Al Mayadeen – November 7, 2024
Al-Houthi: US officials view spineless Arab leaders as 'dairy cows'
Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi criticized Arab regimes' response to Israeli aggression during his latest speech where he also discussed Trump's victory.
The leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abdul-Malik Badreddine al-Houthi, lamented Arab governments for their feeble response to the Israeli war of genocide against Palestinians, during a speech on Thursday
.
Sayyed al-Houthi started his speech with an overview of the horrific massacres committed by Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, specifically focusing on developments in the northern Gaza Strip.
"The Israeli enemy is committing genocidal crimes in the Gaza Strip, targeting all [essential] aspects of life, and has carried out more than 30 massacres within a week," the Yemeni leader explained.
The brutal crimes are specifically targeting the northern Gaza Strip, where the Israeli regime is blocking essential medical and food supplies from reaching the area and forcibly displacing civilians from the area.
"The occupation is relying on a policy of starvation to subjugate the Palestinian people," he said, highlighting it has opted to do so due to its military failures.
"Our Mujahideen brothers in the Gaza Strip are steadfast, united, and resilient, causing significant losses to the enemy in terms of personnel and equipment," emphasizing that "the occupation is diversifying its crimes in the face of its failure, and this does not represent any victory, no matter how many buildings it destroys."
"The occupation is committing daily crimes in Gaza, which should awaken the conscience of everyone who claims to belong to Islam or any religion," he underlined.
No Arab political stance matched the Palestinian tragedy
Regarding the Arab stance on the aggression against the Gaza Strip, Sayyed al-Houthi said, "The Arab position, for the most part, has not brought anything new, despite the ongoing crimes of the occupation, especially in the northern part of the Gaza Strip at present."
"The current Arab position of most regimes is dangerous, and it is tragic to see them merely as spectators of this suffering," he underscored.
Sayyed al-Houthi expressed that no Arab stance has matched the magnitude of the Palestinian tragedy and that some regimes continue to classify the Resistance as "terrorists."
He explained that "despite all the horrific crimes and violations of sacred sites committed by the occupation, these have not pushed some regimes to label it as a terrorist entity," adding that some Arab media outlets failed to properly classify the grave crimes and even shamefully support the enemy.
America supported the Balfour Declaration from the start
Sayyed al-Houthi then delved into the role of British colonialism in enforcing occupation in the region, saying, "Just as the British sold illusions, delusions, and promises to the Arabs, the Americans are playing the same role," adding, "British leaders used to tell those Arabs who stood with them and collaborated with them, 'You are fools; your problem is that you believed our promises.'"
He pointed out that the Zionist movement is supported by the Western powers in Britain, America, and Europe, emphasizing that "the Zionist project targets the Islamic and Arab worlds," and eyes their "land, honor, religion, and livelihood."
Britain implemented a plan to occupy Palestine without any provocation or hostile movements in most Arab countries, adding that one of the key factors that enabled the realization of the Balfour Declaration was the early American support for it.
He also noted that the Arab Ummah could incur significant losses as long as it continues to ignore, disregard, and turn a blind eye to the ongoing Western and Israeli aggression in the region.
American Presidents serve "Israel"
Regarding the United States presidential election, Sayyed al-Houthi said President-elect Donald Trump won the election "after confirming his commitment to supporting the (Israeli) entity, and he did so during his previous presidency."
"He was keen to provide the Israeli enemy with specific accomplishments and boasted that he did what no previous US president had done," Sayyed al-Houthi said about Trump.
He pointed out that "US presidents have taken turns in serving the Israeli enemy and the Zionist project."
"The criminal (Joe) Biden was keen, during his presidency, to provide all the support to the enemy, doing what no president before him had done," he added.
Sayyed al-Houthi sent a message to the Arabs who he said compete to show loyalty to American officials, saying: "They must realize that they are of no value to [them] and that [they] see them as 'dairy cattle.'"
Martyr Sayyed Nasrallah: An exceptional historic leader
Regarding the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah, Sayyed al-Houthi stated that "Hezbollah is another great model in jihad against the enemy, which thought it had solidified its control over Lebanon."
