Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on February 29-March 01/2024
Abu Arz. Etian Saqr: Wherever Iran intervenes, death, destruction and glorification of death follow
Christian Front": fallacies in the "Identity and Sovereignty Encounter" document submitted to Bkerke
Link to a video interview from Spot Shot with chief historian Dr. Issam Khalifa/Khalifa exposes the “hidden” documents between Lebanon, Israel and Syria: betrayal sponsored by the party and “dark days”!
Dr. Historian Issam Khalifa to Sweet Shot/The issue of borders and the discussion around them is an important matter in the history of peoples, and we as a Lebanese people had to stand united on the borders against the ambitions of the Israeli enemy. We also had to establish a demarcation of the borders with Syria according to what was stipulated in the 1701 Agreement.”
Brigadier General Khaled Hamadeh to Voice of Lebanon: The year 2024 will mark the end of all sectarian militias
journalist Pierre Ghanem, told Voice of Lebanon that The Americans were forced to return to the region and their response in Yemen will be escalatory.
Austrian FM Urges Israel, Hezbollah Against Escalating the Conflict
Volunteers brave Israeli air raids to feed Lebanon’s stranded pets
Two pro-Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus
Two civilians killed in Israeli strikes on Kafra
Fears of war with Hezbollah grow in Israel
Hezbollah shells Eilon amid fears of all-out war
US officials concerned Israel may be planning incursion into Lebanon
Lebanese foreign affairs parliamentary committee visits Ain el-Helweh refugee camp
Israel strikes near Damascus, Syria-Lebanon border
Israel strikes kill Hezbollah fighter near Syria-Lebanon border
Hezbollah suggests ceasefire dependent on Israel halting Gaza offensive
RWA Director in Lebanon briefs Palestinian Ambassador on financial challenges and relief efforts
Mikati: Ceasefire in Gaza Will Launch De-Escalation Talks in Lebanon
Is This The Start of a Destructive War?/Hanna Saleh/Asharq Al-Awsat/February 29/2024

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on February 29-March 01/2024
Deaths in Gaza Pass 30,000, Witnesses Say Israeli Forces Fire on Crowd Waiting for Aid
112 killed as Israel forces fire on Gazans rushing for food aid
UN Security Council: Emergency meeting following death of Palestinians during aid distribution in Gaza
Guterres 'condemns' death of dozens of Palestinians during aid delivery in Gaza
Washington views Putin's statements regarding nuclear weapons as 'irresponsible'
White House: Biden speaks with Qatari and Egyptian leaders about possible ceasefire in Gaza
Palestinian Authority receives $114 million from Israel, Norway says
Israel says it's still reviewing access to Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan
Netanyahu says he will pave way to end exemption for ultra-Orthodox from military service
Palestinian president issues ‘categorical rejection’ of Israeli PM’s post-war plan
New Zealand Lists Hamas as Terrorist Group, Sanctions 'Extremist' Israeli Settlers
Germany Attacks Houthi Targets for the First Time
El-Sisi, Al-Burhan discuss developments in Sudan
Ukraine forces claim downing record number of Russian jets in February

Titles For The Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on February 29-March 01/2024
Is Trump's Mega-Fine Unconstitutional?/Alan M. Dershowitz/Gatestone Institute./February 29, 2024
Is a New Armenian Genocide on the Horizon?/Raymond Ibrahim/February 29/2024
Is ‘Islamophobia’ Irrational?/Raymond Ibrahim/February 29/2024
Is Gaza Really the Biggest Case of Arab Suffering?/Hussain Abdul-Hussain/Algemeiner/February 29/2024
Haley’s 2024 presidential bid will soon be over/Dalia Al-Aqidi/Arab News/February 29, 2024
Fierce competition to be hallmark of new space era/Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/February 29, 2024
The intensity of climate change in Iran is increasing/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/February 29, 2024
Why Germany shields Israel from legitimate criticism/Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg/Arab News/February 29, 2024

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on February 29-March 01/2024
Abu Arz. Etian Saqr: Wherever Iran intervenes, death, destruction and glorification of death follow
A statement issued by the Guardians of the Cedars Party - Lebanese National Movement
March 1, 202024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/127499/127499/
In 1982, the Israeli army invaded Lebanon, reaching the capital Beirut, and expelled Yasser Arafat and his terrorist organizations to Tunisia and the Syrian forces to the Bekaa Valley. At that time, Hafez al-Assad sought help from the Iranian regime, which sent the Revolutionary Guard to the city of Baalbek and established a military organization there called "Hezbollah". It poured money, weapons, and all kinds of support until it grew, expanded, and took control of the Lebanese state, seizing its decision making process.. Destruction and corruption spread throughout the country, political assassinations escalated, wars erupted on its soil among these organizations, the country's economic, social, and financial conditions deteriorated, depositors' money was looted, and the poverty rate reached unprecedented levels, approaching 90% in some areas. The judiciary was paralyzed, state facilities were paralyzed, and its constitutional institutions disintegrated... Thus, Lebanon turned from the Switzerland of the East into a suburb of Kabul.
In 2011, a popular revolution erupted in Syria demanding the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Iranian regime rushed to its aid, sending forces from the Revolutionary Guard and elements of the Lebanese Hezbollah to fight alongside it. When they failed to suppress the revolution, they sought help from the Russian president, and his naval and air fleets came to Syria, bombarding the homes of Syrian citizens, resulting in civilian casualties exceeding half a million according to UN estimates. More than 12 million citizens fled the country... Syria became divided into spheres of influence controlled by Russia, Turkey, and American forces, leaving Assad and his Iranian ally with only Damascus, its suburbs, and parts of Homs and Aleppo. Thus, the Syrian state collapsed, its economy deteriorated, its currency collapsed, and poverty and misery spread throughout the country.
After the withdrawal of the American army from Iraq in 2011, this country fell under Iranian influence, which established armed militias called the Popular Mobilization Forces, bringing in governments loyal to it. Chaos soon spread throughout the country, and dangerous terrorist organizations like ISIS and its affiliates emerged on its soil. Crime and corruption spread throughout the country, turning Iraq from a rich country floating on an ocean of oil into a poor one, with the poverty rate in some provinces reaching 52%.
In 2014, a civil war broke out in Yemen between the legitimate government and the Houthi group. The Iranian regime rushed to support the Houthis, pouring weapons, money, and trainers to them. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened to help the legitimate government, leading to a devastating war that destroyed the country and killed and wounded tens of thousands of Yemenis, plunging this originally poor state into extreme poverty relying on foreign aid.
If we compare the countries outside the sphere of Iranian influence with those under this influence like Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, we find that the former enjoy security, peace, prosperity, and a culture of life, while the latter are plunged into a sea of permanent wars, conflicts, and senseless bloodshed, in addition to poverty, backwardness, and a culture of death... Based on this, we say: Wherever the Iranian regime intervenes, destruction, poverty, and glorification of death follow. May God protect Lebanon from this suffocating octopus that has gripped it for decades, as it previously protected it from the Syrian and Palestinian octopuses, and restored to its lands peace, prosperity, freedom, and human dignity. Long Live Lebanon,
Etian Saqr - Abu Arz
(Free Translation by Elias Bejjani)

Christian Front": fallacies in the "Identity and Sovereignty Encounter" document submitted to Bkerke
NNA/February 29/2024
The “Christian Front” held its weekly meeting at its headquarters in Achrafieh, and stopped at the document that was submitted to the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, from the “Identity and Sovereignty Encounter,” noting that it saw in it “massive and grave national fallacies due to its persistence in striking what remains of the existence of A free Christian in Lebanon.” She said in a statement: “The document calls for the establishment of a civil state, which is a requirement that is not necessary, considering that Lebanon is essentially a civil state, because the rule in it is neither militaristic, that is, in the hands of the military, nor theocratic, that is, in the hands of the clergy. In addition, The demand for the establishment of a civil state is a demand that the Shiite duo insists on in order to block the demand for the establishment of a secular state that will prevent Hezbollah and similar fundamentalist movements from transforming Lebanon into a theocratic religious state. The document also calls for the demolition of the parity between Christians and Muslims at the level of the parliament, which they decided it would be. The number of representatives is 60, and the share of Christians is 28 parliamentary seats. This is a demand that was not addressed in the Taif Agreement, which passed the abolition of parity in public jobs between Christians and Muslims at the level of the fifth, fourth, third, and second categories only. The document calls for breaking parity between Christians and Muslims at the level of the first category, a demand that was not addressed in the Taif Agreement. The document calls for the abolition of political sectarianism and the election of a president directly from the people, which will lead to the Islamization of public functions, including the first three presidencies. The document calls for the implementation of administrative decentralization, which is not necessary because the Lebanese constitution has been an administrative decentralized constitution since 1926. This indicates that the Taif Agreement did not bring anything new in this regard. Considering that administrative decentralization is actually implemented through administrative divisions represented by the system of districts and governorates.” She added: “What this document demands, which we highlighted some of its provisions, is for us in the category of worse than bad, that is, from the Taif Agreement that was originally prepared.” With the aim of eradicating the Christian presence from state departments under the pretext of abolishing parity. Accordingly, the Front, with all the segments of the Christian community it represents, warns against proceeding with such proposals, hoping that His Beatitude the Patriarch will carefully see what is being plotted against Christian existence, and move towards what will protect Christians and the Lebanese in general, such as insisting on implementing Resolution 1559, and demanding “By adopting the application of the federal system that can preserve the rights of all components of the nation.”

Link to a video interview from Spot Shot with chief historian Dr. Issam Khalifa/Khalifa  exposes the “hidden” documents between Lebanon, Israel and Syria: betrayal sponsored by the party and “dark days”!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYluInnBZX0
Spot Shot website/February 29, 2024

Dr. Historian Issam Khalifa to Sweet Shot/The issue of borders and the discussion around them is an important matter in the history of peoples, and we as a Lebanese people had to stand united on the borders against the ambitions of the Israeli enemy. We also had to establish a demarcation of the borders with Syria according to what was stipulated in the 1701 Agreement.”
Spot Shot website/February 29, 2024
In an interview via “Spot Shot” within the “Point of View” program, Khalifa said: “The problem regarding the Lebaneseness of the Shebaa Farms dates back to the year 1967, when Syria was occupying part of these farms, so Israel occupied them along with the occupation of the Golan.” He continued, “Mount Hermon has religious importance for the three monotheistic religions, but its greatest importance to Israel is strategic, and ski resorts have been established there with profits amounting to $5 billion annually.” He added, “Mount Hermon has water importance, as it produces one billion and 200 million meters of water.” cubic of water annually, and it is the true father of water for Palestine. It also has a detector site where the Israelis have placed observatories that reveal the entire region. This mountain is Lebanese-Syrian, and Israel has nothing in it, but Israel has had ambitions in it since the reconciliation conference after the first war.” Khalifa pointed out that he possesses "22 historical documents proving the Lebaneseness of these farms. From the town of Nakhila, there was a minister in the government, and the farms paid taxes. Ownership documents have been present in the real estate departments in Sidon since the Ottoman era, and the Lebanese judicial authorities arbitrate disputes within the farms." He explained that “in the year 1944, the Mukhtar of Shebaa sent a letter to the President of the Republic, Bechara El-Khoury, informing him that the Syrians were “trying to implicitly cross a forced tract that we rejected because we are Lebanese,” and demanded that the Lebanese state be present in Shebaa to prevent the occupancy, and negotiations took place in the year 1946 between two Lebanese and Syrian real estate judges. They drew borders there, and the Lebaneseness of the farms was confirmed.” He continued his historical narrative up to the year 1967, when “Israel gradually occupied the town of Nakhila and the farms until it occupied the Kfar Shuba hills and the town of Ghajar, and did not withdraw from it in the year 2000.” He stressed that "the Lebanese state must take action, especially since the documents exist and prove the Lebaneseness of the farms under international law. Even Syrian officials confirm their Lebaneseness in several statements, and these statements are equivalent to the treaties with their legal value. The mistake was when the maps were exchanged with the UN Disengagement Observation Forces." United States between Israel and Syria, on that day the Syrian government sent maps of the Golan along with the farms claiming that they were Syrian, and Lebanon’s mistake was that it did not reserve these maps.” He stressed that "Lebanon is the only country in the region that has congruence between the armistice line and its land borders with Israel. It has established a border demarcation agreement with Israel that includes Ras Naqoura and B1. If maritime treason occurred, it should not extend to land treason." Dr. Khalifa concluded by stressing that, “The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs must send the demarcation agreement to the United Nations, and we must, through our national unity and effective diplomacy, work to restore our land and the land of our ancestors over which our state has sovereignty.”
​
Brigadier General Khaled Hamadeh to Voice of Lebanon: The year 2024 will mark the end of all sectarian militias
Voice of Lebanon/February 29, 2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/127485/127485/
Brigadier General Khaled Hamadeh explained on the Voice of Lebanon program on the “Al-Massa TV” program that the skirmishes in the south proved that they had nothing to do with supporting Gaza, especially in terms of the type of operations. He criticized the so-called rules of engagement because the operations reached northeastern Lebanon and led to targeting military points and figures. He pointed out the completely different battle system of Hezbollah from the regular armies, as a type of special combat that depends on certain techniques, the human element, and systems of command and control in small groups, and he pointed out that any operation directed against it assumes an invasion to reach these goals. This is almost impossible, and what prompts Israel to attack available and exposed targets using drones. He considered that the American decision to come to the region prompted the Houthis to launch strikes in the Red Sea in solidarity with Gaza, and that the United States of America assumes its presence in the region to a greater extent to secure international trade, and in fact it wants to arrest China’s rising economy and exploit the crisis before it is managed. Hamadeh pointed out the recent changes in the past two years, which are represented by the war on Ukraine, the Chinese-Gulf rapprochement, the Russian-Gulf rapprochement, and the membership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE in BRICS, which made America feel that the region is moving under its feet and vulnerable to change, and it came to remain alongside the importance of Israel’s security to it, in addition to To threaten its interests, not threaten its trade and economy and expose them to danger. He stressed that America's conviction that Israel's final stability is based on a just peace and strong and clear relations of communication will be the solution, and he saw that Iran stole the Palestinian address and committed a major mistake when it disavowed the October 7 operation that put a final end between Iran and Hamas at home, after... If Hamas evaded the Iranian green light and invested in the capabilities provided by Iran, confirming that what concerns the Palestinian is his identity. He pointed out that all the negotiations that took place were between Qatar, Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States of America, and in isolation from Iran, and that America is balancing its interests in the region with the rise of China and Russia and the threat of Ukraine, and that America’s investment in communications cables makes it blackmail the whole world. He pointed out that Attacking her will cause confusion in the entire world, and what is more important is who will take control of the situation and run the world, not who will carry out the operation and to whom it will be attributed. He explained that the region is entering a new phase of relations, and that America does not want to completely cut off Iran’s hand in the region, and that everything related to Israel will be removed from Iranian circulation, and that the year 2024 will mark the end of all sectarian militias that play the role of states, and that this war is the last Israeli-Palestinian war. International public opinion has changed as a result of a global awakening, and he pointed out that Israel, which lives on American bids, will be subject to conditions imposed by America’s interests, which will also impose Iran’s discipline and its continuation of negotiable American conditions that are not related to Israel. In the presidential file, Hamadeh believed that there will be no president until what is happening on the border is completed, and he stressed that the northern and eastern Lebanese-Syrian borders are the safest and most equipped borders in the world.

