By Afshain Afzal
The Israeli Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to take over control of Rafah from the Palestinians and to completly destroy Hamas. Reacting over the latest concern expressed by US President Joseph Biden, Israeli intelligence personnel rushed to Washington to discuss planned ground invasion of Rafah, where the bulk of Palestinian Muslims have been forcibly shifted by the United Nations as the safest shelters. US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan did not disclose about the dignitaries and the agenda points. The statement issued by to the media by Jake Sullivan said, “It would lead to more innocent civilian deaths, worsen already dire humanitarian crisis, deepen the anarchy in Gaza and further isolate Israel internationally.”
Inside sources said that Washington expects a bulk of Palestinian Muslims would cross over to Egypt as planned in the end October 2023, to internationalize Palestine's refugee crisis and to materialize the invasion of the whole Gaza strip by Israel. An Israeli town planner disclosed that he has been instructed to construct new shelters in Gaza cities of Beer Sabah and Khan Younis. There are plans to settle some Jews from India and other nations to justify engineered remains to conclude that non-Arabs were the original inhabitants of these cities.

Interestingly, the United Kingdom government has backed out from the previous definition of extremism as, “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs” to a new definition that states that extremism "is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance". This would be having a long-lasting impact on freedom of speech and democracy.

As per the new strategy, Washington is pushing hard to complete the control of Gaza including Rafah so that a ceasefire can be accorded with an aim that Israeli occupation of Gaza can be shown at the time of ceasefire. A resolution would be tabled at the United Nations giving control to Israel for the provision of humanitarian aid education and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure caused due to post 7 October war. Hamas has rejected any conditional ceasefire and has announced a complete withdrawal of all foreign forces and elements. Foreign aid organizations, missionaries including Evangelical Christians as well as others are assembling and have plans to replace UNRWA and take over the stage at Gaza. Analysts are of the view that if the Israelis do not withdraw by the end of Ramadan, there are high chances of blood bath of foreign intruders.

By Afshain Afzal

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has established a media monitoring unit will be established to document and expose Israeli war crimes and violations in Gaza. The body will work to ensure accurate information on the "Palestinian crisis" is available to the international community. Israel is trying to hide the truth and the crimes it has committed in the region by massacring and silencing journalists. Yesterday my LinkedIn account was blocked to silence the truth. The account was proof of Israeli confession of genocide and war crimes and Israeli Ministry of Defence of Israeli Prime Minister’s representative in Middle East was directly engaged since October 2023.

In another development, during talks with counterparts from the United States, Germany, and Egypt at the G20 meeting in Brazil,

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called on the international community to take a more active role towards an urgent ceasefire in Gaza. While referring to a third US veto on a ceasefire call at the 15-member body Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, "The fact that a decision on a ceasefire did not come out of the U.N. Security Council once again, has shown that reform is a must”. Many countries have taken a firm position on the punishment of Israelis over the genocide of Palestinian orthodox Muslims in Gaza and the right of self-determination of the Palestinians. The Brazilian leader has likened Israel's war in Gaza to the Nazi genocide during Second World War.

Instead of giving the lead role to Turkey to negotiate and resole the Israeli-Palestinian question, Western countries have nominated French President Emmanuel Macron to hold negotiations. To impress flexibility for the Palestinian cause, Paris 24 February 2024 declared “that recognizing a Palestinian state was “not a taboo for France.”

Israel's war cabinet has agreed to send a delegation for Gaza ceasefire talks in Paris and reportedly, David Barnea from Israeli intelligence agency Mossad will lead the Israeli delegation.

Meanwhile, the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov invited Hamas and other Palestinian factions to Moscow for “inter-Palestinian” talks. Russia has invited around a dozen Palestinian groups to Moscow for “inter-Palestinian” talks from 29 February 2024. There are confirmed reports that there are plans to exclude Hamas from future government and form a broad-based government including pro-Israeli, proxies of other countries and minorities. There are reports to the gradual deprivation of the rights of Palestinians over Jerusalem. This will neither be acceptable to Muslims nor Hamas, which is still controlling and resisting Israeli intrusion and genocide.

