Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Tehran Times: Iran and the United States are ready to start new negotiations.
The source told SANA that the government calls on the SDF to engage in implementing the March 10 agreement and urges international mediators to move all negotiations to Damascus.
The source told SANA that the conference violates the commitments the Syrian government has begun implementing, including the formation of a transitional justice body and the dialogue process.
A Syrian source told SANA that the government considers this conference an attempt to internationalize Syrian affairs, invite foreign intervention, and reimpose sanctions.
A Syrian government source told SANA that the Syrian government will not participate in planned meetings with the Syrian Democratic Forces in Paris.
TASS news agency, citing a Kremlin official: Putin and Trump will meet in Alaska on August 15.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle on Zahrani - Tyre Highway.
Israeli media: Israeli Prime Minister's Office: The security cabinet has approved Netanyahu's proposal on Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Lebanese Council of Ministers approved the general objectives of the US paper unanimously by the ministers who remained in the session.
Hezbollah, Amal Movement ministers withdraw from the Lebanese cabinet session as it discusses the proposal of US envoy Tom Barrack.

Exclusive: Hamas says Rafah brigades have a surprise in store

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Abdallah Debian
  • 25 Apr 2024 15:25
  • 4 Shares
8 Min Read

Ali Baraka, the head of Hamas' Foreign Relations Department, underscores that while the Rafah Brigades have refrained from direct involvement, they have diligently upheld their equipment and capabilities.

  • x
  • Illustrative: Ali Baraka, head of Hamas' Foreign Relations Department pointing at an area in besieged Gaza (Hawraa Ali / Al Mayadeen Net)
    Ali Baraka, head of Hamas' Foreign Relations Department pointing at an area in besieged Gaza. (Al Mayadeen Net; Illustrated by Hawraa Ali)

The Rafah brigades have not yet been involved in the ongoing war, however, they are prepared for a potential confrontation, Ali Baraka, the head of Hamas' Foreign Relations Department, told Al Mayadeen Net on Wednesday.

Baraka emphasized that despite them still not having participated, the Rafah Brigades have maintained their equipment and capabilities, leveraging experience gained from previous battles.

He cautioned that any Israeli invasion of Rafah should expect significant losses in terms of personnel and military assets.

Commenting on tunnel warfare, Baraka affirmed that the IOF were unable to enter and act offensively inside the Hamas tunnel network.

He further detailed that Palestinian fighters used the tunnels to carry out operations, with the network spread underground from North to South, assuring that the enemy had been taken aback by Palestinian weaponry.

Currently, the IOF are engaged in a war of attrition and find themselves trapped in Gaza. 

The top Hamas official said that the enemy experienced two surprises in this ongoing battle: the first occurred on October 7, and yesterday saw the resignation of Aharon Haliva, the head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate Aman, acknowledging his failure to anticipate such a significant attack. The second surprise was the unexpected strength displayed by Resistance forces in ground combat.

Is the US helpless against 'Israel'?

On Hamas' military capabilities, Baraka affirmed that the Palestinian Resistance has shifted towards local manufacturing and has utilized time effectively.

"Over the past 10 years, preparations have been made for this battle, with the Resistance benefiting from the experiences of allies in Syria and Iran, who assisted in transferring military technology," he stressed.

Regarding the airdrop of aid, he commented, "Firstly, we do not prohibit aid from anyone, as the hungry seek to secure food and medicine for their families. But why drop aid from the air? Are America, along with Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, so helpless against Israel that they are unable to deliver aid through the Rafah or Kerem Shalom crossings? It's part of Israel's policy of starvation and humiliation."

Elsewhere in his remarks, he emphasized the urgent need for Arab nations to provide aid, stressing the requirement for 500 trucks daily. He further urged for immediate action, calling for an Arab delegation to cross the Rafah crossing, reminiscent of the 2012 event that broke the siege on the Palestinian people.

Baraka's plea extended to the populace, urging thousands to mobilize and facilitate the delivery of essential medicine and food.

Supporting fronts paralyzed and disrupted IOF

After the 1,998 operations conducted by all supporting fronts in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq during the 200 days of aggression, Baraka affirmed that these were "real fronts" in the war, disrupting and paralyzing the enemy.

He also stressed that the enemy is constrained in the Lebanese front, realizing that after its failure in Gaza, it could not open a new front.

The Lebanese front has presented more than 300 martyrs, immobilizing the movement of the occupying army, which was forced to transfer four brigades from the South to the North, relieving pressure on the Gaza front, he further contended.

"This also led to the displacement of more than 100,000 settlers from al-Jalil [Galilee], with material losses exceeding a billion dollars, in addition to the paralysis of economic activity in the North. If you monitor the past week's development, starting with the Arab al-Aramshe Operation, you will notice that the Resistance is conducting important operations, and the Zionist enemy is considering the Resistance's moves a thousand times," Baraka told Al Mayadeen Net.

Related News

200+ global leaders call UN to end Israeli apartheid, impunity

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Gaza Saturday

He added, "The enemy realizes that after its failure in the Gaza Strip, it cannot open a major front because the Lebanese Resistance is larger and stronger due to the open supply from Syria and Iran, unlike besieged Gaza."

