English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For August 27/2024
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by
God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one, But one is
tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it
Letter of James 01/09-18/:”Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised
up, and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a
flower in the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the
field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same with the rich;
in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. Blessed is anyone who
endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of
life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted,
should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and
he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured
and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin,
and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived,
my beloved. Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from
above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow due to change. In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the
word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on August 26-27/2024
For the Sake of Activating our Memory/Etienne Sakr - Abu Arz/ August 26,
2024
Lebanon pushes for UNIFIL extension without changes
Israel says Hezbollah thwarted but situation on Lebanon border 'not sustainable'
After Hezbollah-Israel Exchange, Lebanese Wary Conflict Could Drag On
Israel Says Hezbollah Thwarted but Situation on Lebanon Border 'Not Sustainable'
Flights to Beirut Resume on Tuesday
Hamas Official Injured in Saida Raid
Lebanon Bids Farewell to Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss
Borell Backs Lebanon’s Calls for Immediate Implementation of 1701
August 4: Pope Francis Calls for ‘Truth and Justice’
Is Algeria’s Sonatrach Poised for a Comeback?
Editorial – Political Behavior and the Realities of Lebanon/Michel Touma/This
Beirut/August 26/2024
ROSNEFT Abandons Project to Develop Tripoli Facilities
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple towns across southern Lebanon
Lebanon's FM calls for UNIFIL extension without amendments during diplomatic
meeting
Israel's Unit 8200 at Glilot base: More details about the Israeli Unit 8200 base
that Hezbollah targeted
Its economy and infrastructure battered, can Lebanon afford a war with Israel?
What is Hezbollah in Lebanon and will it go to war with Israel?
A State in a Hole and a Party in a TunnelSam Menassa/Asharq Al-Awsat
newspaper/August 26/2024
Blessed is the one who came in the name of the people/Edmond El-Chidiac/Beirut
Times/27 August/2024
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on August 26-27/2024
Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo
continue to iron out details, White House says
Cairo talks end in stalemate: Israel's assessment of the situation in Lebanon
and Gaza
Israel announces air strike in West Bank, Palestinian Authority says 5 dead
UN aid operations in Gaza halted after Israel evacuation orders
Egypt Reiterates That it Has Not Accepted Israeli Presence in Rafah Border
Crossing or Philadelphi Corridor
UN Aid Operations in Gaza Halted after Israel Evacuation Orders
Patients Flee Gaza Hospital after Latest Evacuation Order from Israel
Families Flee After New Israeli Evacuation Orders in Gaza as Ceasefire Hopes Dim
Israeli Hardliner Ben-Gvir Repeats Call for Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound
French Far-Right Oppose Leftist Prime Minister, Complicating Calculus for Macron
Iran doesn’t seek to increase regional tensions, FM tells Italian counterpart
Iran publicly hangs a man convicted of murder
Iran doesn't seek to raise regional tensions, foreign minister tells Italian
counterpart
Kremlin Says There Will Be a Response to Ukraine’s Kursk Attack
Ratney: US Expediting Strategic Agreements with Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Picks New Finance and Trade Ministers in Cabinet Shuffle
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on August 26-27/2024
‘That Dreadful Day’: Lessons for the West from This Day in History/Raymond
Ibrahim/The Stream/August 26, 2024
What’s behind the bloodiest recent attacks in Pakistan's Baluchistan
province?/Riazat Butt/ISLAMABAD (AP)/August 26, 2024
How Difficult it Is to End a War/Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al-Awsat
newspaper/August 26/2024
Advanced US Radar and Special Israeli Unit to Hunt Hamas Leader, Sinwar/Mark
Mazzetti, Ronen Bergman, Julian E. Barnes and Adam Goldman/The New York
Times/August 26/2024
A Decaying Near-East and the Purview of Negotiations/Charles Chartouni /This
Beirut/August 26/2024
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on August 26-27/2024
For the Sake of Activating our
Memory
Etienne Sakr - Abu Arz/ August 26, 2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2024/08/133665/
From the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt and Mufti Hassan Khaled to the murders
of Bashir Gemayel, Rafik Hariri, members of the May 14 Gathering, and the
victims of the Beirut port explosion, up to the assassination of Lokman Slim and
many others—Lebanon has witnessed countless major crimes since the seventies.
Yet, these cases remain buried in the basements of the Ministry of Justice,
untouched and unresolved, as if in a deep, eternal slumber. No one dares to
reopen these files; no one inquires, demands, or listens.
The collapse of states is often rooted in the absence of the rule of law, a
reality that has placed Lebanon at the top of the list of failed states
worldwide.
The question is: when will you, the Lebanese people, wake up from your deep
sleep? Remember, in this dark and unjust East, rights are not given—they are
taken by force.
Long Live Lebanon
Etienne Sakr - Abu Arz
Lebanon pushes for UNIFIL extension without changes
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/August 26, 2024
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reiterated Lebanon’s
support for the extension of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon mandate for an
additional year without any modifications to the existing resolution. The UN
Security Council is expected to renew the peacekeeping mission’s mandate at the
end of this month, as it has annually since Resolution 1701 was adopted in 2006
after a 33-day war between Lebanon and Israel. Bou Habib met on Monday with the
ambassadors of France, China, Spain and Italy, as well as the charge d’affaires
of the embassies of Russia and the UK. The meetings were part of Lebanon’s
efforts to secure an extension for UNIFIL forces, whose mandate expires at the
end of this month. Bou Habib discussed the
developments regarding the extension during a telephone conversation with Lisa
Johnson, the US ambassador to Lebanon. The government intensified its diplomatic
drive on the UNIFIL extension as Israeli and Hezbollah strikes and counter
strikes on the border resumed on Monday. Israel and Hezbollah pulled back after
an exchange of heavy fire on Sunday that briefly raised fears of an all-out war.
Iran praised Hezbollah’s drone and missile assault in a statement by the foreign
ministry: “The strategic balances have shifted to the detriment of the Zionist
regime, as the terrorist Israeli army has lost its deterrence and offensive
capabilities, and it needs to defend itself against strategic strikes.” The
press release claimed that “the strategic equation has changed, and the myth of
the invincible army has become an empty slogan.” On Monday, an Israeli attempt
to kill a Hamas official in a residential neighbourhood of Sidon failed. An
Israeli combat drone targeted a car in the city as Hamas leader Nidal Hleihel
was approaching the vehicle. The car was later seen on fire, while Hleihel
narrowly avoided the strike. Other reports claimed that Hleihel and his family
members suffered injuries. Cautious calm prevailed in the Lebanon-Israel border
area on Monday morning, a day after Hezbollah’s retaliation operation for the
assassination of senior military commander Fouad Shukr, and what Israel called
“a pre-emptive action” to paralyze Hezbollah’s launchers from firing rockets
toward army positions. Israeli aircraft struck Lebanese border towns on Monday.
Warplanes and combat drones targeted an area between Taybeh and Odaisseh, and
the towns of Kfarkela, Alma Al-Shaab, Tayr Harfa and Hanine. Israeli incursions
into southern Lebanon airspace continued over southern Lebanon, reaching the
Bekaa and Beirut’s suburbs. “The two measured and controlled military responses
on Sunday — one by Hezbollah and the other by Israel,” a political observer in
Lebanon said, prevented an all-out war.
Residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, who had left in recent days fearing
repercussions after Hezbollah’s response, returned to their homes. In a speech
on Sunday evening, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah sought to
reassure his supporters, leading hundreds of young people to take to the streets
of the southern suburbs on their motorcycles and carrying Hezbollah flags in
celebration of what they perceived as “the retaliation against Israel.”
Hezbollah and Israel returned the following day to operate under the framework
of avoiding a full-scale war while adhering to flexible yet carefully considered
rules of engagement. Sirens sounded in several settlements in Western Galilee as
a warning of potential attacks from Hezbollah. Israeli
media reported that the alarms were heard in Arab Al-Aramshe, Adamit and Hanita
in western Galilee. Israel’s military released a video to confirm “Israeli
strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.” The footage displayed a
segment of a drone being intercepted by a combat helicopter, as well as aerial
refueling operations in Lebanese airspace. Nasrallah said that Hezbollah had
“attacked the Glilot base of the Israeli military intelligence directorate
‘Aman’ located near Tel Aviv, as well as the Ein Shemer base in Hadera.” To
achieve this, Hezbollah launched 340 Katyusha rockets at northern Israel to
distract attention from the trajectory of its suicide drones aimed at Tel Aviv.
It attacked 11 locations during the operation, including barracks and military
command centers.
Israel says Hezbollah thwarted but situation on Lebanon
border 'not sustainable'
James Mackenzie/JERUSALEM (Reuters)/August 26, 2024
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli officials and media reacted with satisfaction on
Monday after a long-expected missile attack by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah
movement appeared to have been largely thwarted by pre-emptive Israeli strikes
in southern Lebanon. Both Hezbollah and Israel seemed content to let Sunday's
attack, in retaliation for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut
last month, count as settled for the moment. Israeli government spokesperson
David Mencer said Hezbollah had suffered a "crushing blow" from the Israeli
strikes but that a longer lasting solution was still needed. "The current
situation is not sustainable," he told a briefing, referring to the tens of
thousands evacuated from their homes in northern Israel, a situation mirrored on
the other side of the border in southern Lebanon. "Israel will do its duty and
return its population to our sovereign territory." Hopes that children might
return for the start of the new school year in September have evaporated, with
financial assistance for residents evacuated from their homes extended to Dec
31.
However there was some optimism that the exchange of fire, which did not cause
the kind of extensive damage many in Israel had feared, might help talks aimed
at halting the fighting in Gaza and bringing Israeli and foreign hostages home.
Palestinian militant group Hamas has said it will not agree to a deal that
allows Israeli troops to remain in the band of territory at the southern edge of
the Gaza Strip along the border with Egypt. But some commentators said Sunday's
exchange of fire might prove that Hamas lacked the kind of support it would need
to push the conflict outside Gaza.
"Maybe - just maybe - Israel's success at foiling Hezbollah’s retaliation might
pave the way to concessions by Hamas in the negotiations over a hostage deal,
given the failed bid to see the war expanded to engulf the entire region," wrote
Avi Issacharoff, a commentator in Israel's biggest-selling daily Yedioth
Ahronoth. In the early hours of Sunday morning, around 100 Israeli jets hit
dozens of Hezbollah launch sites in southern Lebanon, destroying thousands of
rockets the military said were aimed at Israel. Hezbollah did launch hundreds of
missiles, but most were intercepted or fell in open areas. Hezbollah denied that
its response to the killing of its senior commander Fuad Shukr had been defused,
but said the operation had been completed successfully, drawing hopes that a
line might be drawn under the incident, at least for now.
Iran, which has vowed retaliation against Israel for the assassination in
Tehran last month of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, also said it was not
looking to fuel regional tensions.
After Hezbollah-Israel Exchange, Lebanese Wary Conflict
Could Drag On
Asharq Al Awsat/August 26, 2024
Residents of Lebanese cities felt only partial relief on Monday that one of the
biggest exchanges of fire between armed group Hezbollah and the Israeli military
the previous day was over, worn down by the relentless tension of 10 months of
conflict. Early on Sunday, Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel to
avenge a commander killed in an Israeli strike last month. Israeli jets struck
dozens of targets in south Lebanon, in what residents there said felt like the
"apocalypse". Many feared that the exchange of fire, the heaviest since
hostilities began between Hezbollah and Israel in parallel with the war in Gaza,
could trigger a regional conflagration. But by the end of the day, both sides
appeared to signal that the episode was over - for now.
"People are relieved, or are relieved a bit, because they took a breather
after this attack," Reuters quoted Mohamed Ftouni, a Lebanese shop owner in the
southern port city of Tyre. "We hope that something good will happen, to have
some commercial activity and for the situation to improve. Our only hope is that
there will be a ceasefire so that we can be done (with war) in Gaza and here,
for people to relax more."
Hezbollah has said that it will not stop firing at Israel without a ceasefire
for Gaza. Talks on a truce have yet to produce a deal.
IMPACT ON TOURISM
The intensity of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has ratcheted up
steadily, displacing tens of thousands of people on either side of the
Lebanese-Israeli frontier and striking a blow to Lebanon's tourism industry,
which relies heavily on the summer season. Fears of a major escalation spiked
after a strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights last month killed 12 young
people. The Israeli military assassinated Hezbollah's top military commander
Fuad Shukr in response, and Hezbollah vowed to avenge him - leaving the region
anxious that a full-scale war was looming.However, after Sunday's exchange, both
Israel and Hezbollah appeared to resume the previous pace of strikes. Hezbollah
claimed two attacks on Israeli military posts by Monday, and an Israeli strike
in south Lebanon targeted an official from Palestinian faction Hamas. He
survived, a security source said. Ibrahim Hussein, another shopkeeper in Tyre,
said Lebanon was now back to "the same situation as before".But the situation
has been enough to rattle many Lebanese. On Monday afternoon, Israeli jets broke
the sound barrier over Beirut, shaking glass throughout the city. Talal Sidani,
the owner of an artisanal shop in the capital, said he would rather get a war
over with than be constantly nervous about when it could start. "War? Let there
be war. We want to work. There's no work, here we are sitting. Especially us, we
have touristic stores, and we rely on tourism - if there is no tourism, bye bye
my dears," he told Reuters.
