20 jan 2015
Relatives of Lebanon's Hezbollah commander Mohamad Issa during his funeral, January 20, 2015
Thank you, Yoav Galant, for laying bare the cynical, political dimension of Sunday's assassination of six Hezbollah militants in Syria.
Thank you very much, Yoav Galant, for one thing: that you spoke the truth. Thanks for saying that it’s possible that the timing of Sunday’s assassination of six Hezbollah militants, including Jihad Mughniyeh, son of the slain Hezbollah military leader Imad Mughniyeh, could be connected with the current Israeli election campaign (or as you put it, “not unconnected”).
Thank you very much for saying what you see, laying bare the cynical dimension of the assassination, even if in the process you have made yourself a target for pressure from the right wing. Thank you for explaining publicly how the system works that brings about an “inflamed situation on the ground” and an “escalation.” Thanks for enabling the public to see how extremists on the right are prepared to attack you, because when it comes to extremists, the meter is always on: After they expose the always-suspect, always traitorous “left,” they start setting upon people within their own camp. After all, in a nationalist, militarist regime, no one is entitled to speak their mind. Hence, thank you for saying things that permitted the public not only to see how military power is employed out of narrow interests, but also how a loss of democratic values can be no less dangerous for those with right-wing and security-oriented views.
Thank you, Yoav Galant, even if your comments were made because now you are running as a Knesset candidate (for Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu party) rather than as a candidate for Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, which requires the support of the defense minister and prime minister. Despite everything, at the right time you revealed the system that brings about military action which ultimately poses greater danger to Israel than the benefits it provides.
Thank you for pointing out the way in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly gives his approval for assassination operations, which correlates with his own aspirations to be reelected prime minister on March 17.
“If you look at the last election, the timing of the targeted killing of Jabari wasn’t an event that could have been carried only on that date,” you told Channel 2 in reference to Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari, who was killed at the start of Operation Pillar of Defense in November 2012. “I was a command chief five years before that,” you said, “and there were many, many events and opportunities in which it was possible and necessary to [assassinate Jabari], and I also recommended such action. For some reason, it didn’t happen on those dates.”
It would be interesting if you asked yourself what would have happened if anyone else had stated the simple and rather obvious truth that you expressed. Let’s say a candidate from the joint Labor-Hatnuah ticket, Zionist Camp, as it is called, or, Heaven forbid, a candidate to its left had said the same thing. Or someone who, unlike you, had not been a candidate for IDF chief of staff, or had not, as you had, commanded a ship in Operation Show of Force that brought commandos to Tunisia in 1988 to assassinate PLO military chief Abu Jihad. One can only imagine the shower of scorn that would have greeted such a candidate if he or she had dared make such statements.
Even though you tried to backtrack a little the following day, and nonetheless came in for your share of criticism, I thank you, Yoav Galant. Because Netanyahu is currently busy trying to undercut the rising fortunes of Zionist Camp leaders Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, along with his foolish efforts at portraying himself as Mr. Security, it’s very important for the Israeli public to know that military attacks, acts that inflame the situation on the ground, are connected to internal power struggles and electoral considerations. It’s a shame that this is the reality here, but it’s always helpful to hear it from one who knows.
Thank you, Yoav Galant, for laying bare the cynical, political dimension of Sunday's assassination of six Hezbollah militants in Syria.
Thank you very much, Yoav Galant, for one thing: that you spoke the truth. Thanks for saying that it’s possible that the timing of Sunday’s assassination of six Hezbollah militants, including Jihad Mughniyeh, son of the slain Hezbollah military leader Imad Mughniyeh, could be connected with the current Israeli election campaign (or as you put it, “not unconnected”).
Thank you very much for saying what you see, laying bare the cynical dimension of the assassination, even if in the process you have made yourself a target for pressure from the right wing. Thank you for explaining publicly how the system works that brings about an “inflamed situation on the ground” and an “escalation.” Thanks for enabling the public to see how extremists on the right are prepared to attack you, because when it comes to extremists, the meter is always on: After they expose the always-suspect, always traitorous “left,” they start setting upon people within their own camp. After all, in a nationalist, militarist regime, no one is entitled to speak their mind. Hence, thank you for saying things that permitted the public not only to see how military power is employed out of narrow interests, but also how a loss of democratic values can be no less dangerous for those with right-wing and security-oriented views.
Thank you, Yoav Galant, even if your comments were made because now you are running as a Knesset candidate (for Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu party) rather than as a candidate for Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, which requires the support of the defense minister and prime minister. Despite everything, at the right time you revealed the system that brings about military action which ultimately poses greater danger to Israel than the benefits it provides.
Thank you for pointing out the way in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly gives his approval for assassination operations, which correlates with his own aspirations to be reelected prime minister on March 17.
“If you look at the last election, the timing of the targeted killing of Jabari wasn’t an event that could have been carried only on that date,” you told Channel 2 in reference to Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari, who was killed at the start of Operation Pillar of Defense in November 2012. “I was a command chief five years before that,” you said, “and there were many, many events and opportunities in which it was possible and necessary to [assassinate Jabari], and I also recommended such action. For some reason, it didn’t happen on those dates.”
It would be interesting if you asked yourself what would have happened if anyone else had stated the simple and rather obvious truth that you expressed. Let’s say a candidate from the joint Labor-Hatnuah ticket, Zionist Camp, as it is called, or, Heaven forbid, a candidate to its left had said the same thing. Or someone who, unlike you, had not been a candidate for IDF chief of staff, or had not, as you had, commanded a ship in Operation Show of Force that brought commandos to Tunisia in 1988 to assassinate PLO military chief Abu Jihad. One can only imagine the shower of scorn that would have greeted such a candidate if he or she had dared make such statements.
Even though you tried to backtrack a little the following day, and nonetheless came in for your share of criticism, I thank you, Yoav Galant. Because Netanyahu is currently busy trying to undercut the rising fortunes of Zionist Camp leaders Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, along with his foolish efforts at portraying himself as Mr. Security, it’s very important for the Israeli public to know that military attacks, acts that inflame the situation on the ground, are connected to internal power struggles and electoral considerations. It’s a shame that this is the reality here, but it’s always helpful to hear it from one who knows.
