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The Arab National Youth Camp tours South Lebanon

By Abdullah Debian
Source: Al Mayadeen Net
29 Aug 2023 00:49
2 Shares

This experience, etched in their memories and journals, recounts the fall of an occupation army once deemed "invincible".

Yara Akhli waves a Palestinian flag at the Lebanese border with Palestine. (Illustrated by: Ali Hadi Shmeis, Al Mayadeen)

The 20-year-old Tunisian woman Altaf could not hold back her tears as she choked up, apologized, wiped her tears, and said, "Thank you... Your question stirred genuine emotions within me!"

Altaf spoke to me on behalf of the Tunisian delegation within the Arab National Youth Camp, which visited the Southern Lebanese border with occupied Palestine as part of a series of events that the Arab Youth movement had organized in Lebanon.

"God willing, we will live to see the day of Palestine's liberation, through Arab youth, [specifically] the new generation, and Arab unity. The descendants of the Arab Maghreb stand hand in hand with Palestine and believe me "Israel" is fragile from within. Normalization with the enemy will never happen."

One hundred twenty participants sang Palestinian national songs as they waved Palestinian flags.

"They [the flags] represent the Arab nation," said one Egyptian activist.

Yara, a Palestinian from the West Bank, immediately captured my attention. Beyond the uniqueness of her journey, which saw her travel from the occupied West Bank through Jordan until she finally arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, to partake in the camp. Her vibrant aura and boundless energy were truly striking.

"I feel proud about the liberated land we're standing on, and at the same time, I feel a sense of frustration and sadness for the land that hasn't yet been liberated," Yara told Al Mayadeen Net.

But with confidence, she lifts her eyes to the sky, and her eloquently spoken words flow, "Liberation is coming, Allah willing, by our hands and our generation's efforts. Today, Palestinians are stronger in the West Bank, Al-Khalil, Jenin, and Al-Quds. May we meet at Al-Aqsa soon... We put our trust in Palestinian [Resistance] operations and youth, such as the Lion's Den group [a Resistance group in the West Bank]."

"The entity ["Israel"] is in its weakest and most fragile state. Yes, "Israel" is deteriorating, and its institutions are in a miserable state."

Participants from Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Oman, Jordan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon took part in the event, which commemorated the Egyptian martyr Mohammad Salah Ibrahim, who was killed by Israeli forces after carrying out an operation at the Palestinian-Egyptian border.

It's not coincidental that the Arab Youth meeting took place in Lebanon, the country that liberated its territories from Israeli occupation in 2000 and triumphed over the occupation's aggression in 2006. The event also took place just before the sixth anniversary of the second liberation of Lebanon from terrorists.

The Secretary of Arab Relations for Hezbollah, Abbas Kdouh, affirmed that the presence of the Arab youth at the borders of Palestine is evidence of the continued support of Arabs for Palestine and its cause.

The camp's director, Mohamed Ismail from Egypt, believed that this day is the most important in the participants' visit program, as they "visit the liberated South and breathe Palestine's air."

Shebaa: Here the Resistance captured enemy soldiers

In Al-Arqoub near the occupied Shebaa Farms and the Israeli "Al-Alam" intelligence site, the youth set up their camp. I heard voices around me say, "Look at the occupation's flag! What are those armored vehicles and white military equipment?" The participants couldn't hold back their astonishment.

The delegation members found themselves in an area near a gate only a few meters away from Palestine. Here, the Lebanese Resistance captured three enemy soldiers on October 7, 2000, to later undergo fierce negotiations resulting in the release of 431 prisoners, including 400 Palestinians and 23 Lebanese nationals.

Only the sight of that giant mast carrying the massive Palestinian flag, meters away from the occupation site, managed to calm the youths surrounding me. We then noticed several vehicles approaching the area. We knew that these were Hezbollah fighters, the group that strikes fear into the hearts of Israeli soldiers.

Testimonies from the event

Young Yemeni Taysir Khater said, "We consistently advocate for the liberation of Arab territories, and our aspiration is that one day we will play an impactful role in the liberation process, be it through our ideas or armed struggle. From the very day I came to this world, thoughts of Palestine and Al-Quds have been ever-present in my mind."

Head of the Yemeni delegation, Buthayna Yassin, said, "Yemenis have always been supportive of the Palestinian cause. Our feelings are indescribable, and as Yemenis, we are proud of the Resistance. We stand with Palestine and Lebanon against the Israeli enemy. Nationalism and Arab identity are essential in Yemen, and the Yemeni people love heroism and freedom and will continue to support the oppressed."

Amir Al-Mousawi from Iraq said, "Having witnessed what we have, our conviction in praying in Al-Quds and its eventual liberation through the efforts of the youth has been profoundly reinforced, with Allah's grace. In the present day, even isolated Palestinian operations hold immense significance, conducted by those lone wolves who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to dismantle the occupation and convey a resounding message that their reign is fleeting, Allah willing."

Ahmad Al-Shammari, the representative of the Iraqi delegation, said, "Palestine means a lot to us, as we, the youth, are interested in its liberation. Outlets like Al Mayadeen wield substantial influence to this end. In the present context, our struggle encompasses the intellectual, cultural, and existential realms. These multifaceted efforts play a pivotal role in fostering a profound affection for the cause."

Ahmad Adwan, a representative of the Jordanian camp taking part in the proceedings, said, "The Arab youth stand educated and hold a collective aspiration for unity and substantive transformation, aiming to reclaim the land that has been unjustly taken from us. With each camp accommodating between 150 to 160 young individuals, this gathering serves as a unifying force, bringing together diverse backgrounds. Following their camp experience, these youth return to their respective nations free of conflicts, sectarianism, racism, and ethnic divisions."