Israel Says Hezbollah Thwarted but Situation on Lebanon
Border 'Not Sustainable'
Asharq Al Awsat/August 26, 2024
Israeli officials and media reacted with satisfaction on Monday after a
long-expected missile attack by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement appeared
to have been largely thwarted by pre-emptive Israeli strikes in southern
Lebanon, according to Reuters. Both Hezbollah and Israel seemed content to let
Sunday's attack, in retaliation for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander
in Beirut last month, count as settled for the moment. Israeli government
spokesperson David Mencer said Hezbollah had suffered a "crushing blow" from the
Israeli strikes but that a longer lasting solution was still needed. "The
current situation is not sustainable," he told a briefing, referring to the tens
of thousands evacuated from their homes in northern Israel, a situation mirrored
on the other side of the border in southern Lebanon. "Israel will do its duty
and return its population to our sovereign territory." Hopes that children might
return for the start of the new school year in September have evaporated, with
financial assistance for residents evacuated from their homes extended to Dec
31. However there was some optimism that the exchange of fire, which did not
cause the kind of extensive damage many in Israel had feared, might help talks
aimed at halting the fighting in Gaza and bringing Israeli and foreign hostages
home. Hamas has said it will not agree to a deal that allows Israeli troops to
remain in the band of territory at the southern edge of the Gaza Strip along the
border with Egypt. But some commentators said Sunday's exchange of fire might
prove that Hamas lacked the kind of support it would need to push the conflict
outside Gaza. "Maybe - just maybe - Israel's success at foiling Hezbollah’s
retaliation might pave the way to concessions by Hamas in the negotiations over
a hostage deal, given the failed bid to see the war expanded to engulf the
entire region," wrote Avi Issacharoff, a commentator in Israel's biggest-selling
daily Yedioth Ahronoth. In the early hours of Sunday morning, around 100 Israeli
jets hit dozens of Hezbollah launch sites in southern Lebanon, destroying
thousands of rockets the military said were aimed at Israel. Hezbollah did
launch hundreds of missiles, but most were intercepted or fell in open areas.
Hezbollah denied that its response to the killing of its senior commander Fuad
Shukr had been defused, but said the operation had been completed successfully,
drawing hopes that a line might be drawn under the incident, at least for now.
Iran, which has vowed retaliation against Israel for the assassination in Tehran
last month of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, also said it was not
looking to fuel regional tensions.
Flights to Beirut Resume on Tuesday
This Is Beirut/August 26, 2024
Flights to Beirut will resume on Tuesday following a speech by Hezbollah
Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday. Nasrallah announced that the
retaliation against Israel had been “accomplished,” which appears to have
reassured airlines. Sunday’s Hezbollah attack on Israel was part of the
“response” to the murder of Hezbollah executive Fouad Shokr in late July.
Airlines resuming flights include Royal Jordanian and Air France, along with its
subsidiary Transavia. French carrier Air France, which had suspended flights to
Beirut until August 26, has confirmed it will operate its flight to Beirut
scheduled for August 27 at 9 AM, according to Tony Daccache, Air France’s agent
in Lebanon. For reference, Europe’s leading airline, Lufthansa, has extended its
suspension of flights to Beirut until September 30 due to the armed conflict
between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon, which has been ongoing for
over 10 months.
What about MEA?
Unlike other airlines, Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) has maintained most
of its flights despite the hostilities on the southern front. As usual, MEA
announced on Friday that flights from August 25 to August 31 would proceed, with
some modifications.
Hamas Official Injured in Saida Raid
This Is Beirut/August 26, 2024
After a relative calm in southern Lebanon, an Israeli drone attack on Monday
morning targeted the vehicle of a Palestinian Hamas leader who had previously
been targeted with two missiles between Haret Saida and the town of Abra.
Initial reports suggest that Nidal Hleihel was the intended target and that he
survived the attack. Annahar Newspaper reported that Hleihel was shot “while
exiting his residence and making his way to his vehicle, causing severe injuries
to his legs.”
Earlier, Israeli strikes targeted Alma al-Shaab and Tayr Harfa, without causing
casualties. A drone launched a targeted missile strike at the Litani River,
located between the municipalities of Zawtar al-Sharqiya and Deir Siryan.
Israeli spy planes also conducted surveillance over villages in the Tyre caza.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense released a video on its X account showcasing
Sunday’s attacks on Hezbollah’s locations in southern Lebanon, including footage
of a combat helicopter intercepting a drone, radio communications during the
strikes, and aircraft being refueled in Lebanese airspace. The video also
features both an F-35 plane and a combat helicopter. Yesterday, the Israeli
military declared that “almost 100 fighter jets were involved in the
airstrikes,” which thwarted a “major attack” planned by Hezbollah. The Israeli
military also mentioned that “a large number of Hezbollah rocket launchers had
been destroyed,” in contrast to the 6,000 that were previously reported.
Moreover, diplomats informed Reuters that “Israel and Hezbollah
communicated after the dawn attacks on Sunday” – which lasted only four hours –
indicating that “neither side wanted an escalation.
Lebanon Bids Farewell to Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss
This Is Beirut/August 26, 2024
Politicians and leaders from across Lebanon’s political divide praised former
Prime Minister Salim Hoss, who was put to rest on Monday in a national funeral.
The five-time prime minister and veteran economist passed away on Sunday
at the age of 94. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri praised Hoss as one of the few
great men “who contributed to the making of Lebanon’s modern history.”“He was an
Arab in his Arabism… and a Lebanese at heart.”Caretaker Minister of Foreign
Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib wrote, “I knew him first when we were in disagreement
in a dark era of Lebanon’s history… Today, we bid farewell to a state’s man of
the highest caliber who never sought a privilege, or denied his convictions and
the public interest.”The caretaker Minister of Industry, George Bouchikian,
said, “Lebanon misses the likes of Salim Hoss, a man of science and the rule of
law.”MP Tony Franjieh wrote on the X platform, “A man of moderation and
transparency who hoped that the voice of dialogue and integrity will always
prevail over the voices of intolerance and corruption.”
Borell Backs Lebanon’s Calls for Immediate Implementation
of 1701
This Is Beirut/August 26, 2024
Josep Borell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy, supported Lebanon’s demands for the immediate implementation of
UN Security Council Resolution 1701.In a phone conversation with caretaker
Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on Monday, both sides
expressed disappointment over the absence of progress in the recent round of
talks aiming to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. Negotiations took place in Cairo
last week, following an initial round in Doha, and highlighted the need to
persist in trying to halt the ceasefire in Gaza as the key step in stopping the
current escalation in the region and preventing a full-fledged war. For his
part, Bou Habib emphasized the importance of the European Union applying
pressure on Israel to halt its continuous attacks on Lebanon and abide by the
implementation of Resolution 1701.
August 4: Pope Francis Calls for ‘Truth and Justice’
This Is Beirut/August 26, 2024
Pope Francis calls for “truth and justice” regarding the Beirut Port explosion,
on August 4, 2020. In a meeting with the families of victims on Monday, the Pope
affirmed his stance “in seeking truth and justice which have not yet been
achieved.”“It is widely acknowledged that the matter is intricate and
problematic, with various conflicting forces and interests at play,” the Pope
added. A delegation representing the families of the victims of the Beirut port
explosion is in the Vatican. The visit and audience are purely pastoral, aimed
at providing spiritual support from the Pope to those affected by the explosion.
Nonetheless, this audience brings increased visibility to the cause of the
victims’ families.
Is Algeria’s Sonatrach Poised for a Comeback?
Christiane Tager/This Beirut/August 26/2024
This is Beirut revisits the Sonatrach case, focusing on the global Algerian
company that was a key supplier of natural gas to Lebanon until 2021. Following
a scandal, Lebanon sought new sources, shifting its energy imports to Iraq.
Today, Monday, Lebanon is scheduled to receive a gasoil shipment from
Algeria, a much-needed boost to address its chronic “electricity” crisis. This
occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on the 2009 agreement between
Sonatrach and Lebanon’s electricity company, Électricité du Liban (EDL).
Founded in 1963, Sonatrach is Algeria’s hydrocarbons company, ranking
among the largest in Africa and globally. It manages every phase of the
petroleum and natural gas sector in Algeria, encompassing exploration,
production, transportation, transformation and marketing.
In 2009, Sonatrach and EDL concluded a contract under which the Algerian
company provided gasoil to fuel Lebanese power plants, addressing Lebanon’s
recurring electricity shortages. The agreement outlined gas quantities, as well
as gasoil technical specifications and quality standards. Pricing was tied to
global oil price fluctuations, with periodic adjustments reflecting market
conditions. Deliveries were conducted via maritime transport in the form of
liquefied natural gas (LNG). Delivery frequency and volume were adapted to meet
EDL’s needs and supply conditions.
Termination of contract in 2021
In 2021, Sonatrach informed EDL that it would not be renewing their fuel import
contract. This decision was primarily driven by Lebanon’s severe economic and
financial crisis, which led to major delays in payments and difficulties in
meeting financial commitments. Additionally, Lebanon’s political instability
further strained relations with Sonatrach. The
contract’s termination also followed the 2019 “defective fuel” scandal, in which
Lebanon received fuel that did not meet the required standards, despite
certificates of conformity from the point of origin. This was compounded by
allegations of corruption, including bribery related to obtaining construction
and service contracts in Lebanon. The scandal drew significant attention due to
its potential impact on international relations and regional affairs.
Subsequently, Lebanese judicial authorities launched a legal case in
April 2020, with charges filed against 22 individuals. However, the case was
eventually dropped. After Sonatrach ceased its operations, Lebanon turned to
Iraq for its fuel needs. On July 23, 2021, both countries signed an agreement,
effective from September 2021, under which Iraq committed to supplying fuel to
Lebanese power plants at favorable terms, with a monthly delivery of 100,000
tons. The annual agreement was renewed first in August 2022 and then again in
May 2023, with Iraq increasing its supply to 1.5 million tons per year.
Nevertheless, due to its high sulfur content, Iraqi fuel cannot be directly used
in Lebanese power plants. Therefore, Lebanon purchases a suitable type of fuel
from other suppliers through a tender process, and these suppliers, in turn,
receive the Iraqi fuel.
Editorial – Political Behavior and the Realities of Lebanon
Michel Touma /This Beirut/August 26/2024
In his book Lebanon and the Surrounding Countries, the renowned historian Jawad
Boulos—who played a key role in the Lebanese Front, a sovereignty-oriented group
during the early stages of the war—argues that geography and the natural
environment are fundamental factors in shaping the history of a nation. With the
dramatic advancements in communication and transportation technologies, some
today challenge this view, suggesting that geography’s impact on history and the
socio-cultural characteristics of a population within a given territory may be
less significant than once believed.
In Lebanon’s unique context, the impact of geography—especially the country’s
mountainous terrain and varying proximity to the “center”—continues to influence
the political behavior of its diverse social groups. This influence is most
apparent in the ingrained communal instincts that persist across generations.
Walid Joumblatt recently highlighted this during a discussion in Achrafieh,
organized by former minister Ibrahim Najjar. He shared that his visit to
Becharre for his granddaughter’s baptism, near the symbolic Qadicha Valley, gave
him a deeper appreciation for the resilience, determination and deep-rooted
connection to the land exhibited by the Maronites of the northern highlands.
Walid Joumblatt’s insightful remark sheds light, perhaps unintentionally,
on deeply entrenched societal realities in Lebanon that many chose to overlook.
Ignoring these realities risks stirring dangerous sectarian tensions. Lebanon’s
history, both past and present, is rife with examples of factions that,
believing they had reached an unassailable peak of power, disregarded the unique
sensitivities and characteristics of other communities. Time has repeatedly
demonstrated that the dominance of these politically shortsighted factions was
ultimately short-lived. This political blindness can
be explained either by an extreme arrogance that defies comprehension or by a
profound ignorance of local realities, including the impact of geographical
features on the collective mindset, behavior and the particularities of
different segments of society. For instance, Hezbollah has, for
decades—particularly since 2004—demonstrated a noticeable disregard for, or lack
of understanding of, the societal realities in Lebanon.
In a recent television interview, former MP and ex-Secretary General of March
14, Fares Souhaid, pointedly remarked that Hezbollah “does not know Lebanon.”
The extensive history and conduct of the pro-Iranian group, especially since the
Syrian withdrawal in 2005, indeed reveal significant shortcomings in grasping
the realities and intricacies of “deep Lebanon,” both within the party’s
leadership and among its regional backers. Hezbollah’s
misunderstanding of Lebanon’s socio-political and communal realities has led to
significant issues. The party views Lebanon as its “private domain,” which it
manipulates at its discretion. This perspective has plunged the country into
ongoing wars and conflicts that primarily serve Tehran’s hegemonic ambitions.
Hezbollah has effectively taken the entire population hostage, showing a blatant
disregard for the need for genuine civil peace that Lebanese people have been
denied for decades.
This disregard for local complexities has led to reckless actions, such as the
militia invasion on May 7, 2008, of Beirut neighborhoods controlled by the
Future Movement to subdue the Sunni group, and even more egregiously, the
attempt to seize Druze strongholds in the Mountain region. Additionally, the
failed offensive against the Christian stronghold of Ain el-Remmane on October
14, 2021, and periodic social media attacks on Bkerke and the Maronite
patriarch—due to his repeated calls for Lebanese neutrality—further exemplify
this fundamental misjudgment of Lebanon’s intricate social and political fabric.
Moreover, the pro-Iranian party recently sought to assert its control over the
Sunni region of Saida by unsuccessfully trying to marginalize the city’s Sunni
MP, Oussama Saad. Since the 2022 legislative elections, Saad has distanced
himself from Hezbollah, rejecting blind allegiance to the Shiite party. This
misstep has inadvertently bolstered Saad’s popularity and enhanced his political
standing. The list of these perilous blunders, often
marked by the use of violence, is extensive. Each one deepens the growing
resentment towards a faction that treats Lebanon merely as a stage for advancing
the ambitions of the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolution.
Let us dream of a near future where Hezbollah’s leadership makes a
genuine intellectual effort to grasp the profound connection that other Lebanese
communities have with their land, mountains, freedom, beliefs, customs, culture
and history.
