Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2024

Rising Palestinian Star "Hamas" in Lebanon With the Backing of "Hezbollah

Rising Palestinian Star "Hamas" in Lebanon With the Backing of "Hezbollah

Hamas's Position Shifts Significantly After "The Al-Aqsa Flood Operation".
Following Israel's announcement on Saturday that its operation in the Lebanese area of Jdeideh, which lies outside the conflict zone with "Hezbollah", aimed to assassinate Hamas leader Bassel Al-Saleh, in charge of recruiting in the West Bank, questions about the political and military movement's status inside Lebanon have resurfaced. This comes after a complete turnaround since the "Al-Aqsa Flood Operation" last October.

While Hamas's presence in Lebanon was confined to media activities, cultural events, and mass mobilization for many years, it began to ascend in security and military significance following an explosion in December 2022 at the Burj al-Shamali camp. At the time, it was suggested that a fire had started in a diesel storage site, which then spread to an ammunition store belonging to Hamas, a claim which the movement denied, referring to electrical friction in a storage area of COVID-19 protective equipment instead.

No military or security operations by the movement were recorded except within the framework of the joint security force in the "Ain al-Hilweh" Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. However, with the "Al-Aqsa Flood Operation" and Hezbollah's transformation of southern Lebanon into a support front for Gaza, the situation completely flipped. This led to the entry of "Al-Qassam Brigades", the military wing of the movement, along with other armed groups, into carrying out military operations and launching rockets from Lebanese territory, albeit under the supervision and control of Hezbollah. It was apparent that most of these groups, especially Hamas, reduced their operations and confined themselves to the party's jurisdiction.

After the assassination of Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh Al-Arouri in early January in Beirut's southern suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold, it was clear that the movement has made Lebanon a primary base for its political activities. Notably, Hamas's security and military presence has grown in Lebanon following the Syrian crisis and its significant fallout with the Syrian regime, leading to the dispersion of its political leaders among Doha and Turkey and the relocation of its security and military figures to Lebanon, particularly in the Saida region and some camps, but mainly in Beirut's southern suburb, which is assumed to be a safe haven for them.

Lebanon as a Platform for Hamas

According to the Shiite dissident Ali Al-Amin, "Lebanon forms a political, media, and to an extent a military platform for Hamas. It provides a space for its leaders under the protection of Hezbollah, and it is almost the only place outside Gaza where its leaders can hold press conferences without facing official objections. However, Israeli targeting of Hamas leaders and the assassination of Saleh Al-Arouri in Beirut nearly two months ago pose an obstacle to the idea of Lebanon becoming a refuge for the movement's leaders."

Palestinian researcher Hisham Dibsi agrees that "Lebanon is now, specifically, a political, media, and military field for Hamas, a development not previously present. The use of the Lebanese arena has escalated since the announcement of the 'unity of arenas' principle and the joint operations room and with the 'Al-Aqsa Flood Operation', where the movement for the first time exceeds political and media activity to engage in military operations." In a statement to "Asharq Al-Awsat," he pointed out that "this peaked with the announcement of forming the 'Vanguards of the Al-Aqsa Flood', a new militia capitalizing on the events in Gaza. Yet the Palestinian and Lebanese reaction made them scale back this formation. However, independent military activity for the movement in Lebanon would not be possible without the consent of Hezbollah and the facilitation they provide."

Al-Amin discusses several dimensions to Hamas's military aspect in Lebanon for "Asharq Al-Awsat", pointing out that "the first dimension is connected to imposing its control over Palestinian camps, which is and has always been on its agenda under Hezbollah's supervision. The second dimension is related to carrying out military operations against Israel, which has been openly active since the 'Al-Aqsa Flood Operation', but has since ceased, due to Hezbollah's calculations, which appears to have been the reason behind stopping the military activity of Hamas and Islamic Jihad."

In December, Hamas decided to establish a new formation called "The Vanguards of the Al-Aqsa Flood" in an effort to capitalize on the war in Gaza by increasing its popularity in the Palestinian camps and reinforcing its presence and role at the expense of the Fatah movement, which has long been considered the most prominent Palestinian faction in Lebanon.

Weak Security Incubation

Al-Amin points to an increased Palestinian public sympathy for the movement after the "Al-Aqsa Flood Operation", and to some extent the Lebanese sentiment, allowing Hamas to operate smoothly within the camps and within the Lebanese Sunni environment. It exceeded the size and presence before the operation.

Al-Amin notes that "Hamas's primary presence is inside the camps, but most of its leaders in Lebanon are located in areas under Hezbollah's security jurisdiction. Israeli targeting did not affect this presence but affected the movement's opportunities to expand within Lebanese soil, ending the chance for leaders from Qatar or Turkey to seek refuge in Lebanon due to the weak security incubation there and Israel's capacity to target them."

