Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on June 22-23/2024
Israel says its assassinated key Hamas weapons supplier in Lebanon
Cyprus Makes Clarifications Following Hezbollah’s Accusations
As Hezbollah steps up attacks, world waits to see if war is truly on the table - analysis
UNIFIL Denounces Use of Areas Near Its Positions In Cross-Border Violence
Two Killed in Israeli Strike in Western Bekaa
Israel kills Lebanese man ‘responsible for supplying weapons to Hamas’
Kuwait advises citizens against travel to Lebanon amid security concerns
UNIFIL Denounces Use of Areas Near Its Positions In Cross-Border Violence
Two Contradictory Positions in Israel on US Guarantees Amid Potential War with Lebanon
Voices of Conflict: Diverging Calls for War with Lebanon in Israel
Potential Israeli War on Lebanon: Regional Implications and Multi-Front Threats
UNIFIL monitors situation amid continuous attacks on sites and vehicles, Deputy Spokesperson says
False reports claim European and Western countries withdraw ambassadors from Lebanon
Behind Bars: The Syrian Prisoner Crisis in Lebanon
The Syrian Refugee Data Dilemma: Lebanon's Demands vs. UNHCR's Stance
Miss Lebanon 2024 pageant to air live in July on LBCI
Parolin in Beirut Sunday: A Pastoral Visit with Diplomatic Undertones
Internet: What’s the Latest on Dismantling Illegal Networks?

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on June 22-23/2024
US offers assurances to Israel this week in the event of full-blown war with Hezbollah
Dozens killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza City neighbourhoods
Jordanian police find explosives in residential apartment
ICRC official describes Rafah as a ‘ghost town’
Israeli Forces Drive Through West Bank With Injured Palestinian Strapped to Jeep
Thousands gather in Tel Aviv to mark Naama Levy’s 20th birthday while in Hamas captivity in Gaza
Red Cross says at least 22 killed as strike hits displaced civilians in Gaza as Israel expands operations
Parts of Israel's Iron Dome would be overwhelmed in a full-blown war with Hezbollah, US official says
Yemen's Houthi rebels target ship in the Gulf of Aden as the Eisenhower aircraft carrier heads home
Iranians split on presidential vote as hardships mount
Mawlawi: Over Two Million Syrians Residing in Lebanon, Mostly Illegally

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on June 22-23/2024
Iran Mullahs Drastically Speed Up Their Nuclear Program, US Administration Sits Idly By/Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/June 22, 2024
Trillion-dollar reconstruction of Ukraine is back on Europe’s agenda/Andrew Hammond/Arab News/June 22, 2024
Sheikh Sabah the ideal candidate to guide Kuwait/Dr. Bashayer Al-Majed/Arab News/June 22, 2024
Israel’s narrow coalition — narrow minded with narrowing options/Yossi Mekelberg //Arab News/June 22, 2024

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on June 22-23/2024
Israel says its assassinated key Hamas weapons supplier in Lebanon
Euronews/June 22, 2024
Israel says its assassinated key Hamas weapons supplier in Lebanon
Ratma helped direct weapons supplies from Lebanon for Hamas and Jamaa Islamiya - a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood - Israel claimed. The IDF said they killed Ratma because of his "involvement in the promotion and execution of terrorist activities against Israel in the immediate future, as well as his involvement in advancing terrorist activity against Israeli civilians."A post on X from Lebanese news agency Al-Akhbar showed the alleged vehicle Ratma was travelling in going up in flames.UN Secretary General highlights risk of regional conflict. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned of the risks of wider regional conflict in the Middle East, referring to escalating strikes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Speaking to reporters in New York, Guterres said of Friday that "the risk for the conflict in the Middle East to widen is real - and must be avoided."Guterres commented that the war had the potential to trigger a catastrophe, and that Lebanon "could not afford to become another Gaza." There have been near daily exchanges of fire on the border between Israel and Lebanon, where strikes between the IDF and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah have left more than 400 people - and 80 civilians- dead. On the Israeli side, 16 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed over the past eight months. The tensions have escalated in recent weeks after Israel killed one of Hezbollah's senior commanders- Taleb Abdullah- in south-eastern Lebanon.
Hezbollah retaliated by firing over two hundred rockets into northern Israel, one of its largest attacks since the war between Israel and Gaza began in October.

Cyprus Makes Clarifications Following Hezbollah’s Accusations
June 22, 2024
A Cypriot delegation confirmed that “Cyprus is not a party” in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and that it is “strongly opposed to the use of its territory by a third party to attack another country.”The delegation also assured that “the land in question, on which the military maneuvers (by Israel) took place, is under British authority.”According to local channel LBCI, the delegation made these statements following a meeting with Acting Director of General Security, Elias Baissari. These clarifications from the Cypriots come a few days after the speech given by Secretary-General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday evening, in which he referred to “operations carried out by the Israeli army in Cyprus.”Nasrallah did not hesitate to issue a warning to Cyprus, threatening to consider the island as “a party to the war if it made its airports and infrastructure available to Israel.”

As Hezbollah steps up attacks, world waits to see if war is truly on the table - analysis
Seth J. Frantzman/Jerusalem Post/June 22/2024
Hezbollah claimed to have carried out 6 attacks on northern Israel on Friday, but 21 sirens sounded - what is happening in Israel's North? Hezbollah claimed to have carried out six attacks on Israel on Friday. Saturday was relatively quiet in the morning, but Friday saw 21 incidents where sirens sounded in northern Israel. It was not clear if the number of claimed attacks matched what happened in the north. Hezbollah has launched more than 5,000 attacks on Israel since October 7. Hezbollah has often suggested that if there was a ceasefire in Gaza, then it would stop its attacks on the north. According to the Iranian state news IRNA “in a statement on Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed the six attacks but did not point to the potential casualties of the strikes. The operations against Israeli military positions show Hezbollah’s missile and drone power and warn the regime’s senior commanders against any escalation in southern Lebanon.”This comes amid growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah had reduced its attacks during the week of June 17-June 22. This could be a trend or a momentary pause in large operations by Hezbollah. Hezbollah wants to make it appear that any escalation could lead to a regional war on “six fronts,” according to the IRNA report.“Following the onset of the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah started targeting Israeli military positions in the north of the occupied territories. The Zionist regime has responded by targeting residential areas in southern Lebanon, killing Hezbollah members and civilians,” the report said.

UNIFIL Denounces Use of Areas Near Its Positions In Cross-Border Violence
This Is Beirut/June 22/2024
UNIFIL’s Media Office Deputy Director Candice Ardell has strongly denounced as “unacceptable” the incidents that have targeted UNIFIL positions and vehicles in the border area since the conflict in south Lebanon began on October 8, 2023. She said in a communiqué on Saturday that UNIFIL constantly stresses to all parties that targeting UN positions or using areas close to UNIFIL positions to launch attacks across the Blue Line is unacceptable and a violation of Resolution 1701. Her comment carried a veiled allusion to Hezbollah. She added that since October, UNIFIL positions and vehicles have come under fire from both sides of the Blue Line, causing injuries among peacekeepers, though not serious ones. She also reported that robust measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and enable them to carry out their duties, including upgrading their premises as required. She concluded her remarks by assuring that UNIFIL is constantly monitoring the situation and adapting it as necessary, so that its soldiers remain able to carry out their duties on the ground as they continue to implement Resolution 1701.

Two Killed in Israeli Strike in Western Bekaa
This Is Beirut/June 22/2024
After a few hours of relative calm in the Southern border area, an Israeli drone targeted a car at the junction of the town of Al-Khayara in Western Bekaa on Saturday, resulting in two fatalities. The Islamic group, Al Jamaa Al Islamiya, announced later Saturday that one of its leading commanders, Ayman al-Ghatmeh, and his bodyguard were killed in the Israeli strike in the Western Bekaa.An Israeli raid also targeted on Saturday evening a grove in the city of Saida, in one of the deepest attacks into Lebanese territory, without causing casualties. A series of raids were also carried out by warplanes on Ramya, Khallet Warda, Aita al-Shaab, and Yaroun, and phosphorous bombs were unleashed on Wadi Slouki and the outskirts of Houla. Earlier in the morning, Israeli artillery shelled the town of Khiam and Izziyeh Hill between Deir Mimas and Kfar Kila. For its part, Hezbollah announced that it had targeted a building used by the Israeli army in the settlement of Manara “with appropriate weapons and hit it directly.”Israeli army radio also reported that “two anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon towards the settlement of Manara” in Upper Galilee.

