Latest news with #Qassem
Days of Palestine
3 days ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Hamas dismisses Al-Arabiya TV's 'baseless' report of internal rift over Israeli captive
DaysofPal- Hamas has strongly denied recent claims aired by Al-Arabiya TV suggesting internal disputes within the movement's leadership over the release of an Israeli-American captive earlier this month. In a press statement issued Tuesday, Hisham Qassem, Hamas's media official abroad, described the report as 'baseless,' accusing the channel of participating in a smear campaign targeting the Palestinian resistance at a time of intensified Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip. 'The report aired by Al-Arabiya is filled with lies and fabricated accusations,' Qassem said. 'It comes at a time when our people are enduring a brutal campaign of extermination and starvation carried out by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF).' Al-Arabiya had reported that the May 12 release of Aidan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier captured by Hamas, sparked a rift between the movement's political leadership and its military wing, the Qassam Brigades. According to the channel, the disagreement stemmed from the belief that Alexander's release would lead to progress on ceasefire talks and increased humanitarian aid access, outcomes that ultimately did not materialize. Rather, the occupation intensified its assaults, shattering any hopes that were attached to the gesture. Qassem rejected these allegations outright, saying the report aligns with what he described as 'Zionist propaganda,' and urged Al-Arabiya to issue a formal apology. 'We call on the channel's management to issue an official apology and refrain from participating in the distortion of the Palestinian resistance's image,' he said, adding that Al-Arabiya has 'repeatedly published unfounded claims intended to delegitimize both the resistance and the broader Palestinian struggle.' The report, Qassem continued, is particularly harmful at a time when Gaza's civilian population is facing catastrophic humanitarian conditions due to Israel's continued bombardment, displacement campaigns, and blockade. 'Our people are facing relentless attacks, displacement, and the collapse of basic living conditions under ongoing IOF aggression,' he stated. The Qassam Brigades declared on May 12 that Aidan Alexander had been released after 'important contacts with mediators' to secure a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza. In an official statement at the time, Hamas emphasized that the step was taken in 'a spirit of positivity and flexibility' in response to international mediation efforts. 'This step came as part of the efforts of the mediators to stop the ceasefire, open the crossings, and bring aid and relief to our people in the Gaza Strip,' the statement read. Shortlink for this post:
Nahar Net
5 days ago
- Health
- Nahar Net
Three Israeli airstrikes target outskirts of Brital
by Naharnet Newsdesk 7 hours Israeli warplanes on Monday carried out three airstrikes on the Sraj area in the outskirts of the Baalbek district town of Brital, the state-run National News Agency said. Two people were injured in overnight strikes on the southern towns of Beit Leef and Majdal Zoun, the Health Ministry said Monday. Israel has continued to launch near-daily airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon and sometimes in Beirut's suburbs despite a November 27 truce that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah including two months of full-blown war. Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, the only armed bodies in southern Lebanon are meant to be U.N. peacekeepers and Lebanon's army, though Israel has retained its forces in five areas it has declared strategic. Speaking Sunday on the anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated the Lebanese group's stance that it will not discuss giving up its remaining weapons until Israel withdraws from the five border points it occupies in southern Lebanon and stops its airstrikes. "We adhered completely" to the agreement, Qassem said, adding: "Don't ask us for anything else from now on. Let Israel withdraw, stop its aggression, release the prisoners and fulfill all obligations under the agreement. After that, we will discuss each new development."
Nahar Net
5 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Three Israeli airstrikes target outskirts of Brital
by Naharnet Newsdesk 26 May 2025, 16:10 Israeli warplanes on Monday carried out three airstrikes on the Sraj area in the outskirts of the Baalbek district town of Brital, the state-run National News Agency said. Two people were injured in overnight strikes on the southern towns of Beit Leef and Majdal Zoun, the Health Ministry said Monday. Israel has continued to launch near-daily airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon and sometimes in Beirut's suburbs despite a November 27 truce that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah including two months of full-blown war. Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, the only armed bodies in southern Lebanon are meant to be U.N. peacekeepers and Lebanon's army, though Israel has retained its forces in five areas it has declared strategic. Speaking Sunday on the anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated the Lebanese group's stance that it will not discuss giving up its remaining weapons until Israel withdraws from the five border points it occupies in southern Lebanon and stops its airstrikes. "We adhered completely" to the agreement, Qassem said, adding: "Don't ask us for anything else from now on. Let Israel withdraw, stop its aggression, release the prisoners and fulfill all obligations under the agreement. After that, we will discuss each new development."
