The wife of Mohammed Deif, a top military commander of Hamas Israel recently assassinated, says his martyrdom won’t save Israel as “his followers and children” will ultimately liberate Palestine.

On Thursday, the Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, confirmed the martyrdom of Deif, known as Abu Khaled, in the battle against the Israeli invasion of the besieged Gaza Strip.

“Palestine will be liberated by Abu Khaled, Abu Khaled’s followers and Abu Khaled’s children,” his wife, Ghadir Syam, also known as Umm Khaled, said in an interview with Palestinian media.

Noting that Deif was “an icon of the Palestinian resistance”, Ghadir said she received the news of his martyrdom “with pride”.

She added that Deif was “a very humble person” and a “father to all segments of Palestinian people”.

His only hope was for the Palestinian people to unite for the sake of the “just” cause of liberating Palestine, and for the entire Muslim and Arab Ummah as well as the free people around the world to liberate al-Quds from the Israeli occupation.

Unlike Israeli claims of the luxurious lives of Hamas commanders, Ghadir noted that they lead a very simple life, similar to many families in the Gaza Strip.

She also said that Deif spent most of his time in Gaza’s tunnels, adding that his family members were forced to relocate every three to six months from an area to another in Gaza, except Rafah and Beit Hanoun, because of security issues.

"Our home had four mattresses and a mat” before and after the war, she said.

Israel initially announced in August 2024 that Deif had been killed in a July airstrike, but his death had not been confirmed since.

The spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said the announcement came only after completing necessary procedures, addressing security concerns dictated by battlefield conditions and verifying details.

The announcement came as a ceasefire is underway in Gaza. The deal between Israel and Hamas was reached after 15 months of the regime's genocidal war on the strip, which claimed the lives of at least 47,460 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

The regime approved the ceasefire after falling short of realizing any of its wartime objectives, including freeing the captives, “eliminating” the Gazan resistance, and causing forced displacement of Gaza’s entire population to neighboring Egypt.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly cautioned about the dire consequences of a potential act of aggression, potentially involving the Israeli regime and the United States, against Iran’s nuclear facilities. 

“My assumption is that in this case (a likely attack against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities), we will enter into a widespread war in the region, a catastrophe that no one, neither in the region nor outside the region, wants,” the top diplomat said on Friday.

“I doubt that the Americans will make such a major miscalculation," added Araghchi in remarks to Qatar’s Al Jazeera Arabic television network during a short stay in the Persian Gulf country, addressing the likelihood of Washington’s aiding Tel Aviv in such an act of aggression.

“Unlike previous times, if Iran's nuclear facilities are attacked, Iran's reaction will be immediate and decisive,” he noted.

Iran has so far retaliated twice, namely during Operations True Promise I and II, against Israeli aggression against its soil by successfully targeting sensitive and strategic Israeli targets deep inside the occupied Palestinian territories with hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles.

The Islamic Republic, however, took its time before resorting to legitimate reprisal, apparently taking various domestic and regional conditions into account.

“The Americans and Israelis know what targets we can target,” Araghchi stated concerning the aspects of Iran’s response to potential aggression against its nuclear facilities.

He, meanwhile, reiterated that "Iran will definitely be able to respond” to such aggression, and strongly advised the US against making “one of the biggest historical mistakes” by contributing to such an attack.

Undermining likely Israeli-American attack

Still addressing the potential of such an attack, the foreign minister declined to consider such a likely act of aggression to be capable of causing much damage to Iran’s nuclear sites.

He noted that, far from just being present on the ground, Iran’s nuclear might and capabilities lay “in the minds and thoughts of Iranian scientists.”

“This capability and program will not be destroyed by bombing or airstrikes.”

Secondly, Iran's nuclear facilities were not situated in one or two locations, he went on, adding that the facilities were scattered across many locations and were being guarded.

File photo shows projectiles belonging to Iran’s state-of-the-art laser-powered Seraj (Light) air defense system that has been developed to guard the country’s nuclear facilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly cautioned about the dire consequences of a potential act of aggression, potentially involving the Israeli regime and the United States, against Iran’s nuclear facilities. 

“My assumption is that in this case (a likely attack against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities), we will enter into a widespread war in the region, a catastrophe that no one, neither in the region nor outside the region, wants,” the top diplomat said on Friday.

“I doubt that the Americans will make such a major miscalculation," added Araghchi in remarks to Qatar’s Al Jazeera Arabic television network during a short stay in the Persian Gulf country, addressing the likelihood of Washington’s aiding Tel Aviv in such an act of aggression.