Israel kills Lebanese man ‘responsible for supplying weapons to Hamas’
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/June 22, 2024
BEIRUT: Israel faced accusations of violating the rules of engagement on Saturday after a military drone attacked a car in Khiara village in western Bekaa, killing the Lebanese driver. Khiara, about 24 km from Shebaa Farms on the border and 58 km from Beirut, was targeted for the first time since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
A Lebanese security source said the drone strike on a SUV killed the driver, Ayman Ghotmeh, from Lala village in Bekaa. Reports in Bekaa suggested that the victim had links with Hamas or was affiliated with a radical group allied with Hezbollah.
BACKGROUND
Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on Oct. 7, Hezbollah movement and other groups allied with the Palestinian fighters have traded near-daily fire with Israel across the southern border. The Israeli army later said that Ghotmeh was a commander in the Islamic Group in Lebanon, and “was in charge of supplying Hamas with weapons.”According to Israeli media outlets, the army also targeted Hamas commander Raed Saad in a strike inside Gaza. Israeli shelling reached Khiam, the outskirts of Deir Mimas, and Kfarkila amid continued confrontations with Hezbollah on Saturday, while Israeli warplanes struck Yaroun with two air-to-surface missiles, with no casualties reported. Hezbollah said it struck a building used by Israeli soldiers in the Manara settlement. It has also been reported that UNIFIL was fortifying its military positions in the border area. Candice Ardell, deputy director of the UNIFIL Media Office, said that “the international forces reject the use of UNIFIL locations or nearby areas to carry out attacks through the Blue Line.”In an official statement, Ardell said: “Since October, we’ve been witnessing many incidents targeting our locations and vehicles from both sides. In some situations, our peacekeepers sustained some injuries, which fortunately weren’t serious. “We reiterate to all parties that targeting UN locations or using nearby areas to carry out attacks through the Blue Line is unacceptable and constitutes a violation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
She added: “We have strong measures in place to ensure peacekeepers’ safety and ability to fulfill their duties. This includes updating our buildings when needed.” The UNIFIL reaction came as Hezbollah parliamentary bloc member MP Hassan Ezzeddine said all the “pressure and intimidation on Lebanon is aimed at pressuring the resistance.”Ezzeddine said: “We have faced threats and temptations, the aim of which was to give up our heavy weapons in favor of what we want inside Lebanon, but we refused and continued our path. “The threats made by the enemy against Lebanon are to stop the front of northern occupied Palestine because this front, by everyone’s admission, especially the enemy’s leaders, is very influential in weakening them, paralyzing their capabilities, and preventing them from defeating Gaza.”Ezzeddine addressed “all those working behind the scenes, and openly, those delegations coming to Lebanon with various initiatives,” saying: “Do not waste your time and efforts in Lebanon, because they are going in the wrong direction, and do not tire yourselves out. “There is only one way, and that is to go to Israeli leaders and pressure them to stop their aggression on Gaza. Then, all fronts will calm down. “But if this enemy continues its aggression and expands the scope of this war, the resistance is ready to fight a battle that may ultimately be decisive.” The Hezbollah MP’s remarks came as the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised all its citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon due to security developments in the region. The ministry asked “Kuwaiti citizens already in Lebanon, with no pressing reasons to remain, to leave the country as soon as possible. Those unable to leave must contact the Kuwaiti Embassy in Lebanon immediately via the embassy’s emergency phone number: 0096171171441.”Kuwait Airways announced an increase in the capacity of its planes heading to Beirut to accommodate passengers wishing to return to Kuwait. In a statement on its X account, the airline said: “These measures come in coordination with the Foreign Ministry in light of the current circumstances in the region.”

Kuwait advises citizens against travel to Lebanon amid security concerns
LBCI/June 22/2024
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has renewed its call for its citizens to refrain from traveling to Lebanon at present due to the ongoing security developments in the region. In a statement, the Ministry urged all its citizens currently present in Lebanon without an urgent need to leave as soon as possible and called on those who are unable to leave to immediately contact the Kuwaiti Embassy in Lebanon.

UNIFIL Denounces Use of Areas Near Its Positions In Cross-Border Violence
This Is Beirut/June 22/2024
UNIFIL’s Media Office Deputy Director Candice Ardell has strongly denounced as “unacceptable” the incidents that have targeted UNIFIL positions and vehicles in the border area since the conflict in south Lebanon began on October 8, 2023. She said in a communiqué on Saturday that UNIFIL constantly stresses to all parties that targeting UN positions or using areas close to UNIFIL positions to launch attacks across the Blue Line is unacceptable and a violation of Resolution 1701. Her comment carried a veiled allusion to Hezbollah. She added that since October, UNIFIL positions and vehicles have come under fire from both sides of the Blue Line, causing injuries among peacekeepers, though not serious ones. She also reported that robust measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and enable them to carry out their duties, including upgrading their premises as required. She concluded her remarks by assuring that UNIFIL is constantly monitoring the situation and adapting it as necessary, so that its soldiers remain able to carry out their duties on the ground as they continue to implement Resolution 1701.

Two Contradictory Positions in Israel on US Guarantees Amid Potential War with Lebanon
LBCI/June 22/2024
Two contradictory positions have emerged in Israel in response to reported US guarantees of support for Tel Aviv if confrontations with Lebanon escalate into a full-scale war. Following recent US-Israeli meetings that focused on pursuing a diplomatic settlement to prevent a war with Lebanon that could become widespread, the scene appears divided. Some Israelis, advocating for an immediate response deep within Lebanon, see the guarantees made by a US official in a CNN interview as a green light to retaliate against Hezbollah. Conversely, another faction believes these guarantees are typical in the event of an expanded war, but view the current US stance as opposing a war with Lebanon at this time. After Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Council Head Tzachi Hanegbi, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is set to arrive in Washington on Sunday, invited by his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin. Washington aims to gather majority support in Israel for a peaceful settlement to prevent a war with Lebanon, alongside addressing the issue of prisoners in Gaza and planning for the day after the war. Despite his recent military threats from the north, Gallant has not yet discussed the policies following the plans approved by the Northern Command of the Israeli army for a war inside Lebanon. The political team formed by Netanyahu, following the withdrawal of Benny Gantz and Gadi Eizenkot and including Gallant, has agreed on the necessity of first concluding the Rafah operation and pushing for a prisoner exchange deal. On the Gaza front, the Israeli army is intensifying its operations in Rafah, announcing that the military establishment, in coordination with the political establishment, will discuss the appropriate timing to declare Hamas defeated in Rafah and the conclusion of the operation there, while continuing its operations in a precise and limited manner. Within Israel, the protest leadership and the Forum of Hostages Families hope that the Saturday night demonstrations, before Gallant's departure to Washington, will be the largest, sending a message to decision-makers in Tel Aviv and Washington about the need to take immediate steps to ensure the cessation of the Gaza war and the swift return of the hostages.

Voices of Conflict: Diverging Calls for War with Lebanon in Israel
LBCI/June 22/2024
The incitement to war with Lebanon is no longer exclusive to the far right or escalatory political stances within the decision-making circle in Israel. There are those who seek from the borders to push towards war. Along the entire border strip with Lebanon, the scene repeats itself: shelling and fires in the settlements and empty neighborhoods due to confrontations. Those who remained in Kiryat Shmona, challenging the security reality in northern Israel imposed by the confrontation with Hezbollah, have become primary agitators for war with Lebanon. Despite the presence of voices supporting the ignition of the front with Lebanon, there remains another active voice within Israel. A voice from Haifa warns that any war reaching the city will be deadly after Hezbollah revealed sensitive sites there. Another supportive voice calls first for stopping the war on Gaza and making an exchange deal, which would allow calm to return to the northern border. Which voice will Netanyahu listen to?

Potential Israeli War on Lebanon: Regional Implications and Multi-Front Threats
LBCI/June 22/2024
In recent days, there has been increasing talk about the possibility of an Israeli war on Lebanon, especially with the nearing end of the Rafah battle in southern Gaza. However, any war opened against Lebanon could have significant repercussions for Israel and the region, potentially prompting Iranian intervention, according to the US website AXIOS. If Israel enters a war against Lebanon, it will face six fronts. The first front is Lebanon, and it is unclear whether the war will target areas near the border or extend further. The second front is Gaza, which will apply pressure on the Israeli army, as Hamas remains active in Gaza, fighting and rebuilding its military capabilities despite more than eight months having passed since the Israeli war on Gaza. The third front is the West Bank, which will be another source of pressure on Israel, since the West Bank has witnessed intermittent escalations with Palestinians carrying out attacks against Israeli settlers in the streets since October 7. Additionally, there is the Iraqi front, where resistance factions in Iraq have continued to target Israeli objectives since the start of the "al-Aqsa Flood" operation, and this front is prepared to move and provide support if Israel attacks Lebanon. From Asia, Hezbollah might also receive support, as press reports have stated that the Taliban assured Iran they would send thousands of fighters to Lebanon to support Hezbollah in the war against Israel. Furthermore, the Yemeni front, consisting of the Houthis, has continued targeting ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea using drones and missiles since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza. Their latest attack involved an offensive drone boat carrying a 150 kg warhead. If Israel wages war, a source close to the Houthis confirmed to LBCI their support for Lebanon in all forms, either by sending fighters or intensifying operations, adding that this support would be no less than their support for Gaza. Thus, Israel will face these fronts, and the question remains whether the Syrian front will move as Hezbollah's leader has suggested, a front that has not moved throughout the Israeli war on Gaza. The most important question remains: Will all these fronts deter Israel from considering a war on Lebanon?

UNIFIL monitors situation amid continuous attacks on sites and vehicles, Deputy Spokesperson says
LBCI/June 22/2024
UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel announced that since October, numerous incidents have been witnessed, where sites and vehicles have come under fire from both sides. In some cases, she said that peacekeepers were injured, affirming to all parties that targeting UN sites or using areas near UNIFIL locations to launch attacks across the Blue Line is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of Resolution 1701. She continued in a statement that UNIFIL has arranged measures to ensure the safety of the peacekeepers and their ability to perform their duties. Ardiel added that UNIFIL constantly monitors the situation and adjusts as necessary, ensuring that peacekeepers remain capable of performing their tasks on the ground and continuing to implement Resolution 1701.

