Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 03-04/2024
Temptation & The Lost Son Parable Teach Us/Elias Bejjani/March 03/2024
Patriarch Al-Rahi: As long as the republic is without a president, chaos will multiply, the state will disintegrate, violation of laws will be permissible, and oppression of the powerful, the influential, and the excess of power will prevail.
Bishop Aoudi: Disrupting the election of the president is a condemnable act. Is it permissible for a group to decide for everyone else and be unique in making decisions that are not agreed upon by all the Lebanese and do not suit their interests?
US envoy due in Beirut to continue de-escalation talks
Hezbollah strikes Israeli forces: Direct hits unleashed near Al-Wazzani village
67% of Israelis attack the party!
No president before the end of the term of the House of Representatives!?
International warning messages to Lebanon
This “new development” prompted Hockstein to visit Lebanon
The German intervention squad will withdraw from Lebanon!
The party threatens Israel
Resistance as 'last stand': MP Ali Fayyad urges strength amidst Israeli aggression in Gaza, Lebanon
New Israeli missiles shake Aita al-Shaab and its neighbourhood.. and the “party” expands the scope of its targets/Hussein Saad//Janoubia/March 03, 2024
Hezbollah's Gaza support 'triggers' Israeli leverage: Will Lebanon be the next battleground?
'Green gold': Lebanon's avocado industry thrives on global stage
Adapting to adversity: How Lebanese students continue learning amidst conflict in southern Lebanon
Hochstein 3 in Beirut: Security of the settlers of the north first/Malak Aqeel/Asas Media/March 04, 2024
Hectic intelligence activity in the suburb and outside it: Lebanon is an open field/Munir Al-Rabie/Al-Modon/March 4, 2024

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 03-04/2024
Ceasefire negotiations teeter on edge as Israeli army faces operational challenges
US army says cargo ship sunk by Houthi strike poses environmental risk
Gaza civilian deaths test Israel's AI precision claims
Gaza truce talks in Cairo as heavy fighting rages
Arab foreign ministers meet in Riyadh to discuss Gaza war
Abbas to discuss intra-Palestinian dialogue in Ankara
Israel 'Accepts Ceasefire Proposal' - WH Official
Hamas Health Ministry: The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 30410 since the start of the war
Palestinian president to visit Turkey at the invitation of President Erdoğan
Israeli military review claims that Gaza aid convoy deaths result of stampede
Maintaining GCC-Egypt diplomatic links vital to regional security: Egyptian foreign minister
Netanyahu Rebukes Israeli Rival Ahead of Washington Trip
Hamas says Gaza truce possible 'within 24 to 48 hours' if Israel accepts terms
Airdrops and arms deals: Unraveling the US approach in the Israel-Gaza conflict
Houthis vow to sink more UK ships in the Red Sea
An Israeli plan to destroy border villages... and a suspicious project to settle the displaced

Titles For The Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on March 03-04/2024
Escalation Towards an Independent Terrorist State/Nils A. Haug/Gatestone Institute./March 3, 2024
UK’s Labour needs a comprehensive immigration strategy/Dr. Azeem Ibrahim/Arab News/March 03, 2024
Sweden’s NATO admission is great news for European security/Luke Coffey/Arab News/March 03, 2024
Embracing digital innovation in wildlife conservation/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/March 03, 2024
Turkiye making strides in improving its air force/Yasar Yakis/Arab News/March 03, 2024