Lebanon does not play games

The next station was Fatima Gate at the village of Kfar Kila, adjacent to the Palestinian-Lebanese border. The delegation looked upon the illegal "Mutella" settlement, the closest point from which Israeli settlers and soldiers could be seen in Lebanon.

The settlers of "Mutella" lead lives infused with a perpetual sense of anxiety and fear as they are always aware that Lebanon remains an enduring specter of threat, perpetuating a state of unease in their daily lives.

On the way to Maroun al-Ras, the sheer quantity of construction sites on the Lebanese side of the border caught the delegation's attention.

A young woman commented, "How is this massive villa just meters away from the enemies? Is he [the property's owner] not afraid of the Israelis?" Her Lebanese companion confidently responded, "Sister, the construction of residential buildings so close to the border is yet another form of our country's resistance against Israel."

Maroun Al-Ras; an icon of Lebanese Resistance

"Maroun al-Ras greyed the hair of the enemy's leaders," said a Syrian young man. His companion asked, "How so?", and he responded, "I always hear that. The steadfastness of the small town prevented the Israeli army from occupying Bint Jbeil and Southen Lebanon in 2006."

An officer from the Resistance escorting the group explained how the Resistance did so during one of the decisive battles that repelled the 2006 aggression on Lebanon.

"In this area, in the highlands of Al-Jaleel, there are important areas such as Mount Meron. Eastward, we find Mount Biriya, which houses the enemy's missile system known as the Patriot system."

He continues, "Behind this range lies the Palestinian cities of Safad and Tabaraya, just 16 km away from where we are standing. At this front, the IOF deploy their 'Adimim' battalion and host two sites which are the Sadeh site and the Hadeb site."

"A paved road and a technical fence divides Lebanese and occupied Palestinian territories. The fence includes several sensors that alert the occupation of any vibrations or movements. Despite all these possibilities and the close distance to Maroun al-Ras, the enemy tried to invade and take control of the town, thinking it was an easy target. But one of the most important achievements of the July victory was to shake and weaken Israeli confidence."

He then revealed, "In this area, elite brigades and paratroopers gathered, trying to enter the small town of Maroun al-Ras, but a historic and divine victory occurred there. The number of fighters positioned in Maroun al-Ras was 25, while the enemy attacked with two battalions that were destroyed alongside their armored vehicles... The name of the Israeli operation was 'Steel Threads,' and we saw this steel melt during the battle."

He concludes, affirming to the delegation that in 2006, "Our capabilities were modest, and now, praise to God, our capacities have merged with the Axis of Resistance. God willing, in the future, we won't only melt steel threads [Armored Vehicles] on Lebanese soil, but also on Palestinian land."

After everyone had lunch, there was a new round of interaction with the youth:

Amira Abdel Fattah, a journalist from Egypt, said, "Upon my initial encounter, my heart reverberated, resonating with the depth of emotion as I stood on our soil, within our boundaries. The sight of the flag of the Zionist entity provoked me deeply. However, as an Egyptian, I firmly declare that the land shall be reclaimed by any means possible. The principle stands unwavering, while the approach remains adaptable. It may be that in the future, as circumstances shift and a wider array of factors come into play, armed resistance emerges as the most fitting course of action."

Dima from Syria said, "In this place, my emotions are intertwined with a profound sense of belonging to our compatriots in Palestine—a unity that transcends physical borders and connects us as integral parts of a whole. The southern region holds a unique significance due to its proximity to our beloved homeland, Palestine. Today's symbolic visit pays homage to the South, a pivotal starting point for the courageous journey of Resistance leading toward liberation."

Zakaria Mohammed from Algeria said, "For me, Palestine is a holy land, and I'm overwhelmed with emotion when I look at it. God willing, it will be liberated soon with our generation, through unity or as a result of injustice, as the late President Houari Boumediene said... 'Despite pressures, Algeria always stands with Palestine.'"

Farah Al-Khalil from Jordan said, "I hope that all obstacles will be removed, and we will enter Palestine."

Mo'men from Egypt said, "This is the first time I stand in such a place. God willing, the Arab nations are capable of assisting in the quest for the liberation of Palestine, as the late leader Gamal Abdel Nasser used to say: 'What is taken by force can only be retrieved by force.'"

A young man from Lebanon took note of the Palestinian prisoners and proudly mentioned the "unforgettable" Gilboa prisoners who snatched their freedom. He also praised the role of Al Mayadeen in shedding light on the prisoners' ordeals.

Mleeta: Our final destination

The tour concluded at the tourist landmark of Mleeta, with scenes of enemy tanks in the abyss. We entered the underground tunnels that the Resistance had entered, which shed light on the difficult living conditions they experienced during the 2006 July War, as they carried out their work under Israeli bombardment and challenging weather conditions.

The Arab youth retraced their steps back to their camp, with an air of exhilaration and pride enveloping them. Yet, words failed to capture the essence of what their cameras had immortalized and their own eyes had witnessed. However, above all, a transformation occurred within their spirits, an exchange transpired within their hearts, a profound memory was etched, and a narrative took shape in their chronicles—an account of the impact wielded by a diminutive Arab nation that triumphed over what was once dubbed the "invincible army."

On September 2, these young individuals will journey back to their homelands, carrying tales brimming with sentiment and tears of elation, adorned with the vision of Palestine and an Arab soil freed by the hands of its valiant warriors. In truth, what transpires post their visit to southern Lebanon is an evolution, a metamorphosis in their perception, distinct from what existed before it...!

Translated by: Ali Halawi