“Unlike previous times, if Iran's nuclear facilities are attacked, Iran's reaction will be immediate and decisive,” he noted.

Iran has so far retaliated twice, namely during Operations True Promise I and II, against Israeli aggression against its soil by successfully targeting sensitive and strategic Israeli targets deep inside the occupied Palestinian territories with hundreds of ballistic and cruise 

“The Americans and Israelis know what targets we can target,” Araghchi stated concerning the aspects of Iran’s response to potential aggression against its nuclear facilities.

He, meanwhile, reiterated that "Iran will definitely be able to respond” to such aggression, and strongly advised the US against making “one of the biggest historical mistakes” by contributing to such an attack.

Undermining likely Israeli-American attack

Still addressing the potential of such an attack, the foreign minister declined to consider such a likely act of aggression to be capable of causing much damage to Iran’s nuclear sites.

He noted that, far from just being present on the ground, Iran’s nuclear might and capabilities lay “in the minds and thoughts of Iranian scientists.”

“This capability and program will not be destroyed by bombing or airstrikes.”

Secondly, Iran's nuclear facilities were not situated in one or two locations, he went on, adding that the facilities were scattered across many locations and were being guarded by very good and strong defenses.

Iran Army unveils ‘daunting’ laser-powered air defense system guarding nuclear sites

Iran Army unveils ‘daunting’ laser-powered air defense system guarding nuclear sites

Iran’s Army unveils a state-of-the-art laser-powered air defense system during its Air Defense Forces’ military maneuvers in the country’s western and northern areas.

“These facilities are in places that are very difficult, even impossible, to access even by airstrikes.”

And thirdly, he underlined the certitude of the Islamic Republic’s “immediate and decisive” reaction to a likely attack.

‘Nuclear weapons have no place in Iran's military doctrine’

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araghchi reiterated that “nuclear weapons are not part of Iran's military doctrine,” asserting, “Our security is provided through other methods, and nuclear weapons are haram (forbidden) in our view.”

He cited the relevant fatwa (religious decree) that was issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei forbidding either achievement, storage or deployment of such weapons as per religious and moral concerns.

The official, however, said the country was capable of making the weapons, but repeated that there was no such will on the part of the Islamic Republic towards their production.

‘Not easy for America to regain Iran’s trust’

Araghchi also responded to a question concerning the potential resumption of negotiations between Iran and the US.

"Unfortunately, the history of our relationship with the US is full of very bad and negative events and positions," he said.

The foreign minister noted how since the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the subsequent establishment of the Islamic Republic, Tehran had constantly faced hostility and adversarial actions on the part of Washington.

He cited the cases of the US’s 2018 withdrawal from a nuclear agreement between Iran and others and Washington’s assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s former top anti-terror commander, in 2020.

“All these events have created a history full of hostility and, most importantly, a history full of distrust between Iran and America. Of course, all of this cannot be compensated for with a single word."

Araghchi noted that even the United States former administration of President Joe Biden -- who had expressed a willingness to return to the nuclear deal -- “had very hostile positions. The policy of pressure on Iran and severe sanctions against Iran intensified under the previous US administration.”

Tehran, however, was closely following the positions of the new US administration of Donald Trump and what policy it could adopt regarding Iran, the nuclear deal, or Iran's nuclear energy program, he said.

“And we are examining them. We will make our decisions based on their positions and coordinate our own positions accordingly."

Under the current circumstances, though, “There is no basis for opening a new chapter in relations with America,” he said, referring to the hostile environment governing the ties that has been brought about by America’s hostile measures.

Araghchi cited the potential unblocking of Iran’s frozen assets across the world as a likely step that Washington could take towards beginning to regain Tehran’s trust.

Resumption of negotiations between the two sides, “requires perseverance and a change of position on the part of the US government, and it requires the American side to take positive steps. I think they themselves know better than anyone what steps they can take,” he stated.

‘Resistance can always rebuild itself’

Separately, Araghchi addressed the issue of the Israeli regime’s deadly aggression against the regional peoples, including the Palestinians and the Lebanese nations, which had led to the martyrdom of some of their high-ranking resistance figures.

“The martyrdom of [the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah’s former secretary-general] Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah was not a small loss; the martyrdom of other commanders and forces of Hezbollah and [the Palestinian resistance movement] Hamas incurred heavy costs,” he said.

“But all of this does not mean the disappearance of the resistance or even, in my opinion, its weakening. All of these were very important experiences that the resistance learned, and I am sure they will be useful in the future.”