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 03-04/2024
Temptation & The Lost Son Parable Teach Us
Elias Bejjani/March 03/2024
In our Maronite Catholic Church’s rite, on the Fourth Lent Sunday we recall and cite the biblical Lost Son’s parable that is known also as The Prodigal Son. (Lost Son) This impulsive, selfish and thoughtless son, as the parable tells us, fell prey to evil’s temptation and decided to take his share of his father’s inheritance and leave the parental dwelling. He travelled to a far-away city where he indulged badly in all evil conducts of pleasure and corruption until he lost all his money and became penniless. He experienced severe poverty, starvation, humiliation and loneliness. In the midst of his dire hardships he felt nostalgic, came back to his senses and decided with great self confidence to return back to his father’s house, kneel on his feet and ask him for forgiveness. On his return his loving and kind father received him with rejoice, open arms, accepted his repentance, and happily forgave him all his misdeeds. Because of his sincere repentance his Father gave him back all his privileges as a son. This parable is a road map for repentance and forgiveness. It shows us how much Almighty God our Father loves us, we His children and how He is always ready with open arms and willing to forgive our sins and trespasses when we come back to our senses, recognize right from wrong, admit our weaknesses and wrongdoings, eagerly and freely return to Him and with faith and repentance ask for His forgiveness. Asking Almighty God for what ever we need is exactly what the Holy Bible instructs us to do when encountering all kinds of doubt, weaknesses, stumbling, hard times, sickness, loneliness, persecution, injustice etc. Matthew 07/07&08: “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened” All what we have to do is to pray and to ask Him with faith, self confidence and humility and He will respond. Matthew 21/22: “All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
We are not left alone at any time, especially when in trouble, no matter how far we distance ourselves from God and disobey His Holy bible. He is a Father, a loving, caring and forgiving Father. What is definite is that in spite of our foolishness, stupidity, ignorance, defiance and ingratitude He never ever abandons us or gives up on our salvation. He loves us because we His are children. He happily sent His only begotten son to be tortured, humiliated and crucified in a bid to absolve our original sin.’ God carries our burdens and helps us to fight all kinds of Evil temptations.
Matthew11/28-30: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
God is waiting for our repentance, let us run to Him and ask for forgiveness before it is too late
Reading in the Lost Son Parable symbol
Sin in its essence is turning away from God, and the circle of living with Him, which is the Church, and attachment to His gifts, starting with oneself and ending with the earth’s bounties, whether large or small. We become attached to the gift and forget its giver. This is what the younger son did by taking his share of his father’s wealth and traveling to a far away country, in vain. Fellowship of sonship with him and the family of the household. The parable appeared as a result of the state of living in sin, which is the loss of the dignity of sonship, and spiritual, moral and social decadence, expressed in hunger, tending pigs and eating from their carobs. As for repentance, it begins with standing with oneself before God, known as examining one’s conscience and realizing the state of misery. As a result of staying away from Him, remorse and regret for the painful reality are born in the heart. Then comes the decision to return to God and the Church, and acknowledge the sins, and the goals of escaping from their causes, and compensating for them with acts of goodness and mercy. This is what the youngest son did, when he rose up and returned to his father.”
“Here was the reconciliation emanating from the heart of the Heavenly Father, who, with His infinite mercy, awaits the return of sinners in order to exercise His tenderness, love, and mercy. This is clearly expressed in the Gospel parable. While the son was far away, his father saw him, embraced him with his tenderness, met him, and kissed him for a long time. He did not allow his son to utter a confession of his sins. Except interspersed with the infinite mercy of His Father. How many times in the Gospel did the Lord Jesus express the joy of the Heavenly Father over one sinner who repents. The fruits of reconciliation were indicated by the symbols used in the Gospel parable, which are:
A- The luxurious suit symbolizes the garment of grace that we originally wore on the day of baptism. It was stained by our sins.
B- The ring is on his finger symbolizes restored sonship to God. It indicates God's faithfulness, which exceeds our sins, and our faithfulness to God. It is the seal of honesty.
C- The new shoes symbolize the new path that God opens before us to lead an upright life worthy of our sonship to God.
D- The fattened calf and the joy of the gathered family symbolize the Eucharistic banquet and the Divine Mass. Which means that true repentance qualifies us to sit at the wedding table of the Lamb: that is, to participate in the divine sacrifice and to partake of the body and blood of the Lord.”
“There remains the issue of the eldest son who refused to reconcile with his brother and sit at the table, because of his hatred for his brother, his rejection of his father’s kindness, and because of his selfishness and envy. He represents every human being who does not know the taste of reconciliation. Meanwhile the human being who has not experienced reconciliation with God and its fruits cannot practice it.” And he lives it with people. Here comes the church’s primary role, which is to help people reconcile with God by changing the course of their lives and thus reconciling people.

Patriarch Al-Rahi: As long as the republic is without a president, chaos will multiply, the state will disintegrate, violation of laws will be permissible, and oppression of the powerful, the influential, and the excess of power will prevail.
National/March 3, 2024
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi presided over Sunday’s mass in the Church of Our Lady in the Patriarchal edifice in Bkerke, assisted by the Patriarchal Vicar, Bishop Antoine Awkar, and the participation of a number of bishops, priests and nuns,
After the Holy Gospel, Al Rhi delivered a sermon entitled: “While he was far away, his father saw him and had compassion for him” (Luke 15:20). He said,Political officials in Lebanon need to reconcile with each other, by purifying their memories and consciences, turning the page on the past, and raising trust among them. If they did, they would live with joy, cooperate with confidence, and put the good of Lebanon and the Lebanese above all considerations. Unfortunately, political practice today contradicts these principles, and for this reason there remains tension and the relentless pursuit of personal and factional interests at the expense of the common good. Reconciliation and peace, guaranteed by noble performance, are the only way out of the crisis of electing a president of the republic. We bless and thank every effort to elect the president in the spirit of reconciliation and peace. In particular, we mention the Committee of Five Ambassadors and the Moderates Group. By electing the president, the constitutional institutions, led by the Parliament and the government, gain legitimacy to practice in accordance with the constitution. As long as the Lebanese Republic is without a president, chaos will multiply, the state will disintegrate, violation of laws will become permissible, and injustice will prevail among the powerful, the influential, and the surplus of power.”He continued: “In this hectic atmosphere in the world and here in the region where the language of weapons and wars dominates, we say to the rulers of countries and to those who have advanced weapons in their hands: Do not look at your weapons and think that you are strong with them. Rather, look at your hearts, and you will realize that you are weak in your humanity. Without humanity. Be great with the love of your hearts. What horror and shame are the crimes taking place in the Gaza Strip? We strongly condemn the massacres committed there against the Palestinian people by the evil Israelis: they deliberately kill dozens of people waiting for food aid, while they are starving. Others are dying of hunger on The roads are under their watch, and others are being deliberately killed while on the roads, displaced from their demolished homes, and fleeing under the fire of cannons and missiles. What a brutal crime. We in Lebanon should not let anyone in our country slide into war, killing, destruction, displacement and displacement, without benefit, and for issues that the Lebanese in general have nothing to do with. And to our people in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s message is to be a land of peace, and a pioneer of peace by virtue of its composition and cultural and religious diversity, and by virtue of its history, political system, and covenant of coexistence. And for the Lebanese, officials and people, to realize that “peace is the fruit of justice” (Isaiah 23:7), and “it is born from love". That is why peace is built every day. Let this honorable duty be one of our first responsibilities in the family, society, and state (see The Church in the World Today, 78). The shepherd concluded: “We pray, beloved brothers and sisters, to God to stir the conscience of every human being, which is his voice in the depths of man. Everyone realizes their sins, repents for them, and reconciles with God, themselves, and people. To Him be glory and thanksgiving, now and forever, Amen.”

