since the 2006 war, and I hope people will take it with due seriousness. And I confirm once again what the president of the community of municipalities of the southern suburbs of Beirut and various municipalities in Lebanon announced: any family who has lost their home, and who need time to clear or repair this home, and needs a temporary accommodation in the meantime, we are open, happy and ready to help these families through this project, with the Grace of God. It is not acceptable for a single family to remain on the streets, nor for them to feel like a burden on their relatives or friends who host them because they have requested them. Temporary housing can be provided until further notice, in order to give them time to return home as soon as possible, when their homes have been repaired and cleared.
[Exceptional international solidarity despite US sanctions]
The second scene was abroad, namely the positions of many States and governments in the world, of the great religious authorities in the world, Muslims and Christians, Sunnis and Shiites, political forces, Resistance movements, leaders, scholars, elites, media, parties, etc. Lebanon and the Lebanese people have been the object of great compassion internationally, and many countries have announced their readiness to provide assistance, while we are under siege: the United States has clearly announced that they were not going to besiege a group or a party, as some try to claim, but all of Lebanon. If only they were content to besiege only one party or group! This is what we have been asking for from the start! You have a problem with us (Hezbollah), so besiege us, and only us, without chastising and making a whole country and a people pay the price!
Anyway, we thank all the countries that sent us aid, all the friends and brothers, Arab, Islamic and other countries, the whole international community. Some have announced that they will help us, and we hope they will keep their word (without fear of US sanctions). Likewise, delegations & ministers from various countries came, and the most visible was the visit of the French President to Lebanon. We positively view any help and compassion with Lebanon, and any visit to Lebanon in these days, especially if it is part of aid to Lebanon, or a call for cooperation and dialogue between Lebanese. We look at this kind of visit (in a positive way). We want to focus on the positive side. Perhaps some call for vigilance and concern (over the hidden motives of these visits), and express fears (of interference which may be legitimate), but at the present stage we prefer to consider this kind of visit in its positive aspect and focus on the positive side, (at least) for the time being. [Note: the section of the speech concerning France was read verbatim by Nasrallah on a statement prepared in advance, while for the rest of his speech he spoke spontaneously and had only prepared notes; this reflects Hezbollah’s mistrust and lucidity in the face of Macron’s initiative and outrageous statements of interference, which he prefers not to comment on for the time being in order to remain in a perspective of sacred union; it should be noted that the main politicians behind the explosion appear to be France’s closest friends, namely the Hariri clique.]
Therefore, this external and international scene was on the whole positive, and was full of compassion, and I consider that this opens an opportunity for Lebanon, as a State and as a people —I will come back to this in conclusion— to get help, and open a way out in the face of the state of siege and the difficulties that Lebanon was going through recently.
[The moral bankruptcy of Hezbollah’s opponents]
The first and second scenes are therefore positive, but the third scene (which I want to evoke) is the internal Lebanese political scene, and certain external elements. In general, it is said that dignified peoples, who have a certain level of culture and ethics, a certain sense of responsibility and humanity, a sense of national interest, even when there are struggles and disputes among themselves, when a great national tragedy occurs, or a terrible event occurs, everyone temporarily freezes their struggles and disputes, as well as their personal calculations, to rise above all these (partisan) considerations, and to behave on a nobler ethical and human basis, and everyone helps each other to overcome this tragedy or this catastrophe. Once the crisis is over, things can resume their usual course. Things are like this (in general) all over the world.
Sometimes we have even seen that in the midst of war, when a tragic event such as a massacre occurs, the enemies conclude a truce, a ceasefire, even in the midst of war! It does happen and it is well known (even against Israel), but I will not waste time citing examples. But outside of war, within the same country, where there is a government, an opposition, rival political forces, when a catastrophe affects everyone, all regions, all families. What happened was not a tragedy that only targeted certain categories of the population, no. In general, in such situations (of national disaster), differences are temporarily put aside, and everyone helps and cooperates (even with their political opponents), and adopts more dignified language, with different sentiments, and different statements and political speeches. Likewise, the media behave differently, with humanity and ethics, each granting a respite (to their adversaries), if only for a few days, at least a few days (of truce)! I’m not talking about months or years, no, a few days, (one or) two weeks! To give people time to recover the remains of their martyrs, to heal their wounds, to visit the wounded, to assert the fate of the missing people, to put out the fires, to clear the debris, to find a way to relocate the displaced, etc. After that, we can reopen the accounts (and rekindle the rivalries), no problem.