False reports claim European and Western countries withdraw ambassadors from Lebanon
LBCI/June 22/2024
Caretaker Minister of Information Ziad Makary clarified that certain websites broadcast unfounded news, falsely claiming that European and Western countries, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain, are withdrawing their ambassadors from Lebanon.
He noted that this kind of fake news is part of the psychological warfare often used and fueled by Israel through various means.The Ministry of Information urged all media outlets, social media platforms, and bloggers to exercise caution and maintain professionalism in verifying news sources before sharing information, especially during this critical period, based on national responsibility above all. Relying on the commitment of Lebanese media to standards of accuracy, reliability, and transparency, it emphasizes that it will not tolerate the spread of fabricated news to thwart attempts at misinformation and intimidation. It also points out that anyone who disseminates such news without verification unknowingly contributes to creating tension by spreading falsehoods.

Behind Bars: The Syrian Prisoner Crisis in Lebanon
LBCI/June 22/2024
Behind these bars lie around 2,500 Syrian prisoners, constituting 35 percent of the prison population in Lebanon, according to statistics from the Ministry of Interior. Out of these, 1,900 have committed criminal offenses, while the remaining 600 are accused of terrorist activities or are political opponents.
Behind the walls of the detention centers, there are more than 75,000 Syrian detainees who have not yet been tried, facing various charges. The issue of overcrowding in Lebanese prisons with Syrian inmates forms a crucial part of the Lebanese government's plan to repatriate Syrian refugees, including prisoners.
The Lebanese side, represented by General Security, which has been tasked by the government to coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and the Syrian Executive Public Prosecution, has prepared a detailed list of Syrian prisoners, including the nature of their sentences and the crimes they committed.
This document will be presented by the Director General of General Security, Major General Elias Bayssari, to Syria next week for discussion with Syrian security officials, specifically the Syrian National Security, during the first official Lebanese visit to Syria to address the prisoner issue specifically. This visit aims to activate the process of deporting convicted individuals to complete their sentences in their homeland in accordance with the cooperation and coordination agreement signed between the two countries. Regarding the detainees, the Director General of General Security will explain their situation to the Syrian side to seek their opinion on how to approach this issue, especially since, according to sources, detainees who have not received final judicial sentences cannot be deported. According to information made available to LBCI, Lebanon seeks to return all Syrian prisoners except for political opponents who are protected under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which prohibits the extradition of individuals who may face torture in their home country—a convention Lebanon has signed. As for those accused of terrorist activities, Lebanon is obliged to apply the personal rights law if the charges are proven. It remains the sole responsibility of General Security, under normal circumstances, to decide on the residence status of any Syrian detainee in Lebanon in both cases: after serving their prison sentence or after being acquitted.

The Syrian Refugee Data Dilemma: Lebanon's Demands vs. UNHCR's Stance
LBCI/June 22/2024
The issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is currently hanging in the balance between Lebanon's insistence on obtaining detailed data on 1.486 million refugees from the UNHCR and the organization's insistence on withholding additional details due to data protection and adherence to international refugee laws. After discussions last week between both sides yielded no concrete results, a new round of negotiations is scheduled for next week. General Security remains hopeful to receive the detailed data that would facilitate their work. However, they also warn that they will not remain passive if this data is not provided, hinting at what they call Plan B, whose details are gradually emerging. According to the latest developments in this plan, if General Security does not receive the data, they will require refugees who possess registration certificates to present them to General Security to validate their effects.
Otherwise, their registration will not be recognized, as it would have been conducted solely by the UNHCR and the registered Syrian without the knowledge of the Lebanese state. Consequently, the registration cannot be invoked if the data is not handed over to the Lebanese authorities. This process will exclusively target Syrians registered before 2015, approximately 750,000 in number, since all refugees registered with the UNHCR after 2015 do not hold registration certificates and are not recognized by the Lebanese state, which applies Lebanese laws to them.However, the question remains: what will happen if the refugees do not declare their certificates to General Security? In such a case, will General Security automatically consider them as having forfeited their registration, remove them from the lists, and apply Lebanese laws regarding their stay in Lebanon, which could include granting them residence permits or deporting them?

Miss Lebanon 2024 pageant to air live in July on LBCI
LBCI/June 22/2024
Lebanon is anticipating a special event next month. The Miss Lebanon 2024 pageant, organized by LBCI, will be broadcast live in July on the channel. The event will feature the famed Lebanese singer, Elissa, who will perform a selection of her most beautiful songs. It is noteworthy that the last Miss Lebanon competition was held in 2022, during which Yasmina Zaytoun was crowned. Yasmina brought international recognition to Lebanon after being crowned 1st Runner-up at the Miss World pageant, as well as the title of Miss World Asia 2024.

Parolin in Beirut Sunday: A Pastoral Visit with Diplomatic Undertones
Fady Noun/This Is Beirut/June 22/2024
At the initial invitation of the president of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of the Order of Malta, Marwan Sehnaoui, an interfaith summit has been scheduled at Bkerkeh on Tuesday for Pope Francis’ main collaborator, Pietro Parolin, who is expected in Beirut on Sunday. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Sunday evening for a four-day visit of “friendship and trust,” at the invitation of the president of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, Marwan Sehnaoui. The number two of the Holy See is to preside over a Mass on Monday at the Saint Joseph Church of the Jesuit Fathers for the annual feast of Saint John the Baptist, the patron of the Order of Malta. Cardinal Parolin will be welcomed at the Rafic Hariri International Airport by caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, delegated by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in the presence of Marwan Sehnaoui, the Order of Malta’s ambassador to Lebanon, Maria Emerica Cortese, and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Paolo Borgia. His schedule includes in addition to the Mass, visits to various medical-social and agro-humanitarian centers of the Order of Malta, whose social and health services are spread across the entire national territory, including in the border regions currently affected by the war. On Tuesday, he is scheduled to visit the tomb of Saint Charbel in Annaya, where he will preside over a Mass in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio and delegations from all Maronite monastic orders, both male and female, in Lebanon. “The presence of Cardinal Parolin in Lebanon should be seen by the Lebanese as the best alternative to the long-awaited but still planned visit of the Pope,” according to a source close to the organizers of the visit. “We should closely follow the homily he will deliver during the Mass to understand what the Holy Father wishes to convey to us during this critical period of our national life.”The source also recalls that the Pope’s main collaborator is a great friend of Lebanon and is well aware of the Lebanese economic crisis and the presidential vacancy. It should not be forgotten that on June 8, he received the personal envoy of President Macron for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Rome, with whom he reviewed the complex regional dossier and its interferences in Lebanon, particularly regarding the presidential deadlock. The meeting between Cardinal Parolin and Le Drian took place a week after the French envoy visited Beirut.During his pastoral visit, Cardinal Parolin will also make protocol visits on Wednesday to the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berry, and the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.
Diplomatic Highlight
In addition to his “visit of friendship and trust” to the Order of Malta in Lebanon, Cardinal Parolin’s visit will include a “diplomatic moment” through his participation in an interfaith summit on Tuesday, followed by a lunch at the patriarchal seat in Bkerkeh. All Muslim and Christian religious leaders with a seat in Lebanon are invited. According to the Maronite Patriarchate, “This meeting will allow the Vatican Secretary of State to ensure the commitment of the various components of Lebanese society to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Lebanon, beyond the apparent divisions that have emerged in recent years,” states an anonymous episcopal source. In essence, the interfaith meeting aims to “correct” the negative note left by President Macron’s envoy regarding the internal situation during his last visit to Lebanon. Aggravated by the rigidity of Lebanese political leaders, while the representatives of the quintet strive to break the presidential deadlock that has lasted for twenty months (Lebanon has been without a president since October 2022), the former French Foreign Minister had stated after one of his meetings: “If a president is not elected very soon, it will be the end of political Lebanon. Only geographic Lebanon will remain.”“Very soon” was interpreted to mean: “This summer, before the American administration is completely absorbed by the presidential election on November 5.”
Primarily a Pastoral Visit
“The visit of Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Lebanon is primarily a pastoral visit,” notes a Lebanese diplomatic source. “The Secretary of State certainly comes with the care of the Holy Father, but we should not expect him to arrive with a crisis exit plan and advice different from those the Holy See has already given to the Lebanese. However, the visit may allow him to make contacts or offer advice that he cannot provide from a distance, but which would be timely remarks and opinions,” the same source added. It is recalled that the Secretary of State made a brief visit to Lebanon on Friday, September 4, 2020, marked by a call from the Pope for a day of fasting and prayer for the country. During this visit, Cardinal Parolin urged the Lebanese to overcome their divisions and brought them the comfort of Pope Francis’ proximity. The Secretary of State, who will stay at the Apostolic Nunciature during his visit, may also have private meetings with some local prominent figures, but this part of his schedule is surrounded by great discretion and will depend on the free time that may be arranged for him. Cardinal Parolin’s visit concludes on Thursday.

