Head of Hamas’ National Relations Abroad Ali Baraka denied on Monday claims that the Al-Aqsa Storm operation against Israel was planned by officials that included “resistance axis” members in Beirut. In southern Lebanon, Palestinians rallied at the border with Israel in support of the operation and to condemn the Israeli assault on Gaza. Some demonstrators threw rocks towards Israel, while others attempted to infiltrate the border, leading to clashes. Baraka told Asharq Al-Awsat: “It would be difficult to rein in the people given Israel’s vicious retaliation.”