On Monday, Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of the late Hezbollah top commander, Imad Mughniyeh, was laid to rest in south Beirut. The 25-year-old along with five other fighters lost their lives in a fresh Israeli aerial assault on Sunday.
A source close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah said the movement’s response to Israel’s deadly attack on members of the resistance would be “painful.”
“The attack against six Hezbollah members will have a painful and unexpected response, but it can be assumed that it will be controlled to prevent an all-out war,” the sources told the Lebanese As-Safir Arabic political daily.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has also confirmed that one of its generals was killed in the airstrike.
Slain Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi had traveled to Syria to provide consultation and help the Syrian government and nation counter the Takfiri and Salafi terrorists in the war-stricken country.
A source close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah said the movement’s response to Israel’s deadly attack on members of the resistance would be “painful.”
“The attack against six Hezbollah members will have a painful and unexpected response, but it can be assumed that it will be controlled to prevent an all-out war,” the sources told the Lebanese As-Safir Arabic political daily.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has also confirmed that one of its generals was killed in the airstrike.
Slain Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi had traveled to Syria to provide consultation and help the Syrian government and nation counter the Takfiri and Salafi terrorists in the war-stricken country.
The UN says its peacekeeping forces deployed to the occupied Golan Heights had seen drones coming from Israel before a recent airstrike by Tel Aviv that killed several Hezbollah members in Syria.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq said the world body’s peacekeepers “observed two unmanned aerial vehicles flying” from the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights and crossing into Syria.
“An hour later, smoke was observed coming from the general direction of position 30,” said the UN official, adding that the peacekeeping forces then observed the drones flying over the area of “position 30” and again crossing the ceasefire line.
Haq further described the incident as “a violation of the 1974 agreement on disengagement” between the Israeli regime and Syria.
Fresh Tel Aviv assault on Syria
On Sunday, an Israeli military helicopter fired two missiles into Amal Farms in the strategic southwestern city of Quneitra, close to the line separating the Syrian part of the Golan Heights from the Israeli-occupied sector.
Hezbollah said in a statement that 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyeh, and five other fighters lost their lives in the fresh Israeli aerial assault against Syria.
Analysts believe the new Israeli assault is yet another attempt by Tel Aviv to change the balance of war in favor of the Takfiri militants fighting against Syria.
The Tel Aviv regime has carried out several airstrikes in Syria since the start of the nearly four-year-old foreign-sponsored militancy there.
Damascus says Tel Aviv and its Western allies are aiding the extremist terror groups operating inside Syria since March 2011.
The Syrian army has repeatedly seized huge quantities of Israeli-made weapons and advanced military equipment from the foreign-backed militants inside the Arab state.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq said the world body’s peacekeepers “observed two unmanned aerial vehicles flying” from the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights and crossing into Syria.
“An hour later, smoke was observed coming from the general direction of position 30,” said the UN official, adding that the peacekeeping forces then observed the drones flying over the area of “position 30” and again crossing the ceasefire line.
Haq further described the incident as “a violation of the 1974 agreement on disengagement” between the Israeli regime and Syria.
Fresh Tel Aviv assault on Syria
On Sunday, an Israeli military helicopter fired two missiles into Amal Farms in the strategic southwestern city of Quneitra, close to the line separating the Syrian part of the Golan Heights from the Israeli-occupied sector.
Hezbollah said in a statement that 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyeh, and five other fighters lost their lives in the fresh Israeli aerial assault against Syria.
Analysts believe the new Israeli assault is yet another attempt by Tel Aviv to change the balance of war in favor of the Takfiri militants fighting against Syria.
The Tel Aviv regime has carried out several airstrikes in Syria since the start of the nearly four-year-old foreign-sponsored militancy there.
Damascus says Tel Aviv and its Western allies are aiding the extremist terror groups operating inside Syria since March 2011.
The Syrian army has repeatedly seized huge quantities of Israeli-made weapons and advanced military equipment from the foreign-backed militants inside the Arab state.
Israel has reportedly deployed batteries of missile interceptors near the borders with Lebanon and Syria as the regime braces for possible retaliation by Hezbollah over a recent deadly Israeli attack on members of the Lebanese resistance movement in Syria.
The Arabic language news channel Sky News said Monday that the Israeli army moved the so-called Iron Dome batteries in the north and raised the alert level in northern military posts.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the new deployments.
This came after Hezbollah said that six resistance fighters lost their lives in a new Israeli airstrike on the southwestern strategic Syrian city of Quneitra.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Hezbollah said 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of late Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyeh, and five other fighters lost their lives in the fresh Israeli aerial assault against Syria. They were reportedly on a field reconnaissance mission in Quneitra when an Israeli military helicopter targeted their vehicle.
A source close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah said Monday that the movement’s response to Israel’s deadly attack on members of the resistance would be “painful.”
“The attack against six Hezbollah members will have a painful and unexpected response, but it can be assumed that it will be controlled to prevent an all-out war,” the sources told the Lebanese As-Safir Arabic political daily.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also confirmed the killing of one of its generals in the airstrike.
Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi had traveled to Syria to provide consultation and help the Syrian government and nation counter the Takfiri and Salafi terrorists in the war-stricken country.
The Arabic language news channel Sky News said Monday that the Israeli army moved the so-called Iron Dome batteries in the north and raised the alert level in northern military posts.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the new deployments.
This came after Hezbollah said that six resistance fighters lost their lives in a new Israeli airstrike on the southwestern strategic Syrian city of Quneitra.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Hezbollah said 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of late Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyeh, and five other fighters lost their lives in the fresh Israeli aerial assault against Syria. They were reportedly on a field reconnaissance mission in Quneitra when an Israeli military helicopter targeted their vehicle.
A source close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah said Monday that the movement’s response to Israel’s deadly attack on members of the resistance would be “painful.”
“The attack against six Hezbollah members will have a painful and unexpected response, but it can be assumed that it will be controlled to prevent an all-out war,” the sources told the Lebanese As-Safir Arabic political daily.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also confirmed the killing of one of its generals in the airstrike.
Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi had traveled to Syria to provide consultation and help the Syrian government and nation counter the Takfiri and Salafi terrorists in the war-stricken country.
19 jan 2015
A source close to the Lebanon's Hezbollah says the movement's response to Israel’s deadly attack on members of the resistance would be “painful.”