Internet: What’s the Latest on Dismantling Illegal Networks?
This Is Beirut/June 22/2024
A few weeks after the dismantling of unlicensed internet transmission networks across Lebanon by teams from Ogero, the public provider of telecommunications and internet services, where do we stand? This Is Beirut provides an update.
Contacted by This Is Beirut, outgoing Minister of Telecommunications Johnny Corm states that dismantling is progressing slowly because “an alternative is needed before cutting off internet access to citizens, otherwise they will bear the brunt,” noting that “over 600,000 people subscribe to these illegal networks and have been identified.” For him, “the problem cannot be solved by simply cutting cables and leaving citizens without internet access.” He emphasizes that “the aim of this plan is for illegal internet providers to connect to the national network.”The plan started in the areas of Achrafieh and Ras Beirut, where the state is already present in 90% of the districts, indicating that the state network exists. “It is easier to start there before expanding to the entire capital,” the minister says. He states that out of 600 illegal distributors, 100 have applied to join the national network and have provided the ministry with maps of their networks. Corm reveals that the delay is also due to the Court of Auditors not yet approving the government decree. The decree in question allows these illegal distributors to sign a contract with the state to maintain their network after it has been integrated into the state’s infrastructure, in exchange for 30% of the revenue. “We have allowed these distributors to continue operating by purchasing internet directly from the ministry, via Ogero, for three years. The neighborhood distributor contract is a maintenance contract stating that the network belongs to the state and maintenance is their responsibility. However, without the approval of the Court of Auditors, the ministry cannot sign maintenance contracts as envisaged in the decree or pay maintenance fees,” the minister laments. It is worth noting that Ogero began, a few weeks ago, under the instruction of the competent judicial authorities, to remove infractions and dismantle unlicensed internet transmission networks. Consequently, internet service provided by these networks has been interrupted. This decision is part of the campaign against illegal Internet conducted by the Ministry of Telecommunications. The minister reiterated his intention “to proceed in protecting the national telecommunications network against any form of violation.”This plan aims to regulate illegal internet operations in Lebanon, which cause significant losses to the public treasury, with 60% of internet users in Lebanon being served by illegal providers. As a reminder, internet service to Lebanese citizens is provided by Ogero, the public and exclusive internet provider in Lebanon, through licensed companies totaling 107, such as IDM, Internet, etc., or via mobile operators Touch and Alfa, which offer 3G and 4G services. Alternatively, it is provided through unlicensed companies commonly known as “neighborhood distributors,” representing 60% of providers. Legal access providers go through Ogero, unlike illegal providers who have their networks.
Starlink: Awaiting a Response
Regarding Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX – a company founded by Elon Musk – Corm states he is awaiting a response from the company itself. The minister had mentioned last November that Lebanon had obtained a three-month trial period, during which security services would study the network with daily information provided by Starlink. In the meantime, the ministry’s commercial study would be completed.

Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on June 22-23/2024
US offers assurances to Israel this week in the event of full-blown war with Hezbollah
MJ Lee, CNN/ June 21, 2024 —
Senior US officials reassured a delegation of top Israeli officials visiting Washington this week that if a full-out war were to break out on Israel’s northern border between Israel and Hezbollah, the Biden administration is fully prepared to back its ally, according to a senior administration official.
The in-person assurances came as an increase in cross-border attacks in recent weeks between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah have intensified concerns about the possible outbreak of another full-fledged conflict in the Middle East – and also as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly accused the US of withholding weapons and ammunition from his country, touching off a tense back-and-forth between Israeli and US officials. Top Israeli officials including Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi participated in a series of meetings with Biden administration officials like national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House Middle East affairs coordinator Brett McGurk in Washington this week. They discussed a wide range of topics including the situation on Israel’s northern border, Iran and the ceasefire and hostage negotiations, sources said. When discussing the issue of Hezbollah’s provocations, US officials made clear this week that the Biden administration would offer Israel the security assistance it needs, the senior administration official said, though the US would not deploy American troops to the ground in such a scenario. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, Hezbollah’s provocations against Israel have continued – and escalated in recent weeks. Biden administration has repeatedly stated that it does not wish to see yet another war break out on Israel’s northern front, urging diplomatic de-escalation. This week, US envoy Amos Hochstein was dispatched to the region to try to help de-escalate the conflict. Still, with Hezbollah’s attacks across the border into Israel continuing in the absence of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, US officials are on heightened alert about the eruption of a full-blown conflict in the region. If Hezbollah were to significantly expand the scale of its attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of Israelis, US officials expect Israel to respond with full force. As CNN reported, US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israel’s air defenses in the north — including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system. That reality would make the US’ full support of Israel all the more critical. In this week’s meetings, US and Israeli officials discussed possible “off-ramps” to try to lower the temperature along the so-called Blue Line that separates Lebanon and Israel, the senior administration official said. Those talks touched on ways of returning Israelis and Lebanese people who have been displaced from the border back to their homes, they said.

Dozens killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza City neighbourhoods
NEWS WIRES/© Ayman Al Hassi, ReutersJune 22, 2024
Health officials in Gaza said Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed at least 24 people in the territory's north, a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross said 22 people were killed in shelling that damaged its office. The Gaza City strikes added to at least 120 deaths over the previous 48 hours which the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported earlier Saturday. Dr Mahmud Aliwa of Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City said his facility received 24 bodies after the strikes, which left smoke rising over the city. Gaza's civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Basal told AFP that at least 20 were killed in a strike on a house in Al-Tuffah neighbourhood, while a strike in Al-Shati refugee camp claimed the lives of four others. "People were going about their business" when, suddenly, "the whole area was wiped out" in an air strike, said Abu Mahmud al-Kariri, an eyewitness in Al-Shati. Against a grey backdrop of destruction, men used a donkey cart to remove some of the dead in Al-Tuffah. Earlier on Saturday, Israel's military said its fighter jets were striking "two Hamas military infrastructure sites" in the Gaza City area. The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, on Saturday called for an "independent investigation" into the shelling that damaged the ICRC office.

Jordanian police find explosives in residential apartment
Suleiman Al-Khalidi/AMMAN (Reuters)/June 22, 2024
Police in Jordan said on Saturday they had discovered and detonated explosives stored in a crowded residential area of the capital close to a military airport used by U.S. army planes, and that they were investigating the incident. The explosives in a home in the Marka neighbourhood northeast of the capital were detonated at the site after the area was evacuated, according to a statement from the public security directorate. The statement did not say if police suspected the stash was terrorism related, whether arrests were made, and did not detail the quantity of explosives. It added more details would be published once the investigation was complete. Witnesses said the flat was nearly one kilometre (0.6 miles) from the Marka military airport used by U.S. planes stationed in the kingdom, and by other coalition partners. The explosives were discovered after civil defence authorities arrived at the flat following an explosion that was initially believed to have been caused by a gas leak, but may have been a botched attempt to manufacture explosives, former officials and security experts said. "The indications all point it's a terrorist case and an incident related to radical groups that target the kingdom on the pretext of its stance on Gaza," said Saud Al Sharafat, a former brigadier general in Jordanian intelligence. U.S. ally Jordan has over 3,500 American troops stationed in several bases and, since the war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza erupted in October, it has been increasingly targeted by Iranian-backed groups operating in neighbouring Syria and Iraq. Over the past year, Jordan has said it has foiled many attempts to smuggle weapons by parties linked to pro-Iranian militias in Syria. Iran has denied being behind such attempts.
Many of the arms are bound for the neighbouring Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jordanian officials say, adding they have arrested several Jordanians linked to Palestinian militants.

ICRC official describes Rafah as a ‘ghost town’
AFP/June 22, 2024
JERUSALEM: Days after Israel announced a daily pause in fighting on a key route to allow more aid into Gaza, chaos in the besieged Palestinian territory has left vital supplies piled up and undistributed in the searing summer heat. More than eight months of war have led to dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and repeated UN warnings of famine. William Schomburg, International Committee of the Red Cross chief in Rafah, described Rafah City as a “ghost town.” “It is a ghost town in the sense that you see very few people, high levels of destruction, and just another symbol of the unfolding tragedy that has become Gaza over the last nine months,” he said. The UN food agency has said its aid convoys have been looted inside Gaza by “desperate people.”Desperation among Gaza’s 2.4 million population has increased as fighting rages, sparking warnings from agencies that they are unable to deliver aid.
Israel says it has let supplies in and called on agencies to step up deliveries. “The breakdown of public order and safety is increasingly endangering humanitarian workers and operations in Gaza,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, said in a briefing. “Alongside the fighting, criminal activities and the risk of theft and robbery has effectively prevented humanitarian access to critical locations.”But Israel says it has allowed hundreds of trucks of aid into southern Gaza, trading blame with the UN over why the aid is stacking up.It shared aerial footage of containers lined up on the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom crossing and more trucks arriving to add to the stockpile. With civil order breaking down in Gaza, the UN says it has been unable to pick up any supplies from Kerem Shalom since Tuesday, leaving crucial aid in limbo.