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Secretary General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement Sheikh Naim Qassem delivers a televised address aired live from the Lebanese capital Beirut on January 27, 2025.

The secretary general of Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement says the Lebanese people will not forget the unflinching support that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq offered them during the intense Israeli air and ground onslaught against their homeland.

Sheikh Naim Qassem made the remarks in a televised speech aired live from the Lebanese capital Beirut on Monday evening.

“Victory in Gaza belongs to Palestinian people, the regional nations who supported them as well as all freedom-seeking people across the globe.”

The Hezbollah chief went on to say that the Israeli plot aimed at the destruction of the Gaza-based Palestinian Hamas resistance movement failed dismally, and exposed the Tel Aviv regime’s weakness. “The Zionist enemy would not have lasted a week without the unqualified American support,” he said.

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that resistance is a political, national and humanitarian option to confront the Israeli occupation and liberate occupied lands.

He stated that the objectives behind the unprecedentedly large-scale Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by Gaza-based resistance groups against the usurping regime on October 7, 2023, have been achieved.

“The Israeli enemy failed the test of honor and humanity, and turned out to be a criminal entity working to exterminate human beings. Israel emerged as a war criminal and could not recover its captives by any means other than an agreement with Hamas,” the Hezbollah leader underscored.

Sheikh Qassem described the Israeli onslaughts on Lebanon and the Gaza Strip as acts of aggression unconditionally supported by the US and certain Western governments.

“The US and Israel wanted to put an end to the Resistance. It, however, withstood the scheme through legendary steadfastness and enormous sacrifices that yielded outstanding fruits.”

He stated that Hezbollah proved itself to be cohesive and capable of filling the leadership vacuum within days following the assassination of its secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a massive Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut in late September.

Lebanese continue to fearlessly march home in south despite Israeli aggression

Lebanese continue to fearlessly march home in south despite Israeli aggression

As people pitched tents and spent the night on the outskirts of their villages in southern Lebanon, thousands more marched on Monday, determined to force the Israeli army to retreat.

 “Everyone saw who the heroes of the Resistance were. Our people made great and tremendous sacrifices, so the Resistance Front emerged cohesive and strong, revitalized, and worked to fill the vacancies within ten days.

“Resistance operations deterred the Israeli enemy, and did not allow it to advance on the Lebanese soil, except for hundreds of meters. We agreed with the Lebanese government to accept a ceasefire deal [with Israel], and this is a victory,” Sheikh Qassem stated.

He said Hezbollah’s defensive deterrent power has prompted people to believe that the group’s military power is at a level, where deterrence is sustainable.

The Hezbollah chief said whilst his group stood fully committed to the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli enemy violated it 1,350 times.

“The Zionist violations underline Lebanon’s need for resistance. A campaign was launched against us to sell the false notion of victory over the Resistance. The objective of demoralizing us has not been achieved and will never materialize. The Resistance has emerged triumphant and will always be victorious, thanks to its martyrs and sacrifices,” Sheikh Qassem said.

The Hezbollah secretary general stressed that Israeli forces must withdraw from southern Lebanon, and that his group does not accept any justification for extending the 60-day pullout deadline set by the ceasefire agreement with the Tel Aviv regime.

“We are facing an occupation force, which is attacking and refusing to withdraw. The Resistance has the right to respond in the proper form, nature, and timing.

“This is an occupation of Lebanese lands, and we call on everyone to assume their responsibility,” Sheikh Qassem stated.

The Hezbollah chief finally stressed the need for national unity in Lebanon.

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The Day of Mission is the day when Prophet Muhammad, the most precious prophet of Islam, was chosen as a prophet. In the Hijri calendar, 27th Rajab is the day of Mubaat. Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa on the day (27 Rajab) of the year 40 of the year of the elephant, at the same time as the year 13 before the emigration of the Prophet of Islam, in the cave of Hara, by (Gabriel) and from God, he attained prophethood and was assigned to remove polytheism and idolatry from the earth. take it and spread the worship of God and convey the message of revelation to the people.

Imam Musa ibn Ja'far al-Kazim(A.S.),the Seventh Holy Infallible Imam.

The Holy Imam (A.S.) was confined in prisons for 14 years by the ruling Abbasid caliphs and was finally martyred by poisoning in the prison of Baghdad on 25th Rajab, 183 A.H., by the tyrant and cruel Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid.

On this heartbreaking and sad occasion we extend our Heartfelt Sorrow and Condolences to all the Shiites and the Lovers of Holy Ahlul Bayt(A.S.) in the world.