[A cabal of calumnies]
But unfortunately what happened in Lebanon with this incident is that from the first hours of this tragedy and this cataclysm, and even from the first hour, not the first hours, when no one yet knew what was going on or had happened… In the first moments, people spoke of an earthquake, and it was only later that it was established that it was an explosion . (We still had to determine) what type of explosion it was, where in the port it had taken place, what had exploded, what was in the hangar that exploded, how did the explosion happen, was it an accident or an intentional act, etc. Even before anyone knew the answer to these questions, the Lebanese and Arab media, and certain political forces expressed through their official social networks, and even through some public statements by officials… These are not from obscure people running (Twitter or Facebook) accounts, but statements on television and in the media, made as soon as the explosion was known to the public, and while the fires in the port were not yet extinguished, and the destruction and amazement was the lot of all the Lebanese and the whole world. But these people spoke out in the media and announced their position before they knew anything. Their position was decided in advance: the cause of the explosion in hangar number so-and-so at the port of Beirut was a Hezbollah missile warehouse that exploded and caused this unprecedented terror and cataclysm. Or, they said it was stockpiles of Hezbollah ammunition, explosives, or weapons. The bottom line is that it must have belonged to Hezbollah, whether it was missiles, ammunition, explosives … And then, even when the official authorities announced that it was not missiles, weapons, ammunition, explosives or anything like that, but (ammonium) nitrate used as a fertilizer or an explosive, these people said that this nitrate belonged to Hezbollah, that it was the Hezbollah that brought it, that it was Hezbollah that stored it for 6 years, and again Hezbollah, Hezbollah, Hezbollah.
Without even knowing whether this explosion was criminal or accidental, whether it was an accident due to fire or otherwise, or whether it was an attack, or, as some have claimed, an air attack, missile or whatever, none of that interested these people at all. Accident or crime, missile, drone, fire, etc., they didn’t care. The important thing was to affirm that this hangar belonged to Hezbollah. Why? So that they could tell the Lebanese people, the inhabitants of Beirut, the inhabitants of the suburbs of Beirut, to all the Lebanese, that the one who had destroyed their houses, killed their children and their relatives, destroyed their port, their livelihood and their property, had injured thousands of you and terrorized you, it was Hezbollah, Hezbollah was responsible for everything.
Of course, this is a huge injustice done to us, a crime, and I don’t know if this can be seen as falling within the scope of free speech, freedom of the press (or rather defamation and incitement to hatred and violence). These questions need to be debated. At the moment… Let me talk a little about our feelings. We are among the killed and injured. Among the martyrs and the wounded, there are our relatives, our supporters, Hezbollah members. All these people have a job, they are workers, they have cars, they gave first aid (many firefighters and rescuers died), etc. Likewise, our feelings extend to all of our people, not just those who support Hezbollah. We are filled with sincere friendship for all Lebanese, and we are very moved by what happened. While in the throes of tragedy, we endured on top of that the suffering of oppression (these slanderous accusations). Some have told me it is not worth talking about. No. I have to talk about it, for sure! For the degree of oppression (constituted by these gratuitous attacks) is exceptional: just as the event is exceptional, the oppression inflicted on us is unprecedented. Even before an investigation was launched, before anyone knew what happened, some media, some Lebanese and Arab TV channels, since the incident began and until now —they haven’t changed their tune— asserted that the hangar belonged to Hezbollah, that what exploded was Hezbollah missiles, Hezbollah explosives, Hezbollah nitrate, Hezbollah, Hezbollah, Hezbollah, Hezbollah… We heard nothing else from them, because there is no other (hypothesis) for them. It is a great crime committed against us. And their method has been to lie, lie, lie and lie and lie again, until people believe it. And it seems that some people, because of the pangs of tragedy and disaster, and the media hype (putting the blame on us), it is possible that it had an influence on some, although in general we rely on people’s awareness and lucidity, and their knowledge that these sources have no credibility, and have a whole history of lies, deception, inventions, falsifications and inversion of reality.