By Afshain Afzal

The cat is out of the bag, a conspiracy against the Chief Justice of Pakistan has unearthed. Addressing a press conference on 17 February 2023, after a video leak, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha pronounced that he should be punished for stabbing the back of Pakistan by carrying out rigging in the 8th February election and he along with the Chief Election Commissioner and Chief Justice of Pakistan should be hanged till death. Confessing his involvement, he said, “Army properly conducted the election but we are involved in rigging elections; those independent candidates who were winning with the margin of 70000 to 80000 we made them lose the election and we used fake stamps on the ballot paper to make them lose the elections. He claimed that he is taking the responsibility of rigging and in this raging the Chief Election Commissioner and Chief Justice of Pakistan are also involved.

Speaking over the allegations by Commissioner Rawalpindi, in an interview with the media on 17th February, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa requested the nation “not to destroy the institutions in Pakistan and said, “Firstly the Chief Justice Supreme Court has no connection with the election, as the conduct of elections is the responsibility of Election Commission of Pakistan”. He said, “We failed the attempts to sabotage the conduct of elections”. He further clarified, “I have no connection with the elections. To level allegation is a fundamental right but if they have some piece of evidence they should reveal it.”

If we recall, on 15 April 2023, Inside Story published in The Orient News, “Neighbours’ Conspiracy against Judiciary of Pakistan”, highlighted why there would be a conspiracy against Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The Inside Story revealed, “There is no doubt that Justice Qazi Faez Isa is nowadays main-target of Indian agencies and its agents…, ‘Neither the Federation nor the provinces should invade upon the rights of the other nor encroach on the other’s legislative domain’ is one of the Judgments of Justice Qazi Faez Isa which made India and one other neighbor frightened as Rule of Law is likely to prevail in the country once Justice Qazi Faez Isa takes over as Chief Justice of Pakistan.”

Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha claimed that his father and grandfather had been fighting against Sikhs and the British to create this country and now I cannot be part of the conspiracy to break this country. He claimed that his projects include Ring Road, Dodhocha Dam, Holy Family Hospital, Gymkhana, Larri Addas, Centers for Handicapped, Narcotics Dens and Centers. One wonders why he mentioned these projects in which billions of rupees huge corruption is involved.

Dadocha Dam’s project was awarded to FWO, which would supply 35 million gallons of water per day to the Rawalpindi Cantonment as well as DHA and other housing societies is full of corruption. A total of 16,194 Kanals was acquired in Rawalpindi and Kallar Syedan catchment area is 129 square miles for which a FWO - Punjab Irrigation Department Joint survey has been ordered while the previous estimate of Rs 6,492 million, would be estimated again. Regarding his claim of Ring Road Rawalpindi, former PM Imran Khan, removed former Commissioner Rawalpindi Mehmood, ex-deputy Project Director Muhammad Abdullah and Land Acquisition Collector Waseem Ali Tabish on charges of corruption, misuse of authority and conflict of interests. There were huge kickbacks and corruption and State land has been transferred to private persons so that they can claim fake compensations.

Regarding the Government’s Holy Family Hospital, a Catholic Church has been renovated and expanded by Liaquat Ali Chattha, who visited on 28 December 2023 and reviewed the facilities including for the separate entrance of the church which was previously the entrance for the Outdoor Patient Department of the hospital. He also ordered 100 kanals piece of the land had been allocated in Rakh Dhamiyal graveyard for the Christian community cemetery. Regarding Gymkhana, there is huge corruption, where actual property of the Gymkhana including Race Course Ground near Qasim Market, Rawalpindi was replaced with others. Similarly, regarding Larri Addas, Centers for Handicapped, Narcotics Head office and Centers, a lot of corruption is involved including grabbing of other departments' land without their consent or acquisition laws.

Since Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha who has links with India due his loved ones in India has himself confessed his involvement in anti-state activities including stabbing on the back of Pakistan, he must be proceeded against under Civil Servant Act and High Treason, conspiracy against State of Pakistan by suggesting hanging of Chief Justice of Pakistan. Investigation is required to trace his involvement and if true his links with India as an agent and other members of his network. This was nothing but an attempt to disintegrate the country and instigate masses to revolt against sacred institutions including the Armed Forces and Judiciary. More so, investments he has grabbed from overseas Pakistani should also be returned through confiscating his assets as well as that of his family members and friends. 

By Afshain Afzal
In the recent development on 16 February 2024, acting on the letter of South Africa dated 12 February 2024 and Israel’s observations thereon received on 15 February 2024, the International Court of Justice decided that the most recent developments in the Gaza Strip, and in Rafah in particular, ‘would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences.
The court stressed that this perilous situation demands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the Court in its Order of 26 January 2024, which are applicable throughout the Gaza Strip, including in Rafah, and does not demand the indication of additional provisional measures.
The Court emphasized that the State of Israel remains bound to fully comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and with the said Order, including by ensuring the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
The peace-loving people of the world who are looking towards the International Court of Justice for the punishment of war criminals including those who are funding the genocide of orthodox Palestinian Muslims in Gaza and elsewhere to act upon Article 74 of the Rules of Court, for a request for the indication of provisional measures shall have priority over all other cases.

By Afshain Afzal

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has claimed that they discovered a Hamas abandoned headquarters in the shape of a tunnel where a secret data center was run underneath the evacuated headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza City. IDF claimed that the tunnel was half a mile long and 60 feet deep, passing under the building that serves as UNRWA’s main headquarters in the Gaza Strip. The IDF released a video and invited journalists to visit the tunnel. The Israeli military did not provide definitive proof that Hamas fighters operated at the location, Philippe Lazzarini serving at UNRWA, Gaza tweeted that the agency “did not know what is under its headquarters in Gaza”. The video prepared by IDF can be seen at https://youtu.be/9QqGsBmQY5Y for clarity. Following the facts and analysis shown in the IDF’s video, which a person of normal IQ can also easily make out:-

a.        At least three videos have been merged to give the impression that the tunnel was used as an underground communication facility by Hamas.

b.        The tunnel is claimed to be 60 feet deep so how UNRWA headquarters might know it as there was no passage connection tunnel with the headquarters.

c.        The water table in Gaza is high but not drinkable and we witnessed water in the tunnel where an IDF personnel was also seen entering from opening and moving to a farther end.

d.        The tunnel reflected electrical cabinets connected with dozens of cables and high-power UPS batteries. It seems that the tunnel provided backup electricity to the community of the area during a power failure.

e.        There were more than 40 UPS heavy-duty batteries and few racks of non-operational computers and few empty racks without computers.

f.         Israel claims that at least 12 UNWRA members are involved in terrorist activities but no proof has been shown… expelling from job does not mean that they were terrorists.

g.        IDF further alleges that UNWRA had been supplying electricity to the Hamas inside the tunnels… had this been the case why there were more than 40 UPS batteries inside the tunnel?

h.        Although IDF had shown few racks of non-operational computers (probably of 1990s) and few empty racks without computers. Had this been the data center used by Hamas where are the chairs, tables, personal computers with monitors.

i.         Another important factor is that the water table in Gaza is very high at place 2 meters to 18 meters. We have seen that water is visible at points at the mouth of IDF’s dig tunnel. We also saw the floor of almost all the tunnels was not tiled or plastered and clay was visible. In some tunnels, water was seen on the surface of the floor. Besides, there was no ventilation system. This proves that these tunnels were not used for military or terrorist use.

i.         Israel is claiming that it would flood the tunnel with sea-water to eliminate Hamas but it is all propaganda. Why IDF is not allowing access to journalists before flooding to see all the tunnels and report about the facts to the world.

k.        The recovery of arms and ammunition shown by IDF are fake and has no connection with either tunnels or Hamas.  

        One wonders Israel and IDF have lost the battle. Tel Aviv is involved in the genocide of orthodox Palestinian Muslims, regarding which the International Court of Justice has also issued Interim Measures for Israel to ensure the stoppage of genocide and also relief and aid to be allowed to be distributed in Gaza. It is high time that the Turkish forces along with neighbouring Arab states may be given a mandate by the United Nations Security Council for peacekeeping inside Gaza, reconstruction and repatriation of Palestinians back to their homes.