journalist Pierre Ghanem, told Voice of Lebanon that The Americans were forced to return to the region and their response in Yemen will be escalatory.
Voice of Lebanon /February 29, 2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/127485/127485/
Al-Arabiya channel correspondent in Washington, journalist Pierre Ghanem, explained on Voice of Lebanon on the “Al-Massa Mansheet” program that the very limited result of the American dealings with the Houthi bombing of commercial and military ships will lead to escalatory American steps being taken by striking radars and command and control centers, all the way to striking the leadership. Houthi. He believed that the cooperation of some countries in striking the Houthis does not amount to a broad international coalition, and that America does not want to be alone in dealing with the problem with the Houthis and wants the industrialized countries that have significant commercial, industrial and financial interests to engage in defense operations against the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, along with the countries of the region. whose interests are harmed as a result of ships not crossing the Suez Canal. Ghanem pointed out that America has reduced the number of its forces in the region since Trump’s rule, and that the Americans were forced to return to the region, and all they want is for the Houthis to stop bombing ships in the Red Sea, and they consider that an understanding in this context must be made with Iran because it supplied the Houthis during Previous years, with technology that allows them to develop missile capabilities and manufacture drones, in addition to training them through Hezbollah.

Austrian FM Urges Israel, Hezbollah Against Escalating the Conflict
Beirut: Asharq Al Awsat/February 29 2024
Austria’s foreign minister on Thursday urged Israel and Hezbollah against escalating the conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border. The Middle East has witnessed enough devastation and cruelty, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said after meeting his Lebanese counterpart in Beirut. Schallenberg said he came to Lebanon after visiting Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Since the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7, Hezbollah started attacking Israeli posts, drawing return fire from Israel in daily exchanges. More than 210 Hezbollah fighters and nearly 40 civilians have been killed since then on the Lebanese side.In Israel, nine soldiers and nine civilians have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since Oct. 7. “Everybody is asked not to escalate and it always takes two sides,” Schallenberg said. “The region has accounted enough devastation, enough cruelty and we should try to solve the problems and not create further problems,” he added. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib called for a deal for a disputed stretch of the Israel-Lebanon border, similar to the deal reached through US mediation in 2022 over the two countries' disputed maritime border. He said the problem can be solved when Israel withdraws from disputed areas, including Shebaa Farms, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. “Israel would return all the Lebanese land to us and then the problem of Hezbollah and Israel will be at least partly solved,” Bouhabib said.

Volunteers brave Israeli air raids to feed Lebanon’s stranded pets
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/February 29, 2024
BEIRUT: Volunteers in southern Lebanon are defying Israeli bombing to feed and care for dogs, cats, birds and other animals that have become victims of the conflict. Linda Luku — a native of Bint Jbeil now residing in Tyre — is among a growing number of volunteers who have mobilized via social media to support animals amid the military escalation between Hezbollah and Israel. Their efforts provide a lifeline to the forgotten victims of war as clashes continue to claim the lives of Hezbollah operatives and Lebanese civilians, including innocent children and women.
Amid the clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, thousands of residents of the border region in southern Lebanon have abandoned their homes and villages in recent months. In heartbreaking decisions, many families opted to leave their cherished pets behind, hoping that their displacement would be short-lived. With military operations escalating and airstrikes pounding the region, villages have been transformed into desolate ghost towns, leaving animals abandoned and vulnerable to starvation and bombing. Luku recounted the heartbreaking scenes she encountered during a visit to her hometown of Bint Jbeil.
Stray cats and dogs — emaciated and desperate — roamed the streets, their suffering palpable as their ribs protruded from hunger. The sight was particularly harrowing for Luku, who, moved by compassion, set out with her brother on a mission to provide relief.They managed to secure leftover chicken from a local slaughterhouse in Maaroub owned by a friend, and then journeyed to their hometown to distribute food to the starving animals. “These animals are not strays. They belong to beautiful breeds commonly kept as household pets. They are now left to fend for themselves, searching for sustenance in towns abandoned by humans,” Luku said.
She added: “It is a poignant scene. As I navigate through these towns, I am confronted with the sight of starving animals, and the distressing images linger with me through the night. “Amid the conflict, there is a heartbreaking lack of awareness. Residents remaining in villages under bombardment often withhold food from these animals.” “Many times, I traverse villages devoid of human presence, with only Israeli warplanes hovering above, surveilling the area.”Qassem Haidar, 28, from Shaqra in southern Lebanon, still lives in the area with his family despite facing constant bombardment.
“I have my own business, yet I sympathize with animals,” he said, adding: “I started feeding animals in my village after I was shocked to see a dog eating a cat in Beit Leif. It was so horrible. I could not stand it. “I resorted to social media, asking anyone who had food leftovers to keep them, taking it upon myself to collect and distribute them to abandoned animals. “I took photos of the hungry animals and posted them online. Many showed sympathy, and I started receiving donations, from dry food bags to gasoline costs, to move around between the villages.
“I also reached out to animal welfare organizations. I dedicate three hours of my time every day to going around the villages and posting stories on Instagram. “I visited every village in the border area, from Ayta Al-Shaab to Kfarkela, spending a few minutes in some due to the bombardment and more than an hour in others. Haidar said: “I used to leave food on the sides of the roads. Sometimes, if I come across a civilian still in his house, I leave bags of food at his place so that he can feed the animals. “I also cooperate with the medics in the region to distribute food to animals. I have a town visit schedule, and I know when I should return and visit them to leave food for the animals. “I don’t want to be late, so they do not starve to death or eat each other. I have seen cats and dogs that died of cardiac arrest due to the sound of exploding shells. Their heartbeats were so fast. They experienced absolute terror. “They know when a shell is about to drop, and they disperse before it does. I followed their instincts and survived bombings more than once. Israelis bombed the sites I was at in many towns five minutes after I left them. “I often used to be the only person on the road in towns in the line of fire. My mother is always worried about me. However, I am convinced these lives cannot be abandoned,” he added. Haidar’s mission goes beyond feeding dogs, cats, and birds. He also takes sick or wounded animals to local vets. Firas Faraj, a founder of the Strays Welfare Association in Tyre, said that many of the pets left behind are waiting for their owners to return. He added: “We do not have an accurate number of abandoned animals, yet we are dealing with the problem case by case. “The issue has gained some sympathy, but the need is still greater than what is provided. UNIFIL forces previously sympathized with us since the unit commanders love animals and provided us access to a field hospital. “However, with the opening of the southern battlefront, all aid was suspended, and we rely on individual initiatives.”

Two pro-Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus
Agence France Presse/February 29, 2024
Israel has carried out strikes near Damascus, Syria's defense ministry said, the latest reported attack amid soaring regional tensions since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. "The Israeli enemy launched air strikes from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting a number of sites in the Damascus countryside," the ministry said in a statement Wednesday. "Our air defenses responded to the aggression's missiles and shot down most of them," it added. An AFP correspondent in the Syrian capital heard explosions followed by the sirens of ambulances.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the Israeli strikes killed two Syrian pro-Hezbollah fighters and had targeted "sites where Iran-backed groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah are based" in two locations near Damascus.
When asked about the strikes, the Israeli army told AFP: "We do not comment on reports in the foreign media."On Sunday, an Israeli strike on a truck in Syria near the Lebanese border killed two Hezbollah members, the Observatory had said, with a source close to Hezbollah later confirming the deaths. Since Syria's civil war began in 2011, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes against its northern neighbour, primarily targeting pro-Iran forces, among them Lebanese Hamas ally Hezbollah and the Syrian army. The strikes have multiplied during the almost five-month war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria.

Two civilians killed in Israeli strikes on Kafra
Agence France Presse/February 29, 2024
Israeli strikes killed two elderly people in Lebanon's south on Wednesday evening, while Hamas earlier fired a volley of rockets towards northern Israel from Lebanon amid escalating cross-border clashes in recent days. Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, has exchanged near-daily fire with the Israeli army since war erupted between Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group in October, while Palestinian groups in Lebanon have also occasionally claimed attacks. "Enemy warplanes raided the towns of Siddiqin and Kafra... killing two people from the town of Kafra and injuring 14," Lebanon's state-run national news agency (NNA) said. A Hezbollah fighter was also killed in the strikes. The civilians killed in the strike were identified as older civilians Hussein Hamdan and his wife Manar Abbadi, whom the local al-Jadeed TV said had returned home a few hours before the strike after they were displaced for months.
The escalating cross-border exchanges since October 8, the day after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, have stoked fears of all-out war on Israel's northern border with Lebanon. The exchanges have killed at least 286 people on the Lebanese side, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also at least 44 civilians, according to an AFP tally. At least 24 fighters from Palestinian groups including 10 from Hamas are also among the dead. On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and six civilians have been killed, according to the Israeli army.

Fears of war with Hezbollah grow in Israel
Agence France Presse
In the green hills of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near Lebanon, Arye and Ditza Alon are hiking through a tranquil nature reserve, wondering whether the wider region could become a war zone. While mediators hope for a truce soon in Gaza to the south, fears are growing that months of cross-border clashes in the north could escalate into a bigger conflict. "It's a big question," said Ditza, pondering whether Israel should fight another major war against Lebanon's Hezbollah. She argued there is a risk either way, and considered the dilemma as she stood with her husband in the reserve at the foot of snow-capped Mount Hermon. "We understand that if there won't be a war... then what happened in Gaza could happen again," she said, referring to Hamas's October 7 attacks on southern Israeli communities. "On the other hand, we know that if there will be a war... there's going to be a big war and a lot of soldiers and civilians will die." Israel has warned Hezbollah to stop its near daily attacks and demanded it withdraw its forces to an area north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometers away from the U.N.-patrolled border. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said this week that a Gaza truce won't stop Israeli military operations in the north -- and many fear a Gaza ceasefire may in fact allow Israel forces to step up northern operations.Experts say Hezbollah, which has waged past wars against Israel, has many battle-hardened fighters and a formidable arsenal of rockets and missiles -- most of which it has held back from using so far.
'It will happen'
The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people and saw about 250 people taken hostage. The Gaza health ministry said Thursday more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since then in the besieged territory. As the Gaza war has raged, Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Israeli army have traded almost daily fire. On the Lebanese side, at least 280 people have been killed, mostly Hezbollah fighters and their allies, along with 44 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, the army says 10 soldiers and six civilians have been killed, while tens of thousands of residents on both sides have been displaced. On Monday, for the first time in years, Israel launched strikes against the city of Baalbek, around 100 kilometers north of the border. The Lebanese militant group responded with a barrage of rockets against northern Israel. All the violence did not stop the Alons, a married Israeli couple in their thirties who live in the region, from hiking around 10 kilometers from the border.  In that verdant landscape, bathed in spring sunshine, they reflected on the delicate situation. Ditza said she expected that, once the Israeli army finished operations in Gaza, there would be "more noise up north". Arye said that a war with Hezbollah was only a question of time, and argued it would be entirely necessary. "We are sure it will happen because Hezbollah is the same as Hamas, they are like brothers" he asserted. If Hezbollah is not pushed beyond the Litani River, he added, then "what happened in Gaza will happen" in the north, "maybe not tomorrow, but after five or 10 years".
Rockets, fighter jets
Gallant, on a visit to the army's Northern Command this week, said a Gaza ceasefire would not change Israel's objective of pushing Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon. The United States and France have called on both sides to resolve the issue through diplomacy. Gallant warned that if this is not possible, "we will do it by force". "If anyone thinks that when we reach a deal to release hostages in the south and the firing stops it will ease what is happening here, they are wrong," he said. Amir Avivi, a former brigadier general in the Israeli army, also argued that a Gaza truce would change nothing. "They might respect the truce, but we are not going to respect the truce with Hezbollah," he told AFP. In the Gaza war, Israel insists it will send troops into far-southern Rafah, the last major city so far spared from a ground assault, either before or after a ceasefire. After Rafah, said Avivi, the focus would be on Hezbollah. Israel, he said, wants a diplomatic solution, but he argued that this would be difficult. If it fails, he said, "then war is imminent". In such a scenario, he said, Hezbollah might consider a conflict inevitable and launch a surprise attack. In the hills near the border with Lebanon, Ditza said she is ready for any eventuality -- including one where "tomorrow morning, they're telling us: you have to move".Just after the couple finished their hike, more rockets were fired from Lebanon and an Israeli military jet roared across the clear blue sky.