"The attack against six Hezbollah members will have a painful and unexpected response, but it can be assumed that it will be controlled to prevent an all-out war," the sources told the Lebanese As-Safir Arabic political daily on Monday.
A serious mistake
The Syrian information minister has slammed as a “serious mistake” the recent Israeli airstrike on the southwestern strategic Syrian city of Quneitra.
“Israel has made a serious mistake when it attacked on Syrian soil today,” Omran al-Zoubi said in an interview with Lebanese al-Manar TV on Sunday.
Al-Zoubi said the airstrikes proved the Tel Aviv regime was cooperating with terrorist groups, including the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.
The Syrian minister said that Israel needs the terrorist groups to act as a “buffer zone” that separates it from the Syrian army and people.
Whoever fights the Syrian people and army is putting himself in the service of the Zionist project against Syria, Palestine and the Arab nation, he added.
Iran's condemnation
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the killing of six fighters of Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah by Israel, Press TV reports.
“We condemn all actions of the Zionist regime [of Israel] as well as all acts of terror,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Press TV early on Monday, lashing out at Israel for committing acts of terrorism.
Zarif further censured the acts of terrorism against the people of Lebanon and the resistance movement, saying that “this has been a practice followed for a very long time,” the top Iranian diplomat noted. “The policy of state terrorism is a known policy of the Zionist regime [of Israel],” he added.
Hezbollah statement
Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah confirmed the death of six fighters in the new Israeli airstrike on the southwestern strategic Syrian city of Quneitra.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Hezbollah said 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyeh, and five other fighters lost their lives in the fresh Israeli aerial assault against Syria.
Hezbollah identified the other victims as Mohammad Issa,42, Abbas Ibrahim Hijazi, 35, Mohammad Ali Hasan Abu al-Hasan, 29, Ghazi Ali Dawi, 26, and Ali Hasan Ibrahim, 21.
The martyrs were reportedly on a field reconnaissance mission in Quneitra when an Israeli military helicopter targeted their vehicle.
Fresh Israeli aggression
On Sunday, an Israeli military helicopter fired two missiles into Amal Farms in the strategic southwestern city of Quneitra, close to line separating the Syrian part of the Golan Heights from the Israeli-occupied sector.
The Israeli military has so far declined comment on the attack.
Press TV reported that the Israeli military has gone on high alert for the fear of a possible Hezbollah response to the regime’s new act of aggression.
Analysts believe the new Israeli assault is yet another attempt by Tel Aviv to change the balance of war in favor of the Takfiri militants fighting against Syria.
The new Israeli aerial raid comes as Syrian soldiers, backed by Hezbollah resistance fighters, have made numerous gains against the militants operating in Quneitra.
The Tel Aviv regime has carried out several airstrikes in Syria since the start of the nearly four-year-old foreign-sponsored militancy there.
Damascus says Tel Aviv and its Western allies are aiding the extremist terror groups operating inside Syria since March 2011.
The Syrian army has repeatedly seized huge quantities of Israeli-made weapons and advanced military equipment from the foreign-backed militants inside the Arab state.
Berri reaction
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has hit out at the Tel Aviv regime for disrupting stability in Lebanon.
“Every time we take steps forward in terms of achieving stability … Israel tries to create chaos,” local Lebanese media quoted Berri as saying on Monday.
“Israelis don't want Lebanon to relax,” he said.
Lebanon’s al-Manar TV said later in the day that Tel Aviv is "playing with fire that puts the security of the whole Middle East on edge.
"The attack against six Hezbollah members will have a painful and unexpected response, but it can be assumed that it will be controlled to prevent an all-out war," the sources told the Lebanese As-Safir Arabic political daily on Monday.
A serious mistake
The Syrian information minister has slammed as a “serious mistake” the recent Israeli airstrike on the southwestern strategic Syrian city of Quneitra.
“Israel has made a serious mistake when it attacked on Syrian soil today,” Omran al-Zoubi said in an interview with Lebanese al-Manar TV on Sunday.
Al-Zoubi said the airstrikes proved the Tel Aviv regime was cooperating with terrorist groups, including the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.
The Syrian minister said that Israel needs the terrorist groups to act as a “buffer zone” that separates it from the Syrian army and people.
Whoever fights the Syrian people and army is putting himself in the service of the Zionist project against Syria, Palestine and the Arab nation, he added.
Iran's condemnation
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the killing of six fighters of Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah by Israel, Press TV reports.
“We condemn all actions of the Zionist regime [of Israel] as well as all acts of terror,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Press TV early on Monday, lashing out at Israel for committing acts of terrorism.
Zarif further censured the acts of terrorism against the people of Lebanon and the resistance movement, saying that “this has been a practice followed for a very long time,” the top Iranian diplomat noted. “The policy of state terrorism is a known policy of the Zionist regime [of Israel],” he added.
Hezbollah statement
Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah confirmed the death of six fighters in the new Israeli airstrike on the southwestern strategic Syrian city of Quneitra.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Hezbollah said 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyeh, and five other fighters lost their lives in the fresh Israeli aerial assault against Syria.
Hezbollah identified the other victims as Mohammad Issa,42, Abbas Ibrahim Hijazi, 35, Mohammad Ali Hasan Abu al-Hasan, 29, Ghazi Ali Dawi, 26, and Ali Hasan Ibrahim, 21.
The martyrs were reportedly on a field reconnaissance mission in Quneitra when an Israeli military helicopter targeted their vehicle.
Fresh Israeli aggression
On Sunday, an Israeli military helicopter fired two missiles into Amal Farms in the strategic southwestern city of Quneitra, close to line separating the Syrian part of the Golan Heights from the Israeli-occupied sector.
The Israeli military has so far declined comment on the attack.
Press TV reported that the Israeli military has gone on high alert for the fear of a possible Hezbollah response to the regime’s new act of aggression.
Analysts believe the new Israeli assault is yet another attempt by Tel Aviv to change the balance of war in favor of the Takfiri militants fighting against Syria.
The new Israeli aerial raid comes as Syrian soldiers, backed by Hezbollah resistance fighters, have made numerous gains against the militants operating in Quneitra.
The Tel Aviv regime has carried out several airstrikes in Syria since the start of the nearly four-year-old foreign-sponsored militancy there.