Imam Musa bin Ja'far al-Kazim(A.S.) The Seventh Holy Imam

Name: Musa

Title: Al-Kazim

Kunyat: Abu Ibrahim

Born: at Abwa (between Mecca and Medina) on Sunday the 7th Safar 128 A.H

Father's name: Imam Jafar-as-Sadiq(A.S.).

Mother's name: Hamida Khatoon.

Martyred:aged 55 years at Baghdad on Friday, 25th Rajab 183 A.H.

Poisoned by: Harun-al-Rashid.the ruling Abbasid caliph.

Buried:at Kazmain, Baghdad.

he Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has criticized Israel for delaying the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire deal after Israeli forces killed and injured Palestinians trying to return to the north.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in a statement on Saturday held the Zionist entity responsible for any disruption in the enforcement of the ceasefire deal and its repercussions on other related matters.

“The occupying regime is still delaying the implementation of the terms of the truce deal and prisoner exchange agreement by continuing to block off Rashid Street and preventing the return of displaced Palestinians from the south to the north,” he said.

Qassem also emphasized that Hamas has informed mediators that 29-year-old female Israeli captive Arbel Yehud is alive and expected to be released next Saturday.

“What was done today (Saturday) concerning the Israeli captives reflects our religious and ethical values. The latest developments clearly show that the Resistance is still powerful and dynamic,” the Hamas official stated.

He further stated that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was under the delusion of winning a victory ever since the regime’s military unleashed its bloody onslaught against Gaza on October 7, 2023, and he was constantly speaking of imaginary achievements.

“We involved people in the release of four Israeli soldiers in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, as this triumph belongs to the entire Palestinian society,” Qassem pointed out.

The Gaza ceasefire deal went into effect last weekend with the release of three Israeli captives and 90 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli authorities on Saturday released 200 Palestinian prisoners as part of the second phase of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Abdullah Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club advocacy group, said the prisoners were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Some prisoners were released into the West Bank from Ofer Prison, while others bound for Gaza or deportation abroad were released from Negev Prison in the southern flank of Israeli-occupied lands.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Authority, the 200 prisoners included 121 who had been serving life sentences and 79 others with long sentences.

Israel has released a list of more than 700 Palestinian prisoners, who are to be released under the deal. More than 230 prisoners are serving life sentences and will be permanently sent to exile upon their release.

Hamas said in a statement on Saturday that Israel was forced to “open the doors of his cells to our heroic prisoners,” after more than 15 months of “unprecedented brutal aggression that targeted every inch of Gaza in its barbarity.”

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Israeli forces have opened fire at the Lebanese people returning to their homes in the country’s southern towns, killing at least two civilians and wounding 31 others.

Lebanon's Public Health Ministry released the figures on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television channel reported that Israeli forces had abducted two Lebanese from the border town of Houla.

Other reports said an Israeli drone had targeted residents in the village of Bani Hayyan, causing multiple injuries.

Additionally, an Israeli drone dropped sound bombs on a gathering of Lebanese citizens at the Houla-Majdal Silm-Shaqra triangle in southern Lebanon.

Earlier on Sunday, the 60-day deadline for the complete withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from southern Lebanon ended. The pullout was stipulated in a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Hezbollah resistance movement.

The regime forces, however, did not leave the occupied areas in a blatant violation of the truce agreement and an infringement on Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Over the weekend, the Israeli military warned Lebanese people not to return to their hometowns in the country’s south and put up barricades in the area.

Hezbollah opened a support front for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip after Israel unleashed a genocidal war on the besieged territory on October 7, 2023, launching numerous retaliatory attacks against targets in the occupied lands. 

Israel was forced to accept the ceasefire with Hezbollah on November 27, 2024, after suffering heavy losses on the battleground and failing to achieve its goals despite killing over 4,000 people in Lebanon.

Press TV’s website

Every 10 minutes, a baby is born in the midst of this war in Gaza. Becoming a mother should be an occasion for celebration and joy. But in Gaza, another child is born and enters into suffering, pain and hardship.

Seeing the suffering of newborn babies while some mothers bleed to death should concern us all, but Arab officials and the international community have remained silent.

Mothers face unimaginable challenges in receiving adequate medical care, nutrition and protection before, during and after childbirth. The situation of pregnant women and newborns in the Gaza Strip is unimaginable and requires urgent action.

The infant mortality rate in Gaza is still unknown. Children are now losing their lives due to the humanitarian crisis and lack of facilities.

Can history forget these tragedies?