"Hezbollah overcame all difficulties and achieved victories, standing as a pillar for the Palestinian people," he said, adding "It stood firmly against the enemy, which launched an aggression with full American [cooperation]."
He also underlined that "the enemy is suffering defeats and losses at the hands of Hezbollah's Mujahideen," describing Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as "one of the exceptional historic leaders, a leader of the school of the brave who stood heroically in the face of the Israeli enemy."
He also saw that the latest speech of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, was "strong" and that the address confirmed that Hezbollah will remain on the same path that martyr Sayyed Nasrallah drew.
We will continue to escalate until the aggression stops
On the Yemeni front in support of the Resistance in the Gaza Strip, Sayyed al-Houthi stated that Yemeni operations continue to "target ships linked to the Israeli, American, and British enemies and Israeli positions in occupied Palestine. "
"The Yemeni forces will continue to escalate with everything they have and will strive to achieve greater and stronger objectives."
Furthermore, Sayyed al-Houthi called on the Yemeni people to continue their movement, activities, marches, and demonstrations, as part of their show of support to Palestine.
"A large turnout at the event tomorrow is of immense importance so that the Americans and all the tyrants of the world can hear [your voices] and affirm to our people that you are not deterred by any tyrant in this world," he told the Yemeni people.
"Your participation tomorrow confirms that we will never retreat from our position in supporting the Palestinian people and standing by them, no matter what challenges we face," he concluded.
Al Mayadeen – November 7, 2024
Will Trump’s 2nd term bring change to the US' Middle East strategy?
Source: Axios
Discover who Trump will appoint to key cabinet positions to advance his vision for peaceful relations with Russia — but will this approach extend to the Middle East?
President-elect Donald Trump is focused on assembling a national security team for his second term, aiming to avoid the challenges that marked his first-term appointments, Axios reported.
The news website reported, citing sources close to the process, that Trump plans to appoint businessmen and CEOs to key national security roles, moving away from the reliance on former generals seen during his first term. He is also considering loyalists for prominent Washington positions who align closely with his policy vision.
Trump has repeatedly signaled that one of his top priorities would be negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine, and he has also indicated that he would like to see the wars in Gaza and Lebanon come to a close by the time he is inaugurated.
However, officials nominated to take these key positions offer no radical change to what has been carried out by successive US administrations with regard to the Middle East.
State Department
Richard Grenell, former US Ambassador to Germany, is a leading candidate for Secretary of State, according to Axios and other media outlets.
The key position, under the Joe Biden administration, is currently held by Antony Blinken, who has not missed an opportunity to declare his support for the Israeli regime and mobilize in its defense.
Grenell, who advised Trump on foreign policy during the 2020 campaign, would likely focus on Russia-Ukraine diplomacy, offering a major overhaul of the current government's position on this issue.
With Republican control of the Senate, his confirmation in this position would likely face little opposition, according to Axios. Other candidates for Secretary of State include Senator Bill Hagerty, who served as Ambassador to Japan during Trump's first term, and Robert O'Brien, Trump's former national security adviser. Former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus is also mentioned for a senior role, while Representative Elise Stefanik is seen as a top contender for US Ambassador to the United Nations.
Department of Defense and Intelligence Agencies
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Representative Michael Waltz are reportedly under consideration for Defense Secretary. Waltz could also be a candidate for CIA Director, along with John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence under Trump.
Brian Hook, Trump's former special envoy for Iran and currently leading the State Department transition, is also seen as a potential candidate for a senior foreign policy or national security role, the news website reported.
It is worth noting that Pompeo's role in promoting the normalization of Arab governments with the Israeli regime in Trump's previous tenure, where he was secretary of the State Department, is notorious. He was also active in other controversial decisions such as the US's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied-Syrian Golan and the transfer of the US embassy to "Israel" from Tel Aviv to occupied al-Quds.
National Security Adviser and the White House
Grenell and Waltz are also potential candidates for National Security Adviser.