Bishop Aoudi: Disrupting the election of the president is a condemnable act. Is it permissible for a group to decide for everyone else and be unique in making decisions that are not agreed upon by all the Lebanese and do not suit their interests?
NNA/March 3, 2024
The Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut and its dependencies, Bishop Elias Aoudi, presided over the Mass service in St. George's Cathedral, in the presence of a crowd of believers. After the Gospel, he gave a sermon in which he said: One of our brothers, the late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Alayli, said when he was a mufti in Mount Lebanon: “Lebanon and holiness are two equals. This is how the heavenly books labeled him, so they honored him as a religion and called him a religion. We all had what looked like being crowned with laurel wreaths. What do you think of a mountain that is in the consciousness of heaven, holiness connected to holiness? He said: “I wish we all realized the importance of our homeland and the necessity of preserving it. Lebanon needs the unity of all officials, leaders and all its people around its interest, which is the interest of everyone. It needs concerted efforts in order to save it, and the first work that officials must do is to elect a president who will lead the rescue process.” Delaying the election of the president or disrupting the election is a condemnable act because it prevents rescue and contributes to the elimination of what remains of the country’s components and what remains of its people who cling to it. Here it must be pointed out the danger of the expansion of the war on Lebanon. We all know that we are facing a ferocious, criminal enemy. He is not deterred by conscience or humanity, so do we put ourselves in the mouth of the dragon? If we know that our Lebanon cannot bear the consequences of this enemy’s brutality, and we witnessed what happened to Gaza, which made hearts bloody, is it not wise to prevent Lebanon from sliding into something similar to what happened there? “Everything.” It is permissible for me, but not everything agrees,” says the Apostle Paul. Think about the interest of Lebanon and its survival. The interest of Lebanon and its children rises above all interests. Is it permissible for a group of Lebanese to decide for everyone else and be unique in making decisions that are not agreed upon by all the Lebanese, and that do not suit their interest? Is this accepted? Would another group of people take the initiative to take positions or carry out actions that would plunge everyone into conflicts for which everyone would pay the price? Where is the state in all this? All Lebanese must reflect carefully on the situation we have reached and quickly return to Lebanon’s confinement, as a prodigal son returned to his father’s embrace, and work diligently to save it so that we do not cry over a country that God gave us and we did not preserve, but rather we tampered with it and tore it apart like a child tearing up a toy, out of ignorance.
He concluded: “God is a compassionate and merciful Father who awaits the return of every sinner. Therefore, our call today is, before entering into Great Lent, to repent and return with a contrite and humble heart to God who will accept us, and hear His beautiful voice saying: “Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