[Hezbollah has never had any activities or storage in the port]
Despite the fact that, as some of us have said, these accusations (are so ludicrous that they) do not deserve an answer, if there is anyone that can be affected by these allegations, perhaps some will say that Hezbollah has not made any statement or denial or comment, and out of respect for reasoned minds and public opinion, I would like to stress and confirm today: I deny in a firm, categorical, absolute, final, total and definite way that Hezbollah has absolutely nothing in the port. There is no weapons warehouse, no missile stock, not a single rocket, a single rifle, a single grenade, a single bullet, (a single drop) of nitrate, there is nothing of all this, neither in a hangar nor outside a hangar, neither now nor in the past, there is nothing and there never has been anything. Nothing at all. There is absolutely none of that. Either way, the results of the investigation will be known soon, and everything will be proven and demonstrated, because such things cannot be hidden. If the blast in the harbor was due to missiles, ammunition, weapons or anything military, the investigation will (infallibly) reveal it. As for nitrate, we already know where it came from, who brought it into the country, how many years it was stored there, etc. All of this will be established and confirmed by the investigation. I don’t need more than this brief denial, because all I care about is that no one would give credit to these lies and fabrications (because of Hezbollah’s silence), and to denounce this enormous oppression inflicted on Hezbollah and the Resistance in Lebanon.
Of course, some opted for another wave (of slanderous accusations) when they saw that the majority of local media, commentary and data (favored another direction)… Even Trump, for example, in the White House, walked in this direction at first, talking about a possible bomb, or whatever, but the United States backed out. I have seen yesterday and today that the majority of international media and journalists have abandoned the hypothesis (of a stockpile of Hezbollah weapons), except for a few voices in Lebanon and the Arab world. Thus, those who launched (this slander) are now all alone (to support it), because all the media and all the voices in the world are anxious to keep a minimum of credibility, even if they are our enemies engaged in a political war against us; but when it turns out that the accusation is clearly a lie as shiny as the sun at its zenith, they (have enough good sense to) back off and conjure up other possibilities.
[Hezbollah has no control over the port and has never interfered in its affairs]
Another thing some people have said is that Hezbollah controls the port of Beirut, run it and supervise it, and that nothing can happen in the port without us knowing it, seeing it and giving our consent, etc. These are also lies, deception, forgery and great injustice (against us). We don’t run the port, we don’t control it, we don’t oversee it, we don’t interfere in its management or affairs, and we had no idea what was going on in the port and what was (stored) in the port. Some objected: “Is it possible that you are more aware of what is in the port of Haifa (reference to the stocks of ammonia that Nasrallah threatened to target in the event of Israeli strikes on Lebanese infrastructure) than what is in the port of Beirut?” Of course! Hezbollah’s primary responsibility is resistance (against Israel), and it is normal that Hezbollah be more aware of the port of Haifa than of the port of Beirut, which is not our responsibility, while the port of Haifa is our responsibility, because it is part of the deterrence equation and the defense strategy of Lebanon. But Hezbollah does not rule, control, interfere or know anything about what is going on in the port of Beirut, what is there and what is not there, how things are managed, it is a matter that we ignore and in which we do not interfere at all. But anyway, we will continue to hear this (second) wave (of accusations), these (false) allegations, because if the hangar does not belong to Hezbollah, we must find something else to blame Hezbollah for the tragedy. Because as far as these oppressors are concerned, the important thing is to place one responsibility or another on Hezbollah, and to look for a pretext, an allegation, a lie, a forgery (which allows it). I’ll ay no more on this issue.
[Defamation and the incitment to civil war must be punished severely]
Either way, investigations are ongoing, and the truths will emerge quickly, as this is not a question that will take time. I believe that the criminal, security, military and technical investigation will be able to quickly establish (with certainty) what was in the hangar, what was the nature of the explosives and how it was triggered, because at the technical level, this does not require much time, and the truths can be expected to come to light quickly.
When the truths come to light, I hope that the Lebanese public opinion, in all regions of Lebanon, because in our country there is a problem in terms of punishments and responsibilities, and in the name of freedom of opinion and expression, some (media and politicians) accuse, insult, abuse, oppress and lead the country to the brink of civil war, and (despite all this), ultimately, the Criminal Court imposes them a (mere) fine of 10 to 50 million Lebanese pounds (6,000 to 35,000 dollars), and it stops there. What I want to ask the Lebanese people is that they should themselves judge these media (and politicians) and condemn them. In what way? By ceasing to give them the least credit, the least importance, and by ceasing to consult them or to look at them. Because when we know that such media has no credibility, and that it is based on lies, manipulation and falsification, and that it participates in the battle that targets our country (to destroy it), then we must condemn them and turn our backs on them for good. And it is in my opinion the most important punishment (that can befall) these false and falsifying television stations which push to the civil war. This should not be taken lightly! This is not a (simple) political accusation. When somebody comes and tells hundreds of thousands of people that it is Hezbollah who is responsible for this carnage, all these deaths and injuries, all this destruction and all this displacement, what is it (if not pushing the country towards civil war)?