Yemen shut down port of Eilat

Regarding the Yemeni front, Baraka elaborated that Ansar Allah disrupted Red Sea navigation, shut down the Israeli port of Eilat and also blocked ships from delivering goods to "Israel", causing an international crisis.

The actions undertaken have offered crucial aid and relief to the residents of Gaza, as per Baraka.

Additionally, he extended his regards to Yemen, "a nation enduring a prolonged siege and grappling with a US-led Arab struggle."

Despite Yemen's challenges, the nation remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing that the captives held by the Yemeni Armed Forces are bound to the solution put forward by the Al-Qassam Brigades, he stressed.

He further mentioned that the Iraqi Resistance, which, despite disagreements with the government, has targeted US bases with rockets and drones, affirming that Gaza is not alone.

Iranian drones paved the way for a new front 

During the exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen Net, Baraka spoke extensively about what he described as "the night of the drones" over al-Quds and Palestine, elaborating on "the Iranian response, which was a strategic response that greatly impacted the Zionist entity."

"There was a difficult psychological situation, if we may say so. The drones arrived, flew, sent images and information, and revealed who stands with the occupation in any upcoming war," he tersely stated.

As he describes what happened as a "live maneuver," he says, "Our people in Palestine rejoiced to see allied rockets lighting up the sky of al-Quds, sending a strong message to our people, and that itself sufficient."

The top Hamas official emphasized that the Iranian strike is no less important than Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which paved the way for the upcoming liberation battle.

'Why do u blame Iran?'

As he sarcastically asked, "Why do you blame Iran?" Baraka clarified that its leadership did not claim that this strike would liberate Palestine, but rather it was a punishment for the attack on its consulate in Damascus. 

"The Iranian strike revealed that Israel cannot defend itself alone and exposed its psychological weakness. Contrary to what they claim, the strike achieved its objectives excellently and boosted morale regarding a new front," he stated.

Regarding what was said to be an Israeli response, he commented, "What happened was a farce, consisting of three small drones launched from somewhere inside Iran by US and Israeli agents and then amplified in the media."

Unified Resistance: Factions stand firm in West Bank confrontation

The senior Hamas official additionally disclosed that Israeli plans are underway for the occupied West Bank, involving killings, house demolitions, and the burning of farms and vehicles, aimed at compelling large-scale displacement to Jordan.

He warned, "This is a real and serious matter. Therefore, now the Palestinian Resistance [with all its factions] has decided to confront the occupation in the West Bank and face settlement projects and displacement." 

"This is a real and serious issue. Therefore, the Palestinian Resistance, along with all its factions, has now decided to confront the occupation in the West Bank and oppose settlement projects and displacement," he cautioned. 

Furthermore, Baraka has offered insights into the ongoing negotiations, suggesting that the US administration is grappling with Israeli pressure tactics.

He indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refrains from responding to Iran due to purported support from the US against Resistance movements like Hamas in Gaza. This stance, according to Baraka, stems from US concerns about regional stability and its interests, thus seeking to prevent further escalation in the region.

"The Americans are now complicit in Israeli war crimes in Gaza. They are the ones covering and arming the occupation, thus succumbing to Israeli blackmail and decisions," he stressed.

He concluded by clarifying, "Qatar did not ask the Hamas leadership to leave; there is a welcoming, embracing, and strict security protection for Hamas there, because the enemy threatened and pressured Doha and blackmailed it, and Netanyahu's government wants it to pressure Hamas, so rumors were spread." 

Read next: Source close to Hamas: No pressure on Hamas to leave Qatar: Exclusive

  • war on Gaza
  • Iraq
  • Hamas movement
  • Gaza genocide
  • Rafah Brigade
  • West Bank
  • Yemen
  • Ali Baraka
  • Lebanon
  • Hamas
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Shiekh Naim Qassem giving a speech commemorating the anniversay of martyr Mohammed Saeed Izadi, August 5, 2025, in Lebanon

Sheikh Qassem threatens 'Israel', warns against foreign intervention

  • Politics
  • 5 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
Hezbollah says disarming Resistance is a blow to Lebanon’s sovereignty

Hezbollah to overlook cabinet decision; Amal urges corrective approach

  • Politics
  • 6 Aug 2025
India halts $3.6B Boeing deal after Trump slaps harsh tariffs

India halts $3.6bln Boeing deal following Trump's harsh tariffs

  • Economy
  • 6 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People observe a minute of silence at the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park, during a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the day an atomic bomb was dropped on Japanese southwestern city, in Nagasaki, Japan Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Nagasaki mayor warns of nuclear war on 80th anniversary of atomic bomb

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Friday, August 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UK hires US firm for Gaza surveillance flights amid Israeli genocide

Palestinian women mourn over the body of their father, who was killed while trying to reach aid trucks entering northern Gaza Strip through the Zikim, Gaza City, Occupied Palestine, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Aid site massacres continue in Gaza, death toll reaches 61,369

A member of a Palestinian excavation team works in a newly discovered Roman era cemetery in the Gaza Strip, Sunday, December 11, 2022 (AP)
Arts and Culture

Paris exhibition showcases 5,000 years of Gaza history, rare artifacts

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS