Lebanon mourned martyr Ahmed Qassas, who was killed on Wednesday after a truck belonging to the Resistance overturned on the Kahaleh roads and was attacked by some militants. Mourners raised banners reading, "Resistance is our choice."

On his part, the martyr's brother told Al Mayadeen that "some are attempting to sow discord between Muslims and Christians in Lebanon, and we will not allow that. The martyr fell in front of a church in Lebanon after lighting a candle in the church of Maalula," in reference to the Christian Syrian town that Hezbollah, including the martyr, defended in the face of terrorism. 

"Some are attempting to sow discord between Muslims and Christians in #Lebanon, and we will not allow that. The martyr fell in front of a church in Lebanon after lighting a candle in the church of Maalula."

Martyr Ahmed Ali Qassas's brother to #AlMayadeen.#الكحالة https://t.co/Bu3nbZEaXi

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 10, 2023

In the same context, the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc condemned, in a statement, the sudden emergence of militias in the Kahaleh region after the truck overturned and its members were assaulted in an attempt to seize the truck.

The bloc indicated that the latest tension and its aftermath are left to ongoing investigations to confirm the facts, identify the implicated, and bring them to justice.

The statement considered that Wednesday's incident came as a result of "stupid and hateful incitement and mobilization, which constitutes a sedition material that those involved in anti-Lebanon projects work to employ."

The Loyalty to the Resistance bloc pointed out that the series of complex internal problems revealed that the enemy was and is still trying to take advantage of opportunities to restore its broken puppet.

On his part, former Lebanese President Michel Aoun confirmed today, Thursday, that the incitement that prevailed during and after the Kahaleh incident "almost ignited strife, which we might know how it begins, but we can never know how it ends."

On his official page on X (formerly Twitter), Aoun called for calm instead of incitement and for "building bridges of trust instead of spreading hatred," calling on the Lebanese to wait for the results of the investigation.

Aoun also pointed out that "if the structure falls, no one will be spared, especially in the circumstances surrounding us as Lebanese," stressing that there is no savior in these moments of turmoil "except national unity," stressing the necessity of adhering to it.

The funeral procession for martyr Ahmed Qassas begins in the southern suburb of #Beirut.#Lebanon #الكحالة https://t.co/xe9KqZtELT

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 10, 2023

On Wednesday, Hezbollah issued a statement clarifying the nature of what occurred at the Kahaleh road in the Aley region in Mount Lebanon Governorate.

According to the Lebanese Resistance party, while one of its trucks was on its way to Beirut coming from Bekaa, the vehicle overturned on the road in the Kahaleh area, east of Beirut.

While personnel involved with delivering the truck were making phone calls requesting assistance to get it back on the road so that it continues to its designated destination, a number of armed individuals from the militias in the region gathered and attacked the Resistance members in an attempt to seize the truck.

Hezbollah's statement continued, "The gunmen first started throwing stones [at the vehicle's personnel] and then opened fire, which resulted in the injury of one of our brothers charged with guarding the truck, and he was martyred shortly after reaching the hospital."

Footage circulating on social media revealed that an armed militant initiated the fire exchange by shooting at the Hezbollah member who was later martyred.

"An exchange of fire with the attacking [militants] took place, after which a force from the Lebanese army intervened and prevented these gunmen from approaching or seizing the truck," the statement continued.

The party concluded that "contacts are still underway to address the issue."

Likewise, the Lebanese Army noted in a statement that a clash took place between the escorts of the truck that was "carrying ammunition, and the people of Kahaleh, which resulted in two deaths," adding that an army force arrived on-site "and worked to contain the problem, and the truck's load was transferred to a military center, while an investigation was launched under the supervision of the relevant judiciary."

Moreover, the Lebanese Army added that "on 8/10/2023 at four o'clock in the morning, the army lifted the truck and opened the road in both directions, while other army members continued to monitor the situation and take appropriate security measures."

During the funeral ceremony in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Qassas' cousin told Al Mayadeen that "the martyr Ahmed and his ilk are the ones who represent the values ​​of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary," calling on media sowing sedition and some of the nation's MPs "to appeal to their consciences because the weapon of Resistance protects Lebanon."

"We present this sacrifice to our country."

Martyr Ahmed Qassas's cousin shared with #AlMayadeen how the Resistance fighter defended Maaloula in #Syria against the terrorist attack on the city.

Qassas was martyred yesterday after a truck overturned on the Al-Kahaleh roads, in… pic.twitter.com/gRsk5BUt2u

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 10, 2023

He pointed out that "the advocates of sedition were benefiting the Israeli enemy," stressing that "our [the Resistance's] duty is to protect coexistence as well as the weapon that protected Lebanon with our [the Resistance fighters'] blood."

He underlined that martyr Qassas dedicated himself to defending Christian sanctities before Islamic ones.

"Martyr Ahmed was a patriot who dedicated himself to defending Christian sanctities even before Islamic ones. Those who embody the values of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary are martyrs like Ahmed and his likes, not those calling for strife."

- Martyr Ahmed Qassas's cousin to… https://t.co/0dMakK9FH0

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 10, 2023

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati had called on parties to "exercise wisdom and calmness and not be drawn into impulsive reactions and wait for the outcome of the ongoing investigations."

In the same context, the Lebanese Patriotic and National Parties' Congress considered that "the armed attack carried out by criminal elements of some militias previously known to have collaborated with the Zionist enemy confirms that they continue to operate in accordance with an external agenda that is contrary to Lebanon's interest, stability and security."

Elsewhere, Lebanon’s Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan underlined that the history of resistance is proof that the latter aims to ensure security, safety, and protection for Lebanon's sovereignty, far from interior and sectarian interests.