[A political instrumentalisation of the crisis]
On the other hand, still concerning the political scene, on the other hand we saw the political instrumentalisation of the incident, and all those who had a problem with so and so reopened this problem (in this tragic context), whether it is the Lebanese National Pact, the government or other political forces, and of course those who have a problem with us. Today, I do not want to open an argument with anyone, and we are putting off (the settling of accounts) for later because we remain attached to avoid settling political or personal disputes, out of ethical, humanitarian and national considerations. This is the time for solidarity, compassion, mutual aid, to heal wounds, to clear debris, to determine the fate of the missing, to treat the wounded, to help people return home, which is a vital priority. The country needs this kind of attitude and calm for several days in order to overcome the crisis. Then we can talk politics and settle accounts. Our position will be firm. And as for certain analyzes which compare the current situation with previous experiences (assassination of Hariri in 2005, etc.) or build hopes (on capitalizing on this tragedy for political gains) like so many of their past illusions, (remember that) for a long time, some people (Hezbollah adversaries) chased after mirages, only to realize that they were all mirages, but I will talk about that later. At this point, I don’t want to get into these considerations, and I don’t want to attack anyone. I’ll put it off until later. The priority is compassion, cooperation and mutual aid, to overcome these days of pain, suffering and humanitarian crisis. Let’s put all the differences aside and get back to political (disputes) later.
[Impartial investigation and exemplary punishment for all those responsible are essential to save Lebanon]
My last point, which is most important, is investigation and retribution. A huge, terrible and dangerous event has happened. First, there must be an investigation. His Excellency the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister declared from the outset that there will be an impartial, resolute, firm, definitive and strong investigation, and that whoever will be identified as having a responsibility in this incident, by his actions or by negligence, corruption or insufficiency, will be held to account, whoever he is, big or small. Very well. It’s a good start. The Lebanese are now asking for action and effort (in this direction). I consider that faced with the shock of the event, there is national, popular and governmental unanimity, of all political parties and all deputies, etc., demanding that an exhaustive, frank, transparent, precise, fair and impartial investigation be carried out on this event, and that whoever bears any share of responsibility be judged and condemned in the most severe and exemplary manner —a fair punishment, of course (not a lynching). We are also among the voices that demand this loud and clear. We must not allow anyone to be covered or protected during the investigation, and truths to be withheld about anyone. It is not tolerable that the investigation and then the trial should be done in the “Lebanese fashion”, that is to say in this well-known way where one takes into account religious and sectarian calculations and balances. Anyone who was inadequate or negligent, instigated (this event) or engaged in corruption, has no religion or sect, as is the case with collaborators (of the Israeli enemy). They should be judged on the basis of what they have done, not on the basis of their sectarian, religious or political affiliation. Neither the investigation nor the trial should be conducted on a sectarian basis (requiring a precise ratio of Sunnis, Shiites or Christians). Whoever is in charge, whether they belong to several sects or are all from the same sect, whatever their political affiliation and group, whatever their family clan, truth and justice must prevail and determine the position, the investigation and the punishment.
[The investigation must be carried out by the Lebanese army, the only institution with unanimous support]
Likewise, with regard to the investigation, one hears calls, opinions and thoughts. I want to address certain political forces who are talking about the question of the investigation (and asking that it be done by international bodies, like Macron did). The official security authorities are quite capable of carrying out this investigation: they have the technical capacity and the required expertise, that is certain. But you have doubts about their reliability (and impartiality). I ask you a question: because sometimes, political settling of accounts (are flagrant), and the thread of lies is short. All the political forces in Lebanon affirm their confidence in the Lebanese army, the national institution (par excellence), guarantor of stability and security in the country, guarantor of sovereignty. We have heard many poetic praises to the glory of the Lebanese National Army. Very well. So let the Lebanese army take care of the investigation. I believe that the services of the Lebanese army have already been requested, the military police it seems to me. If the Lebanese army is an institution that enjoys the confidence of all Lebanese people, all Lebanese political forces and all Lebanese leaders, let us entrust it with the task of carrying out the investigation, since you say you trust it! At least let the Army do the investigation, since you trust them! Let them investigate and reveal the findings, so that everyone can see them.