Hezbollah shells Eilon amid fears of all-out war
Naharnet/February 29, 2024
Hezbollah fired Thursday volleys of Katyusha rockets at Eilon in northern Israel in response to the killing of two civilians in Israeli strikes, as warplanes raided Wednesday the towns of Siddiqin and Kafra, also injuring 14 people. Hezbollah also attacked soldiers in Jal al-Alam with artillery shells, a gathering of Israeli troops on the Cobra Hill and an Israeli post in the occupied Shebaa Farms. Israeli warplanes and artillery meanwhile targeted Blida, al-Hebbariye, and the outskirts of Beit Leef and Ramia. Israeli artillery had earlier on Thursday shelled the outskirts of al-Naqoura after a bloody night of airstrikes and bombardments on several southern border towns including Houla, Mays al-Jabal, Markaba and the outskirts of al-Taybeh. On Wednesday Hamas fired a volley of rockets towards northern Israel from Lebanon while Hezbollah targeted three Israeli posts, including two in the occupied Shebaa Farms. In recent weeks, Israeli strikes have targeted areas far beyond the usual border regions, killing several Hezbollah commanders and increasing the civilian death toll. On Monday, Hezbollah downed an Israeli Hermes-450 drone for the first time, triggering a violent response, including strikes on Baalbek, the deepest into Lebanon since the war began. The escalating cross-border exchanges have stoked fears of all-out war on Israel's northern border with Lebanon. CNN reported Thursday that American officials are concerned that Israel is planning a ground incursion into Lebanon in the late spring or early summer, while analysts and local media reports said that the risk of a full-scale war is unlikely, despite the escalation.

US officials concerned Israel may be planning incursion into Lebanon
Naharnet/February 29, 2024
U.S. administration and intelligence officials are concerned that Israel is planning a ground incursion into Lebanon that could be launched in the late spring or early summer if diplomatic efforts fail to push Hezbollah back from the northern border with Israel, CNN has quoted senior administrations officials and officials familiar with the intelligence as saying. “While a final Israeli decision has yet to be made, the worry is acute enough inside the Biden administration that the prospect of an incursion has made its way into intelligence briefings for senior administration officials, according to one person who received a briefing and was told an operation could happen early summer,” CNN reported on Thursday. “We are operating in the assumption that an Israeli military operation is in the coming months,” one senior Biden administration official said. “Not necessarily imminently in the next few weeks but perhaps later this spring. An Israeli military operation is a distinct possibility,” the administration added. However, a Lebanese-Israeli deal that might be reached through U.S. mediation “would likely postpone an Israeli incursion,” U.S. officials believe. “I think what Israel is doing is they are raising this threat in the hope that there will be a negotiated agreement,” said the senior official, who has heard differing opinions within the Israeli government about the need to go into Lebanon. “Some Israeli officials suggest that it is more of an effort at creating a threat that they can utilize. Others speak of it more as a military necessity that’s going to happen,” the official said. A second senior Biden administration official said there are elements inside the Israeli government and military in favor of an incursion. There’s “a growing group that says: ‘Hey, let’s just take a shot. Let’s just do it,’” the senior official said, adding that any incursion could lead to a “major, major escalation that we don’t even know the proportions of.” Some 80,000 Israelis have been displaced from Israel’s north since October. In a statement to CNN, the Israeli embassy in Washington wrote, “The State of Israel will not return to the pre-war status quo in which Hezbollah poses a direct and immediate military threat to its security along the Israel-Lebanon border.”
“There are fears this (the current confrontations) will grow to an expansive air campaign reaching much further north into populated areas of Lebanon and eventually grow to a ground component as well,” another person familiar with the U.S. intelligence said. “If (U.S. mediator) Amos (Hochstein) were to successfully negotiate a standoff arrangement, then the probability of a military operation later this year would decline considerably,” the first administration official said. If Hezbollah is pushed back about 10 kilometers, that would take out some of the shorter-range munitions they’ve been using against Israel, the official added. During a meeting in Israel earlier this month, Hochstein met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant who said: “We are ready to resolve this crisis via diplomatic understandings, however we are also prepared for any other scenario.”“Israel has been willing to give diplomacy a chance and hope it will succeed,” an Israeli official said to CNN. “If the issue can not be resolved diplomatically, Israel will have to consider alternate means.” An agreement that simply pushes Hezbollah back from the border may also not be enough for Israel, the first administration official argued. A ground incursion would give Israel a chance to “mow the grass” and destroy Hezbollah’s physical infrastructure in the south that would at least slow a future return to the border area, the official said. If the invasion does not happen, the buffer zone would need to be filled with forces from the Lebanese Armed Forces and the United Nations peacekeepers UNIFIL, the official added. “Whatever kilometer buffer is negotiated will not keep Hezbollah out forever but will provide at least some assurance that they’re not going to return immediately,” they said. “I think the majority of responsible people on both sides don’t want an escalation and do want a [diplomatic] solution that allows us to de-escalate,” the second senior administration official said. “But those are not the ones that always carry the day.”

Lebanese foreign affairs parliamentary committee visits Ain el-Helweh refugee camp
Associated Press/February 29, 2024
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lebanese Parliament chaired by MP Fadi Alameh has visited the Ain el-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp, accompanied by the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus. The Director of the Office of the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee, Abdel Nasser al-Ayyi, was also in attendance. "This visit by MPs underscores Lebanon's support for the sustained work of UNRWA and its crucial humanitarian role in delivering essential services to Palestine refugees in Lebanon, and as such contributes to its stability. This comes amidst an unprecedented financial crisis looming over UNRWA due to the freeze of funding of 16 donors nations. Without funding to UNRWA resuming, UNRWA operations across the Middle East, including in Lebanon, will face comprised operations after March," UNRWA said in a statement.
The visit provided the committee with an opportunity to witness the socioeconomic conditions in the camp and to familiarize themselves with the services provided by UNRWA. The Committee visited an UNRWA Health Center in the camp, where they received briefings on the medical services offered to Palestine Refugees. They also visited UNRWA Qibya school and interacted with some students. The MPs also met with Palestinian community leaders who explained potential repercussions if decisions to freeze funding were not reversed or if funding was not available at the end of March. The Palestinian leaders expressed gratitude to the MPs for their visit and expressed hopes for increased engagement and coordination in the future to address the challenges. MP Alameh for his part emphasized the importance of continued operations for Lebanon as a matter of national interest and in support of humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees. He spoke of the support to be extended by the committee in its continued advocacy efforts. The Director thanked the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lebanese Parliament for "their visit during this challenging period, showing support for UNRWA and acknowledging its indispensable role in the country for Palestine refugees that are dependent on its services," the UNRWA statement said.

Israel strikes near Damascus, Syria-Lebanon border
Agence France Presse/February 29, 2024
Israel hit a car used by Hezbollah in Syria, close to the Lebanese border, also striking near Damascus Thursday, a war monitor said, hours after similar attacks near the Syrian capital. "An Israeli drone targeted a car belonging to Hezbollah in the Homs countryside near the Syrian-Lebanese border," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. At the same time, "violent explosions resounded after Israeli strikes hit southwest of Damascus," said the Britain-based monitor with a network of sources inside Syria. An AFP correspondent in Damascus said they heard faraway explosions.
On Wednesday evening, Israel struck near Damascus, killing two Syrian pro-Hezbollah fighters, the Observatory had said. Last week, an Israeli strike on a truck in Syria near the Lebanese border killed two Hezbollah members, also according to the Observatory. Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups have been fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces following the eruption of civil war. Since Syria's war began in 2011, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes against its northern neighbor, primarily targeting pro-Iran forces, among them Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Syrian army. But the strikes have multiplied during the almost five-month-old war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria.

Israel strikes kill Hezbollah fighter near Syria-Lebanon border
Agence France Presse/February 29, 2024
Israel killed a Hezbollah fighter in a strike on Syria, close to the Lebanese border, also hitting near Damascus Thursday, a war monitor said, hours after similar attacks. Hezbollah holds sway over Lebanon's eastern border with Syria, as well as some regions on the other side of the border including Qusayr, the target of Thursday's strike. "An Israeli drone strike on a truck killed a Hezbollah fighter in the Qusayr area near the Syrian-Lebanese border," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. At the same time, Israeli strikes targeted Syrian air defense and radar sites near Damascus, said the Britain-based monitor with a network of sources inside Syria. An AFP correspondent in Damascus heard faraway explosions. Syrian state media did not report the strikes. Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups have been fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces following the eruption of civil war. Since Syria's war began in 2011, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes against its northern neighbor, primarily targeting pro-Iran forces, among them Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Syrian army. But the strikes have multiplied during the almost five-month-old war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. On Wednesday evening, Israel struck near Damascus, killing two Syrian pro-Hezbollah fighters, the Observatory had said. Last week, an Israeli strike on a truck in Syria near the Lebanese border killed two Hezbollah members, also according to the Observatory. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria.

Hezbollah suggests ceasefire dependent on Israel halting Gaza offensive
Reuters/February 29, 2024
The Iran-backed Hezbollah signaled on Thursday that it would halt its attacks on Israel from Lebanon when the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip stops but that it was also ready to keep on fighting if Israel continued hostilities. Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been trading fire since the Palestinian group Hamas stormed southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 in a steadily intensifying conflict that has fuelled concern of broader escalation. "The war in the south is linked to the aggression on Gaza on the one hand and to securing means of protection for our country on the other," senior Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah said. "When the (Israeli) occupation halts its aggression on Gaza, this front stops because it is a supportive front," he said in comments made at an event to commemorate a Hezbollah field commander killed in an Israeli strike earlier this week. Two sources familiar with Hezbollah's thinking told Reuters on Tuesday that the group would halt fire on Israel if Hamas agreed to a proposal for a truce in Gaza - unless Israeli forces kept shelling Lebanon. Mediators are seeking to secure a Gaza truce, which US President Joe Biden has said he hopes will be in place by the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, expected to start this year on March 10.Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant indicated on Sunday that Israel planned to increase attacks on Hezbollah in the event of a possible ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. But Gallant also left the door open to a diplomatic deal to achieve Israel's goal of a withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from the border and the return of tens of thousands of Israelis who have fled the area. The fighting, the worst between Hezbollah and Israel since 2006, has also uprooted tens of thousands of people in Lebanon. Referring to Gallant's comments, Fadlallah said he had threatened to "continue targeting Lebanon." "The resistance will repel all aggression on its country," Fadlallah said in the comments, a copy of which was circulated by his office.

RWA Director in Lebanon briefs Palestinian Ambassador on financial challenges and relief efforts
LBCI/February 29, 2024
The director of UNRWA affairs in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus, briefed the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Lebanon, Ashraf Dabour, on the repercussions of some countries suspending their financial commitments to the agency under various pretexts. She also discussed the efforts being made to ensure continued funding to fulfill the required services aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. In turn, Ambassador Dabour requested the UNRWA director to allow space for efforts to reach solutions to the issues that impact the continuity of funding by some countries.

Mikati: Ceasefire in Gaza Will Launch De-Escalation Talks in Lebanon
LBCI/February 29, 2024
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Thursday that the ceasefire expected to begin in the Gaza Strip next week would lead to indirect talks to end the fighting along the southern border of Lebanon. Mikati said in an interview with Reuters that he is confident that Hezbollah will cease fire if Israel does the same. Mikati also pointed out that the US envoy, Amos Hochstein, will visit Lebanon soon.

Is This The Start of a Destructive War?
Hanna Saleh/Asharq Al-Awsat/February 29/2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/127479/127479/
Reports from the South show that the town of Blida has become a small Gaza, as have the towns of Kafrkila, Aitaroun, Ayta, and others. The enemy’s wanton assault on Lebanon has turned them into scorched earth as it strives to impose a security belt through its strikes. Nonetheless, the "Al-Akhbar" newspaper and everything it represents believes that "Hezbollah" has taken the fight to "enemy territory,limiting its options"... "Israel’s escalation remains calculated and contained!”With the escalation taking worrying dimensions, every Lebanese citizen is anxious, not just those who reside in the south, Hasbaya, and Arkoub. The scope of Israel's "surgical" strikes is expanding, and its threats are becoming increasingly severe, leaving Lebanon in an unprecedentedly perilous position, as slight miscalculation could open the gates of hell. Despite the magnitude of the threat, what remains of the country's authorities have been silent. Rather, after having been coopted by Hezbollah and its axis, they are complicit. They are ignoring the demands of the overwhelming majority that opposes war, and overlooking the fact that no one besides these authorities supports the decision to link the South to Gaza and instigate a "mini war" to rattle the enemy.
The intransigence and obsolescence of officials' responses to the foreign delegations negotiating the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 have been astonishing. This resolution is a safeguard that protects the south and ensures peace in Lebanon, and the authorities refuse to acknowledge the provisions prohibiting the presence of arms and armed individuals in the areas where UNIFIL operates. Some even reiterate Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's quip that "Moving the (Litani) river to the border would be easier than keeping the party away from the river"!
Israeli leaders have threatened Beirut. Their forces have targeted the town of Ghazieh, just south of Saida, and the town of Jadra in the Chouf, which is 30 km away from the capital. However, these developments did not receive the attention they deserve, despite Tel Aviv refusing the idea of applying any agreement regarding Gaza to Lebanon.
In fact, we are seeing affirmations of the broadly held view that, as the brutal war the Zionists are waging on Gaza winds down, the enemy will be able to focus on the northern front, that is, on South Lebanon. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Minister of Defense, has explicitly said so. All these threats have fallen on deaf ears, with Lebanon's authorities seemingly dissociating and behaving as though dragging the south into a conflict does not demand their concern. They have handed the reins to Hezbollah, which is committed to serving Iran's agenda. Meanwhile, their talking heads and mouthpieces have stuck to their discourse. Insulting the intelligence of the Lebanese, they claim that Israel's threats and actions "including the threat of extreme options, are intended to strengthen the push for a diplomatic solution, while the preludes to a total war have yet to take shape!”
Rest assured, everything is under control. There will be no total war! Accordingly, "the party" has rejected the proposals of France, as "it has not lost, so why concede?" For their part, the authorities have not given a response because Hezbollah wants "to negotiate with the people in charge, the Americans." They are waiting for Hochstein to put forward a solution that suits the "party's" plans of ensuring its control over Lebanon by putting all key appointments on hold and linking them to developments in the south...
They are assured by the thought that if the conflict aggravates, the settlers would not be able to return to their homes. This is a dangerous and reductionist assumption, and it is on this premise that they argue that a return to the pre-October 8, 2023 status quo is possible. These assumptions disregard the unequivocal warnings of foreign governments, such as David Cameron's announcement from Beirut that a truce in Gaza would not guarantee an end to Israel's operations against Lebanon and France's warning that Netanyahu has Ariel Sharon's 1982 plan to execute an Israeli invasion, up to the Awali River north of Sidon, is on his desk!
Last Monday, Israel seriously escalated its attacks on Hezbollah and its officials: Israel launched air strikes deep into Lebanon, destroying targets east of Baalbek near the border with Syria, as well as the "Tell al-Jurmuk," which is near Jezzine. A drone killed a Hezbollah field commander near Tyre, in an operation that the Israelis claim is part of their "strategy to destroy the field structure (of Hezbollah)."All of this paints a clear picture for the Lebanese. Israel's assault has become comprehensive, and the reality on the ground does not align with the expectations of the Axis of Resistance. Most alarmingly of all, the authorities have turned a blind eye to the fact that the expansion of the war to areas deep inside Lebanon would have far worse repercussions than those of the 2006 war! Almost five months into the campaign "distract" the enemy was launched from the South, under the pretext of "supporting" Gaza, Israel has imposed its war of something akin to total war. It has taken the initiative, crossing the red lines that we kept hearing about. It has shown that the narrative of deterrence and "rules of engagement" is empty. Neither the rocket barrages on the outskirts of Shebaa Farms or the Golan, nor the empty settlements of Galilee, have not convinced anyone of the contrary. While they show that Hezbollah can inflict material damage on Israel, the repercussions of a war for Lebanon are incomparable.
Since October 7th - after the genocide in Gaza witnessed by the entire world and Israel explicitly laid out its plans for a massacre in Rafah - it has become clear that Israel is distancing itself from the stances of the United States, which continues to support Israel anyway. Limits that had been in place for decades are being disregarded, and the American administration will not apply serious pressure the year of a presidential election. The suffering that has befallen the Lebanese does not end with their country's function becoming to serve Iranian objectives through Hezbollah, to ensure Western acceptance of the mullah regime's influence in Lebanon and the region. The hostility of what remains of Lebanon's authorities toward the Lebanese people, the national interest, and the security of the citizens, is another key component of our tragedy. Because of this hostility, the authorities have overlooked significant indications that the Zionists' assaults equate to total war. Among the indicators is Israel's decision to postpone the return of the settlers to July 7th. Moreover, before this decision was announced, in an address to the Security Council, Israel held responsible for violating resolution 1701 Lebanon, which essentially lays the diplomatic groundwork for the expansion of the war northward. Another worry is that there is broad public support in Israel for a fully-fledged war on Lebanon that would see strikes deep inside the country, after the towns along the border were turned into scorched earth, a security belt Israel has forged with fire!

Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on February 29-March 01/2024
Deaths in Gaza Pass 30,000, Witnesses Say Israeli Forces Fire on Crowd Waiting for Aid
Asharq Al Awsat/February 29 2024
Israeli troops fired on a large crowd of Palestinians racing to pull food off an aid convoy in Gaza City on Thursday, witnesses said. More than 100 people were killed, bringing the death toll since the start of the Israel-Hamas war to more than 30,000, according to health officials. Israeli officials acknowledged that troops opened fire, saying they did so after the crowd approached in a threatening way. The officials insisted on anonymity to give details about what happened, after the military said in a statement that “dozens were killed and injured from pushing, trampling and being run over by the trucks.”Gaza City and the surrounding areas in the enclave's north were the first targets of Israel’s air, sea and ground offensive, launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. While many Palestinians fled the Israeli invasion in the north, a few hundred thousand are believed to remain in the area, which has suffered widespread devastation and has been largely isolated during the conflict. Trucks carrying food reached northern Gaza this week, the first major aid delivery to the area in a month, officials said Wednesday. Aid groups say it has become nearly impossible to deliver humanitarian assistance in most of Gaza because of the difficulty of coordinating with the Israeli military, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order, with crowds of desperate people overwhelming aid convoys. The UN says a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians face starvation; around 80% have fled their homes. Kamel Abu Nahel, who was being treated for a gunshot wound at Shifa Hospital, said he and others went to the distribution point in the middle of the night because they heard there would be a delivery of food. “We've been eating animal feed for two months,” he said. He said Israeli troops opened fire on the crowd as people pulled boxes of flour and canned goods off the trucks, causing them to scatter, with some hiding under cars. After the shooting stopped, people went back to the trucks, and the soldiers opened fire again. He was shot in the leg and fell over, and then a truck ran over his leg as it sped off, he said. Alaa Abu Daiya, a witness to the violence, said Israeli troops opened fire and also that a tank fired a shell. Medics arriving at the scene on Thursday found “dozens or hundreds” lying on the ground, according to Fares Afana, the head of the ambulance service at Kamal Adwan Hospital. He said there were not enough ambulances to collect all the dead and wounded and that some were being brought to hospitals in donkey carts. Another man in the crowd — who gave only his first name, Ahmad, as he was being treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds to the arm and leg — said he waited for two hours before someone with a horse-pulled cart had room to take him to Shifa. Dr. Mohammed Salha, the acting director of the Al-Awda Hospital, said the facility received 161 wounded patients, most of whom appeared to have been shot. He said the hospital can perform only the most essential surgeries because it is running out of fuel to power emergency generators. In addition to at least 104 people killed, around 760 were wounded, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said. The Health Ministry described it as a “massacre.” Separately, the Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from the war has climbed to 30,035, with another 70,457 wounded.

112 killed as Israel forces fire on Gazans rushing for food aid
AP/February 29, 2024
RAFAH: Israeli troops fired on a crowd of Palestinians racing to pull food off an aid convoy in Gaza City on Thursday, witnesses said. More than 100 people were killed in the chaos, bringing the death toll since the start of the Israel-Hamas war to more than 30,000, according to health officials. Israel said many of the dead were trampled in a chaotic stampede for the food aid and that its troops only fired when they felt endangered by the crowd. The violence was quickly condemned by Arab countries, and US President Joe Biden expressed concern it would add to the difficulty of negotiating a ceasefire in the nearly five-month conflict.The Gaza City area was among the first targets of Israel’s air, sea and ground offensive, launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into Israel. While many Palestinians fled the invasion in the north of the enclave, a few hundred thousand are believed to remain in the largely devastated and isolated region. Several deliveries of aid reached the area this week, officials said. Aid groups say it has become nearly impossible to deliver supplies in most of Gaza because of the difficulty of coordinating with the Israeli military, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order, with crowds of desperate people overwhelming aid convoys. The UN says a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians face starvation; around 80 percent have fled their homes. Military officials said the pre-dawn convoy of 30 trucks driving to northern Gaza were met by huge crowds of people trying to grab the aid they were carrying. Dozens of Palestinians were killed in the stampede and some were run over by the trucks as the drivers tried to get away, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson. Israeli troops guarding the area fired warning shots toward the crowd because they felt endangered, he said. “We didn’t open fire on those seeking aid. Contrary to the accusations, we didn’t open fire on a humanitarian aid convoy, not from the air and not from land. We secured it so it could reach northern Gaza,” he said.
Kamel Abu Nahel, who was being treated for a gunshot wound at Shifa Hospital, said he and others went to the distribution point in the middle of the night because they heard there would be a delivery of food. “We’ve been eating animal feed for two months,” he said.
He said Israeli troops opened fire on the crowd as people pulled boxes of flour and canned goods off the trucks, causing them to scatter, with some hiding under cars. After the shooting stopped, people went back to the trucks, and the soldiers opened fire again. He was shot in the leg and fell over, and then a truck ran over his leg as it sped off, he said. At least 112 people were killed, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said. The Health Ministry described it as a “massacre.”Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan accused Israel of targeting civilians in the incident. In separate statements, they called for increased safe passages for humanitarian aid. They also urged the international community to take decisive action to pressure Israel to abide by international law and to reach an agreement for an immediate ceasefire. The UN Security Council scheduled emergency closed consultations on the killings for later Thursday at the request of Algeria, the Arab representative on the 15-nation body. The increasing alarm over hunger across Gaza has fueled international calls for a ceasefire, and the US, Egypt and Qatar are working to secure a deal between Israel and Hamas for a pause in fighting and the release of some of the hostages Hamas took during its Oct. 7 attack.
Mediators hope to reach an agreement before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts around March 10. But so far, Israel and Hamas have remained far apart in public on their demands. Biden had earlier expressed hope that a deal would be done by Monday. He said Thursday that looked unlikely. “Hope springs eternal,” Biden told reporters. “I was on the telephone with people from the region. Probably not by Monday, but I’m hopeful.”When asked if the bloodshed in Gaza City on Thursday would complicate those efforts, he said, “I know it will.”In a statement condemning Thursday’s attack, Hamas said it would not allow the negotiations “to be a cover for the enemy to continue its crimes.”Medics arriving at the scene of the bloodshed Thursday found “dozens or hundreds” lying on the ground, according to Fares Afana, the head of the ambulance service at Kamal Adwan Hospital. He said there were not enough ambulances to collect all the dead and wounded and that some were being brought to hospitals in donkey carts. Another man in the crowd — who gave only his first name, Ahmad, as he was being treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds to the arm and leg — said he waited for two hours before someone with a horse-drawn cart had room to take him to Shifa.The violence came more than a month after witnesses and health officials in Gaza accused Israeli troops of firing on a previous aid distribution in Gaza City, killing at least 20 people. Dr. Mohammed Salha, the acting director of the Al-Awda Hospital, said the facility received 161 wounded patients, most of whom appeared to have been shot. He said the hospital can perform only the most essential surgeries because it is running out of fuel to power emergency generators. The Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from the war has climbed to 30,035, with another 70,457 wounded. The agency does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government in Gaza, maintains detailed records of casualties. Its counts from previous wars have largely matched those of the UN, independent experts and even Israel’s own tallies. The Hamas attack into southern Israel that ignited the war killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the militants seized around 250 hostages. Hamas and other militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of about 30 more, after releasing most of the other captives during a November ceasefire.
Violence has also surged across the West Bank since Oct. 7. An attacker shot and killed two Israelis at a gas station in the settlement of Eli on Thursday, according to the Israeli military. The attacker was killed, the military said.
Meanwhile, UN officials have warned of further mass casualties if Israel follows through on vows to attack the southernmost city of Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million has taken refuge. They also say a Rafah offensive could decimate what remains of aid operations. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are believed to remain in northern Gaza despite Israeli orders to evacuate the area in October, and many have been reduced to eating animal fodder to survive. The UN says 1 in 6 children under 2 in the north suffer from acute malnutrition and wasting. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, said around 50 aid trucks entered northern Gaza this week. It was unclear who delivered the aid. Some countries have resorted to airdrops in recent days. The World Food Program said earlier this month that it was pausing deliveries to the north because of the growing chaos, after desperate Palestinians emptied a convoy while it was en route. Since launching its assault on Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, Israel has barred entry of food, water, medicine and other supplies, except for a trickle of aid entering the south from Egypt at the Rafah crossing and Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing. Despite international calls to allow in more aid, the number of supply trucks is far less than the 500 that came in daily before the war.

UN Security Council: Emergency meeting following death of Palestinians during aid distribution in Gaza
AFP/February 29, 2024
The United Nations Security Council meets behind closed doors on Thursday following the announcement by the Ministry of Health in Gaza of the killing of around one hundred Palestinians during an aid distribution operation in the northern part of the territory, according to the updated agenda of the Council. The emergency meeting is scheduled to take place at 21:15 GMT, at the request of Algeria, according to a diplomatic source cited by Agence France-Presse.

Guterres 'condemns' death of dozens of Palestinians during aid delivery in Gaza
AFP/February 29, 2024
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned what happened during the aid delivery operation in northern Gaza on Thursday. Hamas said that more than 100 people were killed by Israeli army gunfire, according to his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric. Stéphane Dujarric said, "We do not know exactly what happened. But whether these people were killed by Israeli fire, or crushed by the crowds, or run over by trucks, these are acts of violence somehow related to this conflict."He added that UN teams were not present during the distribution of this aid.

Washington views Putin's statements regarding nuclear weapons as 'irresponsible'
AFP/February 29, 2024
The United States condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's warnings about the danger of nuclear war on Thursday, describing them as 'irresponsible,' but said there was no indication of an imminent threat. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, 'This is not the first time we've seen irresponsible rhetoric from Vladimir Putin. A leader of a nuclear-armed state cannot speak in this manner.'

White House: Biden speaks with Qatari and Egyptian leaders about possible ceasefire in Gaza
AFP/February 29, 2024
US President Joe Biden spoke with the Qatari and Egyptian leaders on Thursday about a possible agreement for an "immediate and sustainable" ceasefire in Gaza for at least six weeks in exchange for the release of hostages, according to the White House. The US presidency said in a statement that Biden discussed in separate calls with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi the "tragic and concerning" incident while delivering aid in northern Gaza."