US envoy due in Beirut to continue de-escalation talks
REUTERS/March 03, 2024
BEIRUT: US envoy Amos Hochstein will visit Beirut on Monday to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict across the Lebanese-Israeli border and bringing stability, a senior Lebanese official and a White House official said on Sunday. The Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel have been locked in hostilities for months in parallel to the Gaza war. It has marked the worst conflict between the heavily armed adversaries since a 2006 war, fueling fears of an even bigger confrontation. Lebanon deputy parliament speaker Elias Bou Saab, one of the officials due to meet Hochstein, told Reuters he believed the timing of his visit pointed to progress in efforts to secure a Gaza truce “within the next few hours or days.” “If this happens, I believe that Hochstein’s visit this time will be of great importance to follow up on the truce on our southern borders and to discuss what is needed for stability and ending the possibility of the expansion of the war with Lebanon,” he said. The White House official did not offer further details about the visit. Washington has said a ceasefire deal in the Gaza war is close and is aiming to have it be in effect by the start of Ramadan, a week away. Israel however boycotted talks in Cairo on Sunday after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list of hostages that are still alive, an Israeli newspaper reported. Hezbollah has publicly indicated that it would halt its attacks on Israel from Lebanon when the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip stops, but that it was also ready to keep on fighting if Israel continued hostilities. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati told Reuters on Thursday that a halt to fighting in the Gaza Strip as early as this week would trigger indirect talks to end hostilities along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel. Bou Saab said Hochstein had “serious ideas that may provide the beginning of a sustainable solution, stability, and banishing the spectre of war that will not be in anyone’s interest.”Hochstein, who visited Beirut in January, previously brokered a rare diplomatic deal between Lebanon and Israel in 2022 to delineate their maritime border. Designated a terrorist group by the United States, Hezbollah has not been a direct party to his diplomatic efforts. Instead his ideas have been passed on by Lebanese mediators. The group wields significant influence over the Lebanese state. The Gaza war began when Hamas stormed Israel on Oct. 7, in an attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in another 253 being abducted, according to Israeli tallies. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the Israeli offensive launched in response, according to Gaza health authorities.

Hezbollah strikes Israeli forces: Direct hits unleashed near Al-Wazzani village
LBCI/March 3, 2024
On Sunday, Hezbollah revealed that its fighters targeted an Israeli military force near the village of Al-Wazzani with appropriate weapons. It added that they achieved "direct hits that forced the enemy forces to launch smoke shells to cover the process of recovering the dead and wounded by helicopters from the targeted site."

67% of Israelis attack the party!
Al-Modon/03 March/2024
An Israeli public opinion poll, conducted by the Maariv newspaper, showed that 67% of Israelis believe that Israel should continue launching attacks against the Lebanese Hezbollah, even if a ceasefire agreement is reached in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah announces a ceasefire from On his side, in order to ensure his removal from the border area with Lebanon, while only 17% of them expressed their belief that Israel should cease fire between itself and Hezbollah. On the other hand, the poll showed that if the Israeli general elections were held now, each of the party camp lists supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would obtain 43 seats (one seat less than the number of seats it obtained in last week’s poll), while the lists The camp of parties opposing him will get 68 seats (one more than the number of seats it got in last week’s poll), the coalition list between Hadash [the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality] and Ta’al [the Arab Movement for Change] will get 5 seats, and the Ra’am list [the United Arab List] ] for 4 seats, and the Balad [National Democratic Rally] list will not be able to exceed the electoral threshold (3.25%). According to the poll, the Likud Party list, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will obtain 18 seats, the “Official Camp” coalition list, headed by the Minister in the “War Cabinet,” Benny Gantz, will obtain 41 seats, and the “There is a Future” list, headed by a Knesset member. Yair Lapid, 12 seats. For the third week in a row, the “Religious Zionism” party list, headed by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, was unable to exceed the electoral threshold in the poll, while the “Otzma Yehudit” list, headed by Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, obtained 9 seats. The Shas party list of the eastern Haredi [religious extremist] Jews won 10 seats, the Haredi United Torah Judaism party list won 6 seats, the “Israel Our Home” party list, headed by Knesset member Avigdor Lieberman, won 10 seats, and the Meretz party list won 5 seats. Meanwhile, according to this poll, the Labor Party list will not be able to exceed the electoral threshold. 50% of the respondents said that the head of the “Official Camp” coalition, Benny Gantz, is the most suitable to assume the position of Prime Minister of Israel, while 33% of them said that the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is the most suitable. The survey included a sample of 511 people representing all categories of the adult population in Israel, with a maximum error rate of 4.3%.

No president before the end of the term of the House of Representatives!?
Kuwait News/March 03, 2024
Lebanon is filled with an abundance of daily statements, ranging from optimistic, conservative and pessimistic, amid a complete absence of an official decision embodied by the President of the Republic, considering that the government has resigned and is conducting business until the presidential vacuum ends. Through the movement of the “Group of Five” and according to “Al-Anbaa” data, there will be no election for a president before the end of the term of the current House of Representatives, if nothing happens to change the situation from one situation to another, in addition to field developments and conferences abroad, related to Lebanon and the region, which indicate a new reality on the ground. At the level of the region as a whole and Lebanon in particular, the election of the president comes within this atmosphere, which will bring about a parliament that simulates the nature of the changes. It is natural, according to Al-Anbaa information, that the presence of the Future Movement in parliament and politics will be stronger than it was in the next phase, provided that Prime Minister Saad Hariri stays, this time for a long time, to return to participation in political life, and that new parties are established. Her role is inspired by the next stage.