There is yet another choice. Maybe some Lebanese have confidence in one body, but not in another. It’s possible. So let’s form a plural investigative committee, where each security body which you trust will be present, even if in my opinion charging the army is sufficient, independently of the other bodies which can have the trust of some but not of others. Everyone says there is unanimity around the Army, so let the Army investigate! Let the military conduct the investigation, and let them announce its findings to all people, not just the courts, on their own responsibility. Let them declare that they, the Lebanese army, with their expertise, their capacities and their means, carried out an impartial and transparent investigation, and these are their conclusions, O Lebanese people, concerning the explosion which took place in the Port of Beirut. This will suffice to manifest the truth for all to see.
[Lebanon’s survival as a genuine State is at stake]
In this regard, I would also like to add something very important. Just as the event is exceptional, today the attitude of the Lebanese State towards this event will be in our eyes decisive and fateful. This will determine the future of Lebanon. In what way? Today it is not about the President of the Republic, the National Pact or the government (which can come and go at the whim of elections and crises). It is about (the safeguard of) the Lebanese State, (which will depend) on the way in which the authorities will behave in this regard, be it the judicial body, the army, the security services, and even the Chamber of Deputies. It is about (the sustainability) of the (Lebanese) State and its institutions. Everyone has some responsibility for the trial and the punishment. The way to act in the face of such a catastrophe, which has affected all sects, all neighborhoods and all regions, and must in no way be tinged with sectarianism, religion or politicization, a national and humanitarian tragedy par excellence, the way State institutions will behave about it, as well as political leaders and the various political forces in the country, will have a fateful consequence for the whole country. What will this fateful consequence be? How this tragedy is dealt with will determine in the eyes of the Lebanese people —and in my eyes the verdict will be irrevocable— whether there is a (genuine) State in Lebanon or not. The second question (which will find an irrevocable answer) is about the hope of building a State (in Lebanon). Because I tell you quite frankly: if the Lebanese State and the Lebanese political forces —whether in power or in the opposition—, in such a case and such a cause, do not achieve a result in the investigation, and fail to punish (all those responsible), it means that the Lebanese people, political forces, State institutions (are bankrupt), and that there is no hope to build an (authentic) State. I don’t want anybody to despair, but I accurately describe the reality.
But we must (all) work so that this despair does not happen, in order to confirm, create and sow hope (to see a real State) among the Lebanese. Today, all the calls to fight against corruption that may have denounced a biased judge, a cowardly judge, a force that buried court files for such or such consideration, (are eclipsed by the magnitude of this case). We have to see a heavy punishment, because even if the investigation reveals that it was an intentional act or an aerial bombardment, the fact that this nitrate was stored in this way for 6 or 7 years clearly implies that there was a (criminal) negligence, inadequacy and corruption on the part of judges. This is where the war on corruption must (be a priority)! If in this case all those who call for a war on corruption, and we are part of it, if we are unable to do anything (to identify and punish all the culprits), it means that we are unable to do anything (forever). Game over. We will frankly declare to the Lebanese people that it is impossible to fight corruption, to fight neglect and insufficiency, and we will say, “O Lebanese people, you have no State and there is no hope of building an (authentic) State, so it’s up to you to see what you can do with yourselves”. To me, such is the magnitude of the question. So that people do not say later that it was a tragedy (without culprits) and forget about the matter, we make it clear that as far as we are concerned, it is impossible to forget this disaster, to move on and to allow let it be neglected. The whole truth must be revealed about this tragedy, and those responsible must be tried without any protection, whether political, sectarian or partisan. If that doesn’t happen, yes, I will consider that there is a crisis of the regime, a crisis of the State, maybe even a crisis of the (Lebanese) entity, some will be entitled to go this far. And some people try to ignore it, one way or another.
Therefore, I call on State officials, at all levels and in all authorities, to show the utmost seriousness and determination, whether to complete the investigation or to judge and blame, and chastise all those responsible for this tragedy. This is required so that the leaders and the political forces can give hope to the Lebanese people that there are authorities, a State and institutions, or at least that there is hope that a State be erected on the basis of truth, justice, transparency and the protection of the Lebanese, because sometimes the consequences of corruption, negligence and incompetence accumulate and become apparent after several years, and can be destructive, like what happened in this terrible event where in seconds, in a matter of seconds, tens of people were killed or missing, thousands were injured, hundreds of thousands of families were affected and had to leave their homes… And some people say that God prevented an even greater tragedy, and that if this hangar had not been so close to the sea, and without such and such peculiarities of the site, if this same amount of nitrate had exploded in a different geographic configuration, perhaps the whole city (of Beirut) would have been destroyed. All this in an instant, in a matter of seconds, because of corruption, neglect and incompetence, and no one should say it is simply because of the intricacies of the bureaucracy. Never. We are talking about stocks that could completely destroy the capital and certain suburbs (in an instant). The blame cannot be blamed on the intricacies of bureaucracy.