However, as Axios noted, the final decision remains uncertain, and Trump's picks may change as the transition unfolds. A former senior Trump administration official pointed out that predicting appointments is difficult, citing the example of Rex Tillerson, who was not considered a top contender for Secretary of State at the start of Trump's first term.
The official emphasized that Trump will prioritize appointing individuals who will support his policy agenda, rather than obstructing it as some figures did in his first term.
Middle East Team
During his first term, Trump's Middle East policy was overseen by his senior adviser, Jared Kushner, who played a central role in drafting "the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan," which saw no support from any Palestinian faction. On the contrary, Kushner's plots in the Middle East saw unanimous opposition and caused great outrage among Palestinians and the Arab populace.
Although Kushner has said he is not interested in returning to government, the ongoing developments in the region could see him take a cabinet position.
No less of an Israeli regime supporter, Avi Berkowitz, Kushner's protege, could be brought back as part of Trump's Middle East team. Additionally, sources told Axios that David Friedman, who served as US Ambassador to the Israeli regime during Trump's first term, could return to that role. Former officials Jason Greenblatt and Aryeh Lightstone might also rejoin the administration to aid the president in Middle East-related policy.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/will-trump-s-2nd-term-bring-change-to-the-us--middle-east-st
Al Mayadeen – November 7, 2024
Day 398 in Gaza: 43,469 killed, 102,561 injured by 'Israel'
Many victims are still trapped beneath the rubble while "Israel" continues to obstruct rescue operations by bombing roads or directly targeting civil defense crews.
On the 398th day of the genocide in Gaza, the Israeli war machine carried out six massacres against Palestinian civilians and families, the overwhelming majority of whom were women and children.
Over the past 48 hours, 78 martyrs and 214 injured were transported to the very few and partially functioning hospitals across the Gaza Strip. Many victims are still trapped beneath the rubble while "Israel" continues to obstruct rescue operations by bombing roads or directly targeting civil defense crews.
This has raised the death toll in Gaza since October 7, 2023, to 43,469 killed and 102,561 injured.
Extermination of north Gaza continues
Meanwhile, for the 34th consecutive day, northern Gaza, particularly the Jabalia camp and Beit Lahia, endures severe Israeli siege and starvation amid heavy aerial and artillery attacks, with the province completely isolated from the rest of Gaza.
An Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza said at least 15 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beit Lahia and the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
Our correspondent reported that Al-Awa Hospital, which itself is under Israeli bombardment, received the bodies of five martyrs from Tal al-Zaatar in besieged Jabalia, as well as the bodies of five other citizens killed in an Israeli strike targeting the home of the al-Assi family in the Beit Lahia project area in northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, Palestinian media reported injuries after Israeli drones dropped explosives near the gate of the Halima al-Saadia School in Jabalia al-Nazla, northern Gaza.
For the 16th day, Israeli forces forcibly obstructed the work of civil defense teams in northern Gaza due to ongoing targeting and aggression, leaving thousands of residents without humanitarian and medical assistance.
38 killed as Israel bombs Lebanon; north Gaza still under siege
The governor of Lebanon’s Baalbek-Hermel says 40 Israeli strikes killed at least 38 people and wounded 54 today.
In Lebanon, at least 3,013 people have been killed and 13,553 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.
Northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya town and Nuseirat refugee camp in the centre of the enclave have been the focus of Israeli attacks since dawn, according to Palestinian news outlets.
Israelﾒs genocide in Gaza has killed at least 43,391 Palestinians and injured 102,347 since October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.
Al Madayeen – November 6, 2024
Nation led by Sayyed Nasrallah cannot but be victorious: Sheikh Qassem
Hezbollah's secretary-general promises Lebanon and its Resistance victory and says the situation for the Israeli regime will become tougher in the coming days.
A nation led by great Resistance leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, will not be defeated, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated in an address honoring the 40th day since the martyrdom of Sayyed Nasrallah and his companions. 