Nahar Net
5 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Qassem: Resistance to continue, let Israel withdraw first
by Naharnet Newsdesk 26 May 2025, 12:35 Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said that Hezbollah's 'resistance' will continue 'because it is the choice of the people and those who believe in it.' 'This resistance is a defensive resistance, it is a rejection of occupation, it is refusal to surrender,' Qassem said in a televised speech marking the 25th anniversary of the liberation of south Lebanon from Israeli occupation. 'Resistance is a choice. Sometimes it fights and deters, sometimes it perseveres and prevents, and other times it stays patient and ready,' Qassem explained. He added that 'resistance does not mean that there would be weapons moving every day or firing every day.' 'Resistance is an approach, an orientation. Weapons are a tool for use when needed, in the appropriate way, and according to interest,' Qassem went on to say. He added: 'Let it be clear to everyone: do not request anything from us from now on. Let Israel withdraw, halt its aggression, release the captives and complete all the obligations present in the (ceasefire) agreement and after that we will act accordingly.' 'We have said it and we reiterate: if the state fails in its performance, the other options are present. Do not ask me what the other options are, but you can know that the resistance does not remain silent over injustice and does not surrender,' Qassem said. 'Let no one threaten us. We cannot be threatened. We have only two choices and no third: victory or martyrdom … and we're ready for them,' Hezbollah's leader added. Addressing U.S. President Donald Trump and lauding his decision to stop the bombing campaign in Yemen, Qassem warned that 'allowing Israel to continue its actions in Lebanon will strip America of an important opportunity for investments in Lebanon and the region.'
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Hezbollah's Qassem vows to act if Lebanon fails to confront Israeli threats
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed that armed resistance remains Lebanon's only viable response to Israeli aggression. Speaking on the occasion of Resistance and Liberation Day, Qassem said Hezbollah emerged in direct response to Israel's occupation of Palestine and repeated assaults on Lebanon and the region. He emphasized that the movement was born out of necessity, especially as the Lebanese army lacked the capability to counter Israeli aggression amid international backing for Israel. 'Even after Israel withdrew from most Lebanese territory in 1985, it retained until the year 2000 a 1,100-square-kilometer strip in the south—amounting to 55% of southern Lebanon and 11% of the country's total area,' Qassem pointed out. Regarding the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah's SG noted that the group has abided by the indirect ceasefire agreement with Israel, even as Israeli forces committed over 3,300 violations, urging the Lebanese government to adopt stronger diplomatic stances at both domestic and international levels. 'Failure to confront the aggression could push Hezbollah to consider alternative courses of action. We give the state time to act, but we are prepared for all scenarios,' Qassem affirmed. He accused the US of 'interfering in Lebanese sovereignty and pressuring national leaders to accept Israeli conditions,' placing full responsibility for the ongoing violence on Washington for enabling Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Gaza, and beyond. He asserted that Lebanon faces a binary choice: 'victory or martyrdom,' and rejected any form of submission or threat. In a pointed message to US President Donald Trump, Qassem urged him to 'seize the opportunity of a lifetime' to break free from Israeli influence, warning that continued American backing for Israel undermines regional stability. 'Either Lebanon as a whole enjoys stability, or none of it does,' Hezbollah's leader added, emphasizing the need for unified national action. Qassem concluded by calling on the Lebanese government to accelerate post-war reconstruction efforts. He advocated for launching a national reconstruction fund, highlighting expressions of support from countries such as Iraq and Iran, which he said are ready to assist once Lebanon takes the initiative.