[Lebanon must seize the opportunities of the crisis]
In conclusion —because I won’t be long today— I would like to finish with two points.
First point, in these days of tragedy, humanitarian catastrophe and sacrifice —because even today there have been sacrifices, martyrs, wounded, displaced persons, means of subsistence destroyed, an enormous weight added on the the Lebanese economy and the Lebanese State—, (we must not forget) that from the abyss of crises, from the matrix of crises, opportunities arise, whether they are internal, regional or international opportunities. The international attitude towards this event is an opportunity that the Lebanese must seize and take advantage of, both State and people, and they must not let these opportunities be lost because of their differences. We must seek out the opportunities that have been created by these crises and take advantage of them in a united manner and through cooperation.
[Hezbollah’s enemies must stop chasing mirages]
And the second and last point to conclude, is that I declare to all those who, from the first moment, launched a campaign against us, against the Resistance and against the Axis of Resistance, trying to take advantage of this tragedy, you will get nowhere, and I tell you that frankly and sincerely. I also declare to the masses (who support) the Resistance, and some of whom are perhaps worried, scared, wonder what is the (underlying) atmosphere, if this is a big regional or international plot , (I reassure them by reminding them) that the regional situation is very different (from what it was before), as is the international situation (much more favorable to us than ever). We are very different from what we were, and so is the (Axis of) the Resistance (we are stronger than ever), so there is really nothing to worry about (for us). These people (our adversaries) run after mirages, as they have always run after mirages. All of their choices have always been doomed to failure and defeat.
And I say this to our adversaries: just as you have been disappointed and defeated (in all your past undertakings: Special Tribunal for Lebanon, 2006 war, war in Syria, etc.), you will once again be disappointed and defeated. You will not achieve anything. This Resistance, by its credibility, its sincerity, by the confidence of the Lebanese people in it, by its (victorious) battles, by its positions, by its attitude and its behavior, and by its strength, its place in the country and in the region, is too large, too strong and too noble for it to be tainted by (the slanders) of certain oppressors, liars and falsifiers of the truth, who (constantly) incite sectarian rivalry, and who encourage civil war. They have always worked at this and have always failed, and they will fail again.
[Conclusion]
May God have mercy on the martyrs, and heal (promptly) the wounded, and I hope that by His Grace, the missing will be found alive; even if they are hurt God will heal them. May God grant patience and endurance to the families of the victims, as well as patience, relief and determination to all the families who have been affected and have suffered from this tragedy, be they our families in Beirut or in the suburbs of Beirut. With the Grace of God, through the mutual aid and solidarity of all, and the endurance of the State in its various institutions, as well as the efforts of political forces and the Lebanese people in its various categories, we will succeed in overcoming this ordeal and build a better tomorrow, and come out of it stronger and more resolute in our determination to persevere, endure and be victorious.
Peace be upon you, as well as the mercy of God and His blessings.
Key excerpts from Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s latest speech surrounding the Port of Beirut disaster several days earlier.
Source: Various networks
Date: 7 August, 2020
(Important Note: Please help us keep producing independent translations for you by contributing as little as $1/month here)
Transcript:
Hezbollah chose to view all forms of support & visits to Lebanon positively
We look positively at every form of help and (show of) empathy – and every visit to Lebanon – during these days, especially if it comes within the context of helping Lebanon, or is aimed at calling for unity, cooperation and dialogue between the Lebanese. When we view such visits, we wish to focus on the positive side to them. Now, perhaps some may call for caution, or express concerns or fears. We prefer to view such visits during this current stage in terms of their positive aspects…
An opportunity for Lebanon to exit from state of isolation & difficulty?
Thus, the international and foreign scene was positive in general, and empathetic, and I believe that this also opens up an opportunity before Lebanon, both at the state level and in relation to its people, perhaps there is an opportunity – and I will get back to this later – for (Lebanon to receive) support or for opening up a door from which (the country) can exit from the state of isolation and difficulty that Lebanon was suffering from during the previous period.