Sheikh Qassem stressed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu does not understand that he is facing a Resistance movement that possesses essential factors of strength, including firm faith and Resistance fighters who are not afraid of death and willing to sacrifice their lives [for the cause]."
"Netanyahu's aim through his aggression on Lebanon is threefold: to end Hezbollah's existence, to occupy Lebanon (even if indirectly), and to draw a new map for the Middle East."
He explained that among the fundamental factors of the Resistance's capabilities, which allow it to confront the Israeli aggression, are "preparation, weapons, skills, and training."
"We have tens of thousands of trained fighters ready for confrontation at the borders, and we also have the necessary resources [to support them] for the long term," he asserted.
Highlighting the Israeli wars of genocide, Sheikh Qassem admitted to the Israeli Air Force's superiority in the skies, however, he highlighted the floundering performance of the occupation's ground forces, which are "facing strong resistance at the border."
Battelfield the only path to halt aggression
Sheikh Qassem stressed that "only the battlefield will stop the aggression across the border, in addition to the Israeli internal front."
He also indicated that the days ahead for the Israeli regime will be tougher than before, indicating possible military escalation against the occupation forces.
The secretary-general of Hezbollah further asserted that the Resistance will compel the enemy to seek an end to the Israeli aggression on its own terms, emphasizing, "We are focused on the battlefield, not on political manoeuvres."
Regarding the results of the US elections, Sheikh Qassem said, "Hezbollah does not base its plans on the US elections, as they are of no value to us."
He explained that "the strength of the Resistance lies in its continuity despite the military disparities," underscoring that "our one and only choice is to prevent the occupation from achieving the objectives of its aggression."
"In our vocabulary, there is only the continuation of resistance, endurance, patience, and remaining in the field until victory. We cannot be defeated."
Netanyahu will be defeated
Furthermore, Sheikh Qassem confirmed that "Netanyahu cannot win; he will be defeated," explaining that "when the enemy decides to stop the aggression, it will be through indirect negotiations."
Noting the diplomatic efforts of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Sheikh Qassem said the top Lebanese official is carrying the banner of political Resistance.
He explained that negotiations are based on two main points: "Stopping the aggression and ensuring that the ceiling of negotiations is the full protection of Lebanese sovereignty."
Lebanese Army should take responsibility for Batroun incident
Commenting on the Batroun incident, Sheikh Qassem said, "This violation is a major insult to Lebanon and a violation of its sovereignty."
On Friday, Israeli occupation forces infiltrated the northern city of Batroun and abducted a civilian sea captain.
He called on the Lebanese Army to protect the maritime borders and issue a statement clarifying the reasons behind this incident.
He urged the Lebanese Army to hold the UNIFIL forces, particularly those from Germany, accountable for the maritime violation in Ba
troun, seeing that German UNIFIL members are responsible for patroling the coasts of Lebanon and occupied Palestine to prevent such violations.
Homage to Sayyed Nasrallah
Before delving into the latest domestic and regional developments, Sheikh Qassem, paid homage to martyr Sayyed Nasrallah and other Resistance leaders, seeing that this Wednesday marks the 40th day since his assassination by Israeli warplanes.
He is the epitome of a noble, great leader who sacrificed his life in the path of Allah. He has made tremendous contributions and continues to be a model for others. He is a courageous and inspirational leader, a scholar in the school of Wilayah, and a beacon for the liberation of Palestine. His words light up the path of guidance, and his stances embody the path of dignified life. He has won the hearts of people across the world as a symbol of Resistance. Our Imam, the leader Ayatollah Khamenei, may Allah protect him, described him as 'incomparable,' a truly great acknowledgment.
Al Madayeen – November 6, 2024
Hezbollah missiles strike Tel Aviv area, ravage troops near border
Hezbollah has introduced a new ballistic missile to the battlefield and shelled dozens of Israeli settlements and military sites.
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah conducted a series of composite long-range attacks, introducing new weapon systems to the battlefield, on the 396th day of confrontations.