Damascus says Tel Aviv and its Western allies are aiding the extremist terror groups operating inside Syria since March 2011.
The Syrian army has repeatedly seized huge quantities of Israeli-made weapons and advanced military equipment from the foreign-backed militants inside the Arab state.
Berri reaction
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has hit out at the Tel Aviv regime for disrupting stability in Lebanon.
“Every time we take steps forward in terms of achieving stability … Israel tries to create chaos,” local Lebanese media quoted Berri as saying on Monday.
“Israelis don't want Lebanon to relax,” he said.
Lebanon’s al-Manar TV said later in the day that Tel Aviv is "playing with fire that puts the security of the whole Middle East on edge.
Hamas condemned Israel’s murder of six members of the Syria-based Hezbollah group, dubbing the attack a renewed episode in Israel’s incessant war crimes.
Talking exclusively to the PIC, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil said on Sunday evening: “The assassination is another episode in the series of renewed Israeli crimes perpetrated against the Palestinian people and Arabs.”
He said the murder is a barefaced proof of Israel’s inherent thirst for bloodshed and of the state of psychosis undergone by the Israeli parties ahead of the electoral race.
The Hamas leader raised alarm bells over the murder, and pushed for taking a tougher line against the Israeli war criminals.
Six members of Hezbollah were killed Sunday after a barrage of rockets was slammed by the Israeli occupation army into Syria, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli strike in the Syrian Golan Heights killed Jihad Moughniyah, the son of the slain top military operative Imad Moughniyah.
The fighters were killed during a field reconnaissance mission in the Mazraat Amal village of Quneitra province, a Hezbollah statement read.
No clarifications have been provided by the Israeli occupation army over the attack, claiming to never comment on pieces of news released by foreign media, in reference to Lebanese outlets.
Talking exclusively to the PIC, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil said on Sunday evening: “The assassination is another episode in the series of renewed Israeli crimes perpetrated against the Palestinian people and Arabs.”
He said the murder is a barefaced proof of Israel’s inherent thirst for bloodshed and of the state of psychosis undergone by the Israeli parties ahead of the electoral race.
The Hamas leader raised alarm bells over the murder, and pushed for taking a tougher line against the Israeli war criminals.
Six members of Hezbollah were killed Sunday after a barrage of rockets was slammed by the Israeli occupation army into Syria, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli strike in the Syrian Golan Heights killed Jihad Moughniyah, the son of the slain top military operative Imad Moughniyah.
The fighters were killed during a field reconnaissance mission in the Mazraat Amal village of Quneitra province, a Hezbollah statement read.
No clarifications have been provided by the Israeli occupation army over the attack, claiming to never comment on pieces of news released by foreign media, in reference to Lebanese outlets.
Jihad Moghaniya
The Israeli air force, on Sunday evening, fired missiles targeting a number of fighters from the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party, in the Syrian bity of al-Qneitra, killing several fighters, including the son of late Hezbollah leader Imad Mughaniya, who was assassinated by Israel in February of 2008.
The Hezbollah party, headed by Hasan Nasrallah, said that seven of its fighters, including three senior leaders, were killed by Israeli missiles, and that one of slain has been identified as Jihad Moghaniya.
The other six slain fighters are Mahdi Mosawy, Ali Fuad, Hasan al-Ash-hab, Hussein Hasan, Mohammad Issa and Ali Rida.
Hezbollah-run TV in Lebanon, al-Manar, said the Israeli army targeted the fighters while inspecting al-Amal Farms in al-Qneitra.
Israeli Ynet News reported that Major General (res.) Yuav Galant hinted that the assassination, especially the timing of it, was motivated by the upcoming Israeli elections.
Galant said that the timing of the assassination is similar to the assassination of al-Qassam leader in Gaza, Ahmad al-Ja’bari, who was killed by an Israeli missile in 2012.
This assassination was the breaking point that was followed by the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, dubbed by Tel Aviv as “Pillar Of Defense.”
Galant said that al-Ja’abary’s assassination comes just two months ahead of the 2013 Israel election.
He said the move took place as Israel was preparing for general election and, although the army had many previous opportunities to kill him, they did not do so due to timing considerations.
He was serving as general commander of the Southern Command of the Israeli military, prior to the assassination.
The Israeli army claims that the fighters were killed, allegedly, “while planning to attack Israel”.
The assassination comes but a few days after the Hezbollah leader denounced the repeated Israeli strikes against Syria as an ongoing aggression, and that his party, fighting in Syria in cooperation with the Syrian army, has the right to retaliate.
Israeli TV Channel 2 reported, Sunday evening, that Israel believes Hezbollah will retaliate for the assassination, and that the army has stepped-up its readiness in the northern region, close to the border with Syria and Lebanon.
The army estimates that Hezbollah fighters will likely fires mortar shells, and other types of missiles and, at the time of this publication, Israel has reportedly deployed its Iron Dome missile intercepting system in the region..
Although Israel did not officially claim the assassination, Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon told Israeli radio that “if Hezbollah says its men were killed in the attack, then let them explain to us what were they doing in Syria to start with”.
Meanwhile, Arabs48 news website also reported that, according to an Israeli security official, the air force targeted fighters in the Al-Qneitra area, allegedly, as they were “planning to attack Israel”.
Syrian sources said that an Israeli drone fired two missiles which led to the death of the Hezbollah fighters.
The area of al-Qneitra is the site of fierce battles between the Syrian army and different armed groups, including fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda.
It is worth mentioning that Imad Moghaniya was assassinated in Damascus, in 2008, and was regarded as one of the most sought fighters by Israel and the United States, for attacks against Israeli and other targets.
The Israeli army is responsible for numerous strikes targeting Syria, including several against military centers and scientific research facilities, leading to dozens of casualties.
Iran general killed with Hezbollah fighters in Israel raid
An Israeli strike on Syria killed an Iranian general, Tehran confirmed Monday, as thousands of supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah gathered to bury one of six fighters killed in the same raid.
The attack on Sunday near Quneitra on the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan Heights enraged Hezbollah's supporters, but analysts said the group would avoid a major escalation with Israel.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of one of their generals in a statement on their website.
"General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi and a number of fighters and Islamic Resistance (Hezbollah) forces were attacked by the Zionist regime's helicopters," it said.