Hezbollah categorically denies ever using Port of Beirut for arms-related matters
I wish to affirm today, in a certain, absolute, decisive, categorical and firm manner, that there is nothing that exists for us at the Port (of Beirut). There (was) neither a weapons stockpile, nor a missile stockpile, nor a (single) missile, nor a rifle, nor a bomb, nor a bullet, nor (any amounts of ammonium) nitrate, there is nothing of this sort at all, neither a ‘warehouse’ nor anything else. Neither is there anything now, nor was there anything in the past. Absolutely nothing of this sort (exists) at all. And in any case, soon the results of the investigation will confirm (this reality).
Hezbollah has more knowledge of Port of Haifa than Port of Beirut!
We neither administer the port (of Beirut), nor do we control it, nor do we interfere in it, nor do we know what was going on in the port, nor do we know what was present in the port. Some people said: ‘is it possible that you know about the Port of Haifa (in Israel) more than you know about the Port of Beirut?’.
Hezbollah’s main responsibility is resistance. Hezbollah might know more about the Port of Haifa than it knows about the Port of Beirut. (Knowing about) the Port of Beirut is not (Hezbollah’s) responsibility, yet (knowing about) the Port of Haifa is (Hezbollah’s) responsibility, because it is part of the deterrence equation and the (Resistance’s) defence strategy for Lebanon.
Hezbollah is not administering, nor controlling, nor is it interfering in, nor does it know what is happening at the Port of Beirut, nor what is present there and what is not present there, nor does it know how things are being administered there. This is something we do not interfere in at all.
Now is not the time for political wrangling, now is the time for national healing
We saw the political exploitation of the (disastrous) event (by many). Anyone who has a problem with somebody else (went ahead and) opened up that file (during this crisis). Anyone who has a problem with the (current) presidency, with the (current) government, anyone who has a problem with other political forces, and of course those who have a problem with us (went ahead and brought to the fore their problems during this crisis)…
I don’t wish today to engage in any (political) wrangling with anybody, this is something that we will delay, because we are still adamant that ethically, patriotically, and humanely, today is not the time for settling political and party accounts. It is (rather) the time for solidarity, empathy and cooperation. A time for attending the wounds (of the people), for rescue efforts, for determining the fate of those who are missing, for treating the injured, for helping people to return to their homes.
For a number of days the country requires a level of calm and empathy so that we can overcome the ordeal. Thereafter, we will speak politics, and we will engage in debate. Our facts are strong, and our position is strong, and our stance is strong.
While some forces call for international investigation, Nasrallah points to Lebanese Army
In terms of the investigation, we are now hearing various calls, opinions and ideas. I would like to ask certain (Lebanese) political forces who are speaking about this. (Investigating) this matter (i.e. the Port explosion) is something that can be done by the official Lebanese apparatus, it has the technical expertise, experience and personnel, there’s no doubt about this. However, certain (political forces) are questioning whether this apparatus can be trusted.
Okay, I ask you a question, because sometimes lies within the political realm can only go so far. Okay, all political forces in Lebanon say: ‘we have faith in the Lebanese Army’, the ‘national institution’, the ‘institution that guarantees the stability and security of the country’, the ‘institution that guarantees the sovereignty (of Lebanon)’. And recently on Lebanese Army Day, we heard so many poems and praises (of the Army).
Okay, let the Army go ahead…if this institution that is the Lebanese Army, is trusted by all Lebanese, and trusted by all Lebanese political forces and political leaders, then assign the Lebanese Army (with the mission of investigating the incident). Considering that you all have trust in it. At the very least (assign it) with the investigation. The Lebanese Army, which you trust, will go ahead and carry out its investigations, and then provide the results to everyone.
…Okay, everyone says there is a consensus around the Lebanese Army, okay, then assign the Army with the investigation (mission). Let (the army) go ahead and investigate and then announce the results to the Lebanese people, and not just to the judicial authorities…this is enough to unveil the truth.
Prosecuting those responsible for tragedy is final chance for idea of a ‘Lebanese state’
I also want to add something very important, just as this event (of the explosion) is an exceptional one, today the manner in which the Lebanese state acts in relation to this event will – in our opinion – be fateful. How will it be fateful?
…The Lebanese people will be able, in light of how this event is treated, will be able to come to a conclusion – I am one of those people, as a Lebanese (citizen), who will be able to come to a conclusion on the following matter: is there a state in Lebanon or not? The second question: is there any hope for building a state or there is no hope for building a state (in Lebanon)?
Because I tell you frankly: if the Lebanese state, and the Lebanese political class – whether they are in the (current) ruling government or the opposition – if in this file and matter they fail to reach a result with regards to the investigations, and if they fail to prosecute (those who are responsible), then…(the conclusion will be reached that) there is no hope for building a state.