Israeli Forces Drive Through West Bank With Injured Palestinian Strapped to Jeep
Noah Kirsch/The Daily Beast/June 22, 2024
The Israeli military is investigating some its own soldiers after footage showed that an injured Palestinian man had been strapped to the front of a military jeep as it moved through the West Bank on Saturday. The man, Mujahed Azmi, was later treated by a medic. In a statement, the Israeli military said the “conduct of the forces in the video of the incident does not conform to [its] values” and that it will investigate and address the matter. According to Reuters, Azmi’s family said Israeli forces injured him during an arrest raid, “and when the family asked for an ambulance, the army took Mujahed, strapped him on the hood and drove off.” The Israeli military said in a statement that it had exchanged fire during a mission and that a suspect, presumably Azmi, was wounded. Roughly 50 miles away from the West Bank, the war in Gaza remains bloody. On Saturday, Israel conducted airstrikes in Gaza City that left more than three dozen people dead, according to local officials. The Washington Post reported that the strikes caused “significant damage and a massive crater… in the densely built Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City.” Israel said it was targeting a pair of “Hamas military infrastructure sites.” It was not immediately clear how many of the casualties were civilians. The airstrikes followed an incident on Friday in which “‘heavy-calibre projectiles’ landed near an office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Mawasi area of Rafah,” the Post noted, adding that at least 22 people died as a result. The ICRC condemned the operation in a statement on X. “Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and Red Cross staff at risk,” it wrote. “This grave security incident is one of several in recent days; previously stray bullets have reached ICRC structures. We decry these incidents that put the lives of humanitarians and civilians at risk.”Israel said it had not directly attacked a Red Cross facility, though the military said it would investigate the claims.

Thousands gather in Tel Aviv to mark Naama Levy’s 20th birthday while in Hamas captivity in Gaza
Lauren Izso and Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN/June 22, 2024
Thousands of people gathered in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday to commemorate the 20th birthday of Naama Levy, who has been held captive for 260 days. It was one of the first and most searing viral videos to emerge as the October 7 attack unfolded. A cell phone video released by Hamas shows Levy, who was 19-years-old at the time, being dragged by her hair at gunpoint by a terrorist in Gaza. Her hands are bound, her ankles cut. Her pants are soaked in blood. Eight months on, and Levy is one of 120 people who remain in captivity in Gaza, 116 of whom were among the more than 250 taken hostage on October 7. A hostage and ceasefire deal in November secured the release of more than 100, while a handful have been rescued. But fears for those who remain are growing, with a senior Hamas official telling CNN recently that “no one has an idea” how many of them are still alive. Their plight is the subject of regular anti-government protests in Israel, where many demonstrators are calling on Israeli leaders to secure a hostage deal and hold an early election. At Hostages Square on Saturday, Levy’s parents Ayelet Levy Shachar and Yoni Levy addressed the crowd. “Today, I didn’t want to make a speech in the square. I just wanted to wish Naama a happy birthday, to speak to you, Naama, hoping you might hear, wishing these words reach you,” Levy’s mother said during her speech. “I … wish for you the most basic right that you deserve as a human being – your freedom, which was taken from you eight and a half months ago,” her mother added.Levy’s father, Yoni, said he wished his daughter could see how many people showed up to celebrate her birthday. “I remember your laughter and can hear your voice, imagining exactly what you’d be doing today. We would have prepared a table for you, full of sweets, balloons, and gifts. Like every year,” Yoni said during his speech at the gathering. “How happy this day could have been. Instead, you’re there. In darkness. For 260 days already. And we stand here,” Yoni added.
“We all understand that 120 hostages cannot be returned through military operations. We must honestly say – 120 hostages will only return home through a deal,” Yoni said. Yoni also addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly, saying, “Victory in war is not just victory in military battles. And it’s not just preserving the coalition at any cost. Victory in war is the ability to preserve the values of this nation, years ahead. And victory is the ability to continue being faithful to our values as Jews and Israelis.”The gathering in Hostages Square was just one of several that took place in cities across Israel on Saturday. Families of hostages held in Gaza also took part in protests in Jerusalem, Herzliya, Caesarea, Raanana, Be’er Sheva, Kiryat Gat and the town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur.Many waved Israeli flags and held up signs with images of the Israeli hostages. “Alive! Alive! And not in body bags!”, “Hostage deal now! Bring them back alive now! The baby, the soldiers, the women, the men,” protesters in Tel Aviv shouted. Other protesters were heard shouting, ” Elections now.”“There is nothing more important, every hostage must return!” protesters in Jerusalem chanted. In Caesarea, thousands of protesters took to the streets chanting, ‘You’re the leader, you’re guilty!’ In the town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur, protesters also called for the release of all hostages and an early election to be held. Some of them were heard chanting, ‘We will not give up until we make it a better place to live.”
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, who has resigned from Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, took part in a hostage rally in Carmei Gat in Kiryat Gat city with members of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Nir Oz was one of several kibbutzim that bore the brunt of Hamas’ attack on October 7, with many residents murdered or taken hostage.

Red Cross says at least 22 killed as strike hits displaced civilians in Gaza as Israel expands operations
Jomana Karadsheh, Lauren Izso, Eyad Kourdi and Kareem Khadder, CNN/June 22, 2024
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says at least 22 people were killed in a strike that hit civilians sheltering in southern Gaza on Friday. The strike hit the tents of displaced people in the Palestinian town of Mawasi, parts of which have been identified by the Israeli military as a humanitarian zone.
Israel has been intensifying its operation in nearby Rafah, where it launched an offensive last month as part of its campaign to dismantle Hamas in Gaza. Following the strike, a nearby Red Cross field hospital received 22 bodies and 45 injured, the ICRC said.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) blamed Israel for the strike, saying it was dealing with extensive casualties. The Gaza Ministry of Health said that 25 people were killed and 50 wounded in the attack. CNN is unable to confirm the casualty figures.
The IDF said Saturday that it was examining the incident. “Following an initial inquiry, there was no direct attack carried out by the IDF against a Red Cross facility. The incident will be quickly examined and its findings will be presented to our international partners.” The Ministry of Health in Gaza has meanwhile reported its highest death toll in the Gaza Strip over a 24 hour period since June 9. The ministry said that 101 people had been killed in the last day, and a further 169 injured. According to the ICRC, one of its facilities was damaged in Friday’s strike.
In a post on X, the ICRC did not attribute responsibility for the strike but said that “The ICRC office – which is surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians living in tents – was damaged by nearby shelling in Gaza. Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and humanitarians at risk.”It said “heavy-caliber projectiles” had landed within meters of the facility. The ICRC said that the incident was one of several in recent days after stray bullets had hit ICRC structures. It said parties to the conflict had an obligation to take “all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians.”The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, posted on X Saturday that the EU “condemns the shelling which damaged the ICRC office in Gaza and led to dozens of casualties.”“An independent investigation is needed and those responsible must be held accountable,” Borrell said.
Expansion into Rafah
Tens of thousands of people have fled to Mawasi in recent weeks as Israeli operations have expanded in Rafah, just to the south. In recent days, Israeli military operations have pushed towards the west and north of Rafah, according to accounts from inside Gaza, and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it has encountered considerable resistance from Hamas fighters. PRCS spokesman Raed al-Nims told CNN Saturday that the Israeli army “is intensively targeting what it said were safe areas in Mawasi, Khan Younis and Rafah.”The PRCS said that “in Rafah, the situation is very difficult. There are numbers of martyrs on the roads and in the camps that no-one can reach.”Mohammed Al-Mughair, a Civil Defense official in Rafah, told CNN that parts of central and western Rafah had come under fire since Friday and the Israeli army was now about one kilometer from the coast. For its part, the Israeli military said Saturday troops are continuing “intelligence-based, targeted operations in the Rafah area.”Meanwhile, the closure of the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and insecurity close to the Kerem Shalom crossing into southern Gaza, has led to severe shortages of humanitarian aid, according to several agencies. The total number of deaths in the Gaza Strip since October 7 now stands at 37,551, with 85,911 injuries, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that the situation in Gaza has become one of “total lawlessness.,” hampering efforts to deliver aid.
Guterres said: “Most of the trucks with humanitarian aid inside Gaza are now looted, because this is a war that is different from any other one.”“Usually, in a war there is one force that attacks, they occupy part of the territory of the force, then they guarantee security and management of the areas that they occupy. Here, we have attacks, we have bombings, then groups move to other places.” For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

Parts of Israel's Iron Dome would be overwhelmed in a full-blown war with Hezbollah, US official says
Thibault Spirlet/Business Insider/June 22/2024
Israel now waging war on three battle fronts — Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and SyriaScroll back up to restore default view. A US official told CNN that parts of Israel's Iron Dome would be overwhelmed in the event of a war. Israel has engaged in tit-for-tat strikes with Hezbollah since October 7. The system's efficacy was called into question after it failed to stop Hamas' attacks last year. Hezbollah would overwhelm at least some of Israel's Iron Dome batteries in the event of a full-blown war, a US official told CNN. The unnamed senior administration official said that, according to their assessments, at least some Iron Dome batteries would be "overwhelmed."According to three unnamed US officials cited by CNN, the US has shared its fears with Israel that its air defenses in the northern part of the country, including the Iron Dome air defense system, could be vulnerable to Hezbollah's enormous arsenal of missiles and drones if a war broke out. The Iron Dome is arguably the most advanced defense system in operation today. Two US officials told the outlet that Israeli officials have raised similar concerns, telling the US they believe the Iron Dome could be vulnerable, especially in the north. Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging tit-for-tat strikes at the border with Lebanon since Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, with the militant group sometimes striking Israeli military targets. On Thursday, Hezbollah said it launched dozens of rockets at an Israeli military base in Zar'it, per the Times of Israel. The Iranian-backed militants fired more than 200 projectiles last week, the Israel Defense Forces said, with some triggering fires but causing no casualties, per the BBC. Hezbollah also claimed to have struck Israel's Iron Dome air defense system in Ramot Naftali with a guided missile earlier this month, per The New Arab. According to Israel, the Iron Dome system has been about 90% effective at intercepting rockets over the last 12 years. But the October 7 Hamas attacks raised questions about why it wasn't able to stop the militants' strikes that day. Hamas said it fired 5,000 missiles at Israel in just 20 minutes. Israel said the militant group launched more than 3,000 rockets. It's not clear what proportion of the rockets were intercepted during the attack. Looking ahead to a future conflict, an Israeli official said Hezbollah would more likely overwhelm Iron Dome batteries if the militant group launched a large-scale strike employing precision-guided weapons, which could be difficult for the system to defend against, CNN reported. In preparation for a possible attack, Israeli officials told the US that Israel was planning to move resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel, CNN reported, citing the unnamed US officials.