A Ray of Hope – Peace in Middle East

By Afshain Afzal

The preliminary orders of International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a great victory for all those who believe in the international justice system and the justice system. Nevertheless, the court observed certain technical issues and gaps in the application filed by South Africa in ICJ dated 29 December 2023. The honourable ICJ on 26 January 2024, while pending its final decision issued preliminary orders, admitting its prima facie jurisdiction issued a ruling that it has jurisdiction pursuant to Article IX of the Genocide Convention to entertain the case. The ICJ’s Orders make Israel duty-bound:-

1. Must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.
2. Must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
3. Must also take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of Article II and Article III of the Genocide Convention against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.
4. Must submit a Report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to its Order.

Concerning the fate of the hostages abducted during the attack in Israel on 7 October 2023 and held since then by Hamas and other armed groups, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. Regarding humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Israel has been ordered that it shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services.

Where most of the International media is misreporting, we have a lot of hopes from the International Justice system and duty bound to honour every word. However, it is expected the honourable ICJ would consider Hamas’s innocence in 7^th October attack inside Israel. Mentioning name of Hamas and other armed groups in connection with hostages abducted during the attack in Israel on 7 October 2023, is a matter that requires a probe of whether it was a self-engineered attempt by Tel Aviv in connivance with other armed groups which has also been indicated by ICJ or there was direct involvement of Hamas.

Let us have a quick look at what International media reported; The Washington Post reported, “The International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to do more to prevent the killing of civilians in Gaza …”, Reuters reported, “The World Court on Friday ordered Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide as it wages war against Hamas militants in the Gaza…”, Al Jazeera reported, “UN's top court fails to order ceasefire, but says Israel must take measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza…”, The Times of Israel reported, “Israel has asked the court to reject the case outright…”, DW reported, “Judges in The Hague are ruling on whether to issue an order for Israel to halt military operations in Gaza as part of a genocide case…”, NPR reported, “The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to ensure its military does not take actions that violate the Genocide Convention…”, Haaretz reported, “According to international law experts, the proceeding may cement claims of genocide against Israel, and thus lead to its diplomatic isolation…”.

By Afshain Afzal

In the latest development, Pakistan attacked Baloch nationals, targeting suspected members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) on 18 January 2024. Iranian Deputy Governor of Sistan Balochistan province, Ali Reza Marhamati, gave the casualty figures; three women, four children and two men near the town of Saravan along the Pak-Iran border. He said the dead were not Iranian citizens. Earlier on 17 January 2024, Iran carried out a combination of missile and drone attacks 34 kilometers inside Pakistan without intimation and dubbed that they attacked Sistan Balochistan inside Pakistan. Pakistan strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran and the strike inside Pakistani territory, which resulted in the death of two innocent children while injuring three girls. Islamabad, in its official statement, said, “This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.” Tehran claimed, “Two key strongholds of the Jaysh al-Dhulm (Jaish al-Adl) terrorist group in Pakistan were “specifically targeted and successfully demolished the houses”. Later, with a gap of two days, name of Pakistan was added out of context with some evil plan in mind. Interestingly, Washington declassified some documents, while leaking others documents regarding Balochistan to create further chaos.

Strange statements emerged from both the Iranian and Pakistani sides, which are beyond comprehension. Even though Pakistan’s sovereignty has been seriously breached, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement, that Pakistan has decided to recall its Ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being," but exactly opposite of what earlier said she also humbly submitted, “We will continue to engage with our neighbor Iran to ensure that peace prevails and that the two countries make concerted and coordinated efforts to combat the threat of terrorism.” Earlier, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued separate a press release, “Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighbourly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.”

The story is unusual and seems mutual consultation as everything has missing links and lacks authenticity.   The target or enemy for both Pakistan and Iran are the same i.e. “the Baluch groups”. Interestingly, the official statement clarifies Pakistan's position and agenda, “Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighbourly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has claimed, “Iranian nationals has taken refuge in the Pakistani Province of Siestan Balochistan” and Iranian

The social media and analysts cannot deny that the initial news on 15 January 2024, explosions killed four people and briefly suspended air traffic at Erbil International Airport. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the attacks that it targeted an Israeli Mossad espionage center with ballistic missiles, destroying it. The attack was of such a minor nature that all air traffic resumed at Erbil International Airport early 16 January. The attack on Syria was also of a minor nature-targeting container of an anti-Iranian group. Two days later on 17 January, first the Western and Indian media and then the Iranians claimed they attacked the target in the Pakistani province of Balochistan. One wonders about the joint operation code name, “Operation “Marg Bar Sarmachar”, which was coined by the combination of a Persian word, “Marg bar” which means down with or death and Hindi word spoken in India “Sarmachar” which means winter season. However, local Baluch language, “Sarmachar” means “guerrilla” and the operation may mean “Death to Guerrilla”. To conclude, with exchange of sweet words in official statements between Iranian and Pakistani officials despite violating national integrity and sovereignty of each other is a serious threat to the rules of war and peace. This means that onwards both nations can directly target their adversaries and enemies in each other countries, with smiles on their faces calling each other brothers.