Palestinian Authority receives $114 million from Israel, Norway says
OSLO (Reuters)/February 29, 2024
The Palestinian Authority has received 407 million shekels ($114 million) from Israel with more funds on the way soon following a deal to release frozen tax funds, the Norwegian government said on Thursday. Norway on Feb. 18 said it had agreed to assist in the transfer of funds earmarked for the Palestinian Authority (PA) that were collected by Israel, providing crucial funding to the Western-backed entity. "This money is absolutely necessary to prevent the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, to ensure that the Palestinians receive vital services, and that teachers and health workers are paid," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said. More transfers were expected in "the coming days", he added without specifying the exact timing or the amount. The PA exercises limited self-governance in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Under interim peace accords reached in the 1990s, Israel's finance ministry collects tax on behalf of the Palestinians and makes monthly transfers to the PA. But a dispute broke out over payments in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, a territory ruled by the Palestinian Islamist group. Israel collects taxes on goods being imported to the Palestinian territories via Israeli territory, taking a 3% commission before transferring the rest to the PA. Israel controls all the frontiers of the Palestinian territories, bar the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Under the agreed solution, Norway serves as an intermediary, holding tax revenue equal to the portion that Israel estimates would have gone to Gaza, while the PA would receive the rest, the Nordic country has said. Oslo also received, on Monday, the share of the money that it would hold on behalf of the PA. A statement from the Norwegian government did not say how much that share was worth. The foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. ($1 = 3.5697 shekels)

Israel says it's still reviewing access to Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan
JERUSALEM (Reuters)/February 29, 2024
Israel is reviewing possible curbs on access to Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem over the upcoming Ramadan fasting month, a government spokesperson said after media reports that the far-right minister for police might be overruled on the issue. Al Aqsa, Islam's third-holiest shrine, is a focus of Palestinian statehood hopes. The site is also revered by Jews as vestige of their two ancient temples. Israeli controls on access have often stoked political friction, especially during Ramadan. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said last week there would be a quota for members of Israel's 18% Muslim minority who wish to take part in peace prayers at Al Aqsa. That would compound the clampdown Israel has already placed on Palestinians since the Hamas' cross-border rampage from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, codenamed "Al Aqsa Flood", which triggered the ongoing Gaza war. But Israel's top-rated Channel 12 TV reported on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would overrule Ben-Gvir. "The specific issue of prayer on the Temple Mount, in Al Aqsa, is currently still under discussion by the cabinet," government spokesperson Avi Hyman said in a briefing on Thursday. He added that a final decision would take security and public health, as well as the freedom of worship, into account. A Ben-Gvir spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. On Wednesday, Ben-Gvir posted on X that any attempt to override his authority would amount to a "capitulation to terror", and urged Netanyahu to deny the Channel 12 report.

Netanyahu says he will pave way to end exemption for ultra-Orthodox from military service
REUTERS/March 01, 2024
JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday his government would find a way to end exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews from Israeli military service in the face of political pressures that threaten his narrow coalition’s future.“We will determine goals for conscripting ultra-Orthodox people to the IDF and national civil service,” Netanyahu said at a press conference, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. “We will also determine the ways to implement those goals.” Israel’s Supreme Court in 2018 voided a law waiving the draft for ultra-Orthodox men, citing a need for the burden of military service to be shared across Israeli society. Parliament failed to come up with a new arrangement, and a government-issued stay on mandatory conscription of ultra-Orthodox expires in March. Ultra-Orthodox parties have helped Netanyahu hold a narrow parliamentary majority alongside far-right nationalist parties but in past governments have made draft exemption a condition for remaining in the coalition. Netanyahu appeared to be responding to a pledge made by his defense minister to veto a law that would allow the continuation of exemptions unless the government reached an agreement paving a path for ultra-Orthodox enlistment. “We recognize and support those who dedicate their life to studying Jewish holy scripture but, with that, without physical existence there is no spiritual existence,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday. The exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews have been a longstanding source of friction with more secular citizens now stoked by the country’s costly mobilization for the Gaza war. The ultra-Orthodox claim the right to study in seminaries instead of serving in uniform for the standard three years. Some say their pious lifestyles would clash with military mores, while others voice ideological opposition to the liberal state. Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up 13 percent of Israel’s population, a figure expected to reach 19 percent by 2035 due to their high birth rates. Economists argue that the draft exemption keeps some of them unnecessarily in seminaries and out of the workforce.

Palestinian president issues ‘categorical rejection’ of Israeli PM’s post-war plan
GOBRAN MOHAMED/Arab News/February 29, 2024
CAIRO: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stressed “categorical Palestinian rejection” of the principles announced in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s so-called post-war plan for Gaza. Netanyahu wants Israel to retain security control over Palestinian areas and make reconstruction dependent on demilitarization. His plan, which brings together a range of well-established Israeli positions, underlines Netanyahu’s resistance to the creation of a Palestinian state which he sees as a security threat. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has received a written message from Abbas which calls for a global conference to adopt a comprehensive peace plan with international guarantees and a timeline for implementation of the ending of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Abbas has called on the league to support Palestine in obtaining full membership of the UN. The message urged countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so.Aboul Gheit received Ambassador Muhannad Al-Aklouk, representative of Palestine to the bloc, at the headquarters of the general secretariat, and Al-Aklouk had brought a message from Abbas. Jamal Rushdi, a spokesperson for the Arab League chief, said that the president’s message included a categorical Palestinian rejection of the principles announced by the Israeli prime minister for the so-called “day after of the war.”
The message included a warning of the danger of those principles — especially the denial of the existence of the Palestinian people, and insisting on imposing Israeli sovereignty on the land extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River.
Abbas charged that the plan confirmed the Israeli government’s intentions to recolonize the Gaza Strip and perpetuate the occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem through plans to build thousands of settlement units.Rushdi said that the message warned that the goal of the Israeli government was not only to undermine the chances of peace based on the two-state solution, but also to intensify ethnic cleansing and displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The president’s message included the affirmation that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the State of Palestine. The Palestinian Authority is ready to assume the responsibilities of governance in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and is prepared to work toward establishing security and peace, as well as stability, in the region within the framework of a comprehensive peace plan. The message called on the Arab League’s chief to continue working for a ceasefire; the provision of humanitarian aid; the return of displaced people to their homes in the north; the prevention of their displacement; and a halt to Israel’s expansionist plans and practices in the Gaza Strip.
Aboul Gheit confirmed to Al-Aklouk that he would continue to work to achieve all the goals highlighted in the president’s message — most notably an immediate ceasefire, working to bring aid in urgently and sustainably, and standing with full force against the displacement plan. Aboul Gheit stressed that stopping the war remained a fundamental priority for the Arab League and its member states. He reiterated that the Palestinians, Arabs, and the world always rejected the displacement plan. Aboul Gheit pointed out that addressing the humanitarian catastrophe caused by Israeli aggression could not be achieved in isolation from a settlement aiming at the emergence of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. He emphasized that the Palestinians were capable of governing themselves. Aboul Gheit added that the continuation of the occupation was no longer possible and that the two-state solution remained the only formula capable of achieving security, peace, and stability between Palestinians and Israelis in the region and the world.

New Zealand Lists Hamas as Terrorist Group, Sanctions 'Extremist' Israeli Settlers
Asharq Al Awsat/29 February 2024
New Zealand on Thursday listed Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist entity and imposed travel bans on "extremist" Israeli settlers whom it said had committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement that the attacks by Hamas on Israel in October "were brutal and we have unequivocally condemned them”, Reuters reported. But he added that "New Zealand wants to be clear that the designation of Hamas is about the actions of an offshore terrorist entity and is not a reflection on the Palestinian people in Gaza and around the world." New Zealand has designated the military wing of Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2010. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the whole of Hamas bears responsibility for the October attacks, making it difficult for the New Zealand government to distinguish between the group's military and political wings. The Oct. 7 attacks killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's air and ground campaign in Hamas-governed Gaza has killed about 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. New Zealand's decision makes it a criminal offense to carry out property or financial transactions with Hamas or provide material support. It also freezes any Hamas assets in New Zealand. It does not prevent New Zealand from providing humanitarian and future development assistance for civilians in Gaza or from giving consular support to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents in the conflict zone. Luxon also said he was "seriously concerned by the significant increase in extremist violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers" against Palestinians in recent months. "This is particularly destabilizing in what is already a major crisis," Luxon said. New Zealand's consistent position has been that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are a violation of international law. The government said it would continue to support a future Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution, urging an end to the current conflict and an urgent restart of the Middle East peace process.

Germany Attacks Houthi Targets for the First Time
Aden: Ali Rabih/Reuters/29 February 2024
Germany deployed a naval frigate to the Red Sea for the first time to confront Houthi attacks, becoming the second European country, after France, to carry out such operations. Since Jan. 12, the United States and the UK began launching strikes against the Houthis, who say they are launching attacks in support of the Palestinians in Gaza and to prevent the navigation of ships linked to Israel. The Western strikes have included over 300 raids targeting Houthi sites in Sanaa, Hodeidah, Taiz, Hajjah, Saada, and Dhamar. However, the Houthi group said they did not impact its military capabilities, saying the strikes were merely to "save face."The German army said in a statement on the "X" platform that the Hessen frigate of the Navy shot down two drones at two separate times without any casualties. On Feb. 19, the European Union launched Operation "Aspides" to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a statement that the US aircraft and a coalition warship shot down five Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces identified these UAVs originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the US Navy and coalition ships in the region. "These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels."The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO) said it had received a report of an incident 60NM west of Hodeidah. The vessel and the crew are reported to be safe and proceeding to the next port of call. The rocket was sighted on the vessel's starboard side, which then exploded 3-4NM from the port bow, read the statement.Meanwhile, the Houthi media reported that the US and the UK targeted the group's site on Labwan Island in Hodeidah.
- British warning
On Wednesday, Britain warned of an environmental catastrophe as a result of the Houthi attack on the MV Rubymar vessel, which is now at risk of leaking into the Red Sea. "Despite years of international effort to avert a crisis with the FSO SAFER, the Houthis are threatening another environmental disaster with the reckless attack on the MV Rubymar," said UK on X platform. The Yemeni government called on international aid to prevent the ship from sinking in the Red Sea, as this threatens an environmental disaster. Yemeni officials said the vessel is at risk of drowning within days as water leaks into it.
The government asserted that Western strikes against the Houthis would be of no use in limiting the military group's capabilities and that the alternative is to support the legitimate forces to restore the state. Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak denied the Houthi narrative regarding the naval attacks.
According to official media, bin Mubarak believes the Houthi attacks have nothing to do with supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause. The Houthis admitted that 22 militants were killed in the Western strikes, in addition to ten who were killed on Dec. 31 in the Red Sea, after the US Navy destroyed their boats in response to their attempt to seize a vessel. Last December, Washington launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect navigation in the Red Sea before launching 25 strikes against the Houthis and carrying out dozens of operations to confront Houthi missiles, drones, and explosive boats.

El-Sisi, Al-Burhan discuss developments in Sudan
GOBRAN MOHAMED/Arab News/February 29, 2024
CAIRO: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday received Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, president of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, at Cairo International Airport. An official reception ceremony took place at Al-Ittihadiya Palace, at which the national anthems were played and guards of honor inspected. The meeting focused on recent developments in Sudan and efforts to resolve its crisis. The main goal is to restore stability while ensuring sovereignty, unity, and cohesion of the Sudanese state and its institutions. The meeting was an attempt to meet the Sudanese people’s desire for safety and stability. Ahmed Fahmy, the presidential spokesman, said that El-Sisi focused on the solid historic relations between the two countries, emphasizing Egypt’s support in enhancing cooperation. The president stressed Egypt’s commitment to Sudan’s security and offered full support to achieve political, security, and economic stability. He affirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Sudan’s unity and resolving ongoing conflicts. He added that the two countries shared a close relationship, which made it necessary to ensure national security. The president spoke of Egypt’s ongoing role in helping to alleviate the humanitarian impact of the current crisis within Sudan. Al-Burhan expressed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s support. He highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries, while saying that Egypt’s role in hosting Sudanese citizens and mitigating the crisis provided evidence of its continued friendship. The parties also discussed the situation in Gaza and regional issues of mutual concern.El-Sisi and Al-Burhan agreed on the necessity of an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. They also agreed to continue consultations and coordination to help benefit the populations of Egypt and Sudan. The Sudanese leader made an official visit to Egypt in August last year, his first following the start of his country’s conflict in April. Al-Burhan and El-Sisi met in the city of Alamein in northern Egypt.

Ukraine forces claim downing record number of Russian jets in February
AFP/March 01, 2024
KYIV: Ukraine said Thursday it had destroyed a record number of Russian planes in February, at a time when ground forces are under increased pressure in the east. AFP was unable to verify the claims and Russian authorities do not comment. “Our sky defenders have achieved the greatest results in downing Russian jets since October 2022,” the Ukrainian defense ministry said. It said 10 SU-34, two Su-35 fighter jets and an A-50 aircraft had been shot down in February. The tally included three Su-34s downed overnight which were “launching guided missiles at our infantry positions in the east,” ground forces commander Oleksandr Pavliuk said. Ukraine had said it had shot down another A-50 plane in January. The claims are hard to verify, but Russian military bloggers had mentioned the destruction of the A-50 aircraft — although they blamed friendly fire. Russian military bloggers, who have sources in the armed forces, often publish exclusive information, contrary to government sources and Russian state media outlets. The British defense ministry on Tuesday also mentioned two A-50 downed, noting the incidents “forced Russian decision makers to consider safer operating areas.” Two years into the invasion, Ukraine has said its priority was to “throw Russia from the skies.”Ukraine is expecting the delivery of F-16 fighter jets supplied by its Western allies.

Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on February 29-March 01/2024
Is Trump's Mega-Fine Unconstitutional?
Alan M. Dershowitz/Gatestone Institute./February 29, 2024
The civil case against Donald Trump was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prosecutor who campaigned for her elected office on a pledge to get Trump. By bringing a civil case rather than a criminal prosecution, James denied Trump a jury trial, which he could not have gotten on this kind of case; a requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and other constitutional safeguards. Now she seeks to deny him the protection of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against excessive fines.
The civil case against Donald Trump was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prosecutor who campaigned for her elected office on a pledge to get Trump. By bringing a civil case rather than a criminal prosecution, James denied Trump a jury trial, which he could not have gotten on this kind of case; a requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and other constitutional safeguards. Now she seeks to deny him the protection of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against excessive fines. Pictured: James arrives at Trump's civil trial on October 2, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Arthur Engoron, the New York Supreme Court judge in the real estate case brought against Donald Trump by the state attorney general, has fined Trump and members of his family $464 million. This raises the question of whether the fine – which does not reflect damages actually done – is "excessive" under the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which reads as follows: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
The court also ordered Trump to pay $111,ooo per day in interest, and that he "be barred from serving as an officer or director of a New York corporation or other legal entities in the state for three years, and cannot apply for loans from any financial institution registered in the state for three years..."
In addition, the court fined his two sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, $4 million each, and banned them from serving as executives at the Trump Organization for two years.
Although the Eighth Amendment is not explicitly limited to criminal cases, its three subjects— bail, fines and punishments — all relate generally to criminal cases. Trump's fine was imposed in what was denominated a civil case. But it was not a traditional civil case between private parties, because no private parties were allegedly damaged by Trump. It was a case brought by the State of New York, which would receive the fine. Moreover, the fine was intended to deter the kind of conduct of which Trump was accused.
These factors make the fine seem closer to the usual attributes of a public criminal case than of a private civil case. A functional analysis of the fine in this case could well conclude that it is really criminal in nature and should be covered by the Eighth Amendment.
Trump's lawyers will certainly argue at this point, though they are unlikely to succeed on the initial appeal. They will then almost certainly seek certiorari, a review by the Supreme Court of the United States, by alleging a violation of the Eighth Amendment. If the Supreme Court were to grant review, it would have to consider two issues: the first is whether this state-imposed fine and others like it are covered by the Eighth Amendment; if so, the second issue would be whether the fine of $464 million is excessive.
The answer to the second question is easier than the first. The fine is clearly excessive by any reasonable standard. It does not reflect actual damages inflicted on others by Trump's alleged overstatement of the value of his assets. Nor does it reasonably reflect profits Trump actually made by allegedly overstating these assets.
As to the first question, there were not even any allegations of damage caused to the giant banking institutions from which Trump borrowed. They lost no money, claimed no losses and were anxious to do business with the real estate developer who paid back his loans with interest.
Nor can it reasonably be concluded that Trump profited by his alleged over-valuations, by receiving a lower rate of interest. Rates of interest in real estate loans are negotiated based largely on supply and demand. The banks were eager for Trump's business, and had they tried to raise the interest rate, he could easily have gone elsewhere and negotiated the rate he actually received. The fine imposed in this case was clearly punitive in intent, in effect and in reality. This leads to the more fundamental constitutional issue of whether this excessive fine is prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
States have a long history of seeking to evade the strictures of the Eighth Amendment by designating sanctions as civil rather than criminal. But courts sometimes recognize that when it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. This particular duck has all the elements of a criminal fine, imposed by the state, as punishment, in order to deter future misconduct.
The civil case against Trump was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prosecutor who campaigned for her elected office on a pledge to get Trump. By bringing a civil case rather than a criminal prosecution, James denied Trump a jury trial, which he could not have gotten on this kind of case; a requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and other constitutional safeguards. Now she seeks to deny him the protection of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against excessive fines.
The courts should focus on the reality of this fine and find it unconstitutionally excessive.
*Alan M. Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Emeritus at Harvard Law School, and the author most recently of War Against the Jews: How to End Hamas Barbarism. He is the Jack Roth Charitable Foundation Fellow at Gatestone Institute, and is also the host of "The Dershow" podcast.
© 2024 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

Is a New Armenian Genocide on the Horizon?
Raymond Ibrahim/February 29/2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/127474/127474/
Turkic genocidal bloodlust against its ancient victim, Armenia, is on the verge of flaring out again, though the world fails to see.
On Feb. 13, 2024, Azerbaijan opened fire on and killed four Armenian soldiers in bordering Syunik, Armenia. Two days later, on Feb. 15, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that Azerbaijan is planning a “full-scale war” on Armenia.
Such a war would certainly be in keeping with Azerbaijan’s behavior in recent months and years.
Modern day hostilities between Armenia, an ancient nation and the first to adopt Christianity, and Azerbaijan, a Muslim nation that was created in 1918, began in September 2020, when Azerbaijan launched a war to claim Artsakh, more commonly known as Nagorno-Karabakh. Although it had been Armenian for over two thousand years, and 90% of its inhabitants were Armenian, after the dissolution of the USSR, the “border makers” had granted it to Azerbaijan, hence the constant warring over this region. (See “15 Artsakh War Myths Perpetuated By Mainstream Media.”)
Once the September 2020 war began, Turkey quickly joined its Azerbaijani co-religionists against Armenia, though the dispute clearly did not concern it. It dispatched sharia-enforcing “jihadist groups” from Syria and Libya—including the pro-Muslim Brotherhood Hamza Division, which once kept naked women chained and imprisoned—to terrorize and slaughter the Armenians.
One of these captured mercenaries later confessed that he was “promised a monthly $2,000 payment for fighting against ‘kafirs’ in Artsakh, and an extra 100 dollars for each beheaded kafir.” (Kafir, often translated as “infidel,” is Arabic for any non-Muslim who fails to submit to Islam, which makes them de facto enemies.)
Among other ISIS-like crimes committed by the Islamic coalition of mercenaries, Turks, and Azerbaijanis that waged war on Armenia in late 2020, they “tortured beyond recognition” an intellectually disabled Armenian woman by sadistically hacking off her ears, hands, and feet, before finally executing her.
Similarly, video footage showed camouflaged soldiers overpowering and forcing down an elderly Armenian man, who cries and implores them for mercy, as they casually try to carve at his throat with a knife. Azerbaijani soldiers also raped an Armenian female soldier and mother-of-three, before hacking off all four of her limbs, gouging her eyes, and mockingly sticking one of her severed fingers inside her private parts.
Such unbridled sadism is par for the course, said Arman Tatoyan, an Armenian human rights activist:
The President of Azerbaijan and the country’s authorities have been implementing a policy of hatred, enmity, ethnic cleansing and genocide against Armenia, citizens of Armenia and the Armenian people for years. The Turkish authorities have done the same or have openly encouraged the same policy.
At any rate, the war ended in November 2020, with Azerbaijan claiming a significant portion of Artsakh.
Almost immediately, and as if to underscore the religious aspect of the conflict, Muslim Azerbaijan began to systematically erase Artsakh’s ancient Christian heritage—destroying churches, crosses, Christian cemeteries, and other cultural landmarks. In one instance, an Azerbaijani stood atop an Armenian church, after its cross had been broken off, triumphantly crying “Allahu Akbar!”
Then, on December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan sealed off the Lachin Corridor—the only route between Artsakh and the outside world, prompting a months’ long humanitarian crisis.
On August 7, 2023, Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, summarized the then situation well:
There is an ongoing Genocide against 120,000 Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh.
The blockade of the Lachin Corridor by the Azerbaijani security forces impeding access to any food, medical supplies, and other essentials should be considered a Genocide under Article II, (c) of the Genocide Convention: ‘Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.’
There are no crematories, and there are no machete attacks. Starvation is the invisible Genocide weapon. Without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks.
This, of course, was not the first time that Turks starved Armenians to death (as a picture of a Turkish administrator taunting emaciated Armenian children with a piece of bread in 1915 makes clear).
Similarly, after going on a fact-finding mission to Armenia, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback referred to the blockade as the latest attempt at “religious cleansing” of Christian Armenia:
Azerbaijan, with Turkey’s backing, is really slowly strangling Nagorno-Karabakh. They’re working to make it unlivable so that the region’s Armenian-Christian population is forced to leave, that’s what’s happening on the ground.
In his testimony, Brownback said that this latest genocide was being “perpetrated with U.S.-supplied weaponry and backed by Turkey, a member of NATO.” If the U.S. does not act, “we will see again another ancient Christian population forced out of its homeland.”
And so we did: on Sept. 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched another large scale military offensive against Artsakh, prompting an exodus of its beleaguered and emaciated Armenians.
Then, on Jan.1, 2024, the Armenian Republic of Artsakh was formally dissolved.
Despite Azerbaijan’s total victory—which some international observers thought might put an end to hostilities between the two nations—six weeks later, an ever-expanding Azerbaijan opened fire on Armenia proper, killing the aforementioned four soldiers last week.
“Our analysis shows that Azerbaijan wants to launch military action in some parts of the border with the prospect of turning military escalation into a full-scale war against Armenia,” said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a government meeting last week. “This intention can be read in all statements and actions of Azerbaijan.”
The Armenian government is rightfully concerned that Azerbaijan, emboldened by its unimpeded successes, is preparing to invade more Armenian territory.
As should be clear by now, no amount of appeasement short of total capitulation will seemingly ever satisfy Armenia’s powerful Muslim neighbors, namely Azerbaijan and its “big brother,” Turkey.
Appropriating Artsakh appears to be only the first step of a larger project. As Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, once proclaimed, “Yerevan [the capital of Armenia] is our historical land and we Azerbaijanis must return to these historical lands.” He has also referred to other ancient Armenian territories, including the Zangezur and Lake Sevan regions, as “our historic lands.” Taking over those territories “is our political and strategic goal,” Aliyev maintains, “and we need to work step-by-step to get closer to it.”
Back in the real world, Armenians founded Yereyan, their current capital, in 782 BC—exactly 2,700 years before Azerbaijan came into being in 1918. And yet, here is the president of Azerbaijan waging war because “Yerevan is our historical land and we Azerbaijanis must return to these historical lands.”
Armenia was also significantly larger, encompassing even modern day Azerbaijan within its borders, over two thousand years ago. Then the Turkic peoples came riding in from the east, slaughtering, enslaving, terrorizing and stealing the lands of Armenians and other Christians of the region in the name of jihad (as discussed here).
As Longtime Armenian-activist, Lucine Kasbarian, author of Armenia: A Rugged Land, an Enduring People, put it,
Dictator Ilham Aliyev’s belligerent stance towards Armenia is in keeping with Azerbaijan’s long “war of aggression” towards Armenia and its people. Aliyev’s agenda is to conquer what is left of sovereign Armenia all while claiming to be the victim rather than the victimizer. The Aliyev regime even goes so far as to refer to Armenia as “Western Azerbaijan,” even though Armenia has existed on ancient maps for thousands of years while Azerbaijan was first created in 1918.
In short, all modern day pretexts and “territorial disputes” aside, true and permanent peace between Armenia and its Turkic neighbors will only be achieved when the Christian nation has either been conquered or ceded itself into nonexistence.
Nor would it be the first to do so. It is worth recalling that the heart of what is today called “the Muslim world”—the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)—was thoroughly Christian before the sword of Islam invaded. Bit by bit, century after century following the initial Muslim conquests and occupations, it lost its Christian identity, its peoples lost in the morass of Islam, so that few today even remember that Egypt, Iraq, Syria, etc., were among the first and oldest Christian nations.
Armenia—the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity—is a holdout, a thorn in Islam’s side, and, as such, will never know lasting peace from the Muslims surrounding it.
https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2024/02/28/is-a-new-armenian-genocide-on-the-horizon/

Is ‘Islamophobia’ Irrational?
Raymond Ibrahim/February 29/2024
Late last year, the Biden administration announced the U.S.’s first “National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia.” It will aim to “counter the scourge of Islamophobia and hate in all its forms,” said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The ongoing Arab/Israeli conflict was cited as ushering in this latest wave of “Islamophobia” in America.
But is that really the case? Are temporal circumstances and developments the true culprits behind Islamophobia, defined as “unfounded fear of and hostility towards Islam”?
For example, for the longest time, it was assumed that the terror strikes of 9/11 were the root cause of Islamophobia in America. As an Al Jazeera article titled, “Decades after 9/11, Muslims battle Islamophobia in US,” asserts: “The September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States ushered in a new era of hate crimes, racism, and xenophobia against Muslims.”
In reality, aversion to Islam is as old as Islam itself. In this sense, the claim that Islamophobia is an actual phenomenon is accurate: non-Muslims have always feared Islam; but there was—and is—nothing irrational about this fear, as the word “phobia” implies.
From the very start, Western peoples, including many of their luminaries, portrayed Islam as a hostile and violent force—often in terms that would make today’s “Islamophobe” blush. There’s a reason for that. In 628 AD, Muhammad summoned the Christian Roman emperor, Heraclius to submit to Islam. When the emperor refused, a virulent jihad was unleashed against the Western world. Less than 100 years later, Islam had conquered more than two-thirds of Christendom, and was raiding deep into France.
While these far-reaching conquests are often allotted a sanitized sentence, if that, in today’s textbooks, the chroniclers of the time made clear that these were cataclysmic events that had a traumatic impact on Europe.
But it wasn’t just what they personally experienced at the hands of Muslims that developed this ancient “phobia” to Islam. As far back as the seventh century, Islam’s scriptures became available to nearby Christians, such as John of Damascus (b. 675), one of history’s earliest “Islamophobes.” Based solely on these primary sources of Islam, Christians concluded that Muhammad was a (possibly demon possessed) false prophet who had very obviously concocted a creed to justify the worst depravities of man—for dominion, plunder, cruelty and carnality.
This view prevailed for well over a millennium throughout Europe; and it was augmented by the fact that Muslims were still—well over a millennium after Muhammad—invading Christian territories, plundering them, and abducting their women and children. The United States’ first conflict with Islam—indeed, its first war as a nation—came not after Sept. 11, 2001, but in 1801, as a response to jihadist raids on American ships for booty and slaves.
A miniscule sampling of what Europeans thought of Islam throughout the centuries follows:
Theophanes, important Eastern Roman chronicler (d.818):
He [Muhammad] taught those who gave ear to him that the one slaying the enemy—or being slain by the enemy—entered into paradise [see Koran 9:111]. And he said paradise was carnal and sensual—orgies of eating, drinking, and women. Also, there was a river of wine … and the women were of another sort [houris], and the duration of sex greatly prolonged and its pleasure long-enduring [e.g., Koran 56: 7-40, 78:31, 55:70-77]. And all sorts of other nonsense.
Thomas Aquinas, one of Christendom’s most influential philosophers and scholastics (d.1274):
He [Muhamad] seduced the people by promises of carnal pleasure to which the concupiscence of the flesh urges us …. and he gave free rein to carnal pleasure. In all this, as is not unexpected, he was obeyed by carnal men. As for proofs of the truth of his doctrine…. Muhammad said that he was sent in the power of his arms—which are signs not lacking even to robbers and tyrants [i.e., his “proof” that God was with him is that he was able to conquer and plunder others]…. Muhammad forced others to become his follower’s by the violence of his arms.
Marco Polo, merchant and world traveler (d.1324):
According to their [Muslims’] doctrine, whatever is stolen or plundered from others of a different faith, is properly taken, and the theft is no crime; whilst those who suffer death or injury by the hands of Christians, are considered as martyrs. If, therefore, they were not prohibited and restrained by the [Mongol] powers who now govern them, they would commit many outrages. These principles are common to all Saracens.
When the Mongol khan later discovered the depraved criminality of Achmath (or Ahmed), one of his Muslim governors, Polo writes that the khan’s
attention [went] to the doctrines of the Sect of the Saracens [i.e., Islam], which excuse every crime, yea, even murder itself, when committed on such as are not of their religion. And seeing that this doctrine had led the accursed Achmath and his sons to act as they did without any sense of guilt, the Khan was led to entertain the greatest disgust and abomination for it. So he summoned the Saracens and prohibited their doing many things which their religion enjoined.
Alexis de Tocqueville, French political thinker and philosopher, best known for Democracy in America (d.1859):
I studied the Quran a great deal. I came away from that study with the conviction that by and large there have been few religions in the world as deadly to men as that of Muhammad. As far as I can see, it is the principal cause of the decadence so visible today in the Muslim world and, though less absurd than the polytheism of old, its social and political tendencies are in my opinion more to be feared, and I therefore regard it as a form of decadence rather than a form of progress in relation to paganism itself.
Theodore (“Teddy”) Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States and an accomplished student of history (d. 1919):
Christianity was saved in Europe solely because the peoples of Europe fought. If the peoples of Europe in the seventh and eighth centuries, and on up to and including the seventeenth century, had not possessed a military equality with, and gradually a growing superiority over the Mohammedans who invaded Europe, Europe would at this moment be Mohammedan and the Christian religion would be exterminated. Wherever the Mohammedans have had complete sway, wherever the Christians have been unable to resist them by the sword, Christianity has ultimately disappeared.
British statesman, Winston Churchill (d. 1965):
Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities—but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world.
In short, fear of and aversion to Islam has been the mainstream position among non-Muslims for nearly 1,400 years—ever since Muhammad started raiding, plundering, massacring, and enslaving non-Muslims (“infidels”) in the name of his god. And it is because his followers, Muslims, continue raiding, plundering, massacring, and enslaving “infidels” that fear of and aversion to Islam—what is called “Islamophobia”—exists to this day.
So, yes, Islamophobia is real: non-Muslims have always feared Islam, rightfully so. The lie is that this fear is irrational, and therefore in need of being ameliorated by “measures” like Biden’s new “National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia,” which no doubt will be dedicated to more of the usual: suppressing uncomfortable truths and propping up feel-good bromides.