Yemen's Houthi rebels target ship in the Gulf of Aden as the Eisenhower aircraft carrier heads home
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)/June 22, 2024
An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a commercial ship traveling through the Gulf of Aden but apparently caused no damage, authorities said Saturday, in the latest strike on the shipping lane by the group. The Houthi attack comes after the sinking this week of the ship Tutor, which marked what appears to be a new escalation by the Iranian-backed Houthis in their campaign of strikes on ships in the vital maritime corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the U.S. military ordered the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the aircraft carrier leading America's response to the Houthi attacks, to return home after a twice-extended tour. The captain of the ship targeted late Friday saw “explosions in the vicinity of the vessel,” the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. A later briefing by the U.S.-overseen Joint Maritime Information Center said the vessel initially reported two explosions off its port side and a third one later. “The vessel was not hit and sustained no damage,” the center said. “The vessel and crew are reported to be safe and are proceeding to their next port of call.”The Houthis, who have held Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014, claimed the attack Saturday night. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, identified the vessel targeted as the bulk carrier Transworld Navigator. The Houthis have launched more than 60 attacks targeting specific vessels and fired off other missiles and drones in their campaign that has killed a total of four sailors. They have seized one vessel and sunk two since November. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say. In March, the Belize-flagged Rubymar carrying fertilizer became the first to sink in the Red Sea after taking on water for days following a rebel attack. The Houthis have maintained that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the Israel-Hamas war. The Eisenhower, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is returning home after an over eight-month deployment in combat that the Navy says is its most intense since World War II. The San Diego-based USS Theodore Roosevelt will take the Eisenhower's place after a scheduled exercise in the Indo-Pacific, according to the Pentagon's press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. The Roosevelt anchored Saturday in Busan, South Korea, amid Seoul’s ongoing tensions with North Korea. The Eisenhower had already reached the Mediterranean Sea, said a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ship movements. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed a Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter associated with the Eisenhower flying above the Mediterranean just off the coast of Port Said, Egypt, on Saturday night. The Eisenhower had repeatedly been targeted by false attack claims by the Houthis during its time in the Red Sea. Saree on Saturday night claimed another attack on the carrier — but again provided no evidence to support it as the ship already had left the area.

Iran overturns the death sentence of rapper, famous for songs after Mahsa Amini in 2022 death
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)/June 22, 2024
Iran's Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of a government critic and a popular hip-hop artist, Toomaj Salehi — who came to fame over his lyrics about the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022 — his lawyer Amir Raisian said Saturday. In a post on social media platform X, Raisian said that the court assessed the case and found Salehi’s past six years in prison as “excessive” since the punishment was more than what was allowed by law. He added that another branch of the court will now review the case. Salehi’s death sentence in April by a Revolutionary Court in the central city of Isfahan created confusion as even Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency and the judiciary did not formally confirm it. Such courts in Iran often involve closed-door hearings with evidence produced secretary and give limited rights to those on trial. The news quickly drew international criticism from the United States and United Nations experts, who condemned it as a sign of Tehran’s continuing crackdown against all dissent following years of mass protests. Salehi was released from prison last November after spending a year there on charges that his supporters said were based on the hip-hop artist’s music and participation in the protests that broke out in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22. Amini died in the custody of the country’s morality police after being detained for wearing her hijab too loosely. Salehi rapped about Amini in one video, saying: “Someone’s crime was dancing with her hair in the wind.” In another verse, he predicts the downfall of Iran’s theocracy. Shortly after his release last year, Salehi was sent to prison again after saying in a video message that he was tortured after his detention in October 2022. State media at the time released a video showing him blindfolded and apologizing for his words, a statement likely to have been made under duress. Later in 2023, a court sentenced Salehi to more than six years in prison. United Nations investigators say Iran was responsible for Amini’s death, and that it violently put down largely peaceful protests in a monthslong security crackdown that killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained.

Iranians split on presidential vote as hardships mount
AFP/June 21, 2024
TEHRAN: With just a week remaining before a presidential election, Iranians are divided over whether voting will address pressing economic issues and mandatory hijab laws. Iranians head to the polls on June 28 to choose from six candidates — five conservatives and a relative reformist — to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last month. The election comes as Iran grapples with economic pressures, international sanctions and enforcement of the compulsory headscarves for women. “They promise change, but won’t do much,” said Hamid Habibi, a 54-year-old shop owner at Tehran’s bustling Grand Bazar. “I’ve watched the debates and campaigns; they speak beautifully but need to back their words with action,” he said. Despite his skepticism, Habibi plans to vote next week.The candidates have held two debates, each pledging to tackle the financial challenges impacting the country’s 85 million people. “The economic situation is deteriorating daily, and I don’t foresee any improvements,” said Fariba, a 30-year-old who runs an online store. “Regardless of who wins, our lives won’t change,” she said. Others, like 57-year-old baker Taghi Dodangeh, remain hopeful. “Change is certain,” he said, viewing voting as a religious duty and national obligation.But Jowzi, a 61-year-old housewife, expressed doubts, especially about the candidate line-up. “There’s hardly any differences between the six,” she said. “One cannot say any of them belongs to a different group.”
Iran’s Guardian Council approved six candidates after disqualifying most moderates and reformists. Leading contenders include conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and the sole reformist candidate, Masoud Pezeshkian. Keshvar, a 53-year-old mother, intends to vote for the candidate with the most robust economic plan. “Young people are grappling with economic hardships,” she said. “Raisi made efforts, but on the ground, things didn’t change much for the general public, and they were unhappy.”
In the 2021 election that brought Raisi to power, many voters stayed away, resulting in a participation rate just under 49 percent — the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged a high voter turnout. Yet, 26-year-old shopkeeper Mahdi Zeinali said he would only vote if a candidate proves to be “the right person.” This election comes at a turbulent time, with the Gaza war raging between Iran’s adversary Israel and Tehran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, along with ongoing diplomatic tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. Compulsory hijab laws remain contentious, particularly since mass protests triggered by the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini. Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, was detained for an alleged breach of Iran’s dress code for women, who are required to cover their heads and necks and wear modest clothing in public. Despite increased enforcement, many women, especially in Tehran, defy the dress code. Fariba expressed concern that after the election, “things would go back to where they were,” and young women won’t be able to remove their headscarves.Jowzi, an undecided voter who wears a veil, regards it as a “personal” choice and opposes state interference. “It makes no difference who becomes president,” she said.“What’s important is what they actually do. It’s not important to me whether or not they have a turban. They need to act humanely.”

Mawlawi: Over Two Million Syrians Residing in Lebanon, Mostly Illegally
This Is Beirut/June 22/2024
Caretaker Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi has revealed that more than two million Syrian migrants reside in Lebanon, rejecting any financial temptations to settle them. “Lebanon is not for sale,” Mawlawi said, stressing “we cannot be tempted with aid aimed at keeping Syrians or settling them in Lebanon.”In an interview with Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Paris, Mawlawi said “only 600,000 Syrians have obtained legal residency permits,” while the large majority “do not possess any permits issued by the Lebanese General Security.”He linked the “very thorny” issue of Syrian presence in Lebanon, to “international politics, American and European positions, as well as the (internal) situation in Syria,” adding that “We in Lebanon cannot wait for this integrated solution.”

Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on June 22-23/2024
Iran Mullahs Drastically Speed Up Their Nuclear Program, US Administration Sits Idly By
Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/June 22, 2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/130989/130989/
The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently issued an unusually jarring warning, highlighting a development in Iran's nuclear program. IAEA inspectors confirmed that, for the first time, Iran has commenced the process of feeding uranium gas into three cascades of advanced IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment facility.
By waiving sanctions on Iran, the Biden administration has effectively provided financial support amounting up to an estimated $100 billion to the mullahs. Worse, the Biden administration has turned a blind eye to Tehran's destabilizing and aggressive policies, both within the region and without.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has explicitly articulated his vision for Israel's destruction in his 416-page book, Palestine. This manifesto serves as a detailed guide to eliminating Israel, often referred to in Iran as "The Little Satan," and vehemently condemns the United States, referred to as "The Great Satan."By acquiring nuclear weapons, the regime could also equip its proxies -- Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis -- with these weapons to use against Israel. Using its proxies as its "human shields" allows Iran's regime to maintain plausible deniability, so it can continue hiding behind them while escalating the real threat to Israel, which is Iran itself.
The Biden administration needs urgently to take decisive action to curb Iran's aggressive nuclear advancements. The US needs to stop its current practice of waiving sanctions on Iran and start reimposing -- and enforcing -- severe sanctions on the country's oil and gas industry. The US also needs to cut off the financial flow to the regime by imposing secondary sanctions: any country that does business with Iran may not do business with the United States.
US failure to act will only rapidly lead to a nuclear-armed Iran, significantly upending global stability and providing a potential vacuum for America's adversaries to fill.
The Biden administration needs urgently to take decisive action to curb Iran's aggressive nuclear advancements. The US needs to stop its current practice of waiving sanctions on Iran and start reimposing -- and enforcing -- severe sanctions on the country's oil and gas industry. US failure to act will only rapidly lead to a nuclear-armed Iran, significantly upending global stability )
The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently issued an unusually jarring warning, highlighting a development in Iran's nuclear program. IAEA inspectors confirmed that, for the first time, Iran has commenced the process of feeding uranium gas into three cascades of advanced IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment facility. These cascades, which consist of multiple centrifuges working in unison, increase the efficiency of uranium enrichment by spinning the uranium gas at extremely high speeds, allowing Iran to enrich it at a much faster rate and significantly reducing the time required to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran is already enriching uranium to 84%, alarmingly close to the 90% enrichment level of weapons-grade uranium. Iran therefore may well be on the brink of acquiring the necessary material for nuclear bombs.
Iran's rapid advancement of its nuclear weapons program comes at a time when the Biden administration not only seems inactive toward countering Iran – it appears to be saving all its muscle for Israel -- but also has been supporting the actions of groups that back terrorism, whether the Taliban in Afghanistan -- who were gifted billions in state-of-the-art US military equipment and a $773 million US embassy, or Qatar with its US Al Udeid airbase, funding Hamas, controlling Gaza, or Iran, shooting at US servicemen and using Yemen's Houthis to close off shipping in the Red Sea.
By waiving sanctions on Iran, the Biden administration has effectively provided financial support amounting up to an estimated $100 billion to the mullahs. Worse, the Biden administration has turned a blind eye to Tehran's destabilizing and aggressive policies, both within the region and without.
Those policies include Iran's ongoing support for terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Houthis. The combination of financial aid and lack of any accountability has bolstered Iran to pursue its nuclear weapons ambitions with increased fervor, fueling wars in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq; and recently killing three US troops and wounding at least 186 others, 130 with traumatic brain injuries. Iran has effectively closed off all commercial shipping in the Red Sea, forcing ships to detour around Africa. Other than that, Iran has clearly "come in from the cold" and is behaving as an ideal neighbor.
Avigdor Lieberman a member of Israel's Knesset (Parliament) and a former defense minister, recently made a disturbing statement during an interview with Israel's Army Radio. He warned that Iran is "planning a Holocaust for us in the next two years." The declaration underscores the immediacy of the threat to Israel. This unsetting prediction is consistent with the Iranian regime's longstanding, deeply ingrained religious prophecy that envisions the complete annihilation of Israel.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has explicitly articulated his vision for Israel's destruction in his 416-page book, Palestine. This manifesto serves as a detailed guide to eliminating Israel, often referred to in Iran as "The Little Satan," and vehemently condemns the United States, referred to as "The Great Satan." Khamenei's book and the regime's rhetoric highlight the persistent hostility that underpins Iran's actions towards Israel.
Iran appears to have accelerated its nuclear program for several reasons. First, the regime sees an opportunity thanks to the Biden administration's inaction and perceived weak leadership, allowing Iran to advance its destabilizing activities without suffering any repercussions. Second, there is likely a looming fear within the regime that former President Donald Trump, known for his stringent "maximum pressure policy" on Iran, might return to power in the upcoming US presidential elections. Third, Iran, with one exception -- on April 13, 2024, when for the first time, the regime itself attacked Israel with more than 300 missiles and drones -- has intensified its conflict with Israel by utilizing its proxies.
From the Iranian leadership's point of view, possessing nuclear weapons would significantly strengthen their position and finally secure a "complete victory" over Israel. Last, by acquiring nuclear weapons, the regime could also equip its proxies -- Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis -- with these weapons to use against Israel, to spare Iran the indignity of being hit back. Using its proxies as its "human shields" allows Iran's regime to maintain plausible deniability, so it can continue hiding behind them while escalating the real threat to Israel, which is Iran itself.
The Biden administration needs urgently to take decisive action to curb Iran's aggressive nuclear advancements. The US needs to stop its current practice of waiving sanctions on Iran and start reimposing -- and enforcing -- severe sanctions on the country's oil and gas industry. The US also needs to cut off the financial flow to the regime by imposing secondary sanctions: any country that does business with Iran may not do business with the United States. Such measures are critical to limiting Iran's resources and hindering its ability to further its nuclear program.
If Iran persists in its uranium enrichment activities, the United States might consider targeting the training bases of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, its oil refineries or some of the many other possible targets, to delay or dismantle its nuclear capabilities.
US failure to act will only rapidly lead to a nuclear-armed Iran, significantly upending global stability and providing a potential vacuum for America's adversaries to fill.
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a business strategist and advisor, Harvard-educated scholar, political scientist, board member of Harvard International Review, and president of the International American Council on the Middle East. He has authored several books on Islam and US Foreign Policy. He can be reached at Dr.Rafizadeh@Post.Harvard.Edu
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Trillion-dollar reconstruction of Ukraine is back on Europe’s agenda
Andrew Hammond/Arab News/June 22, 2024
Almost 850 days into the war in Ukraine, a sustainable deal to end the conflict seems as distant a prospect as ever, despite a peace summit in Switzerland last week attended by representatives of about 100 nations.
This is part of the reason why Western leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also hosted a separate, two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky last week. Many of those leaders view the international stakes in the rebuilding of Ukraine as being so great that any failures could have profound consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for the broader region and the wider West to boot.
The rebuilding of the nation will resemble what took place in Western Europe after the Second World War, Eastern Europe after the Cold War, and the Western Balkans after the breakup of Yugoslavia. It will cost more than $1 trillion and be the most ambitious post-war reconstruction effort of the 21st century.
Last week in Berlin, the EU announced several new, big financial commitments, building on approximately $100 billion that the 27-member bloc has already provided in financial, humanitarian, emergency, budgetary, and military support to Kyiv.
The announcement included agreements worth $1.6 billion with partner banks to attract private sector investment in Ukraine; the delivery of an additional $2 billion from the EU’s Kyiv aid facility by the end of June; and more than $500 million for urgent repairs to Ukraine’s energy sector through the European Energy Support Fund. Zelensky told the conference that in the coming months Ukraine will urgently require equipment for heating and repairs to electricity plants that are currently out of action. He said 9 gigawatts of electricity generating capacity has been destroyed, including 80 percent of thermal power and 33 percent of hydroelectric power.So although the war continues to rage, Western decision-makers are now thinking more intently about reconstruction. At the G7 summit, too, this month Ukraine was top of the agenda. The most eye-catching announcement there was a $50 billion G7 loan to the country, which will use profits from the $300 billion of Russian assets frozen by the West to boost funding for Kyiv.
A number of other security deals were agreed with Kyiv, among which the standout was a 10-year bilateral agreement with the US, viewed by many in the West as a potential stepping stone for Ukraine on the road to joining NATO. It includes commitments to prolonged aid encompassing aspects such as military training, economic assistance, and the sharing of intelligence.
Beyond the questions of money and security, however, lies the issue of Western political strategy toward Ukraine. This is linked to the future enlargement of the EU.
Until the large-scale fighting ends, much of Ukraine’s massive reconstruction process will remain frozen.
The European integration process began in the 1950s when the six founding members of the bloc — Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg — sought to prevent the possibility of another large war on the continent. In the decades that followed, the EU steadily expanded, Brexit aside, while espousing the idea that economic and political integration among nations is the best way to promote general prosperity and peace.
This approach paved the way for the creation of the single euro currency in 1999, and the accession in 2004 of 10 new members from formerly Communist Central and Eastern Europe.
In recent years, however, the process for the further enlargement of the EU, and possible admission of nations such as Turkiye and those in the Western Balkans, has been much more challenging than was the case for Central and East European countries 20 years ago. This reflects the so-called “enlargement fatigue” that set in after the 2004 expansion. Following the accession of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007, and the eurozone crisis of 2009-10, Brussels set stricter conditions for reforms in accession states.
After stalling for years, the EU’s enlargement agenda has been revitalized as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the European Council has sought to fast-track the membership process for the nation. Von der Leyen said last week in Berlin that accession talks will start at the end of this month, Kyiv having fulfilled the necessary reforms requirements to enable it to become a member of the bloc.
However, while there is much energy behind Ukraine’s bid, French President Emmanuel Macron in particular has warned it could take several decades for Kyiv to become a full member.
While the EU enlargement process might appear unrelated to the rebuilding of Ukraine, they are in fact closely linked in the eyes of many stakeholders. The EU accession process is widely expected to occur in parallel with reconstruction. In part, this is because there is an acknowledgment of the need for wider political and institutional changes in Ukraine, following criticisms prior to the war about several issues including corruption.
Ukraine has developed a National Recovery Plan that sets out the country’s initial road map not only for rebuilding but also transforming the country. It is divided into three phases: immediate needs, medium-term needs, and longer-term needs for a modernization phase stretching into the 2030s.
The first phase of this plan is therefore ongoing, including work by local authorities to clean up damaged areas and restore key facilities destroyed by the war.
A subsequent phase, which might begin immediately after mass hostilities end, will focus more on recovery, including restoration of water supplies and the provision of housing. Only after this can there potentially be a fully fledged restoration of Ukrainian infrastructure and transport systems, which will be the most costly and longest phase of the process. So while the war might go on significantly longer, the event last week in Berlin, plus the G7 and Swiss conferences, have nonetheless rebooted the reconstruction agenda. However, Ukraine’s immediate-term future is still about survival, amid renewed Russian attacks, and until the large-scale fighting ends much of the massive reconstruction process will remain frozen.
• Andrew Hammond is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.