International warning messages to Lebanon
Kuwait News/March 03, 2024
In new international messages to Lebanon, a well-informed Lebanese source revealed to Al-Anbaa that “continuous warnings to Lebanon of the consequences of continuing to open the southern front by Hezbollah continue, the most recent of which is what Lebanese leaders heard that the closer the truce in the Gaza Strip approached, the closer the wave of escalation approached.” The Israeli madness, because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the delegates who visited Tel Aviv that he will not stop the military operations in Lebanon except with an intense wave of air and missile bombardment that will target a specific target bank related to Hezbollah’s infrastructure, which is represented by sites, military centers, institutions affiliated with it, and places occupied by leaders. And cadres, taking care to neutralize civilians.” In light of this atmosphere, the Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, had a fruitful visit to the Italian capital (Rome), where he participated in the army support meeting, in the presence of the commanders of the armies of Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and Britain, and presented a list of the basic requests that the army needs to enable it to continue carrying out its tasks. Logistically, operationally, and medically vital. General Aoun also presented the army’s situation and the challenges it faces at various levels, and ways to support it and enhance its capabilities were discussed. The participants praised the role of the army in protecting security and stability, and the importance of its support and assistance in overcoming the exceptional difficulties at the current stage. He also held separate meetings with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in the presence of the Italian Army Commander, then Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Director of Foreign Intelligence Giovanni Caravelli.

This “new development” prompted Hockstein to visit Lebanon
Al Jaded TV/03 March/2024
Al-Jadeed reported that the goal of the visit of American envoy Amos Hockstein to Lebanon and his meeting with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is to ensure the security situation in the south and confirm the ceasefire. She pointed out that the United States' guarantee that regional negotiations would proceed towards a truce agreement before the month of Ramadan is what prompted Hockstein to set a date to visit Lebanon.

The German intervention squad will withdraw from Lebanon!
DPA/03 March 2024
The German Ministry of Defense stated that "the German Rapid Action Team is prepared to withdraw from Lebanon if the war in the Gaza Strip expands to include other countries in the region." She said in a post on her account on the “X” platform: The rapid intervention team specialized in evacuation missions was finally prepared for evacuation from Lebanon in the event that the war in the Gaza Strip expands to include the entire region. She pointed out that "its forces deployed in the Middle East are working on specific tasks, the most important of which is carrying out the evacuation of citizens from some areas." The German news agency reported earlier, “The German armed forces have deployed more than 1,000 soldiers in the Middle East, primarily in Cyprus, to carry out a possible operation to evacuate German citizens from the conflict zone.” Lebanon's southern border has witnessed intermittent exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on October 7. The pace of Israeli bombing of Lebanese border villages and towns escalated, as the Israeli army targeted many civilian homes, leading to the killing of civilians, including children. In return, Hezbollah expanded its operations on Israeli sites and settlements.

The party threatens Israel
Alkalema online/ March 3, 2024
The head of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc, MP Muhammad Raad, considered that “the Israeli enemy is quickly approaching the moment of its demise and end, because the scene of brutality does not create a victory and does not create an image of victory at all, but rather an image of a brutal crime and revenge.” He said, “The victor is the one who challenges the perpetrators of this scene and the one who remains steadfast and does not respond to the conditions of the aggressors against Gaza and its people.” He added, "We say to the Israeli enemy that we are waiting for the great sin to be committed in order to put the fate of your entity on the line, and America's support for the enemy will not frighten us, even though we know its weaknesses." In turn, a member of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc, MP Ali Fayyad, responded to the threats of the Israeli Minister of War, saying: The Minister of War says that Israel has so far used only 10% of its capabilities with Hezbollah, and we tell him that our resistance has only used 5% of its capabilities in the confrontation. With the Israeli enemy, he only has to wait and take a thousand calculations if he wants to expand this battle and push it towards an open war.”Fayyad pointed out, “Everything that is happening in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and the region, after the Al-Aqsa flood, must be read carefully, and its lessons must be learned well. The first and most important of these lessons is that in the face of Israeli criminality, American cover, and Western leniency, we have no guarantee other than “Our strength, our reliance on ourselves, and our constant readiness to be able to defend ourselves, our land, our sovereignty, and our homeland through resistance,” stressing, “All other options have fallen horribly, and all bets on the international system and international institutions have vanished, and there is nothing left for us if we want to have a life and to be ours.” There is no future except resistance.”In turn, MP Raed Berro, a member of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, affirmed that “the resistance in Lebanon possesses sufficient wisdom and courage to deter the Zionist enemy and protect Lebanon.” During a speech he delivered at a political meeting with Hezbollah women’s bodies in the town of Kafrsala - Amchit, Berro stressed the strategic dimension of the steadfastness and victory of the resistance in Palestine, stressing that “the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people establishes a new phase in the region.” During the meeting, Berro reviewed the various scenarios that occurred since October 7, pointing out “the failure of international resolutions to protect the most basic rights of the Palestinian people, who are subjected to the worst forms of genocide and starvation, in light of the complicity and silence of those claiming freedom and defending human rights, led by the United States of America.”