ROSNEFT Abandons Project to Develop Tripoli Facilities
Bassam Abou Zeid /This Beirut/August 26/2024
ROSNEFT has abandoned its contract to develop oil storage facilities in Tripoli,
which were supposed to stock 450,000 tons of petroleum derivatives. The
contract, signed in January 2019 under the sponsorship of then-Minister of
Energy Cesar Abi Khalil, had a lifespan of 20 years and required an investment
of $30 to $50 million to set the project on track. The
Russian company’s withdrawal from the project was reportedly due to sanctions
imposed on Russia following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on February 24,
2022. Although ROSNEFT adhered to the contract for three years, no significant
steps were taken to implement it. There was an initial tender for secondary
companies to start the process of repairing the storage tanks, and two companies
– one Lebanese and one Egyptian – qualified for the job. However, the project
did not proceed to implementation. After ROSNEFT’s withdrawal, officials at the
Ministry of Energy reportedly sought to retrieve the project file, only to be
told it was lost. When the contract was originally
awarded to the Russian company, it aligned with the political strategy of the
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which was allied with Hezbollah and supported a
shift toward Russia and China. The United States Embassy in Lebanon had
expressed concerns and objected to the contract, suspecting that there might be
concealed motives behind it. The search for an
alternative to ROSNEFT does not seem to be a priority for the Ministry of
Energy. However, there have been reports that officials from Emirates National
Oil Company (ENOC) expressed interest in studying and discussing the project.
But when this was presented to the current minister of energy, he reportedly
dismissed the company due to potential political sensitivities, and the
discussions did not go further. It was also revealed
that before ROSNEFT withdrew from the project, Lebanese officials had proposed
that the Russians sell two shipments of fuel oil to Lebanon’s electricity
company, Électricité du Liban (EDL), and that the money from the sale be used to
develop the Tripoli storage facilities. The Russian side, however, rejected this
proposal for unspecified reasons. The failure of this
project revives concerns about Lebanon’s need for a strategic reserve of
petroleum derivatives to manage fuel crises during both peacetime and wartime.
Such a reserve could also help avoid electricity crises. Discussions have
reportedly taken place within the EDL board of directors about the possibility
of EDL using its own funds to repair the Tripoli facilities. This would allow it
to import and store surplus quantities of fuel and gas oil to avert power
outages due to depletion of diesel that led to the stoppage of the Deir Ammar
and Zahrani power plants.
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple towns across southern
Lebanon
LBCI/August 26, 2024
Israeli airstrikes targeted several towns across southern Lebanon early Monday.
The strikes, which began at dawn and continued
throughout the morning, hit more than 25 towns, including Ain Qana, Kfar Fila,
Al-Lwaiza, Bouslaiya, Rachaf, At Tiri, Haddatha, Kounine, Zibqin, Yater,
Seddiqine, Haris, Deir Seryan, Naqoura, Tallouseh, and Tayr Harfa. In addition,
other towns were targeted, including Majdal Zoun, Aalma El Chaeb, Jebbayn,
Chihine, Mahmoudiyeh, Berghoz, Mayss El Jabal, Markaba, Jabal el Rafiaa, and
Wadi Dlafy. The Israeli military also conducted a raid in the Tyre area, deep in
southern Lebanon, later in the day. Moreover, an Israeli drone targeted a
vehicle in the city of Khiam and the outskirts of the Aalman area.
Lebanon's FM calls for UNIFIL extension without amendments
during diplomatic meeting
LBCI/August 26, 2024
Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met with ambassadors from France, China,
Spain, and Italy, as well as the acting ambassadors of Russia and the United
Kingdom, to discuss the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
(UNIFIL).
The talks focused on the ongoing negotiations at the UN Security Council
regarding the extension of UNIFIL's mandate for an additional year. Bou Habib
reiterated Lebanon's firm stance on extending the mandate without modifying the
existing resolution. In a separate phone call, Bou Habib updated the US
Ambassador to Lebanon on the latest developments concerning the extension of
UNIFIL's mandate. Bou Habib also discussed recent
security developments in Lebanon and the broader region with the Cypriot
Ambassador. They addressed ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the
extension of UNIFIL's mandate.
Israel's Unit 8200 at Glilot base: More details about the
Israeli Unit 8200 base that Hezbollah targeted
LBCI/August 26, 2024
Hezbollah announced that it targeted Unit 8200, a secretive Israeli Military
Intelligence division, in retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah
military commander Fouad Shokor. The attack involved dozens of drones aimed at
the unit's base, located at Glilot, approximately 110 kilometers from Lebanon
and just 1.5 kilometers from Tel Aviv. Unit 8200, a key Israeli Military
Intelligence Directorate (Aman) branch, specializes in covert operations,
code-breaking, counterintelligence, and cyber warfare. While Hezbollah released
an interactive map detailing the layout of the base, they did not provide
footage of the actual strike or its aftermath, unlike the party's usual practice
of documenting and broadcasting their operations, particularly when drones are
involved. This ordeal has led to speculation about the possible reasons. One
theory is that the long-range attack drones used in the mission may not have
been equipped with cameras, prioritizing explosive payloads and fuel capacity
instead. Another possibility is that Hezbollah deliberately withheld footage for
tactical reasons or that the drones failed to reach their target. If Hezbollah's
drones did strike their target, the group is likely attempting to obtain footage
of the impact or the resulting damage. Meanwhile, Israel has remained silent on
the matter, likely due to the strict military censorship overseen by Unit 8200,
which has been in place since the onset of the war, particularly in relation to
Al-Aqsa Flood Operation.Both sides have declared that their respective
retaliatory actions have concluded for now. However, the ongoing Israeli
military campaign in Gaza and the supporting fronts show no signs of ending,
leaving the future of war uncertain.
Its economy and infrastructure battered, can Lebanon
afford a war with Israel?
Kareem Chehayeb/BEIRUT (AP)/August 26, 2024
The ferocious exchange of fire by Hezbollah and the Israeli military is raising
fears of a regional war beyond the tense border. The risks for Lebanon are far
greater than in 2006, when a monthlong war with Israel ended in a draw. Lebanon
has struggled with years of political and economic crises that left it indebted,
without a stable electricity supply, a proper banking system and with rampant
poverty. And with Hezbollah’s military power significantly greater, there are
concerns that a new war would be far more destructive and prolonged.
Can Lebanon afford any of it?
Planning for a 2006 war repeat — or worse
Since Hezbollah and Israel began firing rockets and drones at each other a day
after the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on Oct. 7, the conflict has been
mostly limited to border towns. But with the threat of a wider war, Lebanon has
scrambled to equip hospitals with supplies and prepare public schools to open up
to people seeking shelter. A rare Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut last
month that killed a top Hezbollah commander set off a flurry of meetings between
humanitarian organizations and the Lebanese government, said Laila Al Amine, who
heads the Beirut office of international relief organization Mercy Corps. It's
one of some 60 organizations helping the government with its relief efforts. The
government and U.N. agencies prepared a comprehensive response plan this month
outlining two possible scenarios: a limited escalation that would resemble the
2006 war, with an estimated 250,000 people displaced, and a worst-case scenario
of “uncontrolled conflict” that would displaced at least 1 million people.
The U.N.-drafted plan, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated
Press, projects a monthly cost of $50 million in case of a limited escalation
and $100 million if an all-out war breaks out. The Lebanese government said that
funding for the emergency will come from creditors and humanitarian aid
organizations. But the authorities have struggled to find money to care for
100,000 currently displaced and an estimated 60,000 people living in conflict
areas, which is costing about $24 million a month. Environment Minister Nasser
Yassin, who is spearheading relief operations, told reporters after an emergency
government meeting Sunday that the morning attacks won't change the plan. “It
already presents scenarios of all the possibilities that could happen, among
them is an expansion of the hostilities,” said Yassin.
Indebted and cash-strapped Lebanon desperate for aid money
Decades of corruption and political paralysis have left Lebanon’s banks barely
functional, while electricity services are almost entirely in the hands of
private diesel-run generator owners and fuel suppliers. Public service
institutions rely on aid groups and international donors to function at a
barebones level. Lebanese who once lived in relative comfort are receiving food
and financial aid to survive. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic further battered
the economy, and the Beirut port explosion flattened several neighborhoods in
the heart of the capital. Lebanon’s banks and the ruling elite have resisted
painful reforms as a condition for an International Monetary Fund bailout while
the infrastructure continued to wither and living conditions worsened. Tourism,
which officials had relied on to help rebuild the economy, has also taken a hit
since the border conflict with Israel. And unlike in 2006, Lebanon is hosting
more than 1 million Syrian refugees who fled the conflict in their country.
Health Minister Firas Abiad told the AP earlier this month that the Lebanese
health system is ill-equipped to treat the additional population in the event of
an all-out war, as international funding for Syrian refugees continues to
decline. In April, Yassin said the country had only half the money needed to
respond to the conflict and ensuing humanitarian needs.
Lebanon faces tougher logistics
In 2006, Israel bombed the runways of Lebanon’s only airport, putting it largely
out of commission, and imposed an air and sea blockade. Its bombardment crippled
critical infrastructure and flattened neighborhoods, with damage and losses
worth $3.1 billion, according to the World Bank. But aid groups eventually were
able to send supplies through the country’s ports and at times through the
airport using the remaining limited runway space. In their assessment of the
war, the U.N. said that their relief efforts was not in response to a
humanitarian crisis. “People did not die from poor sanitation, hunger or
disease. They died from bombs and shells,” U.N. OCHA said in a report a month
after the war. Many Lebanese were able to flee to neighboring Syria, where an
uprising in 2011 plunged the country into a civil war. It's unclear how easy
crossing the border would be this time, both for civilians and aid groups. It is
also unclear whether the Beirut port, still not fully rebuilt after the
devastating blast in 2020, would have sufficient capacity in case of a wider
war. Its damaged grain silos collapsed in 2022, and the country relies on
minimal food storage due to the financial crisis. “Lebanon apparently has stocks
of food and fuel for two-three months, but what happens beyond this duration?”
Al Amine said. “We only have one airport and we can’t transport things through
our land borders. It would be difficult to bring items into the country.”
An empowered Hezbollah
In 2006, Hezbollah reportedly had some 15,000 rockets in its arsenal, “but more
recent unofficial estimates suggest this number has multiplied by almost 10
times,” said Dina Arakji, associate analyst at U.K.-based risk consultancy firm
Control Risks.
The group has also “acquired more advanced weaponry, including precision
missiles and variants of Iranian arms, as well as Chinese and Russian weaponry,”
she said.
Hezbollah, which relies on a network of Iran-backed allied groups that could
enter the conflict, has also substantially expanded its drone arsenal and
capabilities, against which Israeli air defenses are less effective. Lebanese
officials and international diplomats hope that an elusive cease-fire agreement
in Gaza will bring to calm in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has said it will halt
its attacks along the border if there is a cease-fire in Gaza.
What is Hezbollah in Lebanon and will it go to war with
Israel?
BBC/Sun, August 25, 2024
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992
[Reuters]
The Israeli military has said its jets pre-emptively struck thousands of
Hezbollah rocket launchers across southern Lebanon on Sunday, after identifying
that Hezbollah was preparing an imminent attack on Israel. Hezbollah has said it
launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel afterwards in an initial
response to the assassination of a top commander last month, and denied that its
plans were thwarted. It was a significant escalation after 10 months of near
daily exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border, which have raised
fears of an all-out war between the two foes.
What is Hezbollah?
Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim organisation which is politically influential and in
control of the most powerful armed force in Lebanon. It was established in the
early 1980s by the region's most dominant Shia power, Iran, to oppose Israel. At
the time, Israel's forces had occupied southern Lebanon, during the country's
civil war. Hezbollah has participated in national elections since 1992 and has
become a major political presence. Its armed wing has carried out deadly attacks
on Israeli and US forces in Lebanon. When Israeli troops withdrew from Lebanon
in 2000, Hezbollah took credit for pushing them out.
as maintained thousands of fighters and a huge missile arsenal in southern
Lebanon. It continues to oppose Israel's presence in disputed border areas. It
is designated a terrorist organisation by Western states, Israel, Gulf Arab
countries and the Arab League. In 2006, a full-blown war broke out between
Hezbollah and Israel, triggered by a deadly cross-border raid by Hezbollah.
Israeli troops invaded southern Lebanon to try to eliminate the threat from
Hezbollah. However, it survived and has since increased its number of fighters
and obtained new and better weapons.
Damage, destruction and fear along the Israel-Lebanon border
Who is Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah?
Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992.
He played a key role in turning it into a political, as a well as a military,
force.
He has close links with Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Nasrallah has not appeared in public for years, purportedly for fear of being
assassinated by Israel. However, he remains revered by Hezbollah, and delivers
televised speeches every week.
How powerful are Hezbollah's forces?
Hezbollah is one of the most heavily-armed, non-state military forces in the
world. It is funded and equipped by Iran. Hassan Nasrallah has claimed that it
has 100,000 fighters, although independent estimates vary between 20,000 and
50,000.
Many are well trained and battle hardened, and have fought in the Syrian civil
war. Chadia Kaddouh, stands amid rubble of her house
that was destroyed by what she said was Israeli shelling, amidst tension between
Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern town of Yater,
Hezbollah has an estimated 120,000-200,000 rockets and missiles, according to
the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. Most of its
arsenal is made up of small, unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets. But
it also thought to have anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, as well as guided
missiles capable of striking deep inside Israel. This is much more sophisticated
than what Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, has at its disposal.
Could Hezbollah go to war with Israel?
Previously sporadic fighting escalated on 8 October - a day after the
unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from Gaza - when Hezbollah fired
at Israeli positions, in solidarity with the Palestinians. Since then, it has
launched more than 8,000 rockets at northern Israel and Israeli positions on the
Golan Heights, fired anti-tank missiles at armoured vehicles, and attacked
military targets with explosive drones. The Israel
Defense Forces (IDF) have retaliated, using air strikes and tank and artillery
fire against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Lebanon's health ministry says more
than 560 people have been killed over the past 10 months. Most of them were
Hezbollah fighters, but at least 133 were civilians, according to the ministry.
In Israel, authorities say at least 26 civilians and 23 soldiers have been
killed. Almost 200,000 people have also been displaced on both sides of the
border. Despite the fighting, observers say that up till now both sides have
aimed to contain hostilities without crossing the line into full-scale war. But
there are fears that the situation could spiral out of control.
Those fears soared after the killing of 12 children in a rocket attack in
the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on 27 July. Israel said Hezbollah carried out
the attack, but the group denied involvement. On 30 July, the IDF announced that
it had killed senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in an air strike in
Beirut's southern suburbs. The following day, Hamas
political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran's capital, Tehran. Israel
neither confirmed nor denied involved. Ever since, the region has been waiting
for a response from Hezbollah and Iran, who both vowed to retaliate against
Israel. The US is hoping to de-escalate tensions by brokering a ceasefire and
hostage release deal in Gaza, and is putting pressure on Israel and Hamas.
