It is the 24th of July in 2022, past midnight. A zionist special force infiltrates Al-Yasmina neighborhood in Nablus, the fortress of blooming resistance. They are, as usual, here to target a group of brave young men, foolishly thinking it will stop the resistance project being built. Occupiers fail to learn and remember.
The night sky was studded with stars above the neighborhood they called home. The invaders were strangers to the land. A group of friends—no, brothers—are fighting shoulder-to-shoulder. The first Lions of the Den: the founder Mohammad Al-Azizi (Abu Saleh) the co-founder Aboud (Abdelrahman) Soboh, Mohammed Herzallah (Abu Hamdi), the Lion of Nablus Ibrahim Al-Nabulsi, the general commander Wadie Al-Houh, the Qassami Lion Musab Shtayyeh, and others were engaged in the fight from Abu Saleh’s home. The Battle of Al-Yasmina was underway.
The battle was long and fierce. Residents still recall the voice of of Aboud screaming: “Hasten to jihad!” echoing through the neighborhood.
Mohammed Abu Saleh, a leader, ensures that his brothers leave the battlefield safely. People say that that night, after Abu Saleh thought he was alone, he went to the roof alone to clash with the forces until the last bullet. Another rifle refused to follow orders and continued to roar alongside our Lion. He could not see who it was, but he didn’t have to. “We are by Allah’s help, capable, man,” Mohammad once said. “Me and all the guys, as long as we support each other and Allah is our support. Look at me, who has my back? Aboud Soboh!”
Him and Aboud rose together, their roars echoing throughout the night, heard to this day in the alleys of the Old City. Mohammed Abu Hamdi succumbed to his injuries later in November. Ibrahim, Wadie, Farooq—all were present at the funeral.
I will not enter Heaven, unless you are with me.
That night gave birth to a group forever etched in the history of liberation. 40 days after their martyrdom, the Lions’ Den is officially announced in a parade in the heart of Nablus. They grew to become one of the most loved and respected factions in Palestine, representing Palestinian unity with members of all factions fighting under the flag of Palestine, refusing to submit, refusing to surrender, and refusing to compromise. They delivered their message with bullets to the enemy and “brief statements” to the popular cradle. From Al-Dahkil to Al-Nabulsi to Al-Tamimi to Al-Kilani and beyond, they convoy goes on. The torch is passed from one martyr to the next, fearlessly and with pride.
“We declare it openly. The time for fear has ended.”
The story that started in Al-Yasmina neighborhood quickly spread. The fragrance of jasmines watered with the blood of the martyrs inspired thousands, in occupied Palestine and across the Arab world. Young fighters saw themselves in Aboud and Abu Saleh and Ibrahim and Wadie, picking up the rifle and refusing to let it fall. All of Palestine became the Lions’ Den.
It is one thing to hear about martyrdom, to celebrate martyrs and exalt them as heroes. Have you ever considered what it means to choose to be a martyr? To fight with the goal of martyrdom before your eyes, as anything less is unworthy of the homeland? To willingly march towards your own death, to transcend it? Martyrs cheat death. You cannot kill a person who says: Here is my head. Come and take it.
Eternal glory to those who wrote their names on the walls of Al-Yasmina and the hearts of the people. Glory to those whose names will be taught in history books, indeed, as Wadie spoke. To those whose blood watered the soil of the homeland for poppies, jasmines, and roses to bloom.
Delusional, and then delusional, and then delusional is he who thinks that the Den has ended. The Den is an idea, and ideas do not die.
We will see who will besiege whom.