Khaybar series of operations
Most notably, Hezbollah fighters executed a composite operation, firing a salvo of its long-range rocket artillery shells, before unleashing two Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) on Wednesday.
Tzrifin base
At noon, the Resistance's forces fired multiple Fateh-110 SRBMs at the Tzrifin military base, which was preceded by a salvo of rockets, aimed at depleting Israeli air defenses.
The Tzrifin is a huge base to the southeast of Tel Aviv and just south of the Israeli regime's largest airport, the Ben Gurion Airport. Sirens sounded across city settlements in the Gush Dan Metropolitan area, at the time of the attack, while shrapnel from one of the rockets severely damaged a car and one rocket impacted a parking lot in the Ben Gurion Airport.
According to Hezbollah's Military Media Unit, the Tzrifin base hosts training camps, military schools, and the military spokesperson's unit. The large base is also located 130km south of the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
Hezbollah said this operation came as part of the "Khaybar series" of operations, which aims to respond to the Israeli aggression that killed civilians and commanders in Lebanon.
In line with the same series of attacks, Hezbollah's Unmanned Air Force launched three separate drone attacks as follows:
Bilu Camp
The first targeted the Bilu Camp, a base that serves as the headquarters for the 55th Reserve Brigade of the 98th Paratroopers Division, as well as other units. The base is located just north of the Tel Nof Air Base, in Gush Dan.
At 6:00 pm, Hezbollah launched a swarm of drones at the camp, for the first time since confrontations ensued on October 8 last year, dealing precise hits to the intended targets.
Stella Maris
The second of these attacks targeted the Stella Maris Naval base, which is equipped with hardware used to monitor and detect maritime movements on the northern coast.
This attack was conducted in coordination with Hezbollah's Rocket Force, which launched a salvo of precision-guided rockets during the drone attack.
The Military Media said that the operation resulted in precise hits.
Haifa Naval Base
The third drone attack targeted the Haifa Naval Base, which included the Shayetet 7 submarine fleet and the Shayetet 3 missile warship fleet, as well as other Israeli Navy units.
At 7:10 pm, Hezbollah launched its first-ever attack on the base in this round of confrontations, dealing precise hits to targets in the base.
Troops in Metulla pummelled with various weapons
On Wednesday morning, Hezbollah fighters worked on targeting the groupings and positioned Israeli occupation forces in the Metulla settlement, opposite the border town of Kfar Kila.
After confronting Israeli invasions into nearby towns and the subsequent withdrawal of forces, Hezbollah fighters took the fight, once again, to the border settlements.
In one direct attack, at 10:40 am, Hezbollah fighters fired an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) at an Israeli Merkava tank in the Metulla settlement, destroying it and killing and injuring its crew members.
Just five minutes later, another ATGM struck an Israeli position in the same settlement. The Military Media Unit revealed that Hezbollah fighters had been monitoring the movements of occupation forces in the area, before firing an ATGM at a building utilized by Israeli troops.
The ATGM struck the building, achieving a direct hit and killing and injuring the troops inside it.
Later in the afternoon, at 4:30 pm, the Resistance fired a precision-guided rocket at the Metulla settlement, targeting an assembly point of Israeli occupation forces, causing confirmed casualties.
Drones, rockets attacks ravage Israeli troops, HQs
At 11:10 am on Wednesday, Hezbollah's Unmanned Air Force launched a one-way attack drone targeting the headquarters of a brigade subordinate to the 91st Territorial Division. The drone hit its target.
In the afternoon, the Unmanned Air Force launched two drones targeting Israeli occupation forces on the northeastern outskirts of the border town of Maroun al-Ras.
The Resistance also launched a rocket attack, using the Nour multiple rocket launcher (MRL), which has only been officially deployed in one other operation, to target an assembly point of Israeli occupation forces in the Avivim settlement, opposite the border town of Maroun al-Ras.
The short-range MLR fires short-range large-caliber rocket artillery shells, which pounded Avivim, causing extensive damage. The attack was conducted at 4:15 pm, and footage quickly emerged to show two large fires billowing from containers placed in the area.
