In addition to the crimes, genocide, and massacres committed collectively by the Zionist occupation against the Palestinian people, there are also individual crimes, such as assassinations. This means that the occupation spares no criminal means to inflict harm on the Palestinian people and seeks revenge on anyone who resists, both within Palestine and beyond.
The Zionist occupation adopts this criminal behavior based on a misguided belief that it can halt the resistance by targeting its symbols, leaders, and prominent figures, as they undoubtedly possess experience, credibility, and a historical legacy of resistance, making their loss a significant blow.
The Black History
When contemplating the criminal legacy of the Zionist entity, we find that assassination is deeply rooted as one of its means to destroy the resistance and attempt to halt its escalating momentum. Their black record of killing prophets stands as the primary roots that shaped and entrenched assassination as a tool they resort to when unable to confront those with rightful claims.
Among all the people of the Holy Books, the Jews have a long history of killing prophets, rightfully earning them the description of “killers of the prophets.” Allah says, “We had already taken the covenant of the Children of Israel and sent to them messengers. Whenever there came to them a messenger with what their souls did not desire, a party [of messengers] they denied, and another party they killed.” (Al-Ma'idah: 70) Ibn Abbas said: Among those who were belied were Muhammad and Jesus, and among those who were killed were Zechariah and Yahya. Al-Zajjaj said: As for denial, Jews and Christians share it, but as for killing, it is the Jews specialty. (Zaad Al-Maseer Fi 'Ilm At-Tafseer 1/570)
Expanding the Targeting
Throughout contemporary history, Zionist targeting through assassinations has expanded and extended along two paths:
- In terms of individuals, the Zionist targeting through assassinations has expanded to reach resistance fighters, politicians, scholars, intellectuals, journalists, and individuals from various factions. The list of names is endless, but it is enough to mention: Ghassan Kanafani, Naji al-Ali, Khalil al-Wazir, Emad Akel, Fathi Shaqaqi, Yahya Ayyash, Abu Ali Mustafa, Ahmed Yassin, Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, Yasser Arafat, Nizar Rayan, all the way to Saleh al-Arouri (January 2, 2024), not to mention the assassination of scholars like Ali Moustafa Mosharafa, Yahya El Mashad, and Gamal Hamdan.
- In terms of locations, the arena for the crime of assassinations is not limited to the sacred land of Palestine but has extended to cities and capitals in Arab and Western countries, including London, Tunis, Dubai, Beirut, and Cairo.
This diversity in the targeted individuals and the crime scenes indicates that the entity has no restraint of law or ethics, and that viciousness and despicableness suit it well enough!
The audacity of assassinations has reached a point where the usurping entity, following the “Al-Aqsa Flood,” in an attempt to restore its trashed dignity, declared that it would pursue the leaders of the resistance in several countries. Contrary to that, they usually do not announce in advance or claim responsibility for assassinations.
The director of the “Israeli” Security Agency (Shin Bet), Ronen Bar, announced that “Israel” would pursue “Hamas” leaders in Qatar, Turkey, and Lebanon, even if it took years. He stated in a recording that was broadcasted by the “Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation”: “The cabinet has set us a goal, which is to eliminate Hamas. This is our Munich. We will do it everywhere, in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar. It may take a few years, but we are determined to carry it out.”
By mentioning Munich, he referred to “Israel's” response to the killing of 11 members of the “Israeli” Olympic team in 1972 when militants from the Palestinian “Black September” organization attacked the Munich Olympic Games. “Israel” retaliated by carrying out a targeted assassination campaign against activists and members of the organization in several countries over several years until they were all eliminated, and the file was closed. (RT Arabic, December 3, 2023).
The Resistance Will Never Stop!
As we have indicated, the occupation believes that through the dirty means of assassination, it can halt or hinder the resistance movement. However, the heroic history of struggle on Palestinian soil is the best evidence that, despite losing many of its leaders, the resistance, with Allah’s help, has been able to continue its path, develop its tools, and achieve qualitative performance advancements that undermine the occupier's aspirations to eliminate resistance by targeting its leaders and heroes.
The approach of the resistance prioritizes the idea, making it the principle and the starting point, while the individual, whether leaders or soldiers, carries the banner and targets a purpose. This clear equation makes the resistance a creative force that does not stop at the loss of its leaders—a significant loss, no doubt, and a high price—nor does it retreat from the path until the land and sanctities are liberated from the desecration of the usurping occupier.
The Quran has pointed out that the idea is fundamental, and it is not permissible to retreat from it even if its conveyer and bearer—the Messenger, peace be upon him—becomes absent due to death or killing. This is evident in the ayah: “Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.” (Aal-Imran: 144)
Therefore, the best way to honor the idea and the leaders is to carry the banner after them and follow their lead. This is how the resistance, with Allah’s help, disappoints the usurping occupation and proves how wrong its assumptions are!
Martyrdom Suits the Leaders
When we contemplate the crime of assassination from another perspective, one that is linked to these heroes who have dedicated themselves to Allah (SWT) and sacrificed their lives for their just cause and cherished sanctities, we find that this cowardly method used by the enemy grants leaders and heroes the most cherished of all rewards: martyrdom for the sake of Allah. Their pure blood fuels the liberation, nourishing the thirsty land to be cleansed of the occupation's desecration.
Martyrdom suits the leaders; it is the highest honor with which heroes conclude their lives after decades of sacrifice. It is, by the permission of Allah, a precious reward and an honorable badge from Allah the Almighty for what they have given and offered.
Here, I refer to a significant statement that reflects high ethics, noble meanings, and delicate sentiments, which the martyr Saleh al-Arouri responded with in one of his recent interviews (with the “Al Mayadeen” channel): When asked if his assassination could mean war, he replied, “Our blood and souls are not more precious or valuable than any martyr's. A martyr's mother should not feel that the blood of a leader or official is dearer or more precious than her own son's. We are equal. The martyr who preceded us by a day is better than us. I did not expect to live to this age. Martyrdom and meeting Allah are the great victories we hope to attain in life.”
He also said, “No one intimidates us with martyrdom because it is our constant supplication that our Lord accepts us as martyrs. If we become martyrs, we will walk in the footsteps of the honorable people of this nation. The choice of this nation (meaning Palestinians) is for them to become martyrs, and in Allah’s will, our Lord will accept us among these honorable and virtuous ones.”
These words overflow with noble character and the sincere participation of the resistance masses in their sacrifices with genuine feelings, without superiority. They convey that martyrdom is the ultimate goal sought by the mujahideen, even if the occupier may view it as a punishment that could halt the resistance, but its hopes and efforts are always in vain!
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