Resistance as 'last stand': MP Ali Fayyad urges strength amidst Israeli aggression in Gaza, Lebanon
LBCI/March 3, 2024 Member of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, MP Ali Fayyad, considered that "everything happening in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and the region after the Al-Aqsa Flood must be read carefully, and its lessons must be learned well."
He stated, "The first and most important of these lessons is that in the face of Israeli criminality, American cover, and Western leniency, we have no guarantee except our strength, reliance on ourselves, and our constant readiness to defend ourselves, our land, our sovereignty, and our nation through resistance."
He added, "All other options have fallen catastrophically, and all bets on the international system and international institutions have vanished. If we want to have a life and a future, there is nothing left for us except resistance."
He pointed out during a commemorative ceremony organized by Hezbollah that "resistance is no longer just a liberation mechanism but a framework for protecting existence and creating the future in this 'jungle' dominated by savagery."
He said, "As long as our presence is targeted, our land is occupied, and our sovereignty is violated, our right to resistance is non-negotiable. As long as Israel targets our civilians, villages, and the depth of Lebanese territories, we must respond to deter the enemy, protect our land, and restore security and stability to our villages and regions."He affirmed that the resistance focuses on its operations and targets on Israeli military sites. MP Ali Fayyad reiterated, "we have no choice but to defend our people. If the enemy exceeds, we exceed. If they intensify, we intensify. This is our defensive deterrent right because the enemy is the occupier and the aggressor, and we are the ones being attacked."He added, "The Israeli Minister of Defence says that Israel has so far used only 10 percent of its capabilities with Hezbollah, and we tell him that our resistance has used only 5 percent of its capabilities in confronting the Israeli enemy. All he has to do is wait and calculate if he wants to expand in this battle and push it towards an open war."

New Israeli missiles shake Aita al-Shaab and its neighbourhood.. and the “party” expands the scope of its targets
Hussein Saad//Janoubia/March 03, 2024
The border neighbors of Aita al-Shaab have not heard sounds as loud as the ones they heard today, as a result of the Israeli enemy’s military raids, since the start of the Israeli aggression. These massive and violent raids, which were targeted at night in the center of the town of Aita al-Shaab (Abu Laban neighborhood), after the raids subsided in the morning and afternoon hours, along the southern front, used huge missiles that shook the area adjacent to the town, where more than 12 martyrs have been recorded so far. On the road to Jerusalem, hundreds of homes, institutions and shops were destroyed and damaged, turning some neighborhoods into rubble. The military aircraft raids on Aita al-Shaab came simultaneously, with violent raids as well, on the al-Jabbana area in the town of Kafr Kila, which is one of the direct border towns, paying the price for its steadfastness, offering a number of martyrs and wounded, and great destruction in its sprawling homes overlooking the interior. The occupied Palestinian north (Metula). The raids also extended, with drones, on Yaroun and Aitaroun, in the Bint Jbeil area, amid artillery shelling that included many axes in the border area. The missiles launched by enemy warplanes “crushed” the homes of the targeted citizens, from Naqoura, through Maroun al-Ras and Dhahira, all the way to Blida and Mays al-Jabal, so that not a single corner remained in these homes, and the rubble spread over wide areas. In return for this scale of killing and destruction. The Israeli army, which lasted for five months, minus five days, diversified and distributed Hezbollah support and assistance operations to Gaza, targeting new geographical areas. It bombed, for the first time, an Israeli military force opposite the town of Wazzani, reporting that precise casualties were achieved there, and also bombed Jal al-Alam, near Naqoura, with a Burkan missile, and targeting the sites of Jabal Nadhar, Al-Sammaqa, Al-Malikiyah, and Al-Mutulla, with missile weapons.

Hezbollah's Gaza support 'triggers' Israeli leverage: Will Lebanon be the next battleground?
LBCI/March 3, 2024
Since Hezbollah got involved in supporting Gaza, Israeli entities have hinted at expanding the war in Lebanon. Amid truce negotiations and captive exchanges, some fear Israel's intrusion into Lebanon after completing its operations in its southern front. Is it in its interest to expand the battlefield on land?
Israel's strength lies in its aerial and technological superiority, allowing precise target detection and strikes. However, it acknowledges its vulnerability on the ground. Hezbollah, rooted in the geography and border environment, has accumulated military and logistical capabilities and experiences. Diplomatic sources suggest that this ongoing aerial war allows Israel to achieve its objectives against the resistance. On the other hand, some emphasize the following equation: Israel desires war but is unable to [go through it], while the resistance can but does not want it.
Why does Israel seek war?
According to sources close to Hezbollah, Israel prefers a decisive solution. The expected displacement of approximately 150,000 settlers in the north is considered the worst in its history. Hezbollah has imposed a "security belt" over a distance of approximately ten kilometers. On the other hand, Israel is unable to bear the burden of war. Its exhausted army is incapable of fighting on two fronts, and the Israeli interior is unable to withstand the power of Hezbollah's missiles, of which only a small part has been used, revealed the same sources. The sources also recall what Hassan Nasrallah stated: If the enemy carries out its threats, it must realize that the 100,000 settlers who left the north will not return. They should prepare shelters for over two million settlers, not just 100,000.