By Afshain Afzal

In the latest development, Iranian-backed elements launched ballistic missiles on Erbil, northern Iraq to target what Tehran claims, “This Mossad headquarters working for espionage operations and a center for terror attacks planning in the region, especially against our beloved country, Iran.” However, Washington has officially said, “US facilities were not targeted.” Tehran also claimed to have targeted Syria and Pakistan province of Balochistan. The US Department of State stated on 15 January 2024, giving an account of Iran’s attacks in Erbil Iraq. Reuters reported at 3 PM GMT+5 on 16 January 2024 that Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked the spy headquarters of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, state media reported late on Monday, while the elite force said they also struck in Syria against the Islamic State. Another statement said it had fired several ballistic missiles at “terrorist operations,” including Islamic State targets, in Syria and destroyed them. However, there was no mention of the Iranian attack on Pakistan. The earliest news on Social media reflects that news about the attack on Pakistan only appeared at 6 AM on 17 January 2024. Hence, the Iranian attack on Pakistan seems suspicious whether it is a truth or lie. However, the Associated Press said that the strikes damaged a mosque, and Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that two children were killed and three others wounded in the attack

Two days ahead horrifying 7^th October 2023, attack on Israel, in a separate act of terrorism during the graduation ceremony of military officers in Syria on 5 October 2023, drone attack killed 89 people including 31 women and five children while 277 others were wounded. No country or group claimed responsibility for the attack. Many analysts are linking the attack on Israel as a retaliatory measure against 5^th October attack on Syria. If we recall, many years ago, at a mourning ceremony of an Iranian officer killed in Syria, Iranian General Qasim Soleimani referring to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman said, “He is very impatient and might kill his king and backing of rebels by the Saudis in Syria is only to undermine Iran's influence”. Later, Iranian General Qasim Soleimani was killed in a drone attack on 3 January 2020.

A few days back at Kerman Martyrs Cemetery while the martyrdom anniversary of General Qasim Soleimani was observed, two explosions killed at least 84 people and injured more than 210 people. A US official and counterterrorism expert said the blasts appeared to be a relatively unsophisticated but lethal attack and the Islamic State group would have to be seen as a possible culprit given the militants’ long-running conflict with Tehran. The tug of war in the Middle East and Central Asia continued with intervals till the point where in a misadventure last month, drone attack by Iran-aligned elements killed one US serviceman and injured two others. In retaliation, on 4 January 2024, in retaliation to the Iranian-backed attack, US forces fired two drone-mounted rockets which hit Al-Nujaba headquarters at Palestine Street at Baghdad and killed Mushtaq Talib Al-Saidi, Deputy Commander (Operations) Harakat Al-Nujaba.

We all know that US-led forces invaded Iraq and toppled former President Saddam Hussein in 2003 to create space for Tehran to play the same role, that it played in World War First and, during Shah time or the Islamic Revolution. US withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but then returned in 2014 to fight ISIS as part of an international coalition as Iraqis loyal to late President Sadam Hussain were still powerful enough to take over the political stage in Baghdad. A dirty game in the Middle East is being played where Orthodox Muslims are targeted everywhere. It is high time that all foreign forces from Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and other nations must be withdrawn and allow peace to prevail in the region. One wonders when peace seems evident why and how countries intentionally create tense situations that allow foreign presence to be prolonged. It seems that favorites are facilitated to keep ruling no matter whole country is burned down.

By Afshain Afzal

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding two sessions on 11 January 2024 (Oral arguments from South Africa) and 12 January 2024 (Oral argument from Israel), on the request of indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa on 29 December 2023. The ICJ has twofold role: first to settle, in accordance with the international law, legal disputes submitted by the states and second to give advisory opinion on legal questions referred to it. While the court decides on a ruling, South Africa has also requested the court to impose emergency measures to cease alleged violations by Israel.