"This brave general and some members of Hezbollah were martyred."
A source close to Hezbollah said six Iranians had been killed in the attack. Hezbollah told AFP that it was not the source of that toll.
Among Hezbollah's dead was Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of an assassinated commander from the group, and Mohammed Issa, a commander responsible for Hezbollah's operations in Syria and Iraq.
Once solely focused on fighting Israel, Hezbollah is now deeply involved in the war in neighboring Syria, where it backs President Bashar Assad.
'Resistance will decide response'
With its forces spread thin, and little appetite in fragile Lebanon for a new conflict with Israel, analysts said Hezbollah would seek to respond to the raid without provoking a full-on war.
On Monday afternoon, thousands of mourners gathered in Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold for Mughniyeh's funeral.
"God willing, the resistance will retaliate but the leadership of the resistance will be the one to decide the nature and timing," said Hassana Sadaqa, as she prepared to pay her respects.
Mourners chanted "Our party is Hezbollah, our leader is Nasrallah" as the coffin was carried through the streets and shots were fired into the air.
Mughniyeh was buried in the same cemetery as his father Imad, who was killed in a 2008 car bombing that Hezbollah blamed on Israel.
As the crowds marched through the streets, residents threw confetti down from their balconies, celebrating what they see as the fighters' "martyrdom."
Hezbollah's al-Manar television said the six were killed as they carried out reconnaissance.
But an Israeli security source said an Israeli helicopter carried our a strike on "terrorists" who were preparing an attack on Israel.
'Israel called Hezbollah's bluff'
The strike came days after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened to retaliate against Israel for its repeated strikes on targets in Syria and boasted the movement was stronger than ever.
He touted its sophisticated arsenal, including Fateh-110 missiles, which have a range of 200 kilometers (125 miles) or more and are capable of hitting much of Israel.
Analysts said the Israeli strike, days after Nasrallah's bellicose remarks, stood to embarrass Hezbollah.
"What happened is that the Israelis called Hezbollah's bluff last night," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political science at the American University in Beirut.
But he said Hezbollah's response was likely to be limited "because if it retaliates, it will be another war. Hezbollah is in Syria and it is not ready for another war against Israel."
Walid Charara, an analyst close to Hezbollah, said he had "no doubt" that the group would respond, either from Lebanese or Syrian territory.
Khashan said Hezbollah could resort to small-scale attacks, like a roadside bomb on the ceasefire line with Israel it claimed last year, but would avoid a more serious response.
Speaking to reporters at the funeral, Mahmoud Qmati, a member of Hezbollah's political bureau, said all-out war was unlikely, but that "the war of (limited) strikes, assassinations, and intermittent confrontation continues."
But another Hezbollah official, MP Bilal Farhat, refused to say what might happen next. "Let's wait and see," he said.
Lebanese media weighed the prospect of conflict, with the al-Safir newspaper saying Hezbollah needed something "more than a reply and less than a war."
In Israel, analysts made the same calculation.
"Hezbollah doesn't want a full-fledged war," said Yoram Schweitzer, a former Israeli military counterterrorism chief.
"It has a number of possibilities to respond in different arenas. We assume that it currently does not want full contact," he told AFP.
Israel occupied parts of Lebanon for 22 years until 2000 and the two countries are still technically at war.
In 2006, Israel fought a bloody war against Hezbollah that killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Israel strike on Syria 'also killed 6 Iranians'
An Israeli strike on Syria that killed six members of Hezbollah also killed six Iranian solders, including commanders, a source close to the Lebanese Shiite group told AFP on Monday.
"The Israeli strike killed six Iranian soldiers, including commanders, as well as the six members of Hezbollah. They were all in a convoy of three cars," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Israeli air force, on Sunday evening, fired missiles targeting a number of fighters from the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party, in the Syrian bity of al-Qneitra, killing several fighters, including the son of late Hezbollah leader Imad Mughaniya, who was assassinated by Israel in February of 2008.
The Hezbollah party, headed by Hasan Nasrallah, said that seven of its fighters, including three senior leaders, were killed by Israeli missiles, and that one of slain has been identified as Jihad Moghaniya.
The other six slain fighters are Mahdi Mosawy, Ali Fuad, Hasan al-Ash-hab, Hussein Hasan, Mohammad Issa and Ali Rida.
Hezbollah-run TV in Lebanon, al-Manar, said the Israeli army targeted the fighters while inspecting al-Amal Farms in al-Qneitra.
Israeli Ynet News reported that Major General (res.) Yuav Galant hinted that the assassination, especially the timing of it, was motivated by the upcoming Israeli elections.
Galant said that the timing of the assassination is similar to the assassination of al-Qassam leader in Gaza, Ahmad al-Ja’bari, who was killed by an Israeli missile in 2012.
This assassination was the breaking point that was followed by the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, dubbed by Tel Aviv as “Pillar Of Defense.”
Galant said that al-Ja’abary’s assassination comes just two months ahead of the 2013 Israel election.
He said the move took place as Israel was preparing for general election and, although the army had many previous opportunities to kill him, they did not do so due to timing considerations.
He was serving as general commander of the Southern Command of the Israeli military, prior to the assassination.
The Israeli army claims that the fighters were killed, allegedly, “while planning to attack Israel”.
The assassination comes but a few days after the Hezbollah leader denounced the repeated Israeli strikes against Syria as an ongoing aggression, and that his party, fighting in Syria in cooperation with the Syrian army, has the right to retaliate.
Israeli TV Channel 2 reported, Sunday evening, that Israel believes Hezbollah will retaliate for the assassination, and that the army has stepped-up its readiness in the northern region, close to the border with Syria and Lebanon.
The army estimates that Hezbollah fighters will likely fires mortar shells, and other types of missiles and, at the time of this publication, Israel has reportedly deployed its Iron Dome missile intercepting system in the region..
Although Israel did not officially claim the assassination, Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon told Israeli radio that “if Hezbollah says its men were killed in the attack, then let them explain to us what were they doing in Syria to start with”.
Meanwhile, Arabs48 news website also reported that, according to an Israeli security official, the air force targeted fighters in the Al-Qneitra area, allegedly, as they were “planning to attack Israel”.