'Green gold': Lebanon's avocado industry thrives on global stage
LBCI/March 3, 2024
European demand for these Lebanese fruits has noticeably increased in the past four years as this agriculture has become subject to international certifications and standards. This is a result of training conducted by foreign associations for farmers in many regions. Now, you can find them in the Netherlands, the UK, France, Germany, Eastern Europe, and beyond. Imagine that shipments to Europe have increased from 40 tons in 2020 to 1000 tons in 2023, making this market promising. While it is true that the European market's import of Lebanese avocados is rapidly growing, currently, the primary importers are Arab countries, importing 8000 tons, led by Egypt and Jordan, followed by Iraq and the Gulf countries. Lebanon now exports about 9000 tons of avocados, valued at around 15 million dollars, up from approximately 10 million in 2020. Consequently, it needs new markets, especially as it has the capacity to increase production. All of this contributes to bringing hard currency into the country. As a reminder, focusing on avocado cultivation and exports was among the recommendations of the economic plan prepared by McKinsey & Company for the Lebanese government.  It considered avocados to be a differentiating advantage for Lebanon, possessing an edge over others, as this agriculture does not require significant investments, and Lebanon's climate is conducive to it. Will Lebanon give greater importance to this agriculture, often referred to as the "green gold"?

Adapting to adversity: How Lebanese students continue learning amidst conflict in southern Lebanon
LBCI/March 3, 2024
Between the rubble and destruction in Beit Lif, Batoul, a student, emerged from her damaged home and sought refuge at the public school in Tyre. There, she lives and learns. From her "displacement room," Batoul walks with her brother to join the class, where she continues her academic pursuits in person. However, despite their determination to learn, Batoul and other students in the southern border villages are not enviable in their educational situation or exam preparations. Like Batoul, Aya, a displaced individual from Khiam to Nabatieh, continues her class studies online, facing challenges such as internet issues and the impact of news about bombings and the sounds thereof. On the side of the town of Khiam, which is exposed to daily Israeli shelling, students in Marjaayoun face study challenges amidst war, bombings, and online education. According to figures, about 75 schools and vocational institutes are closed in the South and Nabatieh due to the war, directly affecting around 18,000 students. More than 5,500 laptops and tablets have been distributed to teachers and students to support online learning in collaboration between the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, UNESCO, and some donor countries. According to the Ministry of Education, the Baccalaureate Certificate exams will proceed, including students from the South and Nabatieh. The Center for Educational Research and Development is working on assessing the progress of lessons in Nabatieh and the South to streamline the official exams in these provinces, meaning reducing the number of required lessons in each subject. Exams in these provinces will occur at a time different from the rest of Lebanon, in centers located away from hot zones. All matters are contingent on the security situation in the south at that time. As for the Intermediate Certificate (Brevet), the Ministry seeks cabinet approval to cancel the Intermediate Certificate exams and replace them with a unified exam in schools that will undertake the corrections. Lessons will also be condensed, and specific schools away from hot zones will be designated to organize the unified exams.