I don’t want to lead anyone towards hopelessness, I am merely defining (the situation). Yet we need to work so that this hopelessness does not come about. So that we can ensure the existence of hope, so that we can bring about hope ourselves, so that we can sow this hope for the Lebanese.
Today, all the calls for ‘fighting corruption’ (in Lebanon) that use to reach dead ends in the form of say, a corrupt judge here, or a cowardly judge there, or say a side that tries to close a particular investigation and clear up the evidence, or due to say certain considerations, okay, what (obstacle or dead end) will face this matter (i.e. the explosion at Port of Beirut)?
In this matter, it may be revealed that – and yes, a part of it is definitely (related to internal negligence) – meaning that even if it turns out that say, a plane came and struck the Port (thus causing the explosion), or even if it was a pre-planned operation, however, if it turns out that this (ammonium) nitrate had been sitting there at the Port in that manner for 6 or 7 years, that would mean that definitely part of the issue relates back to negligence, shortcomings, and corruption (by certain Lebanese officials). Okay let everyone come forward and fight corruption (here in this issue, which is the most pressing of issues).
If in this issue, all those who claim that they are fighting corruption (in Lebanon) – and we are of those people – fail to do anything, then it means there is no possibility for us to achieve anything (in this regard). Finished. We (then) ought to get up and be honest with the Lebanese people and tell them: ‘there is no possibility for us to do anything, neither to fight corruption, nor confront negligence and the shortcomings, and O’ Lebanese people, you should know that you do not have a state, and there is no possibility of establishing a state, so you should go sort yourself out (on your own)’.
In my opinion, the situation is this grave. So that no one later says that this is a tragedy, and time will (heal) and make people forget e.t.c. As far as we’re concerned, this incident cannot possibly be forgotten, nor is it allowed for anyone to ignore it. This tragedy, this incident, the truth must be uncovered regarding it, and those responsible must be prosecuted, free from all political, sectarian or party protection.
The explosion in Beirut on Tuesday that killed at least 137 people and injured thousands revived concerns among the Zionist settlers in Haifa area that a similar fate could befall them if the petrochemical facilities at Haifa Bay were the site of a major accident or bombed.
Dr. Revital Goldschmidt of the Environmental Research Center in Haifa said, “The event in Lebanon illustrates the danger of having concentrations of hazardous materials near a dense population center, and underscores the urgent need to close the flammable, volatile industries.”
Goldschmidt said, “People claim that what exploded [in Beirut] was ammonium nitrate. The ammonium storage facility [in Haifa] has been emptied, but Haifa Bay is still at risk from ammonia, with the tankers carrying it docked not far from the population, and a fertilizer factory that manufactures fertilizer and explosives in the middle of the city, which have 15-ton holding vats that are unprotected.
“We call on the government to submit a plan to close these dangerous factories to the cabinet, urgently,” she said.
Goldschmidt went on to say that ‘Israel’ was not prepared to handle a mass casualty event of the magnitude that would result from an explosion at the Haifa facilities.
“An event on the scale of what happened in Lebanon [with thousands of injured] could put Israel’s national strength at risk,” the scientist added.
Attorney Jameela Hardal Wakim, director of the Citizens for the Environment non-profit organization, said, “What happened in Beirut could happen in Haifa Bay, as well, or in Ashdod, or anywhere else where there are large stores of hazardous material.
“According to the latest [and incomplete] risk assessment, there are 1,500 risk points and 800 hazardous materials in Haifa Bay, and we also know that the necessary safety measures have not been taken,” Hardal Wakim added.
The attorney said that steps have not been taken to reduce the amount of hazardous materials located at Haifa Bay. She noted that there were also no preparations to handle an accident involving more than one site, or a chain event.
“Small-scale hazardous materials events in Haifa Bay are routine, and we must not wait until a major disaster happens before we act on recommendations to reduce the risks,” Hardel-Wakim said.
Kiryat Bialik Mayor Eli Dokorsky said, “The deathly blast in Beirut echoes, and demands that we oust the petrochemical industry form Haifa Bay. Hazardous materials and polluting factories have no place in the urban space, amid the population. Having been horrified at the sights from Lebanon, this is the time to take action, and sooner rather than later.”
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah had threatened that the Resistance would bomb the chemical facilities in Haifa during any war with the Zionist enemy.
UPROOTED PALESTINIANS: SALAM ALQUDS ALAYKUM 