Hezbollah has said it will only stop the hostilities once the fighting in Gaza
ends.
A State in a Hole and a Party in a Tunnel
Sam Menassa/Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
Hezbollah recently released a video depicting a military facility in which
vehicles loaded with missiles move across extensive, fortified, and illuminated
tunnels. There had been talk about Hezbollah's tunnels before it made these
unprecedented revelations. However, the matter did not receive the attention it
deserved given the gravity of its implications and objectives. Some tied the
announcement and its timing to the retaliation of the party to Israel's
assassination of senior Hezbollah figure, Fuad Shukr. Regardless of the reasons
for this revelation, which are important and fundamental, it has several
dimensions. Some are related to the party, its path, behavior, and goals in
Lebanon, others to Lebanon’s official stance, and still others to the popular
perception of the party and the stance of ordinary Lebanese people regarding an
event of this magnitude and gravity in national, political, and security terms.
First, it should be noted that digging tunnels has become prevalent in the
Middle East. For over 15 years, Israeli outlets have been reporting on
Hezbollah's reinforcement of its positions in southern Lebanon through the
construction of tunnels throughout this troubled region. Having begun building a
network of tunnels under Gaza that reaches Rafah and is reportedly 500
kilometers long, Hamas preceded Hezbollah in this regard. Right-wing Jewish
settler groups have also joined in on the action, digging a tunnel between the
City of David and Mughrabi Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Naturally, each of these tunnel-digging initiatives serves particular
objectives. Hezbollah had been preparing for a future battle with Israel, which
it is now engaged in. Hamas dug tunnels to smuggle goods and weapons into Gaza
and then turned them into fortified locations that have allowed it to continue
fighting this war more than nine months after it began. The Israeli settlers, on
the other hand, built it as part of an attempt to covertly link Jewish heritage
sites.
These tunnels are being dug by powerful non-state actors who believe they have
the right to operate underground, and anywhere else, in the name of a grand and
sacred cause, disregarding state sovereignty, whether in Lebanon, Israel, or
elsewhere. The saddest aspect of all of this is that elements within the
sovereign state had known about or been complicit in this project. This reflects
the hollowness of the authorities in question; it shows that they are either
weak, do not take themselves seriously, or are complicit. Israel, for example,
overlooks or acquiesces to the agendas of certain non-state actors.
These ideological non-governmental actors have sought to undermine states’
legitimacy in the Middle East for years. They have succeeded in making it
impossible for states to obstruct their expanding destructive activities. We see
this in Lebanon and, to an extent, Israel, where racially motivated religious
extremist groups have mushroomed organically, creating visible fractures in
Israeli society. "Non-state sovereignty" has become a real issue in the region,
and “tunnel behavior” has become its latest manifestation.
All of this sets the stage for revisiting the three Lebanese dimensions of
Hezbollah's decision to exhibit its tunnels, regardless of their actual size or
number. The video should not come as a surprise. Indeed, tunnels have been part
and parcel of the party's strategy for decades. It is also a reflection of the
unilaterality of Hezbollah's actions and how the party has transformed, due to
accumulated breaches, into the de facto ruler of the country. Hezbollah does not
need to hide anymore. In fact, it is now the one who provides cover and support
to complicit Lebanese factions and forces. Tunnels of this magnitude, which are
possibly located in several regions of the country, provide glaring evidence of
this occupying force’s capacity to expand its influence in a variety of regions,
possibly beyond the south, as a result of nation authorities’ collapse, the
complicity of some state elements, the sycophancy and opportunism of certain
political forces, and the complacency of others who have prioritized personal
gains over the course of decades.
As for the dimension tied to the Lebanese state, with that the concept of
statehood having dissipated completely, it is no longer hyperbolic to assert
that Lebanon is nothing more than a geographic space that has been reduced to
"Hezbollah." The government is incapable of providing basic services like
electricity, water, health, and education; how could possibly complain to the
international community on behalf of those whom it represents? After the tunnels
were exhibited publicly, the caretaker government became a bankruptcy trustee
and a mediator for international parties seeking to prevent an expansion of the
conflict.
Most frighteningly of all, there has been no popular reaction. The country has
not seen a single protest or sit-in denouncing these practices. With the
exception of the troubled southern regions and a few folkloric stances in the
media whose only impact is to put their opposition on the record positions, life
has continued normally and Lebanon is brimming with parties and festivals.
Adaptation, surrender, or despair are deadly diseases in Lebanon. No force could
prevent a million Lebanese carrying lit candles every night in Martyrs' Square
and merely demanding peace in Lebanon, instead of attending festivals in the
thousands. Only a million candles could make an attempt at pulling Lebanon out
of its new and old tunnels that Lebanon has remained in.
Blessed is the one who came in the name of the people
Edmond El-Chidiac/Beirut Times/27 August/2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2024/08/44789/
Bachir Gemayel Speech - Ghosta - 01/09 ...
( Written On the anniversary of the election of the martyred President, Sheikh
Bashir Gemayel, as President of the Lebanese Republic.)
To enter the sacred space of speaking about Bashir is like standing before the
burning bush or trying to measure the limits of imagination. How can a pen and
paper capture the dream that echoed in our consciences, the fervor that blazed
in our veins, the pure spirit of resistance that penetrated our ribs, and the
sprout of national politics that grew in our Lebanon, a land that had long been
barren before Bashir Gemayel?
We now feel more than ever the void that Bashir left in the life of each one of
us, and even more so the void he left at the national level as a whole. We also
feel more than ever the importance of what Bashir Gemayel used to say, dream
about, and strive to achieve. He wanted a homeland as vast as the dream, so he
made the dream into agendas, plans for execution, and achievements.
The greatest achievement of Bashir Gemayel is that he showed us the path paved
with the blood of thousands of martyrs before us. He taught us how to hold our
heads high and look at the cause as a beacon, so we don't get lost in the dark
labyrinths of this East, from which the stench of global politics emanates. And
greater than all this is that he vaccinated us against all the diseases that
arise from that stench. He vaccinated us with his words, his deeds, and with the
greatest antidote, his martyrdom. He vaccinated us against subservience, except
to our cause and our homeland.
He vaccinated us against slavery, subjugation, and kissing the boots of
colonizers. He vaccinated us against accepting a homeland as a farm and a
president who does not represent the will of the people, the people alone.
Before his election, he had set the standards for a president who deserves to
lead a country like Lebanon, the qualities of a man who can be entrusted with
the 10,452 square kilometers and the 6,000 years of civilization. He said, "We
want a president who establishes a harmonious relationship between the senses of
the nation, a man of vision whose national dream reaches the level of a vision,
not someone with a political lust that does not exceed the boundaries of
governance. We want a president who has stood, even once, before the grave of a
martyr. We want a president who uses the verbs of anger, the tools of warning,
the letters of rejection, and the nouns of determination, someone who comes to
dismantle, not to continue, someone who moves Lebanon from a state of
coexistence with the crisis and solutions projects to a state of escaping the
crisis and imposing solutions."
After August 23, 1982, Bashir spent 22 days as an elected president, during
which he drew the lines of the new Lebanon, the Lebanon that "will no longer be
a mere stepping stone, nor a low wall, but will be a state in every sense of the
word, capable of protecting itself, its interests, its existence, and the
security of its citizens and their properties. We will not be subservient to
anyone, nor will we accept anyone as a guardian over us, not even over a single
inch of Lebanese land. The area of Lebanon is 10,452 square kilometers, and it
will remain so."
He believed that a free and sovereign Lebanon could not exist with foreign
armies on its soil, and that the presence of these armies or any auxiliary army
undermines any role of the Lebanese army and destroys freedom and democracy. He
said, as if his words were a prophecy of our current situation, "But where are
the Lebanese who can elect a strong man with 30,000 Syrian soldiers, thousands
of intelligence agents, and 600,000 Palestinians present? The withdrawal of the
Syrian army from Lebanon is a necessity and a condition for conducting fair
presidential elections."
Bashir was realistic on the ground as much as he was a man of great dreams. He
believed that occupations can only be uprooted from the soil of the homeland by
the hands, sacrifices, and blood of the homeland's sons themselves. Sovereignty
must be seized, not begged for at the doors of great powers. He said, "We have
become responsible for ourselves, for our destiny, for our nation, for
everything that happens to us in terms of liberation and sovereignty, and for
all the lands that will return to being Lebanese. We are not waiting for
anyone's help, and we do not need anyone to die for us. Liberation must either
be the result of our work, our sacrifices, and our martyrs, or we are a people
unworthy of life and freedom."
Bashir, who launched the slogan of the 10,452 square kilometers, had absolute
faith in the uniqueness of Lebanon, which, though limited in size, is a giant of
civilization, universal in thought, self-contained, with roots in eternity and
branches in infinity. He also had absolute faith in the uniqueness of the
Lebanese people, believing that the people of Lebanon are still the only ones in
this East who have their history present and their mission evident, with their
distinctiveness being an undeniable fact. They look to the future in the light
of their original, unique heritage, which has the resilience to protect it
against the dangers of disappearance that the occupiers and coverers wish for
it. He expressed this faith by saying, "The Lebanese cling to their unique
existence in this geographical environment. They are like an oil drop that
maintains its size, color, shape, identity, and purity, even if it mixes with
any other body, no matter the size and type of that body, and remains at the top
of all bodies, no matter how small it is, and no matter how large and expansive
the other bodies are. History is also full of examples of peoples who rejected
occupation, resisted it, and prevented it from being more than just the
occupation of land and spaces without extending to the mind, heart, and soul."
With Bashir's thought, many things ended, and many new things were born.
– The saying "Lebanon's strength lies in its weakness" ended, and the theory of
Lebanon's strength lies in the hands of its people, in its un-diminished
sovereignty, and in a strong national army, both militarily and ideologically,
was born.
– The politics of deception, mercantilism, lies, and concessions, and the idea
of Lebanon as a farm ended, and the faith in Lebanon as a country, Lebanon of
purity, truth, and the triumph of civilization even unto martyrdom, was born.
– The theory of tailoring the cause to fit the leader and his ambitions ended,
and the theory of selecting a leader to fit the cause and the nation was born.
– The saying that Lebanon is composed of Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc., ended,
and a firm belief was born that Lebanon is composed of Lebanese brothers in
Lebanon, no matter their sect, as long as they believe in Lebanon the proud,
sovereign, free, and independent, with no diminished sovereignty, absorbing all
civilizations, rejecting any foreign army, whatever its name may be.
Bashir Gemayel was the alarm that awakened the great Lebanese spirit, which had
been in deep sleep since the time of Fakhreddine. He was a candle that burned on
the altar of Lebanon to light our way. A candle, even if it burned out
prematurely, it was born shining brightly and eternally in the heart of every
loyal Lebanese, faithful to the promise.
And we end with a word from Bashir of the 10,452 square kilometers, which does
the topic justice when he said, "The attempt on my life, whether it succeeds or
fails, will not affect the cause of Lebanon. The cause of Lebanon remains as
long as there is an occupier, a settler, feudalism, repression, and oppression.
Many pioneers of this cause have died, some in bed and some on the battlefield,
but the cause continued to grow and expand in conscience, land, and the world.
Every persecution of its ideas and pioneers deepens it in the conscience. I am
with you in times of peace as in times of war. As for life, it is in God's
hands..." (His Excellency President Sheikh Bashir Gemayel – March 27, 1979).
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on August 26-27/2024
Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo continue to
iron out details, White House says
Reuters/August 26, 2024
WASHINGTON: Negotiations in Cairo to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage
deal are still pressing ahead, White House national security spokesperson John
Kirby said, adding that the discussions will continue on the working-group level
for the next few days to iron out specific issues. Speaking to reporters in a
virtual briefing, Kirby pushed back on suggestions that the talks have broken
down, and said, on the contrary, that they were “constructive.” “The talks
actually progressed to a point where they felt like the next logical step was to
have working groups at lower levels to sit down to hammer out these finer
details,” Kirby said. Brett McGurk, US President Joe Biden’s top Middle East
aide at the White House who has been participating in the talks, will soon leave
Cairo after staying an extra day to start the working-group talks, Kirby said.
One of the issues to be tackled by the working groups will be the exchange of
hostages Hamas is holding and Palestinian prisoners that Israel is holding,
Kirby said. He said the details to be settled included how many hostages may be
exchanged, their identities, and the pace of their potential release.
Months of on-off talks have failed to produce an agreement to end
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza or free the remaining hostages seized by
Hamas in the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war.
The latest round of negotiations came under the threat of a regional
escalation. Over the weekend, Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones
at Israel as Israel’s military said it struck Lebanon with around 100 jets to
thwart a larger attack. But Kirby said the
cross-border warfare over the weekend has not had an impact on the talks. Key
sticking points in ongoing talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar
include an Israeli presence in the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow
14.5-km-long (9-mile-long) stretch of land along Gaza’s southern border with
Egypt. “There continues to be progress and our team on
the ground continues to describe the talks as constructive,” Kirby said. Two
Egyptian sources on Sunday said Israel expressed reservations about several of
the Palestinian detainees Hamas is demanding be released, and Israel demanded
their exit of Gaza if they are released. More than
40,400 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza’s health
ministry. Most of its 2.3 million people have been displaced multiple times and
face acute shortages of food and medicine, humanitarian agencies say.