Is Gaza Really the Biggest Case of Arab Suffering?
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/Algemeiner/February 29/2024
What would a Sudanese person watching that country’s renewed civil war — which has killed 14,000, displaced eight million, and threatens 17 million with famine in less than a year — think when they this CBS headline: “Gaza faces unprecedented desperation.”
Sudan has a population of 46 million, Gaza only has two million.
Between 2004 and 2009, the Sudanese regime killed 400,000 people in Sudan. Millions were displaced and still live today in camps suffering acute hunger and the spread of cholera. Since then, the Sudanese regime has disintegrated into its components: its the army and its militias. Since April, the two sides have been engaged in a civil war, causing even more Sudanese deaths, displacement, and agony. A child in Sudan is dying every hour, according to Medecins Sans Frontier. The International Rescue Committee lists the war in Sudan as the top concern of its 2024 Emergency Watchlist.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that 25 million Sudanese are in need of assistance. Close to 18 million of them face acute hunger, 4.9 million on emergency levels. Of the $2.7 billion needed for Sudan in 2024, UN agencies have received $96.7 million, amounting to only four percent. Yet, the Sudanese tragedy never seems to attract as much attention as the newer and much smaller conflict in Gaza. UN Secretary General Secretary General António Guterres said about Gaza: “We are witnessing a killing of civilians that is unparalleled and unprecedented in any conflict since I have been Secretary-General.”
But Guterres is wrong.
When the number of deaths in Gaza stood at a reported 29,000 — if we were to believe local Gazan sources — Hamas claimed that it had lost 6,000 of its fighters. Israel alleged that Hamas had lost double that number. Even assuming nearly 30,000 people have died (something we have no way to verify), if we split the difference, the ratio of combatants to non-combatants killed in war in Gaza would be roughly 1:2, lower than the 1:3 (or 1:4) ratio of a similar Middle Eastern asymmetric war when US forces eradicated ISIS in Mosul.
While the death of a single civilian in war is regrettable, it is unlikely that Guterres will ever walk back his claim and admit that the number of non-combatants killed in Gaza is below war average. Guterres’ statement will linger for a long time, and feed the misinformation mill of anti-Israel hatred.
Similarly, a World Health Organization’s spokesperson said that the “war in Gaza has resulted in unprecedented levels of destruction.” Notwithstanding that almost any war in the Middle East — including in Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon — has caused comparable destruction, the WHO will unlikely qualify its statement or correct itself.
In fact, even when proven false, the global media has rarely retracted erroneous reporting. On October 17, the world media claimed that Israel had committed an “unprecedented” attack on a Gaza hospital that killed 500 Palestinians. It turned out that errant Palestinian fire had killed tens of Palestinians who were camped in the yard of that hospital. Yet the original report is still available today on Reuters‘ website, without any update or errata notice.
For non-Palestinian Arabs who have been suffering from war, there is a sense of unfairness that Palestinians have been monopolizing global headlines for the past century.
Palestinians even get their own UN agencies, such as UNRWA, dedicated exclusively to the affairs of 5.9 million Palestinian “refugees” — when 12 million displaced Syrians, 8.1 million Sudanese, 4.5 million Yemenis, and 1.1 million Iraqis are all tucked under UNHCR and receive a fraction of the global resources and attention.
In fact, the majority of Palestinian refugees today were not themselves displaced, but are the descendants of Palestinians displaced in the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israelis wars. Millions of displaced Palestinians from these wars resettled and were naturalized in countries around the world, yet are still registered as UNRWA “refugees.”
Even claims that the rate and scale of Israel’s fighting in Gaza “is unlike any war in recent memory” are false.
Unless humanity has the memory of a goldfish, most of us remember (and this writer witnessed) Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon to eject Yasser Arafat and his Palestine Liberation Organization militias. In 12 weeks, Lebanon estimated its losses at 18,000, with many more thousands of Palestinians fighters unaccounted for. Even Israel suffered heavier losses in 1982 Lebanon, 350 troops in 88 days, compared to 230 in 140 days in 2024 Gaza.
Until 2003, Iraqis suffered 24 years of brutal Saddam Hussein tyranny, including his usage of sarin gas on his own people. Kuwaitis suffered Saddam’s invasion and burning of their oilfields. Similarly, Syria’s Assad used chemical weapons in crushing a revolution, between 2011 and 2018, killing along the way at least 300,000 and displacing 12 million.
In Lebanon, a UN Tribunal found that Hezbollah assassinated Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and a dozen other politicians, journalists, and activists after him. The World Food Program (WFP) has been working to prevent a famine by feeding 400,000 “vulnerable Lebanese families.”
And yet, in their rallies and in the statements of their leadership — whether the Palestinian Authority or Hamas — Palestinians have praised Hussein, Assad and Nasrallah, and have shown disinterest in the tragedy of other Arabs, claiming exclusive victimhood.
Despite their agony, ongoing displacement and hunger, the Lebanese, Syrians, Iraqis, Yemenis, and Sudanese people are expected to focus on Gaza as their “central cause.” In fact, the UNRWA’s budget per capita is multi-folds that of non-Palestinian Arabs. These Arab people would raise their voice, but social shaming and physical harassment that threatens them — both at home and in their Western diaspora — keeps them silently weeping and prevents the world from understanding these tragedies that are happening in the Arab world.
*Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Follow Hussain on X @hahussain
*The opinions presented by Algemeiner bloggers are solely theirs and do not represent those of The Algemeiner, its publishers or editors. If you would like to share your views with a blog post on The Algemeiner, please be in touch through our Contact page.

Haley’s 2024 presidential bid will soon be over
Dalia Al-Aqidi/Arab News/February 29, 2024
The dynamics of the 2024 US presidential race were set into motion last year when nine Republican politicians threw their hats into the ring, each harboring aspirations of securing their party’s nomination to challenge President Joe Biden. With the field initially crowded, optimism abounded among several contenders, who each believed they possessed the potential to emerge as a front-runner. However, as the primary season began and the competition intensified, the landscape shifted dramatically. Amid the vibrant contest, the ranks of contenders began to thin, with seven candidates ultimately deciding to withdraw from the race. Despite their initial ambitions, they concluded that the path to victory was no longer viable and they opted to step aside, reshaping the dynamics of the Republican primaries. In the midst of this winnowing field, Nikki Haley remained steadfast in her determination to pursue the party’s nomination, undeterred by the formidable presence of former President Donald Trump. As one of the final two remaining contenders, Haley continues to campaign vigorously, seeking to distinguish herself and articulate her vision for the future of the Republican Party and the nation at large.
Yet, despite her tenacity and efforts to gain traction, Haley has encountered challenges in her quest for the nomination. The specter of Trump’s enduring influence within the party looms large, casting a shadow over her candidacy and presenting a formidable obstacle to overcome. Haley continues to campaign vigorously, seeking to distinguish herself and articulate her vision. In the face of this daunting reality, Haley has found herself engaged in an uphill battle, striving to carve out a path to victory against formidable odds. As the primary race progresses, the dynamics continue to evolve, with Haley’s campaign navigating a landscape marked by shifting alliances, strategic maneuvering and intense competition. Ultimately, despite her valiant efforts, Haley’s bid for the Republican nomination looks destined to be unsuccessful, as Trump has emerged as the party’s standard-bearer once again. However, her participation in the race has served to underscore the broader dynamics at play within the Republican Party and the enduring influence of key figures such as Trump on its direction and future trajectory.
Despite experiencing continuous setbacks in her presidential campaign, Haley has remained undeterred. Her decision to stay in the presidential race until next week’s Super Tuesday, when Utah and 15 other states and territories will cast their votes, underscores her determination and resilience.
But who exactly is Haley and what motivates her to persist despite the many challenges? On Feb. 15, 2023, the former governor of South Carolina and US ambassador to the UN officially launched her presidential bid. Surrounded by supporters waving American flags and campaign banners, she emphasized that it was time for a new generation of leadership.
During her campaign, Haley emphasized her humble beginnings as the daughter of Indian immigrants and highlighted her rise to prominence as a successful governor and diplomat. She spoke passionately about her vision for America, calling for unity, economic prosperity and national security.
The former diplomat positioned herself as a pragmatic conservative with a record of bipartisan cooperation. She touted her accomplishments in South Carolina, where she successfully navigated contentious issues such as the 2015 removal of the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds following the tragic church shooting in Charleston. One of her main issues is the creation of a robust national defense, pledging to rebuild America’s military capabilities and allowing it to stand up to its adversaries abroad. Drawing on her experience at the UN, she vowed to restore America’s leadership on the world stage and promote democratic values and human rights. The former diplomat positioned herself as a pragmatic conservative with a record of bipartisan cooperation. So far, Haley’s bid for the presidency has encountered setbacks in every primary, with former President Trump emerging victorious in each contest, even in Haley’s home state of South Carolina. This pattern persisted this week, as Trump secured another resounding triumph in a Republican primary, this time in Michigan. With this victory, Trump extended his winning streak to an impressive six consecutive Grand Old Party contests.
The significance of Trump’s continued success cannot be understated, as it amplifies the doubts surrounding the prospects of his last remaining challenger, particularly in the lead-up to the pivotal Super Tuesday showdown. As Trump maintains his dominance within the Republican Party, Haley faces mounting pressure to demonstrate her ability to effectively challenge him and rally support from within the party’s ranks.
The outcome of the Michigan primary underscores the formidable challenge that Haley faces in her quest for the nomination and highlights the enduring strength of Trump’s support base. As the race intensifies and the stakes escalate, the dynamics of the Republican primaries will continue to evolve, leaving Haley and her supporters to strategize and regroup in preparation for the critical contests that lie ahead. Despite encountering setbacks in the electoral contests thus far, Haley has maintained a defiant stance. She has articulated her determination to persist in the presidential race. The uncertainty lies in whether Haley will extend her campaign beyond the pivotal date of March 5. Haley’s continued presence in the race seems primarily strategic, amid speculation that she is positioning herself as a potential nominee should Trump be rendered ineligible due to his ongoing legal entanglements.
There is also speculation that Haley may position herself for potential candidacy in the 2028 presidential election. This strategy could leverage her status as the final contender against Trump in the current race, bolstering her narrative and fundraising potential. By initiating fundraising efforts immediately after the winner is announced in November, she could lay the groundwork for a future presidential bid, capitalizing on her perceived resilience and prominence within the Republican Party.
It is also possible that Haley does not have a grand strategy in mind; she might simply be driven by a desire to persevere and hope for a favorable outcome. However, Haley will inevitably need to conclude her persistent efforts before too long.
** Dalia Al-Aqidi is executive director at the American Center for Counter Extremism. X: @DaliaAlAqidi