The birthday anniversary of Imam Ali (PBUH) is observed on the 13th day of Rajab, the seventh month of the lunar calendar. In the Persian calendar, it coincides with Father's Day, which is a national holiday in Iran.

Many seek ways to ways to express their gratitude and honoring their fathers on this day. They take the opportunity to spend more time with their fathers and grandfathers, often expressing their gratitude and paying respects with flowers and gifts.

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BREAKING NEWS Joseph Aoun voted Lebanon’s president, ending 2-year deadlock

News / Politics / Syria

Iran's UN envoy urges respect for Syria’s sovereignty, formation of incl

Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani

A senior Iranian diplomat urges respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the formation of an inclusive government through free and fair elections.

Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani was speaking before the United Nations Security Council session on the situation in Syria in New York on Wednesday.

Iravani reaffirmed Iran’s unwavering commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, saying it is the Syrian people who must exclusively make decisions about the war-ravaged country’s future without any external interference or imposition.

“Iran advocates for the formation of an inclusive government through free and fair elections and a comprehensive national dialogue that ensures representation for all ethnic, political, and religious groups,” the ambassador added.

He stressed the importance of drafting a new constitution as a “key priority” in Syria, which will serve as the foundation for the country’s future governance.

Pointing to Iran’s “legal” presence in Syria, which had been at the request of the former Syrian government, Iravani said, “Iran participated in an advisory capacity to combat terrorism, aiming to prevent insecurity from spreading throughout the region.”

He also defended Iran’s withdrawal from Syria, saying it was conducted in a “responsible manner, with careful consideration of potential impacts on the Syrian people.”

“Nevertheless, achieving peace, stability, and security in Syria, ending foreign occupation, and ensuring a Syria free of terrorism remain the cornerstones of Iran’s foreign policy toward the country,” the senior Iranian diplomat emphasized.

He warned about the severe economic and humanitarian challenges that the Syrian people are facing and said nearly 1.1 million people -- mostly women and children – have been displaced since November 27, 2024.

Iravani commended the tireless efforts of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and humanitarian partners in alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people.

“Rebuilding critical infrastructure, restoring essential services, and facilitating the safe return of refugees and displaced persons are essential steps toward recovery,” he said.

He highlighted the significance of swift removal of “extraterritorial, unilateral, unjust and illegal” sanctions imposed by Western countries on Syria, saying, “Exploiting the situation in Syria to impose political conditions and undermine Syria’s sovereignty in exchange for sanctions relief severely harms the most vulnerable populations and violates the fundamental rights of the Syrian people.”

It is imperative to respect the rights of all minorities in Syria, including Alawites, Shias, and Christians, and to ensure the protection of diplomatic personnel and premises in accordance with international law, he further said.

Iravani expressed serious concern over the resurgence of terrorism in Syria, particularly the covert operations of sleeper cells linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh, explaining that such terrorist groups have the potential to reconnect and reignite terrorism across the region.

“Compounding the crisis is the presence of over 60 armed groups, including foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) with divergent and often conflicting agendas, which has deepened instability and poses a severe threat to both regional and global security,” he said.

He warned against the pressing challenge of the fate of thousands of Daesh-affiliated militants held in camps and prisons in northeastern Syria, demanding urgent action in this regard.

“These individuals must be swiftly repatriated to their countries of origin based on their nationality and subjected to legal proceedings to ensure accountability.”

The Iranian ambassador reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating international terrorism and collaborating with legitimate international partners to address this critical challenge.

Iravani described Israel as “the most significant threat” to Syria’s present and future, saying the occupying regime continues violations of the Arab country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, by various means, including military aggression and ongoing occupation of Syrian territories.

Pointing to Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights in defiance of Security Council Resolution 497 (1981), he said, “With US support and exploiting Syria’s situation, Israel has expanded its occupation by occupying over 500 additional square kilometers of Syrian territory and systematically destroying nearly all of Syria’s military and research infrastructure.”

Israel is flagrantly violating international law, the UN Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions, he added, urging the world body to “take decisive action to halt these violations and hold Israel accountable for its destabilizing actions.”

The Israeli regime has occupied some 600 kilometers of Syrian territory since the government of former president Bashar al-Assad was toppled last month by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants.

The militants took control of Damascus on December 8 and declared an end to Assad’s rule in a surprise offensive that was launched from their stronghold in northwestern Syria, reaching the capital in less than two weeks.

Iravani said Iran was willing to play a constructive role in Syria and work with the United Nations, regional partners, and a Syrian government representing the will of the country’s people to achieve lasting peace and stability in Syria and the broader region.

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