In its 84-page filing South Africa have claimed that Israel is committing genocide in manifest violation of the Genocide Convention by killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious mental and bodily harm and by creating conditions on life calculated to bring about their physical destruction. It highlights Israel barring provision of essential food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter and other humanitarian assistance to the Gaza strip during the more than three-month war. It also points out the sustained bombing campaign which has laid much of the enclave to waste, forced the evacuation of some 1.9 million Palestinians and killed over 23,000 people according to Gaza health authorities.

On the other hand, Israel claims that on 7 October 2023, Israel experienced a catastrophic act of genocide when armed Hamas militants invaded the country through land, air, and sea. This act of genocide, coinciding with a Jewish holiday, involved destroying the Gazan security fence with heavy weaponry and infiltrating the southern cities of Israel. During this massacre, the Hamas murdered over 1,200 innocent civilians, including infants, the elderly and individuals at a music festival that celebrated peace. Hamas kidnapped 240 innocent Israeli civilians. However, so far Israel has neither shown any aircrafts, ship, or devices used by Hamas in neither air and sea attacks nor heavy weaponry held by Hamas.

By Afshain Afzal

It started with international propaganda inside Lebanon that Saleh Al-Arouri and his group were architects “Al-Aqsa Flood operation”, in which Hamas and other Palestinian resistance factions attacked Israeli military bases and settlements on 7 October 2023. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, was scheduled to hold a meeting through Ismail Haniyah on 3 January 2024. Nasrallah was all set to make a speech Wednesday, the 3^rd of January 2024 marking the anniversary of the US killing of Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Al Quds Force. Ismail Haniyeh along with Palestinian leaders; Samir Fandi, Azzam al-Aqra, Mahmoud Zaki Shaheen, Mohammad Bashasha, Mohammad al-Rayes, Ahmed Hammoud were to jointly meet to make something public.

All these arrangements coincided with a huge was explosion that took place at the “Dahiyeh” area in southern Beirut on 2 January 2024, killing Palestinian leaders; Samir Fandi, Azzam al-Aqra, Mahmoud Zaki Shaheen, Mohammad Bashasha, Mohammad al-Rayes, and Ahmed Hammoud and injuring 11 other in this drone attack. An official statement from representative, Izzat al-Rishq said, “The strike proves once again the abject failure of the enemy to achieve any of its aggressive goals in the Gaza Strip.” Ismail Haniyah, was quick enough to admit in a televised address, “Seven members of the Palestinian group had been killed in the cowardly attack that killed Samir Fandi and Azzam al-Aqra, two leaders in the military wing of Hamas, as well as four other members of the group.”

Despite the rejection of Ismail Haniyah from the Hamas political authority in Gaza, Haniyah remained on public due to backing of Qatar and Iran, posing as true top leader of Hamas. Haniyah had been holding meetings with the Egyptian, Qatari and indirect Israeli leadership for the resolution of the Palestinian deadlock as well as close with the Hizbullah leadership in Lebanon. As per the details; Ismail Haniyah confirmed that he negotiated with Qatar and Egypt which is based on a complete cessation of the aggression against the Palestinians, helping them and responding to their rightful demands. And a condition that hostages will not be released except under the resistance's conditions. He also organized meeting of Palestinian leaders including Samir Fandi and Azzam al-Aqra killed on 2 January with Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, who was scheduled to hold a meeting through Ismail Haniyah on 3 January 2024.

Some time back, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah publicly warned and threatened Israel that any attempt to kill Hamas leaders in Beirut would invite a strong response. After the killings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor issued a statement, "We did not claim responsibility for the Beirut attack, and we did not target the Lebanese government or Hezbollah." Interestingly, an hour earlier Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan said, "I congratulate the Israeli army, Shin Bet, Mossad and security forces on the assassination of Hamas terrorist leader Saleh Al-Arouri." Washington, on the other hand, is blaming Israel claiming that Tel Aviv even sought permission to carry out drone attacks. Despite these developments, the Hamas leadership in Gaza did not share a strategy in the coming days.