Cairo talks end in stalemate: Israel's assessment of the
situation in Lebanon and Gaza
LBCI/August 26, 2024
Negotiations in Cairo officially concluded on Sunday without achieving any
breakthrough that would bring hope for a near-term deal. However, mediators have
continued their efforts behind the scenes, presenting proposals encouraging both
sides to show more flexibility on key sticking points. Unlike previous rounds of
talks, this session saw discussions on proposals outside the traditional
negotiation framework. Among them were a temporary ceasefire agreement and
another focusing on the most contentious issue, the Philadelphi Corridor. The
proposal suggested a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the area—a move Hamas
rejected, although Israel showed some openness to it, according to the Israeli
delegation. As the talks wrapped up, Israel held a meeting to assess the impact
of its preemptive strike against Hezbollah and the speech delivered by the
group's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Tel
Aviv identified the most significant takeaway from Nasrallah's remarks as his
declaration that Hezbollah's retaliation for the assassination of commander
Fouad Shokor was now complete. This assessment prompted Israeli security and
military officials to refocus on the priority of achieving a deal regarding
Gaza, alongside developing a strategic plan to make a breakthrough in
negotiations before the end of the year. During an assessment of Sunday's
actions at the Israeli army's operations headquarters, Defense Minister Yoav
Gallant warned that military operations would continue until all threats to
Israel were neutralized. He reaffirmed Israel's preference for a diplomatic
resolution concerning Lebanon. Despite removing the
immediate threat of Hezbollah's retaliation for the Dahieh operation—which kept
Israel on edge for 40 days—the Israeli military remains on high alert,
especially with the anticipation of an Iranian response.
Moreover, coordination with Washington continues at the highest levels,
bolstered by substantial US military support for Israel. A
statement from Israel's Defense Ministry revealed that since the onset of the
Al-Aqsa Flood War, the Israeli military has received 50,000 tons of military
equipment and weapons from the United States, transported by 500 cargo planes
and 107 ships. Additionally, just last week, the
Pentagon approved a $20 billion arms sale to Israel, which includes fighter
jets, air-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, and tank shells.
Israel announces air strike in West Bank,
Palestinian Authority says 5 dead
AFP/August 26, 2024
JERUSALEM: Israel said on Monday it carried out an air strike on the occupied
West Bank, while the Palestinian Authority reported five killed in the incident.
“A short while ago, an aircraft struck an operational center in the area
of Nur Shams,” an Israeli military spokesperson said, without providing a
casualty count or specifying who was targeted. “Five citizens were killed and
others were injured,” the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said. Violence
in the West Bank has surged alongside the war in Gaza, with more than 640
Palestinians killed by Israeli troops and settlers since Hamas’s October 7
attack, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian health ministry figures.
At least 19 Israelis have also died in Palestinian attacks during the same
period, according to Israeli officials. A correspondent for Wafa reported
hearing four loud explosions and said Monday’s strike targeted a house in the
Nur Shams refugee camp. The camp near Tulkarem has been the target of multiple
Israeli army operations.Fourteen people died in one two-day Israeli operation in
Nur Shams in April, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. And in July
Israeli forces bulldozed the main street in Nur Shams during a raid that lasted
15 hours.
UN aid operations in Gaza halted after
Israel evacuation orders
Michelle Nichols/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters)/August 26, 2024
United Nations humanitarian aid operations in Gaza ground to a halt on Monday
after Israel issued new evacuation orders for Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza
Strip late on Sunday, a senior U.N. official said.
"We're unable to deliver today with the conditions that we're in," said the
official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "As of this morning, we're not
operating in Gaza.""We're not leaving (Gaza) because the people need us there,"
the official said. "We're trying to balance the need of the population with the
need for safety and security of the U.N. personnel." The official said U.N.
staff on the ground had been directed to try and find a way to keep operating.
He said U.N. operations had not been formally suspended. The official said the
United Nations had relocated its main command operations for the Gaza Strip and
most U.N. personnel to Deir Al-Balah after Israel ordered the evacuation of
Rafah in the south of Gaza. "Where do we move now?" said the official, adding
that U.N. staff had to be moved so quickly that equipment was left behind. "The
challenge is to find a place where we can reset and effectively operate," the
official said. "The space to operate is being restricted more and more than
ever." The current war in the Gaza Strip began on Oct.
7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, killing around
1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Since then, Israel's military has leveled swathes of the Palestinian enclave,
driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to
deadly hunger and disease and killing at least 40,000 people, according to
Palestinian health authorities.
Egypt Reiterates That it Has Not Accepted Israeli
Presence in Rafah Border Crossing or Philadelphi Corridor
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
DEgypt reiterates that it has not accepted an Israeli presence in the Rafah
border crossing or Philadelphi corridor, state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV
quoted a senior source as saying on Monday. A key sticking points in Gaza
ceasefire talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar has been Israel's
insistence on a presence in the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow
14.5-km-long (9-mile-long) stretch of land along Gaza's southern border with
Egypt, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, more than 40,435 Palestinians have been
killed and 93,534 have been wounded in Israeli military offensive on Gaza since
Oct. 7, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Monday
UN Aid Operations in Gaza Halted after Israel Evacuation Orders
Asharq Al Awsat/August 26/2024
United Nations humanitarian aid operations in Gaza ground to a halt on Monday
after Israel issued new evacuation orders for Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza
Strip late on Sunday, a senior UN official said. "We're unable to deliver today
with the conditions that we're in," said the official, speaking on condition of
anonymity. "As of this morning, we're not operating in Gaza." "We're not leaving
(Gaza) because the people need us there," the official said. "We're trying to
balance the need of the population with the need for safety and security of the
UN personnel." The official said UN staff on the ground had been directed to try
and find a way to keep operating. He said UN operations had not been formally
suspended. The official said the United Nations had relocated its main command
operations for the Gaza Strip and most UN personnel to Deir al-Balah after
Israel ordered the evacuation of Rafah in the south of Gaza.
"Where do we move now?" said the official, adding that UN staff had to be moved
so quickly that equipment was left behind. "The challenge is to find a place
where we can reset and effectively operate," the official said. "The space to
operate is being restricted more and more than ever." The current war in the
Gaza Strip began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli
communities, killing around 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages,
according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's military has leveled swathes
of the Palestinian enclave, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from
their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing at least
40,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Patients Flee Gaza Hospital after Latest Evacuation Order
from Israel
Asharq Al Awsat/August 26/2024
War-weary Palestinians on Monday pushed wheelchair-bound and bed-ridden patients
through the streets of central Gaza, evacuating a hospital in a frantic bid to
stay ahead of feared Israeli bombardment. The Israeli military had told people
the day before to "evacuate immediately" a part of Deir al-Balah city because it
planned to "act with force against Hamas and terrorist groups" there. Al-Aqsa
Martyrs hospital sits in the middle of the area described in the warning,
setting in motion a rapid exodus even though the Israeli military said medical
facilities would not be affected by its operations.
Speaking to AFP on Sunday from her hospital bed outside the facility, Tamam
al-Raei said she did not know where to seek safety. "I have a war injury. I have
broken bones and have had an amputation, and I have been receiving treatment for
that," she said.
"But now they're telling us to evacuate Al-Aqsa. Where do we go? Where do I get
treatment?" All around her, families tried to flee, the wealthiest among them
hiring donkey-drawn carts to transport their belongings. Others carried patients
in their arms, including one teenager who had lost the use of his legs and was
clutching a bag of intravenous fluid. The Israeli military said on Monday it was
targeting "terror operatives" in Deir al-Balah and working to dismantle the
"remaining terrorist infrastructure" of Hamas, whose October 7 attack on
southern Israel triggered the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
'Panic and fear' -
"As part of these efforts, a temporary local evacuation of the population in
eastern Deir al-Balah... was carried out, for their protection," the military
said in a statement.
"It should be emphasized that the evacuation efforts did not include the
evacuation of hospitals and medical facilities in the area." Gaza's hospitals
have been raided by Israeli forces numerous times during their campaign to
destroy Hamas. Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals in Gaza as a cover
for military operations, claims the movement has rejected. Memories of past
violence in and around hospitals made it difficult to reassure patients and
medical workers that Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital would be safe, said Gaza health
ministry spokesman Khalil al-Daqran. "The citizens, patients and some of the
medical crews were struck with panic and fear as a result of the announcement
that the areas surrounding the hospital are operational areas," Daqran said.
"Therefore, a large number of patients left the hospital." Hamas's October 7
attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,199 people, most of them civilians,
according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
'Nowhere to go' -
Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 40,435 people in
Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which does not
break down civilian and militant deaths. The UN rights office says most of the
dead are women and children. Throughout Gaza, hospitals including Al-Aqsa
Martyrs have faced crippling shortages of the fuel they need to function after
the territory's only power plant went out of service and Israel cut the
electricity supply in the early days of the war.
Gaza's 2.4 million people, nearly all of whom have been displaced at least once,
have only 16 hospitals still functioning, all of them partially. The health
situation became even more dire after authorities this month announced Gaza's
first polio case in 25 years.
Families fleeing Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital on Sunday were concerned primarily for
their physical safety as they tried to adhere to repeated evacuation orders.
"We have nowhere to go, we have no refuge," Maha al-Sarsak told AFP, describing
how her family had already fled multiple cities before reaching the hospital,
only to leave yet again. Iyad al-Jabri, medical director of the hospital, said
his teams were not going anywhere. "We are staying," he said. "We will continue
to treat patients and the wounded."
Families Flee After New Israeli Evacuation Orders in Gaza
as Ceasefire Hopes Dim
Asharq Al Awsat/August 26/2024
Israel issued new evacuation orders for Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip
late on Sunday, forcing more families to flee, saying forces intended to act
against the group Hamas and others operating in the area. In recent days, Israel
has issued several evacuation orders across Gaza, the most since the beginning
of the 10-month war, prompting an outcry from Palestinians, the United Nations
and relief officials over the reduction of humanitarian zones and the absence of
safe areas. The Deir Al-Balah municipality says
Israeli evacuation orders have so far displaced 250,000 people, Reuters
reported. Israeli military strikes killed at least seven Palestinians on Monday,
medics said. Two were killed in Deir Al-Balah, where around a million people
were sheltering, two at a school in the Al-Nuseirat camp and three in the
southern city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt.
The new orders forced many families and patients to leave Al-Aqsa Hospital, the
main medical facility in Deir Al-Balah, where hundreds of thousands of residents
and displaced people had taken shelter, for fear of bombardments.The hospital is
close to the area covered by the evacuation notice. Médecins Sans Frontières
(MSF) said in a statement on X on Sunday night that an explosion approximately
250 meters (820 feet) away from the MSF-supported Al-Aqsa Hospital triggered
panic. "As a result, MSF is considering whether to suspend wound care for the
time being, while trying to maintain life-saving treatment." From around 650
patients, only 100 remain in the hospital, with seven in intensive care unit, it
said, citing Gaza's health ministry. "This situation is unacceptable. Al Aqsa
has been operating well beyond capacity for weeks due to the lack of
alternatives for patients. All warring parties must respect the hospital, as
well as patients' access to medical care," it added.
DIPLOMATIC IMPASSE
Sawasn Abu Afesh said she and her children had now been displaced 11 times.
"I left half of my children behind me near my furniture and I am now with
my little ones and my daughter. Only God can help us...I have no money for
transportation. I will go to area 17 where my family is staying on my foot. I
took my kids and three are left behind. No idea where," the woman said. The
escalation comes with little hope of an end in sight to the war as diplomacy by
mediators, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States has so far failed to close the
gap between Israel and Hamas, whose leaders traded blame over responsibility for
the lack of accord. Neither Hamas, nor Israel, agreed to several compromises
presented by mediators at talks in Cairo on Sunday, two Egyptian security
sources said. A senior US official, however, described the talks as
"constructive," saying they were conducted in a spirit on all sides to reach "a
final and implementable agreement." Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the group
rejected new conditions made by Israel during the talks, which the group didn't
attend, and added that US comments over an imminent ceasefire deal were false
and aimed to serve election purposes.
US President Joe Biden and his administration have faced growing protests in the
US over aid for Israel ahead of November elections. More than 40,000
Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The crowded enclave has been laid to waste and most of its 2.3 million people
have been displaced multiple times and face acute shortages of food and
medicine, humanitarian agencies say. The war was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7
attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people, by Israeli tallies, with more than
250 taken hostage.
Israeli Hardliner Ben-Gvir Repeats Call for Prayer at
Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
Israel's hardline Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir repeated a call for Jews to
be allowed to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, drawing sharp criticism
for inflaming tensions as ceasefire negotiators seek a deal to halt fighting in
Gaza. "The policy at the Temple Mount allows praying
there. Period," Ben-Gvir told an Army Radio interviewer. "The prime minister
knew when I joined the government there would not be any discrimination. Muslims
are allowed to pray and a Jew is not allowed to pray?" Asked if he would build a
synagogue on the site if he could, Ben-Gvir replied: "Yes, Yes."Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's office immediately put out a statement restating the
official Israeli position, which accepts decades-old rules restricting
non-Muslim prayer at the mosque compound, known as Temple Mount to Jews, who
revere it as the site of two ancient temples. "There
is no change to the status quo on the Temple Mount," Netanyahu's office said.
The hillside compound, in Jerusalem's Old City, is one of the most
sensitive locations in the Middle East, holy for both Muslims and Jews, and the
trigger for repeated conflict. Nabil Abu Rudeineh,
spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said calls to tamper with
the status of Al-Aqsa appeared intended "to drag the region into a religious war
that will burn everyone". Ben-Gvir, head of one of two hardline
religious-nationalist parties in Netanyahu's coalition, has a long record of
making inflammatory statements appreciated by his own supporters, but
conflicting with the government's official line. Monday's comment was condemned
by some of his own cabinet colleagues, but Netanyahu's dependence on the support
of Ben-Gvir's party to hold his right-wing coalition together means that the
minister is unlikely to be sacked or face any significant penalty. Monday's
comments came less than two weeks after he triggered outrage by visiting the
compound with hundreds of supporters, many of whom appeared to be praying openly
in defiance of the status quo rules. With negotiators trying to reach a deal to
halt the fighting in Gaza and bring back 109 Israeli and foreign hostages, and
with tensions running high with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in
southern Lebanon, Ben-Gvir's comments were criticized for weakening Israel's
position. "Challenging the status quo on the Temple Mount is a dangerous,
unnecessary and irresponsible act. Ben-Gvir's actions endanger the state of
Israel and its international status," Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who has
clashed repeatedly with Ben-Gvir, said in a statement on X. Ben-Gvir has also
been criticized by some Orthodox Jews, who consider the site too holy a place
for Jews to enter.