Dibsi refers to "the fundamental presence of the movement, whether political or military, inside Palestinian camps, a classic existence that has not changed after the 'Al-Aqsa Flood Operation', although there are some logistical centers agreed upon with Hezbollah outside the camps. There is also a presence of some cadres in the suburbs or elsewhere, but the ongoing strikes against these leaders since the assassination of Al-Arouri confirm that there is no safety for cadres or centers outside the camps."
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Russia’s Safe Haven: Bashar al-Assad Transferred Amid International Scrutiny
Israel's Delicate Balancing Act in Syrian Turmoil
Syrian Chemical Arsenal: A Looming Global Threat in Assad's Wake
Qatar's Democratic Dilemma: A Referendum on Representation
The Obsession That Could Divide: GB News and Its Singular Focus on UK Muslims
Anatomy of Regime Change: The Key Players in Syria's Tumultuous Fall
Syria After Assad: A Pyrrhic Victory with Uncertain Horizons
The Day After Assad: Can Syria Steer Clear of the Libyan Pitfall?
UAE Accelerates Quantum Computing Investment: A Leap into the Future
Geopolitical Chess: Trump's Reflections on Russia's Waned Syrian Influence
Iranian Embassy in Damascus Attacked Amidst Rising Tensions
A New Dawn in Syria: The Flag That Signals Change
Assad's Departure Signals New Epoch for Syria
Bridging Continents: The EU-GCC Summit's Strategic Dance
The Brussels Nexus: Balancing Energy, Economy, and Human Rights at the EU-GCC Summit
Dubai Ride 2024 Transforms Sheikh Zayed Road into Cycling Haven
UAE's Bold Leap into Space: Navigating Innovation and Ambition
UAE's Health Initiatives Pave the Way for Medical Breakthroughs and Global Partnerships
Piercing the Cosmic Veil: Abu Dhabi's Astronomical Breakthrough
Benralizumab: A Potential Milestone in Asthma Treatment
Navigating the Cosmos: UAE's Leap Toward Space Supremacy
Border Closures Echo Through the Middle East: The Syrian Conflict's New Chapter
Iran Releases Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Amidst Global Appeals
UAE's Celestial Events and Scientific Milestones Take Center Stage
Narges Mohammadi: A Temporary Reprieve in the Struggle for Freedom
Syria's Strategic Chokehold: The Tumultuous Fate of Homs
Syrian Rebels' Swift Offensive Threatens Assad's Regime
Aleppo's Revitalized Front: A Crucible for Russia's Middle Eastern Ambitions
Global Tensions Rise Amid Accusations, Advances, and Diplomatic Shifts
A Temporary Release: The Fragile Freedom of Iran's Narges Mohammadi
Syrian Rebels Make Major Gains in Aleppo
UK Intelligence Chief Warns: Iran's Nuclear Ambitions Pose Global Threat
Hezbollah Chief Declares 'Great Victory' Against Israel
Hamas Delegation Engages in Gaza Ceasefire Talks in Egypt
Rebel Advances Lead to Aleppo Airport Closure
France's Delicate Position on Netanyahu's ICC Arrest Warrant
Global Tensions Mount: Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Strained, International Calls for Free Expression, and Strategic Military Shifts
La Niña Devastates Indonesia, Military Corruption Unraveling in China, and Rising Tensions in Middle East: Global Briefing
Walmart Drops Diversity Initiatives Amid Broader Conservative Backlash; Global Drug Crackdown and More News Highlights
Global Tensions and Legal Battles: Mexican Trade Disputes, British Investigations, and India's Energy Challenges
Elon Musk's Call to Abolish CFPB, Trump's Controversial Appointments, and Global Tensions: Key Developments in Politics and Security
Ceasefire in Lebanon Tested Amidst U.S. Arms Sale to Israel and Ongoing Gaza Conflict
US and France Broker Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah as Regional Tensions Simmer
Tragedy at Sea: Egyptian Rescue Mission Unfolds Amidst Global Tensions and Legal Battles
Ukraine Seeks South Korean Weapons Aid Amid Russian Conflict; Global Tensions and Defense Shifts Unfold
Israeli Finance Minister Advocates Halving Gaza's Population
Israel and Lebanon Reach Ceasefire Agreement
UN Investigates Exploitation in Chad Refugee Camps as Middle Eastern and US Tensions Unfold
Historic Opportunity for Turkish-Kurdish Peace Talks as Global Tensions Rise
UK Campaigners Seek High Court Injunction on F-35 Parts to Israel Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
×