Hezbollah Media Relations Chief Mohammad Afif was martyred today following an Israeli airstrike on a building belonging to the Baath Party in the Ras al-Nabaa area of central Beirut on Sunday. The Secretary-General of the Arab Socialist Baath Party in Lebanon, Ali Hijazi, confirmed to Al Mayadeen that Afif was present in the building at the time of the attack. 

In an interview with Al Mayadeen, Hijazi revealed that Afif had received threats directly on local and regional media platforms. He stated that the ongoing targeting of figures like Afif aims to "silence the voice of the resistance both politically and across all levels, as this voice exposes [Israel]."

Hijazi emphasized that Afif was a media figure, not a combatant, noting, "He did not lead a military unit in Hezbollah; rather, he was the head of a media unit."

He explained that the targeted building is owned and used by the Baath Party and confirmed there were no civilians inside at the time. He added that the party has frequently held meetings in this building throughout the current war, a fact well-known to all.

"We stand with the resistance, and this resistance will prevail, whether we survive or not," he asserted in an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen.

#بالفيديو | مشاهد جديدة للمبنى المستهدف في منطقة رأس النبع في العاصمة بيروت.#الميادين_لبنان #لبنان pic.twitter.com/7qxxRWR3yW

— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) November 17, 2024

Hijazi also noted that the attack aligns with ongoing threats since the beginning of the war, revealing that a detainee accused of collaborating with the Israeli occupation had admitted two months before being tasked with photographing the Baath Party's headquarters.

According to an Al Mayadeen correspondent, the Israeli strike killed at least five people at the Baath Party's headquarters in Ras al-Nabaa.

Commenting on the announcement, member of the Lebanese Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, Hussein al-Jishi told Al Mayadeen that the latest Israeli aggression aims to pressure the Resistance's popular base and distance it from the fighters as [the enemy] grows incapable on the battlefield.

Al-Jishi pointed out that the targeting of a media spokesperson who "always carries his phone along with him" is further evidence of "Israel's" weakness, adding that there is nothing brave or heroic in such actions.

"We have two constants, the first is the preservation of our sovereignty, and the second is that we don't negotiate under fire," he underlined.

Hezbollah mourns martyr Mohammad Afif Nabulsi

Hezbollah released an official statement Sunday evening mourning Hajj Mohammad Afif al-Nabulsi.

In its heartfelt statement, the Resistance said, "Hajj Mohamad Afif has joined, as he had wished, his companions...and his father who loved to call him by that name [Mohammad Afif], the most honored martyr his Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. He sought strength from his wisdom, and from his guidance a beacon to light his path. He was the example of a loyal brother and strong pillar, carrying the trust of the voice of the Resistance, and a main pillar of Hezbollah's media, political and military struggle," the Resistance said in its statement.

Hezbollah further eulogized the martyr, saying how he "struck fear into the enemies' hearts, as his voice played the strings of the death of their decrepit house...reporting what the men of Karbala did in the battlefield, portraying their epics in the media, thus making him a true lion of media as his voice rang true and loud in their ears and hearts as he said, 'the Resistance is a nation, and nations do not die."

Iran eulogizes Martyr Mohammad Afif

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly denounced the assassination of Martyr Mohammad Afif as yet another "terroristic Zionist aggression" that further confirms the inhumane nature of the occupation. 

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The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghaei, mourned Afif as the "voice of the Lebanese people, and a symbol of faith in the mission of enlightening the public opinion regarding the enemy entity's oppression." 

Martyr Mohammad Afif "struggled until the final moments of his blessed life to echo the voices of the righteous and oppressed people of Lebanon and Palestine for the world to hear," he eulogized. 

Yemen mourns Hajj Afif

The Sanaa Government's Minister of Information, Hashem Sharaf al-Din, extended his deepest condolences and sincerest congratulations to Hezbollah's leaders and cadres, and the family of Hajj Mohammad Afif upon his martyrdom. 

He hailed Martyr Afif's role in Hezbollah's media Jihad, stating that the Resistance's media machine was a model of objectivity, responsibility, truthfulness, and respect. 

The Yemeni Almasirah media network mourned Hajj Afif, affirming that the Israeli crime came amid the occupation's depletion and failure to confront the voice of truth.

"Martyr Afif had an honest and valiant voice in the darkest circumstances and over the years he bore the responsibility of Hezbollah’s media relations, and his martyrdom will not prevent Hezbollah’s bright media message from reaching what it needs to reach."

The network further stressed that his martyrdom will not break Hezbollah's connections with the free and honorable media in every corner of the world, adding that "The blood of the faithful is fuel to complete the process of media Jihad and spread the spirit of giving in the responsible media body."

Palestinian resistance factions mourn martyr Afif

Hamas movement 

The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, strongly condemned the Israeli occupation’s crime, emphasizing that the assassination of a prominent political media figure will not silence the voice of the resistance.

The movement highlighted that martyr Afif, with his bold media appearances from the heart of Beirut's Southern Suburb during the height of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, was "a powerful and defiant voice of Resistance," adding that he disrupted the occupation and its failed system, exposed its crimes, and struck at the core of its false narrative and malicious propaganda.

Hamas also emphasized that the occupation's assassination of martyr Afif "exposes the depth of the moral abyss the occupation is in, and its intolerance of the word 'resistance,' just as its settlements, sites, and barracks are under threat from resistance missiles and drones."

Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement (PIJ)

In turn, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement (PIJ) offered its condolences and congratulations to the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, and the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon for the martyrdom of Afif, stressing that this aggression "will only make the resistance more steadfast."

The PIJ stated that this targeting is part of the occupation's ongoing strategy of committing massacres, representing a blatant violation of all humanitarian and moral standards, both in Lebanon and Palestine.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) affirmed that martyr Afif was known for his immense courage and public presence in defending the Resistance's cause. Despite facing threats of assassination from the occupation, he continued to advocate for the Resistance and disseminate its positions through press conferences.

The PFLP added that the martyred leader "was always a symbol of steadfastness in his principles and an unwavering belief in the resistance’s ability to triumph, driven by determination and an unyielding will to confront the occupation and its plans."

The Front further emphasized that martyr Afif possessed exceptional media acumen, skillfully exposing and dismantling the occupation's false narratives. It stressed that he not only highlighted the resistance's strength, but also clarified the party's political and military positions throughout the war.

Palestinian Mujahideen Movement

The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement confirmed that the martyred leader "embodied a living example of steadfastness, courage, and defiance against the criminal enemy," recalling his long history of resisting the occupation, particularly during this battle.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command also regarded the assassination of martyr Afif as "a clear indication of the decay, failure, and fear plaguing the enemy's leaders."

Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine extended its condolences to the family of the martyr and Hezbollah, commending the vital role played by the media in exposing the occupation’s crimes and massacres. They emphasized that the resilience of the Resistance, its immense sacrifices, and its steadfastness on the frontlines "will ultimately lead to victory over the occupation and thwart its objectives."

The Front emphasized that the occupation's relentless targeting of media bodies is intended to conceal its crimes. It reflects a state of failure and desperation, with the occupation making futile attempts to silence the voice of resistance after its "repeated inability to confront the heroes of the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine."

Fatah al-Intifada Movement

The Fatah al-Intifada Movement, in a press statement by its Central Committee member Abdul Majeed Shadid, condemned the assassination of martyr Afif, emphasizing that it was an attempt to silence the voice of resistance.