French Far-Right Oppose Leftist Prime Minister, Complicating Calculus for Macron
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
Leaders from France's far-right National Rally said on Monday their party will
block any prime ministerial candidate from the leftist New Popular Front,
narrowing President Emmanuel Macron's options to resolve the country's political
crisis. Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, the
political tag team that runs the National Rally, met with Macron on Monday as he
seeks to unlock the political deadlock caused by July's inconclusive snap
legislative election which he called. After their one-hour meeting, Bardella
said the New Popular Front - a broad alliance of parties ranging from the
moderate Socialists to Jean-Luc Melenchon's far-left France Unbowed - was a
"danger" for the country. Bardella said his camp would
immediately call a no-confidence vote against any leftist premier. "The New
Popular Front in its program, in its movements, as well as the personalities who
embody it represents a danger to public order, civil peace and obviously for the
economic life of the country," Bardella told reporters. "We intend to protect
the country from a government that would fracture French society."
A Macron aide said the president could name a prime minister by the end
of this week, but it remains to be seen if the person he picks - someone with
the broadest possible appeal - will win approval by lawmakers. If not, Macron
will have to go back to the drawing board, deepening the political crisis. No
grouping emerged from the snap election with a majority, with the vote evenly
split between the New Popular Front, Macron's centrist bloc and the National
Rally. The New Popular Front won more votes than any
other party, and has argued that its candidate, a little known civil servant
called Lucie Castets, should be named prime minister. Castets told Macron on
Friday that the left has the right to form the next government. Macron has
ignored the New Popular Front's nomination, and a source close to him said he
believed the balance of power lies more with the center or center-right. Some
possible candidates that Macron is mulling include a conservative regional
president, Xavier Bertrand, and former Socialist Prime Minister Bernard
Cazeneuve, sources have said. French media recently mentioned Karim Bouamrane,
the Socialist mayor of an impoverished Paris suburb, as another possible name.
Le Pen suggested Macron could call a referendum to chart a path out of
the chaos, and said she was opposed to a so-called "technical" government of
apolitical technocrats, saying "there are only political governments hiding
behind technical names."
Iran doesn’t seek to increase regional tensions, FM
tells Italian counterpart
Reuters/August 26, 2024
DUBAI: Iran does not seek to increase Middle East tensions, Foreign Minister
Abbas Araqchi told his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, adding that its
response to the killing of the Hamas chief in Tehran would be “definite and
calculated.”Iran blames Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail
Haniyeh on July 31, which Araqchi was quoted by Iran’s state media as saying was
“an unforgivable violation of Iran’s security and sovereignty.”Israel has
neither claimed nor denied responsibility for Haniyeh’s death in the Iranian
capital. “Iran does not seek to increase tensions. However it is not afraid of
it,” Araqchi told his Italian counterpart on the phone, according to a statement
about the phone call published on Monday by Iran’s foreign ministry. Araqchi
said that Iran’s response would be “definite, calculated and accurate,”
according to the statement.
Iran publicly hangs a man convicted of murder
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)/August 26, 2024
Authorities in central Iran on Monday publicly hanged a man who was convicted in
the shooting death of a lawyer, the country's official judicial news agency
said.
The man, who was not identified, had been convicted of fatally shooting the
lawyer with a hunting rifle in front of his wife and son in the city of Shahroud
in August 2021, the Mizan.new agency said. It was the first public hanging of
the year in Iran, according to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights, which tracks
executions in the country. The group's director, Mahmoud Amiri Moghaddam, urged
the international community to condemn such public executions. Iran typically
carries out executions by hanging inside prisons, often for the crime of drug
smuggling, Iran Human Rights says. The country executed 500 convicts in 2022,
the group says. In 2022, Iran publicly hanged a man convicted of fatally
stabbing two members of a paramilitary force during violence connected with
nationwide protests challenging the country’s theocracy.
Iran doesn't seek to raise regional tensions, foreign minister tells Italian
counterpart
Reuters/DUBAI (Reuters)/August 26, 2024
Iran does not seek to increase Middle East tensions, Foreign Minister Abbas
Araqchi told his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, adding that its response to
the killing of the Hamas chief in Tehran would be "definite and calculated".
Iran blames Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
on July 31, which Araqchi was quoted by Iran's state media as saying was "an
unforgivable violation of Iran's security and sovereignty". Israel has neither
claimed nor denied responsibility for Haniyeh's death in the Iranian capital.
"Iran does not seek to increase tensions. However it is not afraid of it,"
Araqchi told his Italian counterpart on the phone, according to a statement
about the phone call published on Monday by Iran's foreign ministry. Araqchi
said that Iran's response would be "definite, calculated and accurate",
according to the statement.
Kremlin Says There Will Be a Response to Ukraine’s Kursk
Attack
Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
The Kremlin said on Monday that there would have to be a Russian response to
Ukraine's incursion into the western Kursk region and that the idea of ceasefire
talks with Kyiv was no longer relevant. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers smashed
through the Russian border on Aug. 6 in a surprise attack that Russian President
Vladimir Putin said was aimed at improving Kyiv's negotiating position ahead of
possible talks and slowing the advance of Russian forces along the front. "Such
hostile actions cannot remain without an appropriate response," Kremlin
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "There will definitely be a response".
Putin has said that Ukraine will receive a "worthy response," but has yet to set
out in public what that response is. Peskov dismissed
media reports that there had been some kind of ceasefire negotiations between
Moscow and Kyiv. "There were no negotiations," Peskov said. "There are a lot of
reports about various contacts in the media, and not all of them are correct."
"The topic of negotiations at the moment has pretty much lost its relevance."
Ratney: US Expediting Strategic Agreements with Saudi Arabia
Riyadh: Abdulhadi Habtor/Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
Michael Ratney, the US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, stated that Washington and
Riyadh are working diligently to finalize a bilateral strategic agreement
package. In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ratney
described these agreements as “historic” and emphasized that they would
significantly and fundamentally transform the region’s dynamics. Although the US
ambassador did not specify a timeline for the completion of these agreements due
to the region’s complexities, he outlined that the package encompasses several
key areas, such as enhancing the strategic and military partnership between the
US and Saudi Arabia and normalizing relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv, and
ensuring a definite path towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
On economic collaboration, Ratney said that Saudi Arabia’s recent
transformative changes are creating substantial opportunities for American
companies across various sectors, including commercial space exploration,
renewable energy, healthcare, infrastructure, advanced technology, and
artificial intelligence. Ratney attributed the US
administration’s decision to lift the suspension on offensive weapons sales to
Saudi Arabia to evolving circumstances and the deepening partnership between the
two countries. He explained that this change was warranted, particularly given
Riyadh’s diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen and sustain a ceasefire for
over two years. Addressing concerns among some US allies in the region about
America’s commitment to deterrence, the ambassador acknowledged the region’s
complex issues but emphasized that US military and naval forces have been
actively working to deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Regarding the US veto
of Palestinian state membership in the United Nations, Ratney underscored that
the United States remains committed to a two-state solution, envisioning an
independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. However, he stressed
that a Palestinian state must be achieved through a political process and
negotiations between the parties, rather than through alternative methods.
The US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia emphasized the strong and enduring
nature of the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. He noted
that the partnership, which has lasted over 80 years, remains robust despite
some historical fluctuations. He also highlighted the
close ties between the US and Saudi armed forces, along with strong trade
connections and numerous economic opportunities driven by Saudi Arabia’s
economic diversification. He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s increasing openness and
the rapid expansion of its cultural landscape, which he said presents exciting
opportunities for collaboration in emerging fields such as film and television
production, video games, and joint cultural projects.
Strategic Agreements
On May 19, 2024, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with US National Security
Advisor Jake Sullivan in Jeddah. The two officials announced a nearly-finalized
draft of strategic agreements between the Kingdom and the United States.
Regarding the latest developments in these discussions, Ratney noted that
Sullivan’s visit was part of a series of meetings aimed at advancing
negotiations for a final agreement. He explained that
the agreements are not standalone deals but rather a comprehensive package that
must be negotiated and jointly signed. This package includes several key
components: strengthening the strategic and military partnership between the US
and Saudi Arabia, enhancing economic cooperation, normalizing relations between
Saudi Arabia and Israel, and addressing Palestinian issues to ensure a reliable
path to establishing a Palestinian state. He stressed
that these elements are interconnected and cannot be separated. Although
significant progress has been made on important aspects of the agreement, Ratney
emphasized the need to complete the entire package to achieve a historic
agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Cooperation with China
On whether the strategic agreements between Washington and Riyadh would impose
restrictions on Saudi relations with other countries like China, Ratney
confirmed that the deals would focus primarily on enhancing the US-Saudi
partnership, noting that Saudi Arabia, like the United States, has significant
relations with China.
Regional Dynamics... A Fundamental Shift
The ongoing strategic agreement being discussed between the United States and
Saudi Arabia is expected to produce a profound and fundamental shift in the
regional dynamics, according to the US ambassador.
He added that these changes are likely to bring significant benefits to the
Palestinian people, stressing that if these elements align and an agreement is
reached, it could fundamentally transform the dynamics of this part of the world
for the better.
Regarding recent statements by the Israeli Prime Minister to Time magazine about
not abandoning the idea of normalization with Saudi Arabia despite ongoing
regional tensions and their potential impact on the agreements, Ratney stated
that abandoning the agreement should not be considered.
Economic Cooperation
The US Ambassador highlighted the importance of economic collaboration between
the two countries, stating that Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant
transformation over the past seven or eight years, resulting in a more
diversified economy.
He continued that the US and Saudi Arabia have had a strong trade and economic
relationship for many years, initially centered on the oil industry.
Renewable Energy
According to Ratney, renewable energy represents a key aspect of the growing
economic partnership between his country and the Kingdom. He explained that
collaboration began in the era of fossil fuels, noting that Saudi Arabia’s
transition to a post-fossil fuel future has paved the way for significant
investments in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, as well as in
carbon capture technologies.
The US diplomat also emphasized tremendous opportunities for collaboration in
healthcare, infrastructure, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence as
the Saudi economy continues to grow and diversify, attracting new American
companies.
Defense Partnership
In light of regional threats, the US Ambassador stressed the importance of the
military partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, noting that
American defense companies have been active in the Kingdom for many years.In
February, Saudi Arabia hosted the World Defense Exhibition, now one of the
largest defense expos globally, he remarked, adding that over 100 American
companies participated in the event.
Lift of Weapons Sales Ban
Ratney said that the recent decision by the US Administration to lift the
suspension on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia was driven by evolving
circumstances and the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
He added that this decision reflected the changing dynamics in the region, as
Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in diplomatic efforts to end the war in
Yemen and sustain a ceasefire that has been in place for over two years.
Palestinian Membership in the United Nations
Asked about the US opposition to Palestinian membership in the United Nations,
especially given the ongoing efforts to achieve a two-state solution and
establish an independent Palestinian state, Ratney acknowledged the importance
of this matter. He stated that as the US Ambassador to
Saudi Arabia, his main focus is on bilateral relations. He told Asharq Al-Awsat
that, throughout his career, he has worked extensively with both Israelis and
Palestinians and been involved in efforts to achieve a two-state solution, which
has given him a deep understanding of both sides.
Ratney stated that the current priority is to halt the violence in Gaza and
address the severe hardships faced by its residents. He continued that the
immediate focus is to end the violence, secure a ceasefire, free Israeli
hostages, and resolve the conflict to facilitate the delivery of crucial
humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Kuwait Picks New Finance and Trade Ministers in Cabinet
Shuffle
Kuwait: /Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
Kuwait has named Nora Suleiman Al-Fassam and Khalifa Abdullah Ajeel as its new
finance and trade ministers respectively, as part of a cabinet shuffle,
according to a decree issued by the country's Emir on Sunday. Al-Fassam, who was
also appointed minister of state for economic and investment affairs, is a
banker with extensive experience in corporate finance and investment banking.
She most recently served as chief strategy officer at Kuwait's Sharia-compliant
Boubyan Bank, according to the country’s news agency, KUNA. According to the
bank’s website, the new minister has over 23 years of practical experience in
corporate finance and investment banking services. Al-Fassam also worked for
several government and private entities, such as the Public Investment Authority
and the National Bank of Kuwait. She holds a Master’s degree in Business
Administration from Kuwait University. The new trade minister, Ajeel, headed
Kuwait's State Bureau of Financial Control and was a member of the board of
commissioners at the Capital Markets Authority. Kuwait retained Mahmoud Bushehri
as minister of electricity. But Bushehri lost the portfolio of Minister of State
for Housing Affairs, which was offered to Abdullatif Hamed Hamad Al-Meshari. The
reshuffle comes a few days after a power crisis that led the Gulf state to
impose scheduled outages in parts of the country due to a disruption in gas
supplies although Kuwaiti officials have indicated there will be no further
outages after the first wave in June. Haitham Al-Ali, Undersecretary of the
Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, had attributed the power
outages to a malfunction in the gas supply. During the
summer, temperatures in Kuwait typically exceed 50 degrees Celsius leading to
increased power consumption amid demand for cooling.
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on August 26-27/2024
‘That Dreadful Day’: Lessons for the West
from This Day in History
Raymond Ibrahim/The Stream/August 26, 2024
Today in history, on August 26, 1071, one of the most decisive battles in all
world history took place—that of Manzikert, which initiated the creation of the
modern state of Turkey atop formerly Christian Asia Minor.
It began in 1019, when “the first appearance of the bloodthirsty beasts … the
savage nation of infidels called Turks entered Armenia … and mercilessly
slaughtered the Christian faithful with the sword,” writes the chronicler,
Mathew of Edessa. In the ensuing years and decades, virtually the whole of
Armenia was decimated: hundreds of thousands were slaughtered or enslaved, and
thousands of churches torched or desecrated, including by being turned into
mosques:
Everything was covered with blood. . . . Because of the great number of corpses,
the land stank, and all of Persia was filled with innumerable captives; thus
this whole nation of beasts became drunk with blood. All human beings of
Christian faith were in tears and in sorrowful affliction.
