Demonstrators in Saida at the call of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah/OLJ)
Hamas and Islamic Jihad held a sit-in in the city of Sidon to show support for the people of Gaza and the West Bank in their resistance against Israel. This conflict, which has been ongoing since Oct. 7, 2023, has resulted in nearly 40,000 deaths.
In a speech on behalf of Hamas, the movement's political representative in Saida, Hassan Chanaa, criticized the speech given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the U.S. Congress, where he received a triumphant reception. Chanaa described it as "a propaganda speech that brought nothing new" and emphasized that the strategic relationship between Israel and the U.S. far outweighs any disagreements between their leaders. He argued that, despite any differences, it is inconceivable that the relationship would be affected or that the U.S. would make any decision detrimental to Israel.
Ammar Hourane, the Islamic Jihad's external relations official in Sidon, addressed the death of Palestinian detainee Moustapha Abou Arra after 12 years in Israeli prisons. He called on international human rights organizations to support the cause of prisoners in Israeli jails and to pressure a ban on torture.