Syrian sources said that an Israeli drone fired two missiles which led to the death of the Hezbollah fighters.
The area of al-Qneitra is the site of fierce battles between the Syrian army and different armed groups, including fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda.
It is worth mentioning that Imad Moghaniya was assassinated in Damascus, in 2008, and was regarded as one of the most sought fighters by Israel and the United States, for attacks against Israeli and other targets.
The Israeli army is responsible for numerous strikes targeting Syria, including several against military centers and scientific research facilities, leading to dozens of casualties.
Iran general killed with Hezbollah fighters in Israel raid
An Israeli strike on Syria killed an Iranian general, Tehran confirmed Monday, as thousands of supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah gathered to bury one of six fighters killed in the same raid.
The attack on Sunday near Quneitra on the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan Heights enraged Hezbollah's supporters, but analysts said the group would avoid a major escalation with Israel.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of one of their generals in a statement on their website.
"General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi and a number of fighters and Islamic Resistance (Hezbollah) forces were attacked by the Zionist regime's helicopters," it said.
"This brave general and some members of Hezbollah were martyred."
A source close to Hezbollah said six Iranians had been killed in the attack. Hezbollah told AFP that it was not the source of that toll.
Among Hezbollah's dead was Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of an assassinated commander from the group, and Mohammed Issa, a commander responsible for Hezbollah's operations in Syria and Iraq.
Once solely focused on fighting Israel, Hezbollah is now deeply involved in the war in neighboring Syria, where it backs President Bashar Assad.
'Resistance will decide response'
With its forces spread thin, and little appetite in fragile Lebanon for a new conflict with Israel, analysts said Hezbollah would seek to respond to the raid without provoking a full-on war.
On Monday afternoon, thousands of mourners gathered in Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold for Mughniyeh's funeral.
"God willing, the resistance will retaliate but the leadership of the resistance will be the one to decide the nature and timing," said Hassana Sadaqa, as she prepared to pay her respects.
Mourners chanted "Our party is Hezbollah, our leader is Nasrallah" as the coffin was carried through the streets and shots were fired into the air.
Mughniyeh was buried in the same cemetery as his father Imad, who was killed in a 2008 car bombing that Hezbollah blamed on Israel.
As the crowds marched through the streets, residents threw confetti down from their balconies, celebrating what they see as the fighters' "martyrdom."
Hezbollah's al-Manar television said the six were killed as they carried out reconnaissance.
But an Israeli security source said an Israeli helicopter carried our a strike on "terrorists" who were preparing an attack on Israel.
'Israel called Hezbollah's bluff'
The strike came days after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened to retaliate against Israel for its repeated strikes on targets in Syria and boasted the movement was stronger than ever.
He touted its sophisticated arsenal, including Fateh-110 missiles, which have a range of 200 kilometers (125 miles) or more and are capable of hitting much of Israel.
Analysts said the Israeli strike, days after Nasrallah's bellicose remarks, stood to embarrass Hezbollah.
"What happened is that the Israelis called Hezbollah's bluff last night," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political science at the American University in Beirut.
But he said Hezbollah's response was likely to be limited "because if it retaliates, it will be another war. Hezbollah is in Syria and it is not ready for another war against Israel."
Walid Charara, an analyst close to Hezbollah, said he had "no doubt" that the group would respond, either from Lebanese or Syrian territory.
Khashan said Hezbollah could resort to small-scale attacks, like a roadside bomb on the ceasefire line with Israel it claimed last year, but would avoid a more serious response.
Speaking to reporters at the funeral, Mahmoud Qmati, a member of Hezbollah's political bureau, said all-out war was unlikely, but that "the war of (limited) strikes, assassinations, and intermittent confrontation continues."
But another Hezbollah official, MP Bilal Farhat, refused to say what might happen next. "Let's wait and see," he said.
Lebanese media weighed the prospect of conflict, with the al-Safir newspaper saying Hezbollah needed something "more than a reply and less than a war."
In Israel, analysts made the same calculation.
"Hezbollah doesn't want a full-fledged war," said Yoram Schweitzer, a former Israeli military counterterrorism chief.
"It has a number of possibilities to respond in different arenas. We assume that it currently does not want full contact," he told AFP.
Israel occupied parts of Lebanon for 22 years until 2000 and the two countries are still technically at war.
In 2006, Israel fought a bloody war against Hezbollah that killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Israel strike on Syria 'also killed 6 Iranians'
An Israeli strike on Syria that killed six members of Hezbollah also killed six Iranian solders, including commanders, a source close to the Lebanese Shiite group told AFP on Monday.
"The Israeli strike killed six Iranian soldiers, including commanders, as well as the six members of Hezbollah. They were all in a convoy of three cars," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
17 jan 2015
Israeli military forces
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has hailed a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch a preliminary investigation into Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
An official statement released by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed optimism that the move would lead to “the prosecution of Israeli officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.”
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil had urged the ICC last year to initiate a probe into the war crimes committed by the Israeli regime forces during their July-August 2014 war on Gaza.
The development came following a Friday announcement by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda that her office intends to conduct an “analysis in full independence and impartiality” into suspected war crimes carried out by Israeli military forces, including those committed during its Gaza offensive last summer, in which nearly 2,200 Palestinians, including 577 children, were killed.
More than 11,100 others, including 3,374 children, 2,088 women and 410 elderly people, were injured in the war.
Meanwhile, authorities in Gaza have warned that more Palestinians in the besieged territory could still die as tens of thousands remain displaced in the wake of the latest Israeli aggression, waiting for funds for the reconstruction of their homes.
Palestinians have urged the ICC to also investigate Israel’s illegal settlement construction activities in the occupied Palestinian lands.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has hailed a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch a preliminary investigation into Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
An official statement released by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed optimism that the move would lead to “the prosecution of Israeli officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.”
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil had urged the ICC last year to initiate a probe into the war crimes committed by the Israeli regime forces during their July-August 2014 war on Gaza.
The development came following a Friday announcement by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda that her office intends to conduct an “analysis in full independence and impartiality” into suspected war crimes carried out by Israeli military forces, including those committed during its Gaza offensive last summer, in which nearly 2,200 Palestinians, including 577 children, were killed.
