Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Denounces Hamas’ Arrest, Assault of Colleague

Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)
Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)
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Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Denounces Hamas’ Arrest, Assault of Colleague

Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)
Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate strongly condemned the arrest and assault of Hani Abu Rizk, a correspondent of Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda newspaper, by Hamas police during his filming of people marking the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Al-Saraya Square in Gaza City.

In a statement, the Syndicate voiced deep concern over the incident.

It said police were aware that Abu Rizk was a journalist when they assaulted him. It held the police fully responsible for the “brutal attack” that violates freedom of journalistic work, demanding an apology.

Abu Rizk is a journalist who covers humanitarian stories and the sufferings of people in the Gaza Strip. He covered a story about how Hamas movement police had demolished the house of a Palestinian man in the Gaza Strip.

Abu Al-Saeed Al-Masry, a cancer patient, was living in a residential complex with his brothers. A local businessman bought the complex, but Al-Masry refused to sell his home because of his medical condition.

A Hamas court ruled in favor of the businessman and ordered the immediate evacuation of the home and that compensation be paid to the owner, who still refused to sell.

The police ultimately carried out the court order and demolished the home, forcibly evicting the owners.

Abu Rizk was attacked for covering the story. He was summoned by Hamas police and arrested.

The Syndicate expressed its rejection of the assault and arrest, saying it will take all necessary action to avert similar acts from happening again.

It called on rights groups to condemn the attack and pressure Hamas to ensure that it would not commit them again.



Lebanese Army Awaits Political Decision to Implement UNSCR 1701

Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).
Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).
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Lebanese Army Awaits Political Decision to Implement UNSCR 1701

Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).
Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).

Discussions are underway on the role of the Lebanese army in maintaining security in South Lebanon amid rising optimism about a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701

As part of these preparations, the Lebanese government has begun strengthening the army by recruiting 1,500 new soldiers out of the 6,000 needed, aligning with the outcomes of the Paris Conference held on October 23, which allocated 200 million euros to support the military institution, from a broader package intended to help the Lebanese people during the Israel-Hezbollah war.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, a security official highlighted that the army currently has 4,500 personnel stationed south of the Litani River but requires additional manpower.

The unidentified official noted, however, that any effective deployment would require a political decision and government support. “The Lebanese military will implement Resolution 1701 as is, with no intention of clashing with any party. However, if Israel violates Lebanese sovereignty, the army is fully prepared to respond,” he said.

Although Hezbollah opposes withdrawing from south of the Litani and handing over border security duties to the Lebanese military and UNIFIL, claiming the army lacks the capabilities to defend against Israeli aggression, the security source clarified that the military has been authorized to repel any attacks but will avoid initiating conflict. The army’s expanded deployment depends on a political decision, which, once made, will see the military act without hesitation to uphold Lebanese sovereignty.

While military preparedness is essential, Brigadier General Wehbeh Qatisha argues that Lebanon’s security requires more than just troops or advanced weaponry at the border. The presence of the Lebanese military as a representative of the Lebanese state is also a significant deterrent. He pointed out that prior to 1970, Israel refrained from attacking Lebanon, despite a much smaller army. However, he cautioned that even with a substantial deployment today, the persistence of Hezbollah’s military presence would continue to undermine Lebanon’s stability and security.

Since the 1969 Cairo Agreement, which allowed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to launch operations against Israel from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army has been restricted in its ability to enforce security along the border. After the PLO’s departure in 1982, Hezbollah took over military operations in the South. Even after the 2006 war and the adoption of Resolution 1701, which called for the Lebanese military and UNIFIL to secure the border, Hezbollah retained its armed presence and continued to conduct exercises simulating conflict with Israel. The latter violated the international resolution thousands of times, until the last war broke out against the background of turning southern Lebanon into a front supporting Gaza.

Qatisha emphasized that the path to stability lies in comprehensive implementation of international resolutions, particularly 1701 and 1559, and restricting arms to the Lebanese army. He argued that achieving balanced deterrence requires not only military force but also a commitment to diplomacy and international support.