Fierce competition to be hallmark of new space era
Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/February 29, 2024
Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus moon lander on Wednesday sent the first pictures of its moon landing to ground control, despite having faced a challenging touchdown a few days earlier. The images of its approach and of the lunar surface are part of a historic moment in space exploration.
The lander, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, faced initial communication issues. And, while some mission components suffered setbacks, Odysseus touched down the farthest south a vehicle has ever landed on the moon, opening great new possibilities for lunar exploration. As we all know, exploration in space is hard and the lander will cut short its mission due to its sideways landing. A day prior to these first images sent by Odysseus, Japan’s own first moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, known as SLIM, responded to a signal from Earth, suggesting it had survived a second lunar night (which lasts about 14 days). This was considered a “miracle” by JAXA, the Japanese space agency. The SLIM probe made a precise touchdown last month, making Japan the fifth country to successfully place a probe on the moon. Despite initial setbacks with solar panels and battery power, the mission achieved its primary goal, landing within a 100-meter target zone. This landing has opened up new possibilities regarding the technology employed for the future exploration of lunar resources like fuel, water and oxygen.
Another few days earlier, China’s space agency, the China Manned Space Agency, revealed the names of the spacecraft for its next lunar mission, including the Mengzhou (Dream Vessel) spaceship, Lanyue (Embracing the Moon) lunar lander and the Long March 10 super heavy-lift carrier rocket.
Competition for the establishment of settlements on the moon has heated up in recent years. This ambitious program aims to send Chinese astronauts to the moon by the end of the decade, which would make it the second country to achieve this feat. The Mengzhou spacecraft comprises a reentry module and a service module, while the Lanyue lunar lander will accommodate two astronauts and a rover. China’s recent achievements include the unmanned Chang’e missions and it has plans for a permanent lunar research station by 2040. This comes after a Chinese spacecraft in 2019 successfully landed on the moon’s far side and sent pictures back home. China’s Chang’e-4 spacecraft accomplished this global first.
Competition for the establishment of settlements on the moon has heated up in recent years, especially between the US and China. Both countries’ missions align with global interest in space exploration for scientific, prestige and resource-related reasons. The US’ Artemis missions are on the way, with Artemis 1 having already completed its mission by circling the moon with mannequins on board in late 2022. Artemis 2 is expected to follow a similar trajectory, carrying four astronauts, with a tentative launch date of no earlier than September 2025. Artemis 3, scheduled to land on the lunar surface in 2026, is contingent on successful execution, although both Artemis 2 and 3 have faced delays due to various technical challenges.
Before this week’s success, the US had been absent from the surface of the moon since 1972 and the final Apollo mission. However, this return bore an important difference to the previous space epoch: it was the first time a private company had landed on the moon. While previous missions were always led by NASA, this time we have a new model that opens the door to the commercialization of space opportunities. This new model started with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and was initiated by the US. This time we have a new model that opens the door to the commercialization of space opportunities
Main contender China, on the other hand, has so far chosen to use the old government model that the US and Soviet Union used while competing in space. However, this new epoch has, with the goal of future settlements on the moon in mind, brought potential economic opportunities that were unforeseen until now. It is still in its early days but this development can be a true booster for the global economy. There is no doubt that the US model that empowers the dynamism of the private sector is the right way to go about seizing this opportunity in the most efficient way. This future lunar opportunity might today be considered an add-on to the already burgeoning low Earth orbit economy, which has seen new companies appear with the promise of becoming prime players, just as the aerospace or the automotive industries did in the past. Yet, while the number of private satellites around Earth has exponentially increased and will continue to do so in the coming years, they have also become a potential target in any future direct military confrontation. This is why intelligence on Russia’s development of an anti-satellite nuclear weapon has been taken seriously.
With this new window of growth, there is little chance that space will continue to be an area of collaboration between countries, especially as it is no longer only about scientific discovery and projecting technological superiority, but of developing commercial and economic benefits. This is also why international agencies such as the UN, through the Office for Outer Space Affairs, are looking to regulate the space domain, especially the expected highway to the moon. However, with the UN’s difficulties in imposing rules on Earth, there is little hope it can keep up in space, putting at risk the 1967 Outer Space Treaty that guarantees the peaceful use of space. For now, the main obstacle to direct sabotage or confrontation is the difficulty of space. Yet, with maturing technologies and new dominance, this might all change. When the International Space Station’s lifespan comes to an end in 2031, the competition for space and potential new resources will be at its peak. Or it will be no more. Good old Earth politics still has to give its verdict.
**Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is the chief executive of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.

The intensity of climate change in Iran is increasing
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/February 29, 2024
With its diverse geography and unique climatic conditions, Iran is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. In recent years, the country has experienced a myriad of climate-related challenges, ranging from prolonged droughts and water scarcity to extreme weather events and ecosystem degradation. It is very important to examine the underlying factors exacerbating these challenges and propose actionable solutions to mitigate their impact. According to a report released by World Weather Attribution, the drought experienced in Iran between 2019 and 2023 represents, under current climatic conditions, a phenomenon occurring once every five years. However, in the absence of climate change’s impact, it would have been a rarity occurring only once every 80 years. Unprecedented heat waves, periods of drought and the gradual depletion of water bodies are compelling tens of thousands of Iranians to seek new habitats annually. Among these climate migrants are individuals hailing from agricultural, labor and fishing backgrounds, along with their families, as they depart rural regions en masse for the urban centers of Iran in search of fresh avenues of sustenance.
Iran’s location and climatic diversity make it susceptible to a wide range of climate-related risks. One of the most significant consequences of climate change in Iran is the exacerbation of water scarcity and droughts. With a large portion of its territory already classified as arid or semi-arid, Iran heavily relies on its limited water resources for agriculture, industry and domestic consumption. However, rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns have led to decreased precipitation, a diminished snowpack in mountainous regions and increased evaporation rates, exacerbating water stress across the country.
One of the most significant consequences of climate change in Iran is the exacerbation of water scarcity
More fundamentally, the agricultural sector, which forms the backbone of Iran’s economy and employs a significant portion of its population, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Droughts and water scarcity have led to decreased crop yields, a loss of arable land and increased desertification, threatening food security and livelihoods. Furthermore, extreme heat events and shifting climate conditions have disrupted traditional farming practices, forcing some farmers to adapt to new agricultural techniques or face significant economic losses.
It is important to point out that, in addition to water scarcity and agricultural impact, Iran is also experiencing more frequent and severe extreme weather events, including heat waves, storms and flash floods. These events not only pose immediate risks to human lives and infrastructure, but also have long-term implications for public health, economic stability and environmental sustainability. Moreover, climate change is contributing to the degradation of Iran’s unique ecosystems, including its forests, wetlands and marine habitats, further diminishing biodiversity and ecosystem services.
While climate change is a global phenomenon driven primarily by human activities, certain factors exacerbate its impacts in Iran. The first issue is linked to water mismanagement. Inefficient water management practices, outdated infrastructure and the overexploitation of groundwater resources have contributed to water scarcity and depletion in Iran. Additionally, inefficient irrigation techniques and a lack of investment in water conservation measures have further strained water resources, exacerbating the impacts of climate change.
It is also critical to note that Iran’s economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas, which are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The country’s dependence on fossil fuel revenues has hindered efforts to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, perpetuating its carbon-intensive economy and exacerbating climate change.
The third issue is that Iran’s rapidly growing population and rapid urbanization have placed additional pressure on natural resources and infrastructure, exacerbating the country’s environmental degradation and vulnerability to climate-related risks. Unplanned urban expansion, inadequate infrastructure and poor land-use planning have also increased the population’s exposure to climate hazards, such as floods, landslides and heat waves. In order to address climate change in Iran, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is required
In order to address climate change in Iran, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is required; one that tackles the underlying drivers of vulnerability and builds resilience to its impacts. One example would be to initiate sustainable water management strategies. Embracing water-saving technologies, promoting efficient irrigation practices, investing in water infrastructure upgrades and enforcing regulations to prevent the overexploitation of groundwater resources would all help mitigate water scarcity and improve water security in Iran.
In addition, there is a need to transition to renewable energy. Accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and hydropower, can reduce Iran’s reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy independence and sustainability.
Promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, such as drought-resistant crop varieties, soil conservation techniques and water-efficient irrigation systems, can enhance the resilience of Iran’s agricultural sector to the impacts of climate change. Investing in agricultural research and extension services, providing financial incentives for sustainable farming practices and strengthening agricultural insurance schemes can support adaptation efforts.
More importantly, protecting and restoring Iran’s natural ecosystems, including forests, wetlands and coastal areas, can enhance biodiversity, ecosystem services and resilience to climate change’s impacts. This means that implementing protected area management plans, enforcing environmental regulations and promoting community-based conservation initiatives can help preserve Iran’s valuable natural heritage. Finally, strengthening climate governance structures, enhancing institutional capacity and promoting stakeholder participation can facilitate effective climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in Iran.
In a nutshell, climate change poses significant challenges to Iran’s environment and society, exacerbating water scarcity, extreme weather events and ecosystem degradation — all impacting the region’s agriculture. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience to climate impact and promote sustainable development practices. In order to mitigate the impact of climate change and build a more sustainable and resilient future for the Iranian people and the planet, there is a need to implement sustainable water management strategies, transition to renewable energy sources, promote climate-resilient agriculture, conserve and restore ecosystems and strengthen climate governance and capacity.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh

Why Germany shields Israel from legitimate criticism
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg/Arab News/February 29, 2024
When Israel’s government equates criticism of its Gaza policies with antisemitism, it is understandably self-serving, as it has no other defense of its genocidal campaign. But why do other, more responsible governments censor critics of Israel’s deliberate, methodical and cruel destruction of Palestinians and anything that could support their life in Gaza or the West Bank in the future? Germany is a case in point. Here, any honest evaluation of Israel is labeled antisemitic and the country’s guilt over the Holocaust is weaponized to serve Israeli interests and silence its critics. According to Andreas Krieg, a German scholar of the Middle East, there appears to be a “criminalization of discourse on the Middle East in Germany.”
The uproar this week over the prestigious 74th Berlin International Film Festival illustrates the extent to which the antisemitism label is used to dismiss criticism of Israel. The Berlinale, as it is commonly known, concluded on Sunday with a controversy that should not have been about the screening of a film made by a collective of Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers.
The documentary, “No Other Land,” was awarded both the Panorama Audience Award (decided by audience vote) and the Berlinale Documentary Award (decided by the festival’s jury). The film documents the half-decade-long relationship between Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist from the West Bank, and Yuval Abraham, an Israeli journalist. It highlights how the residents of Adra’s village, Masafer Yatta, have fought for years against the destruction of their homes by Israeli soldiers and armed Jewish settlers.
Adra, Abraham, Rachel Szor and Hamdan Ballal co-directed the film. In their directors’ statement, they called for an end to the occupation and to “resist the reality of apartheid we were born into — from opposite, unequal sides.” They added: “Reality around us is becoming scarier, more violent, more oppressive, every day — and we are very weak in front of it. We can only shout out something radically different, this film — which at its core is a proposal for an alternate way Israelis and Palestinians can live in this land — not as oppressor and oppressed, but in full equality.”German officials have indicated that they may take action to punish Israel’s critics at the Berlinale.
During the awards ceremony, Abraham and Adra condemned the Gaza war, calling for a ceasefire and an end to German military aid to Israel. Adra said it was hard for him to celebrate while his compatriots in Gaza were being “slaughtered and massacred” and he called on Germany “to respect the UN calls and stop sending weapons to Israel.”Abraham pointed out that, even though the two stood as equals on stage in Berlin, they would soon return to a country where his Palestinian colleague would face institutionalized discrimination, without any voting rights and restricted in his movements based on his Palestinian license plate. Abraham then called for an end to “this apartheid, this inequality.”Adra and Abraham were not the only critics of Israel at the Berlinale awards ceremony. Another speech that prompted strong reactions from German politicians came from US filmmaker Ben Russell, who accepted an award while wearing the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. He said: “Of course, we also stand for life here and we stand against genocide and for a ceasefire in solidarity with all our comrades.”
There was nothing racist or antisemitic about any of this. Yet, there was unbridled criticism by German and Israeli officials of the Berlinale. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner criticized on X what he described as “intolerable relativization,” stressing that “Berlin is firmly on Israel’s side. There is no doubt about that … There is no place for antisemitism in Berlin and that also applies to the arts.” A lawmaker from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, Helge Lindh, described the audience’s applause as “shocking,” adding: “I am ashamed to see that in my country people today applaud accusations of genocide against Israel.” Frank Mueller-Rosentritt, another member of parliament, went for the jugular: “All federal funds for Berlinale must be stopped immediately and monies paid out for this year’s festival must be reclaimed.”
German officials have indicated that they may take action to punish Israel’s critics at the Berlinale. Claudia Roth, federal commissioner for culture and the media, issued a statement describing the speeches given by the directors of “No Other Land” as “shockingly one-sided and characterized by deep hatred of Israel.” She said on Monday there would be an investigation into the criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza during the awards ceremony. Germany Justice Minister Marco Buschmann also criticized the screening of the film, calling it antisemitic, and threatened criminal prosecution under laws meant to fight antisemitism.
Abraham and his family have received death threats after Israeli media accused him of antisemitism. “To stand on German soil as the son of Holocaust survivors and call for a ceasefire — and to then be labeled as antisemitic is not only outrageous, it is also literally putting Jewish lives in danger,” he told The Guardian. “I don’t know what Germany is trying to do with us. If this is Germany’s way of dealing with its guilt over the Holocaust, they are emptying it of all meaning.” He accused German officials of appropriating a term, “antisemitism,” that was designed to protect Jews, in order to silence Israel’s critics. “This is also dangerous because it devalues the term antisemitism,” he said. There has been criticism everywhere of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank, as voiced by the UN, human rights organizations and prominent writers, artists and political leaders in Israel and elsewhere. None of this should be dismissed as antisemitic.
Charges that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and practicing apartheid in the West Bank are now being adjudicated by the International Court of Justice, where two cases have been filed by South Africa. The lawsuits have demonstrated that criticisms of Israel’s conduct are factually based and well documented, not derived from antisemitic racism. Thomas Friedman, The New York Times columnist and no foe of Israel, said on Tuesday, “So the whole Israel-Gaza operation is starting to look to more and more people like a human meat grinder whose only goal is to reduce the population so that Israel can control it more easily.”While German attitudes have been explained by Holocaust guilt, they are also self-serving: Germany is coming under increasing scrutiny for its complicity in Israel’s actions, as it has continued to provide Tel Aviv with arms used in the invasion of Gaza and the suppression of Palestinians in the West Bank. Dismissing criticisms of Israel’s actions as antisemitic is meant to also absolve Germany of complicity in its breaches of international humanitarian law.
**Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the Gulf Cooperation Council assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent the GCC. X: @abuhamad1