More than 11,100 others, including 3,374 children, 2,088 women and 410 elderly people, were injured in the war.
Meanwhile, authorities in Gaza have warned that more Palestinians in the besieged territory could still die as tens of thousands remain displaced in the wake of the latest Israeli aggression, waiting for funds for the reconstruction of their homes.
Palestinians have urged the ICC to also investigate Israel’s illegal settlement construction activities in the occupied Palestinian lands.
15 jan 2015
Hezbollah’s Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah says the Lebanese resistance movement is prepared to respond to Israel’s repeated strikes on targets in Syria.
Nasrallah told Beirut-based al-Mayadeen news channel that Hezbollah is well-armed and its missiles can hit any Israeli target.
He noted that the Israeli strikes target not only territories in Syria but also the axis of resistance in the entire region.
“The repeated bombings that struck several targets in Syria are a major violation, and we consider that any strike against Syria is a strike against the whole of the resistance axis, not just against Syria,” Nasrallah said, adding, “The axis is capable of responding. This can happen any time.”
Since the conflict began in Syria nearly four years ago, the Israeli military has targeted several positions in the country.
The most recent such strike hit arms warehouses near the Syrian capital, Damascus, in December.
The Lebanese resistance movement has time and again stressed its support for the Syrian government against foreign-backed extremism.
Hezbollah ‘stronger than ever’
Nasrallah also stated that Hezbollah is prepared to launch a potential war against the Israeli regime at any time.
Hezbollah fighters “must be prepared,” he said, adding that “when the resistance (Hezbollah) leadership... asks you (fighters)... to enter into Galilee (in northern Israel), that means the resistance must be ready to enter into Galilee and to go even beyond the Galilee.”
Asked about Hezbollah’s arsenal, Nasrallah said the group had “all (the weapons) you can imagine...and in great quantities.”
“We are now stronger than we ever were as a resistance movement,” he added.
The Tel Aviv regime launched two wars on Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. About 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, were killed in the 33-Day War of 2006.
On both occasions, however, Hezbollah fighters defeated the Israeli forces and Tel Aviv was forced to retreat without achieving any of its objectives.
Nasrallah told Beirut-based al-Mayadeen news channel that Hezbollah is well-armed and its missiles can hit any Israeli target.
He noted that the Israeli strikes target not only territories in Syria but also the axis of resistance in the entire region.
“The repeated bombings that struck several targets in Syria are a major violation, and we consider that any strike against Syria is a strike against the whole of the resistance axis, not just against Syria,” Nasrallah said, adding, “The axis is capable of responding. This can happen any time.”
Since the conflict began in Syria nearly four years ago, the Israeli military has targeted several positions in the country.
The most recent such strike hit arms warehouses near the Syrian capital, Damascus, in December.
The Lebanese resistance movement has time and again stressed its support for the Syrian government against foreign-backed extremism.
Hezbollah ‘stronger than ever’
Nasrallah also stated that Hezbollah is prepared to launch a potential war against the Israeli regime at any time.
Hezbollah fighters “must be prepared,” he said, adding that “when the resistance (Hezbollah) leadership... asks you (fighters)... to enter into Galilee (in northern Israel), that means the resistance must be ready to enter into Galilee and to go even beyond the Galilee.”
Asked about Hezbollah’s arsenal, Nasrallah said the group had “all (the weapons) you can imagine...and in great quantities.”
“We are now stronger than we ever were as a resistance movement,” he added.
The Tel Aviv regime launched two wars on Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. About 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, were killed in the 33-Day War of 2006.
On both occasions, however, Hezbollah fighters defeated the Israeli forces and Tel Aviv was forced to retreat without achieving any of its objectives.
14 jan 2015
Hezbollah has emphasized its preparedness to defend Lebanon against any Israeli aggression, saying the Lebanese resistance movement is in possession of “all sorts” of weapons.
“We have all sorts of arms that come to your mind,” Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah told al-Mayadeen satellite TV station in a Tuesday interview, which is yet to be aired.
“The resistance in Lebanon has everything the enemy can imagine and not imagine,” he said.
The Israeli regime launched wars on Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. About 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, were killed in the 33-Day War of 2006.
On both occasions, however, Hezbollah resistance fighters defeated the Israeli forces and Tel Aviv was forced to retreat without achieving any of its objectives.
Hezbollah says that it has both the capability and the courage to defend Lebanon and that the movement’s missiles are ready to strike back certain targets inside the Israeli-occupied lands in self-defense if Tel Aviv launches an attack on Lebanon.
“We have all sorts of arms that come to your mind,” Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah told al-Mayadeen satellite TV station in a Tuesday interview, which is yet to be aired.
“The resistance in Lebanon has everything the enemy can imagine and not imagine,” he said.
The Israeli regime launched wars on Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. About 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, were killed in the 33-Day War of 2006.
On both occasions, however, Hezbollah resistance fighters defeated the Israeli forces and Tel Aviv was forced to retreat without achieving any of its objectives.
Hezbollah says that it has both the capability and the courage to defend Lebanon and that the movement’s missiles are ready to strike back certain targets inside the Israeli-occupied lands in self-defense if Tel Aviv launches an attack on Lebanon.
7 jan 2015
An exhibition showcasing paintings of maps without Israel has been held in southern Lebanon.
According to Palestinian Media Watch, the Norwegian People’s Aid NGO funded the exhibition that was mounted at the Al-Burj Al-Shamali refugee camp next to the city of Tyre.
The maps at the exhibit, titled “This is Palestine,” were painted by Palestinian children living in Lebanon.
The exhibition has angered the Israeli media and officials.
The Norwegian government, the Canadian International Development Agency and other international donors are among sponsors of the NGO.
Recently, HarperCollins Publishers, based in the United States, has sold atlases to English-speaking schools in some Persian Gulf countries that have no place named Israel in its maps.
Under huge pressure from the Israeli lobby in the United States, the company has regretted publishing the maps. The move has also triggered anger in the occupied Palestinian lands.
The company, which is a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, had initially defended the publishing of the atlases and described it as a predetermined policy.
Muslims in the Persian Gulf and Middle East see the Israeli entity as completely illegitimate as it was established in 1948 in the territories that were occupied illegally. Since then the entity has pursued a policy of expansion mainly through forced evacuation of people, expansion of settlements and waging war on defenseless civilians.