Nor was there much doubt concerning what fueled the Turks’ animus: “This nation
of infidels,” a military leader explained, “comes against us because of our
Christian faith and they are intent on destroying the ordinances of the
worshippers of the cross and on exterminating the Christian faithful.”
Therefore, “it is fitting and right for all the faithful to go forth with their
swords and to die for the Christian faith.”
Many were of the same mind; records tell of monks and priests, fathers, wives,
and children, all shabbily armed but zealous to protect their way of life,
coming out to face the invaders—only to be butchered or enslaved.
Nor were the Turkish hordes, under the authority of the ascendant Seljuk tribe,
content with ravaging Armenia. They continued riding westward across the
Anatolian plain, then part of the Eastern Roman Empire (“Byzantium”), leaving a
trail of smoke and destruction in their wake. On becoming emperor in 1068,
Romanus Diogenes made it his priority to act. By 1069 he had amassed and marched
a massive army deep into Asia Minor, liberating numerous cities from the Turks.
The two forces eventually met near the city of Manzikert, just north of Lake
Van. The Turkic sultan, Muhammad bin Dawud—better known to posterity as “Alp
Arslan,” or, “Heroic Lion”—sent a delegation to parley with Romanus on “the
pretext of peace” though in reality “stalling for time,” explained Michael
Attaleiates, who was present. This only “roused the emperor to war.”
Romanus spurned the Muslim emissaries and commanded them to tell their sultan
that “there will be no treaty . . . and no going home except after I have done
in the lands of Islam the like of what has been done in the lands of Rome
[Byzantium].” Then, having “dismissed the ambassador with the greatest
contempt,” Romanus incited his men to war with “words of extraordinary
violence.”
For his part, Muhammad exhorted his men to jihad and reminded them of its
win-win scenario: “If we are given victory over them, [well and good]. If not,
we will go as martyrs to the Garden [to be serviced by hooris].” “We are with
you!” cried the men in unison when he finished his harangue, followed by a
barrage of “Allah Akbars” that reportedly “shook the mountains.”
Thus, as “martial music resounded from both sides and the dust of the
battlefield billowed up like clouds in the sky,” the two armies met on that
fateful Friday, August 26, 1071.
The battle ensued in the usual way: Turkic horseman, in a crescent formation
that hid their fewer numbers, sped forward and unleashed volleys of arrows,
before swiftly retreating. Throngs of Roman men and horses fell; some—especially
mercenaries and other “vacillating” elements—broke rank and fled. Undaunted,
Romanus maintained the line and marched his forces forward; but because the
Turks had unlimited terrain to fall back on, the Christian army never managed to
corner and finish them off, even as the Muslims continued to engage in effective
hit and runs tactics.
When the day was nearly spent, Romanus ordered an about-face back to camp, the
only place to feed his men and water their horses. Once he turned his back, the
Turks launched an all-out assault, “hurling themselves fiercely upon the Romans
with terrifying cries.” Havoc ensued; many more fled. “All were shouting
incoherently and riding about in disorder; nobody could say what was going on….
It was like an earthquake with howling, sweat, a swift rush of fear, clouds of
dust, and not least Turks riding all around us,” Attaleiates later remembered.
Romanus’s Varangian Guard (the empire’s elite unit of Nordic warriors who were
always attached to the emperor they served) were surrounded and, despite
fighting valiantly, killed to a man. Seeing that he was “abandoned and
completely cut off from help, [Romanus] unsheathed his sword and charged at his
enemies, killing many of them and putting others to flight. But he was
surrounded by a crowd of adversaries and was wounded in the hand. They
recognized him and he was completely encircled; an arrow wounded his horse,
which slipped and fell, dragging its rider down with it. Thus the emperor of the
Romans was captured and led in chains to the sultan.”
“Those who escaped were but a tiny fraction,” notes another chronicler. “Of the
majority, some were taken captive, the rest massacred.” One Muslim chronicle
confirms that the Christians “were killed to such an extent that a valley there
where the two sides had met was filled [with their corpses].”
Sultan Muhammad declared victory and hurriedly dispatched “the cross and what
had been taken from the Byzantines” to Baghdad, and “the caliph and the Muslims
rejoiced. Baghdad was decorated in an unprecedented fashion and domes were
erected. It was a great victory the like of which Islam had not seen before,”
writes a Damascene historian.
The battle, moreover, opened the doorway to the permanent conquest of Asia
Minor. Before he was assassinated, Muhammad the Heroic Lion had commanded the
Turks to “be like lion cubs and eagle young, racing through the countryside day
and night, slaying the Christians and not sparing any mercy on the Roman
nation.”
This they did; and “the emirs spread like locusts, over the face of the land,”
invading every corner of Anatolia, sacking some of ancient Christianity’s most
important cities, including Ephesus, home of Saint John the Evangelist; Nicaea,
where Christendom’s creed was formulated in 325; and Antioch, the original and
ancient see of Saint Peter. “All that was left were devastated fields, trees cut
down, mutilated corpses and towns driven mad by fear or in flames.” Hundreds of
thousands of Anatolian Christians were reportedly massacred or enslaved.
By the early 1090s, the Turks had taken the last Christian bastion, Nicomedia,
only 2,500 feet away from Constantinople, across the narrowest point of the
Bosporus strait.
A couple of years later, and at the urging of the Emperor at Constantinople, the
First Crusade was underway.
The Battle of Manzikert—ever after known among chroniclers as that “Dreadful
Day”—offers some relevant lessons to posterity, especially Western posterity.
Manzikert was the second major battle for the Roman Empire to lose against Islam
leading to catastrophic results. Less than a week ago, August 20 marked the
anniversary of the most “consequential” battle of all history—Yarmuk, when, in
636, the Muslims defeated the Romans, resulting in the loss of Greater Syria and
Egypt, followed by the whole of North Africa, all formerly part of the
Christian-Roman world. In other words, between Yarmuk (636) and Manzikert
(1071), the heart of the Muslim world—not just North Africa and the Middle East,
but Turkey as well—were all formed, and all atop conquered Christian-Roman
territory.
Moreover, in both battles, the Christians outnumbered their Muslim enemies and
were better armed; but due to a lack of loyalty (mercenaries were heavily relied
upon at both Yarmuk and Manzikert) as well as political divisions among the
Christians (there are accusations of treachery and betrayal in both battles) the
Muslims emerged victorious. While currently powerful, the West—which is wracked
with political division and burgeoning with less-than-patriotic elements—should
heed this history well, particularly as it continues to appease and empower
Islam within its own borders.
*Raymond Ibrahim is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone
Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.
Portions of this article were excerpted from his book, Sword and Scimitar.
What’s behind the bloodiest recent attacks in Pakistan's
Baluchistan province?
Riazat Butt/ISLAMABAD (AP)/August 26, 2024
Multiple attacks in Pakistan’s restive southwest have killed at least 31 people,
the highest death toll in a 24-hour period blamed on separatists in Baluchistan
province in recent years. Gunmen mowed down people after dragging them off
buses, cars and trucks. Police and passersby were fatally shot in broad daylight
in another district. A railway bridge connecting the province with the rest of
the country was blown up. A police station was attacked. There have been other
reports of shootings. The assaults were more audacious and brutal than the ones
usually perpetrated by militants, who normally target security personnel or
installations.
Here’s a look at what is happening in Baluchistan:
The background
Though Pakistan’s largest province, Baluchistan is its least populated, made up
largely of high mountains. It’s also a hub for the country’s ethnic Baluch
minority, whose members say they face discrimination and exploitation by the
central government. That has fuelled a separatist insurgency demanding
independence. Islamic militants also operate in the province. The government
says it has largely quelled the violence, but assaults persist with raids by
security forces and counterattacks.
Who's who?
The main player is the outlawed Baluchistan Liberation Army, which Pakistan and
the U.S. have designated as a terrorist organization. It opposes the Pakistani
government and wants a sovereign state that includes territories in Pakistan,
Iran and Afghanistan. It targets security forces in Baluchistan and sometimes
Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and economic hub in Sindh province next door.
The BLA frequently, but not always, claims attacks. It has been banned since
2006. The group was emboldened by the Pakistani Taliban ending a cease-fire with
the government in November 2022 and ordering their fighters to resume attacks on
the military. Islamabad-based analyst Abdullah Khan said the BLA is operating in
the province with the support of other groups. Last December, the leader of
another insurgent group said he had surrendered to authorities with some 70 of
his followers. Sarfraz Bungulzai, from the Baluch National Army, declared his
regret for his role in kidnapping civilians for ransom and killing unarmed
people.
The neighborhood
The volatile relationship between Iran and Pakistan compounds the insecurity and
instability. They share a 900-kilometre (560-mile), largely lawless border where
smugglers and fighters roam freely. Insurgencies on either side of the
Iran-Pakistan border have frustrated both countries. Their governments suspect
each other of supporting — or at least tolerating — some of the groups operating
on the other side of the border. Massive Chinese-led infrastructure projects are
also driving unrest, as separatists accuse the federal government of unfairly
exploiting oil- and mineral-rich Baluchistan at the expense of locals. Thousands
of Chinese workers are in Pakistan, most of them involved in Beijing’s
multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative that connects south and central
Asia with the Chinese capital.
What's different about the latest attacks?
Separatists, usually from the BLA, launch small-scale assaults on security
forces and installations, with the death toll in the single digits. But the
coordination and tactics of the past 24 hours reveal a greater level of
ambition, defiance and sheer brutality. The BLA had warned people to stay away
from highways ahead of the attacks — it doesn’t normally give notice. Sunday
night’s highway assault was reminiscent of one in April, when gunmen killed nine
people after abducting them from a bus. The same attackers had earlier killed
two people and wounded six in another car that they forced to stop. Both
incidents were claimed by the BLA. In May, gunmen fatally shot seven barbers,
all from eastern Punjab province, apparently part of a drive to force outsiders
to leave Baluchistan. Analyst Khan said the BLA is getting better at mobilising
fighters in different areas and that its operational capabilities have increased
tremendously. Authorities estimate the BLA has around 3,000 fighters.
What's the impact?
Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said the latest killings are
an attempt to harm the province economically, because “the weakening of
Baluchistan means the weakening of Pakistan.”While insurgent attacks aim to
discourage people from outside the region from travelling, trading, or working
in the province, they also make life harder for the Balochis by discouraging
investment, aid and disrupting the flow of goods and services, Ali said. A
decadeslong crackdown and heavy-handed militarization to combat militancy
creates additional trauma for locals, who have deep grievances about enforced
disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Thousands protested last month
against police violence, an internet shutdown and highway closures. At least one
person was reportedly killed. Analyst Khan said the
timing was an attempt to sabotage Pakistan’s effort to present the province as a
secure place for international investment.
How Difficult it Is to End a War
Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper/August 26/2024
Ending a war is more difficult than deciding to wage one. The one backing down
must offer a convincing story. He must offer explanations and justifications. He
must compare the losses and gains and declared goals and which of them were
achieved. He must say if he feels more secure after the fighting stops, and if
the end of the war is just a truce in preparation for other wars. Ending war was
easier in the past because they were waged by armies that receive orders from
governments. Today, some wars are different, especially when an army is
confronted with factions spread across a region.
Most dangerous of all is the belief of the warring parties that they are waging
an existential conflict from which they cannot back down. How hard it is to end
a war when one cannot turn to a neutral and honest mediator who can fairly tend
to wounds and interests. The most dangerous aspect of the roaming war the Middle
East has been enduring since October 7 is that it is taking place amid a very
volatile international situation. The world is living without safety valves. The
world has lost faith in the UN Security Council that has proven ineffective in
addressing the wars. Relations between major powers are at their worst in
decades. One simply has to look at how Russian
soldiers are being killed by American, German or British shells. And how western
weapons have allowed Ukraine – in the third year of war with Russia – to make an
incursion into Russia itself in scenes unprecedented since World War II.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elated at the development, describing the master of the
Kremlin as a “sick old man from Red Square who constantly threatens everyone
with the red button.” He “will not dictate any of his red lines to us.” The
truth is the Ukrainian army erased the red lines when it dared to breach Russian
territories. Putin himself had crossed the red lines in 2022 when he invaded
Ukraine and returned Europe to a time when borders are undermined.
Zelenskyy’s words reflect his fear. He fears that he may be forced to stop the
war and for the Russian forces to win a significant portion of Ukrainian
territories. A frightened man can become frightening if he keeps pursuing
revenge for wounds and gambling with what remains.
The same can be said of Putin. He was frightened of the NATO weapons closely
approaching Russia’s borders so he decided to pounce on Ukraine to thwart its
Atlantic dreams and launch an operation aimed at depleting the West. The danger
grows when the frightened man boasts a frightening arsenal. Moscow’s constant
reminders of its nuclear weapons only accelerates the drive of regional
countries to obtain a “nuclear insurance policy.”
How dangerous a war is when your enemy refuses to surrender despite the heavy
losses and finds a side pumping aid in its veins. The inability to deal the
knockout blow to decide a war will only prolong the conflict indefinitely.
The Middle East imploded amid this tumultuous international scene. Yehya
al-Sinwar launched an operation that soon engulfed the region. It was difficult
for Hezbollah to remain on the sidelines of the war on Gaza. A day after the war
erupted, the party launched a “support front” for Gaza from Lebanon. In all
likelihood, no one believed that the Gaza war and the support front would be
ranging ten months later with no real serious signs that they would be
extinguished any time soon. Throughout this time, the
US has managed to prevent the eruption of a full-scale war in the region. The
trade of blows along the recent Lebanese-Israeli border - hours before a new
round of ceasefire negotiations in Cairo - underscored just how much the various
fires in the region are tied together. Iran has openly
said it does not want a comprehensive war and that it will program its
retaliation to Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in a way that will not drag it to
conflict. Hezbollah also said that it does not want a comprehensive war as it
pursues its retaliation to the assassination of its military commander Fuad
Shukr. So, it chose purely military targets in its response yesterday.