Sheikh Sabah the ideal candidate to guide Kuwait
Dr. Bashayer Al-Majed/Arab News/June 22, 2024
As a writer who values thoroughness and insight, I chose not to rush this article, opting instead to observe the current climate before offering my analysis.
The nomination of Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as crown prince by Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has generated significant excitement and optimism. Sheikh Sabah is undeniably a strong and commendable choice for Kuwait and his selection marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape.
Sheikh Sabah is perhaps the most noncontroversial and unifying choice. By not selecting from the traditional Al-Jaber line or other expected candidates, this decision mitigates potential hierarchical unrest that could have disrupted state politics. His selection is based on merit and competence rather than purely on bloodline, reflecting a modern and progressive approach to leadership in Kuwait. This decision is expected to contribute significantly to stabilizing the recent political upheaval.
Sheikh Sabah has had a distinguished history of public service. His career began in 1978 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he has since held numerous key positions, including representing Kuwait at the US, serving as ambassador to Saudi Arabia, attending Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Council meetings, and acting as minister of social affairs and labor, chief of national security and foreign minister, before assuming the role of prime minister in 2019. His calm and effective leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic earned him applause and commendation from members of parliament.
As a seasoned politician and experienced diplomat, Sheikh Sabah is well versed in international politics and adept at handling internal disputes. His extensive experience and proven track record make him a remarkable choice for crown prince, promising a future of stability and progress for Kuwait.
Sheikh Sabah has been instrumental in strengthening Kuwait’s diplomatic relations and enhancing its global standing.
His steady and fair approach to governance has earned him respect and admiration from both his peers and the public. During his tenure as prime minister, he demonstrated a deep commitment to transparency and reform, addressing key issues such as corruption and economic diversification. His efforts to foster a more inclusive and dynamic political environment have been well received, further solidifying his reputation as a leader who prioritizes the well-being of his country above all else.
In the international arena, Sheikh Sabah has been instrumental in strengthening Kuwait’s diplomatic relations and enhancing its global standing. His diplomatic acumen and strategic vision have played a crucial role in navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, ensuring that Kuwait remains a respected and influential player on the world stage. His experience and insight are invaluable assets as Kuwait continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Moreover, Sheikh Sabah’s leadership style is characterized by a calm and measured approach, which has been particularly evident during times of crisis. His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, showcased his ability to manage unprecedented challenges with poise and effectiveness. This capability has not only earned him widespread praise but also reinforced his suitability for the role of crown prince.
In conclusion, the nomination of Sheikh Sabah as crown prince is a strategic and forward-thinking decision. His extensive experience, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to Kuwait’s progress make him an ideal candidate to guide the nation into a prosperous future. I wholeheartedly support this nomination and am confident that, under his stewardship, Kuwait will continue to thrive.
However, there is now a huge burden on him to ensure the government functions effectively without the tension of parliament. This presents a golden opportunity to demonstrate the government’s ability to operate smoothly and efficiently, paving the way for further advancements and stability in Kuwait’s political and social landscape.
• Dr. Bashayer Al-Majed is a professor of law at Kuwait University, and a visiting fellow at Oxford.
X: @BashayerAlMajed

Israel’s narrow coalition — narrow minded with narrowing options
Yossi Mekelberg //Arab News/June 22, 2024
The greater the challenges Israel faces, the more it becomes apparent that its current government is utterly inept and chaotic, simply not up to the tasks at hand.
Things have become considerably worse since this coalition returned to its far-right, narrow, pre-October form following the departure of Benny Gantz and his National Unity party from the government — and that was only two weeks ago.
Gantz’s departure was inevitable, justified and, arguably, several months overdue. In hindsight it could be quite comfortably asserted that his rush to join the coalition was a mistake, even if it was motivated by a genuine desire to avoid leaving the country in the hands of extremists with messianic delusions and no experience or competency in guiding their country through its worst-ever crisis.
But considering the manner in which this government has presided over the war, the effectiveness of Gantz’s mitigating influence is questionable, especially given that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a defendant in a corruption trial and unpopular among the wider public, continues to cling to power despite the interests of the country, and to do so he is ready to let the warmongers in his government influence his decisions on how to conduct the war.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Netanyahu government is endangering the country’s national interests in terms of security, and damaging Israeli society to the extent that it might take years to repair, if that is possible at all.
The war in Gaza is heading in the unfortunate, though all-too-familiar, direction that invasions of this nature usually take. After inflicting immeasurable devastation, not only on the military capabilities of Hamas but even more so on ordinary Gazans, the Israeli military is, for all intents and purposes, occupying this tiny and densely populated strip of land that it abandoned nearly two decades ago after it became obvious that remaining there was a security burden.
Now, and under much worse conditions, Israel occupies most of Gaza and is engaged in guerrilla warfare with Hamas that is exacting a heavy price. Tragically, and at the expense of ordinary Gazans, Hamas has a strategy-less Israel exactly where it wants it: engaged in a prolonged, low-intensity war in which its army loses soldiers and uses excessively disproportionate force in retaliation that exacerbates the humanitarian crisis for ordinary Gazans and results in Israel becoming increasingly internationally isolated and domestically divided.
As if this were not enough, concurrent tensions on the border with Lebanon are reaching a fever pitch, to the extent that most observers warn that a full-scale confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah is a matter of “when” rather than “if.”
To prepare for this, the Israeli government has raised the number of reservists the army is authorized to call up to 350,000. Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, did not mince words this month when he announced that Israel was close to reaching a decision regarding a response to Hezbollah’s daily attacks on northern Israel. Soon after, Netanyahu joined in with a warning that the country was “prepared for an extremely powerful action in the north.”
In the early days of the war in Gaza, Hezbollah was careful to concentrate on merely playing a supporting role in the war between Hamas and Israel, showing solidarity through limited provocations along the Israeli-Lebanese border. As the tit-for-tat continues along that border, the vast majority of Israelis living close to it have left their homes and become displaced. Meanwhile, it is estimated that Hezbollah has lost more than 300 of its fighters and commanders in the clashes.
With the national mood at an all-time low, Israel needs a unifying government that will put the interests of the country above its own political survival.
This confrontation now runs the risk of escalating for its own reasons, regardless of whether Israel reaches a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah is increasingly brazen and recently released a video of an Israeli military base at the Port of Haifa with missile ships visible, claiming that the footage was captured using an undetected drone that was able to safely return to Lebanon. This can only be interpreted as a warning that it can — and will if necessary — penetrate deep into Israeli territory to hit highly strategic targets.
What the country requires under such circumstances, when there is the painful, daily loss of young lives, when many of its soldiers are injured or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and when many of the Oct. 7 hostages have yet to be returned, is a selfless and able government.
The economy has also been hit hard because so many reservists are serving for months on end in the military, accompanied by a marked decrease in tourism and the reluctance of many companies abroad to do business with Israel in its current form.
With the national mood at an all-time low, Israel needs a unifying government that will put the interests of the country above its own political survival but that is the direct opposite of what it actually has.
Last week, on a day on which eight more soldiers were killed in Gaza, the coalition passed a bill that continues to ensure ultraorthodox youths are exempt from conscription. Netanyahu was all smiles when the vote on this bill in the Knesset ended in victory for his coalition, while at the same time eight families were being told about the loss of their loved ones. Many more young Israelis will now have to serve longer because others will not serve at all.
This insensitive and reckless behavior has struck a raw nerve among Israelis and it does not stop there. A corrupt bill relating to the appointment of rabbis is being pushed in the Knesset. Another bill that would give more power to the minister of national security with regard to police investigations — the minister in this case being the convicted criminal Itamar Ben Gvir — was deliberated in the High Court of Justice at the same time police were becoming increasingly violent in their responses to protesters, including the families of Oct. 7 hostages.
This is the unfortunate reality of Israel under its present government: It is becoming more deeply embroiled in wars it cannot win, governed by an increasingly authoritarian prime minister and government.
There is only so much that a society can and should tolerate, and there is only so much that can be demanded of a relatively small part of society to carry a country’s security and economic burdens by those who are exploiting their own political power and the weakness of a prime minister who will do anything to remain in power and avoid justice in his corruption trial, before that society breaks down or rises up.
• Yossi Mekelberg is a professor of international relations and an associate fellow of the Middle East and North Africa Program at international affairs think tank Chatham House.
X: @YMekelberg