According to Palestinian Media Watch, the Norwegian People’s Aid NGO funded the exhibition that was mounted at the Al-Burj Al-Shamali refugee camp next to the city of Tyre.
The maps at the exhibit, titled “This is Palestine,” were painted by Palestinian children living in Lebanon.
The exhibition has angered the Israeli media and officials.
The Norwegian government, the Canadian International Development Agency and other international donors are among sponsors of the NGO.
Recently, HarperCollins Publishers, based in the United States, has sold atlases to English-speaking schools in some Persian Gulf countries that have no place named Israel in its maps.
Under huge pressure from the Israeli lobby in the United States, the company has regretted publishing the maps. The move has also triggered anger in the occupied Palestinian lands.
The company, which is a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, had initially defended the publishing of the atlases and described it as a predetermined policy.
Muslims in the Persian Gulf and Middle East see the Israeli entity as completely illegitimate as it was established in 1948 in the territories that were occupied illegally. Since then the entity has pursued a policy of expansion mainly through forced evacuation of people, expansion of settlements and waging war on defenseless civilians.
5 jan 2015
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem
Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah implies that earlier reports on the detention of a senior official within its ranks over espionage for Israel have been true, Lebanese media say.
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem praised the resistance group for its “steadfastness” in standing against “some major infiltrations” into its ranks, The Daily Star quoted him as saying on Sunday.
“There is no party in the world as big and sophisticated as Hezbollah that was able to stand with the same steadfastness despite some major infiltrations,” Sheikh Qassem said.
Sheikh Qassem further pointed to some “very limited” espionage cases within the resistance group, adding that “Hezbollah has worked intensely on battling espionage among its ranks and in its entourage.”
Last month, media reports said Lebanon’s Hezbollah had arrested one of its high-ranking officials on suspicion of having links with the Israeli spy agency, Mossad.
According to the reports, the detainee, identified as Mohammad Shawraba, held an important position in Hezbollah’s 910 Unit, which is in charge of the resistance group’s “external operations.”
The investigations revealed that Shawraba was originally from Lebanon’s southern city of Mahrouna, but lived in the capital Beirut. He was recruited by Israel during his numerous trips abroad.
The source further said Shawraba had thwarted about five of Hezbollah’s anti-Israel operations that were planned in retaliation for the 2008 assassination of its top commander, Imad Mughniyeh, in Syria.
Israel launched wars on Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. About 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, were killed in the 33-Day War of 2006. On both occasions, however, Hezbollah fighters defeated the Israeli military and Tel Aviv was forced to retreat without achieving any of its objectives.
The Tel Aviv regime launched an intelligence war against Hezbollah following its defeat in the two wars on Lebanon.
Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah implies that earlier reports on the detention of a senior official within its ranks over espionage for Israel have been true, Lebanese media say.
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem praised the resistance group for its “steadfastness” in standing against “some major infiltrations” into its ranks, The Daily Star quoted him as saying on Sunday.
“There is no party in the world as big and sophisticated as Hezbollah that was able to stand with the same steadfastness despite some major infiltrations,” Sheikh Qassem said.
Sheikh Qassem further pointed to some “very limited” espionage cases within the resistance group, adding that “Hezbollah has worked intensely on battling espionage among its ranks and in its entourage.”
Last month, media reports said Lebanon’s Hezbollah had arrested one of its high-ranking officials on suspicion of having links with the Israeli spy agency, Mossad.
According to the reports, the detainee, identified as Mohammad Shawraba, held an important position in Hezbollah’s 910 Unit, which is in charge of the resistance group’s “external operations.”
The investigations revealed that Shawraba was originally from Lebanon’s southern city of Mahrouna, but lived in the capital Beirut. He was recruited by Israel during his numerous trips abroad.
The source further said Shawraba had thwarted about five of Hezbollah’s anti-Israel operations that were planned in retaliation for the 2008 assassination of its top commander, Imad Mughniyeh, in Syria.
Israel launched wars on Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. About 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, were killed in the 33-Day War of 2006. On both occasions, however, Hezbollah fighters defeated the Israeli military and Tel Aviv was forced to retreat without achieving any of its objectives.
The Tel Aviv regime launched an intelligence war against Hezbollah following its defeat in the two wars on Lebanon.
1 jan 2015
Israeli warplanes have flown sorties at very low attitude over the airspace of Lebanese capital of Beirut as well as the southern Bekaa Valley region, breaking the sound barrier.
The Israeli military aircraft conducted aerial maneuvers over Beirut throughout Thursday as the sound of low-flying jets over the capital city was clearly audible twice in the morning, a number of local media outlets reported.
Lebanon’s army issued a statement saying that an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft also violated the country’s airspace on Wednesday, entering Lebanon over the town of Alma Shaab and conducting aerial sorties over Riyaq, Baalbek and other areas in the south.
According to the statement, the spy plane entered Lebanon airspace at 6:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and left the area 17 hours later.
Israeli warplanes have repeatedly violated Lebanon’s airspace in a breach of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which led to a ceasefire in the war of aggression the Israeli regime waged against Lebanon in 2006 and calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of the Lebanese territory.
While Israel regularly carries out aerial maneuvers over Lebanon, it has been also suspected of using the country’s airspace to conduct airstrikes against neighboring Syria on several occasions since March 2011.
The Israeli military aircraft conducted aerial maneuvers over Beirut throughout Thursday as the sound of low-flying jets over the capital city was clearly audible twice in the morning, a number of local media outlets reported.
Lebanon’s army issued a statement saying that an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft also violated the country’s airspace on Wednesday, entering Lebanon over the town of Alma Shaab and conducting aerial sorties over Riyaq, Baalbek and other areas in the south.
According to the statement, the spy plane entered Lebanon airspace at 6:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and left the area 17 hours later.
Israeli warplanes have repeatedly violated Lebanon’s airspace in a breach of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which led to a ceasefire in the war of aggression the Israeli regime waged against Lebanon in 2006 and calls on Tel Aviv to respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity.
In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violations of the Lebanese territory.
While Israel regularly carries out aerial maneuvers over Lebanon, it has been also suspected of using the country’s airspace to conduct airstrikes against neighboring Syria on several occasions since March 2011.
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