But the Haniyeh and Shukr assassinations took place in Tehran and Beirut
respectively. The choice of location was no coincidence. In all likelihood,
Benjamin Netanyahu was aware that Iran and Hezbollah do not want a comprehensive
confrontation, but he tried to lure them in and dragged American warships along.
Iran and Hezbollah cannot not retaliate to Haniyeh and Shukr’s assassinations.
This has to do with Iran and Hezbollah’s image and their deterrence power and
the risk of losing it.
On October 7, Israel appeared lost and frightened. Ten months later, it is
frightening. It has committed an open massacre in Gaza, killed hundreds of
Hezbollah fighters, launched strikes on Syria and Yemen and hit positions in
Iran and tested Iran’s image and deterrence.
How difficult it is to end a war! Hamas will not obtain a truce that matches the
extent of the losses it and the people of Gaza have incurred. Hezbollah is
evidently coming under major pressure to agree to the implementation of Security
Council resolution 1701. Netanyahu has yet to achieve his declared goal of
eliminating Hamas and residents of Israel’s north are still displaced. Iran
itself will find it difficult to relinquish the Palestinian arm of the Axis of
Resistance. Does the Biden administration have a solution that would bring back
the Middle East from the edge of the abyss?
Advanced US Radar and Special Israeli Unit to Hunt Hamas
Leader, Sinwar
Mark Mazzetti, Ronen Bergman, Julian E. Barnes and Adam
Goldman/The New York Times/August 26/2024
In January, Israeli and American officials thought they had caught a break in
the hunt for one of the world’s most wanted men.
Israeli commandos raided an elaborate tunnel complex in the southern Gaza Strip
on Jan. 31 based on intelligence that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, was hiding
there, according to American and Israeli officials. He
had been, it turned out. But Sinwar had left the bunker beneath the city of Khan
Younis just days earlier, leaving behind documents and stacks of Israeli shekels
totaling about $1 million. The hunt went on, with a dearth of hard evidence on
his whereabouts. Since the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel
that he planned and directed, Sinwar has been something of a ghost: never
appearing in public, rarely releasing messages for his followers and giving up
few clues about where he might be. He is by far
Hamas’s most important figure, and his success in evading capture or death has
denied Israel the ability to make a foundational claim: that it has won the war
and eradicated Hamas in a conflict that has decimated the group’s ranks but also
destroyed the Gaza Strip and killed tens of thousands of civilians.
American and Israeli officials said Sinwar abandoned electronic
communications long ago, and he has so far avoided a sophisticated intelligence
dragnet. He is believed to stay in touch with the organization he leads through
a network of human couriers. How that system works remains a mystery.
It is a playbook used by Hamas leaders in the past, and by other leaders
like Osama bin Laden. And yet Sinwar’s situation is more complex, and even more
frustrating to American and Israeli officials.
Unlike bin Laden in his last years, Sinwar is actively managing a military
campaign. Diplomats involved in ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar, say that
Hamas representatives insist they need Sinwar’s input before they make major
decisions in the talks. As the most respected Hamas leader, he is the only
person who can ensure that whatever is decided in Doha is implemented in Gaza.
Interviews with more than two dozen officials in Israel and the United
States reveal that both countries have poured vast resources into trying to find
Sinwar. Officials have set up a special unit inside
the headquarters of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence service, and
American spy agencies have been tasked with intercepting Sinwar’s
communications. The United States has also provided ground-penetrating radar to
Israel to help in the hunt for him and other Hamas commanders.
Killing or capturing Sinwar would undoubtedly have a dramatic impact on
the war. American officials believe it would offer Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu of Israel a way to claim a significant military victory and
potentially make him more willing to end military operations in Gaza.
But it is less clear what effect Sinwar’s death would have on
negotiations for the release of hostages seized on Oct. 7. Removing him might
make his successors far less willing to make a deal with Israel.
Communicating with Sinwar has become more difficult, said Israeli,
Qatari, Egyptian and American officials. He used to respond to messages within
days, but the officials said that it has taken much longer to get a response
from him in recent months, and that some of his deputies at times have been his
proxies in those discussions.
Sinwar, who is 61, was declared the group’s top political leader in early
August, days after Ismail Haniyeh, the previous political chief, was killed in
an Israeli assassination plot in Tehran. But, in
reality, Sinwar has long been considered Hamas’s de facto leader, even if the
group’s political operatives based in Doha held the official leadership titles.
The pressure on the Hamas leader has made it far more difficult for him
to communicate with military commanders and direct day-to-day operations,
although American officials said that he still has the ability to dictate the
group’s broad strategy.
It was weeks after the Oct. 7 attacks, which killed at least 1,200 people, when
a special committee of senior Israeli intelligence and military officials
approved a kill list of top Hamas commanders and political officials. Many of
the men on the list, including Haniyeh, have been killed in the months since.
With each assassination, the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, has put an
“X” over a name on the diagram of the Hamas leadership he keeps on his wall.
But Sinwar, the most important of all, remains at large.
Life Underground
Before the war, Sinwar was a towering presence in Gaza.
He gave interviews, presided over military exercises and even made a televised
appearance to present an award to a show depicting a Hamas attack on Israel — an
eerie precursor to Oct. 7. During the first weeks of
the war, Israeli intelligence and military officials believe that Sinwar was
living in a warren of tunnels beneath Gaza City, the largest city in the strip
and one of the first targeted by Israeli military forces.
During one early raid on a tunnel in Gaza City, Israeli soldiers found a
video — filmed days earlier — of Sinwar in the midst of moving his family to a
different hiding spot under the city. Israeli intelligence officials believe
that Sinwar kept his family with him for at least the first six months of the
war. Back then, Sinwar still used cellular and
satellite phones — made possible by cell networks in the tunnels — and from time
to time spoke to Hamas officials in Doha. American and Israeli spy agencies were
able to monitor some of those calls but were not able to pinpoint his location.
As Gaza ran low on fuel, Gallant pushed for new shipments to Gaza to
power generators needed to keep the cell networks running so that the Israeli
eavesdropping could continue — over the objections of ultra right members of the
Israeli government who wanted the fuel shipments cut off to punish the residents
of Gaza. During this period, the spy agencies gained
glimpses of his life underground, including his voracious consumption of Israeli
news media and his insistence on watching the 8pm news on Israeli TV.
In November, a freed Israeli hostage described how Sinwar had addressed a large
number of Israeli captives not long after the Oct. 7 attacks. Speaking in
Hebrew, which he learned during his years in an Israeli prison, Sinwar told them
that they were safe where they were, and that no harm would come to them,
according to the hostage’s account. Israeli officials
said that all Hamas operatives hiding underground, even Sinwar, must
occasionally come out of the tunnels for health reasons. But the tunnel network
is so vast and complex — and Hamas fighters have such good intelligence about
the whereabouts of Israeli troops — that Sinwar can sometimes come above ground
without being discovered.
Sinwar eventually moved south to Khan Younis, the city where he was born,
Israeli and American officials believe, and probably occasionally traveled from
there to the city of Rafah through a stretch of tunnel.
By the time the Khan Younis bunker was raided on Jan. 31, Sinwar had
fled, Israeli officials said.
He stayed one step ahead of his pursuers, who sometimes made boastful comments
about how close they were to finding him. In late
December, as Israeli military units began excavating tunnels in one area of the
city, Gallant bragged to reporters that Sinwar “hears the bulldozers of the
Israeli army above him, and he will meet the barrels of our guns soon.”It
appears Sinwar fled the Khan Younis bunker in some haste, leaving the many piles
of Israeli shekels behind.
Shared Interests
Almost immediately after the Oct. 7 attacks, Israeli military intelligence and
Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, established a cell inside Shin Bet
headquarters with the singular mission of finding Sinwar.
The CIA also set up a task force, and the Pentagon dispatched special
operations troops to Israel to advise the Israel forces on the looming war in
Gaza. The United States, which considers Hamas a
terrorist organization, and Israel established channels to share information
about the location of Sinwar and other top Hamas commanders, and the hostages.
“We’ve devoted considerable effort and resources to the Israelis for the
hunt for the top leadership, particularly Sinwar,” said Jake Sullivan, the White
House national security adviser. “We’ve had people in Israel sitting in the room
with the Israelis working this problem set. And obviously we have a lot of
experience hunting high-value targets.”
In particular, the Americans have deployed ground-penetrating radar to help map
the hundreds of miles of tunnels they believe are under Gaza, with new imagery
combined with Israeli intelligence gathered from captured Hamas fighters and
troves of documents to build out a more complete picture of the tunnel network.
One senior Israeli official said American intelligence support had been
“priceless.” The Israelis and Americans have a mutual
interest in locating Hamas commanders and the dozens of hostages, including
Americans, who remain in Gaza. But one person familiar
with the intelligence-sharing arrangement, who discussed it on the condition of
anonymity, describes it as often “very lopsided” — with the Americans sharing
more than the Israelis give in return. At times, the person said, the Americans
provide information about Hamas leaders in the hopes that the Israelis will
direct some of their own intelligence resources toward finding the American
hostages.
During the 1980s, in the years after he was recruited by Hamas’s founder, Sheik
Ahmed Yassin, Sinwar’s influence in the group grew steadily.
He took over as the head of Hamas’s internal security unit, a group
charged with finding and punishing Palestinians suspected of collaborating with
Israeli authorities as well as anyone who commits blasphemy.
He spent years in an Israeli prison but was released in October 2011
along with more than 1,000 other prisoners as part of an exchange for Gilad
Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas. In 2017,
Sinwar was named Hamas’s leader in Gaza. While he has
had an outsized impact on decision-making within Hamas, Sinwar has shaped his
positions in close coordination with a group of Hamas political and military
leaders in Gaza, according to analysts who have studied Hamas.
The circle of confidants has included Marwan Issa, a Hamas military
commander killed in March; Rawhi Mushtaha, a member of Hamas’s political office
in Gaza; Izzeldin al-Haddad, a senior commander in the military wing; Mohammed
Sinwar, Sinwar’s brother and a top official in the military wing; and Muhammad
Deif, the leader of the military wing, according to Ibrahim al-Madhoun, an
Istanbul-based expert who maintains a close relationship with Hamas.
But Sinwar’s network of advisers has been steadily shrinking: Some top
Hamas commanders have been killed, some captured, and others were outside of
Gaza when the war began and have not been able to return since.
Deif was the most senior adviser to Sinwar, but was less disciplined than his
boss. He came above ground far more regularly, allowing Western intelligence
agencies to pinpoint his whereabouts.
It was on one of those occasions, Israeli officials say, when he was killed in
an airstrike.
A Decaying Near-East and the Purview of Negotiations
Charles Chartouni /This Beirut/August 26/2024
The striking fact about the ongoing truce negotiations is the nature of their
stakes, their partners and their projected outcomes. After 10 months of
open-ended wars on three battlefronts, we are left with one successful truce,
the comeback of an unhindered course of violence, the looming hazards of a total
war destroying whatever is left from the decaying regional order, and the US
diplomacy backed up by an armada of war vessels determined to stave off the
eventual implosion in course. What is particularly puzzling in this
triangulation is the key players involved, with states seemingly sidelined and
intentionally overlooked in favor of Iranian imperial power, which appears to
dominate the chessboard and dictate the rules of engagement.
The US, Qatar and Egypt are trying, each in its own way, to lower the tension,
set a de-escalation process whereby Iran and Israel endorse the enactment of
attainable operational objectives (working truces on the ground, liberation of
Israeli hostages versus Palestinian prisoners, defining the rules of temporary
disengagement, security mappings, borders security, identifying the occasional
political partnerships, discussing the issues of the Gaza future governance…, as
preludes, if ever, to an overall political negotiation). The significant
strategic breakdown that followed the events of October 7, 2023, and its
disastrous aftermath mark the culmination of three decades of decline that have
eroded the legacy of international mediations and peace agreements, fueling
radicalization at both ends of the Israeli and Palestinian political spectrum.
Ironically, the primary actors directly affected on the Arab side (Palestinians,
Lebanese and Syrians) have been overshadowed by the Iranian power broker, which
exerts influence over the political landscape in two failed states (Lebanon and
Syria) and navigates through an inconsistent Palestinian political terrain
lacking in political and moral autonomy. When the US and its associates engage
in negotiations, they are quite aware of the equivocations and murkiness of the
political quagmire, the deliquescent regional order, the unreliability of the
Arab partners and the quintessential maneuvering of the Iranian negotiators.
Israelis are the only predictable actors in spite of their serious political
differences, their internal political polarization and their strengthening
extremist aisles.
The perplex picture and its meandering complexion leaves observers skeptical
about the chances of success when the State entities are sublated and subsumed
under imperial patronage, Islamic power politics, and rickety States which have
no control over their territories and shredded ethnic tapestries. Aside from
tactical truce interludes, hostage and prisoners exchange and humanitarian
relief, one wonders about the outcomes of this preventive diplomacy and its
impact on the broader stabilization politics, the resumption of peace making
diplomacy and State building. We have to assume, beforehand, that none of these
issues are part of the Iranian diplomacy playbook and its worldview.
The “heuristics of fear” are the only guide for diplomats who are overrun by
time, the hazards of open-ended conflicts, the threadbare political narratives
of a war-torn Middle East where nothing holds, the structural deficits of a
ramshackle regional order and their attending nihilism. Can fear alone dissuade
without a broader political vision that offers an alternative horizon? Iranian
imperialism poses a challenge to the remnants of the regional order: Territorial
Statehood, civil peace within Iran itself and the rest of the region,
international power dynamics and equilibriums, and promoting the other version
of Islamic totalitarianism advocated by the Muslim brotherhood since 1928.
However, the Iranian regime’s compounded fragilities put it in a state of
high alert and extreme circumspection while trying to navigate its circuitous
course with the least damaging effects, through surrogate and remote wars, a
ham-fisted domestic repression and calculated retributions, if necessary.
Hopefully, the ongoing diplomatic efforts will kickstart a positive cycle of
effective diplomacy and establish the foundations for a sustained stabilization
in a region that has lost its bearings. The “heuristics of availability” play a
crucial role in defining the navigation path, setting priorities and dispelling
illusions in a region fraught with uncertainties.