After the imbalance of power between Hezbollah and Israel...is this the function of the Mahdavi weapons?!
Ali Al-Amin/Janoubia/March 03, 2024
Regardless of Lebanon’s “war” or “peaceful” future, and its causal relationship to the war on Gaza, there are questions that impose themselves, about “Hezbollah” and its “Mahdavi” weapon and its new function, after the imbalance of power in favor of Israel, and the fall of its martyrs, as well as the civilian martyrs, On the road to an ambiguous Jerusalem, the weapons that were created for it are no longer useful, in parallel with real fears that it will turn more and more inward and invest it in continuing to destroy the structure of the state. The frequently asked question in Lebanon: Will the truce on the Gaza front, if achieved, extend to the Lebanon front?
It seems that, about five months after the “Al-Aqsa Flood,” Hezbollah, which linked its acceptance of a ceasefire in Lebanon to the achievement of a truce in Gaza, is today faced with the reality that this decision is no longer in its hands, but in the hands of the Israeli army, which linked Between a safe return for the settlers of the north, ensuring that they will not be exposed to any possible attack in the future, that is, Israel is clinging to changing the reality of the borders, so that it does not return to what it was before the “Al-Aqsa Flood.”
While Amal Movement MP Hani Qubaisi was expressing his dissatisfaction with the government’s neglect of its duties towards the south, in light of the conditions it is suffering today due to the war, the head of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc, MP Muhammad Raad, heralded the end of the entity soon, on the other hand. Attention appears to be drawn to the return of US Presidential Energy Advisor Amos Hochstein to Beirut tomorrow (Monday) and the good news that it may bring, related to a truce on the Lebanese border, albeit without many shuttle trips between Beirut and Tel Aviv, perhaps leading to a truce or agreement. While the war government in Israel does not seem in a hurry to calm down, without an unprecedented concession on the borders offered by Hezbollah. Israeli bullying from Gaza to Lebanon has become clear, through the continuous evasion of any commitment to a truce, while the “Hamas” movement is rushing it and the people of Gaza are seeking it, after the “Gaza Strip” has turned into a free death arena for its people and an Israeli shooting field that does not change its situation. Neither the positions of the axis of resistance, nor Positions that call for respect for human rights in all their dimensions.
Likewise, in Lebanon, the road to Jerusalem, in whose name martyrs fall without taking it, is no longer understood, to the extent that it has become a road for Israel to destroy what remains of Lebanon. Lebanon, destroyed economically, financially, and politically, is an objective condition for the “next day” after Gaza. It is an Israeli strategic demand that was implemented during the previous two decades, and continues today in the confrontation with Israel, as long as “Hezbollah” considers that the function of weapons is “its specialty.” Imam Mahdi, and preserving him is a “divine function,” higher than national and Lebanese accounts, so for this purpose he will not be stingy in making concessions to Benjamin Netanyahu, for the sake of preserving weapons inside Lebanon.
After practically blocking the road to Jerusalem, the Lebanese roads remain open to this weapon. Just as Israel considers that the hostile environment justifies all this armament, bullying and crime, why not Hezbollah as well, in light of all this aversion to it, if not hostility, Those around him are Lebanese, Syrians, and even Arabs, strengthening themselves with weapons in the face of all of them, especially in Lebanon.
The West, Israel and America “do not care,” as Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah himself said, “except for Israel’s security in Lebanon.” So what prevents Hezbollah from practically providing the conditions required for this security, and unleashing its surplus power internally? To search for a new job wrapped in the defense of Lebanon, and in its content is to further spread non-statehood and chaos, as it is an opportunity to preserve the weapon of “Imam Mahdi,” and perhaps non-statehood and chaos will accelerate his appearance to fill the earth with equity and justice. What was previously mentioned may seem like a lot of imagination, but it is The only one who can justify the continuation of madness in Lebanon. Yes, this madness, as long as it is a suspicious escape from the questions of reality. The Lebanese have the right to have an opinion, in everything that affects his existence in Lebanon. He has the right to distance his country from avoidable dangers, in building the state, in Lebanon’s role and position in this world. In answering the question of bread, medicine and education, in approaching the right of the citizen over the official, in building society and the human being, in the right to work, in the meaning of the unity of the people, and many other questions that emerge from under the rubble of the state.

Hochstein 3 in Beirut: Security of the settlers of the north first
Malak Aqeel/Asas Media/March 04, 2024
US presidential envoy Amos Hochstein arrives in Beirut today on his third visit since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7. Between February, the date of the visit to Beirut, which had not yet taken place, the Hochstein station in Tel Aviv, and March, no revolutionary changes were recorded in the balance of military power. Whether in Gaza or southern Lebanon. Despite the increase in the intensity of the military confrontations and the persistence of the Israeli enemy in its attacks, all the way to Baalbek. But the Lebanese side is betting on a “proposal” conveyed by the American visitor that may break the static of military and political attrition. Hochstein's visit, which did not take place in February, was replaced by a visit by French Foreign Minister Stephane Ségournet, carrying security proposals that did not receive any response from the Lebanese side. Especially the party that described them as “Israeli proposals.” The Frenchman “displaced” from the path and the American appeared again, fortified with the good intentions that President Najib Mikati heard from the American envoy. When he met him in Munich, he told him “about the continuing American pressure on Tel Aviv to prevent it from expanding the war with Lebanon.” A diplomatic source told Asas: “Hochstein’s visit is closely linked to the truce process in Gaza, the first stages of which are supposed to begin before the month of Ramadan. But so far, there have been no obstacles related to the details. Especially in the issue of prisoners and detainees and the return of displaced Palestinians to southern and northern Gaza.” He points out that the Lebanese Hochstein station “is closer to the American accompaniment to establish stability in the south in conjunction with the start of the truce.” Especially since Israel has repeated more than once its threat to separate Gaza from southern Lebanon if the party remains entrenched in its combat positions in the border areas.”
A diplomatic source for “ASAS”: Hochstein’s visit is related to the truce process in Gaza
The source notes, “Hochstein brought old and new proposals to establish stability in the south. But gradually, most importantly, extracting a Lebanese position that will be conveyed to Tel Aviv regarding providing conditions for the return of the settlers of the north. Relying on the results of the meetings between Hamas and Israel in Cairo yesterday, through Qatari-Egyptian efforts and in coordination with Washington. It follows the stage of the Doha meetings, where many problematic points remained that hindered the crystallization of the final agreement between the two sides.” He adds, “The Washington envoy’s list of goals is clear. However, its chronological order is ambiguous and may not be accepted by the party if it feels that it is besieged by obligations from which the Israeli enemy is exempt. This arrangement includes opening the land border file, implementing Resolution 1701, and enhancing the army’s deployment.” Yesterday, a leadership source in Hamas announced to Agence France-Presse the possibility of agreeing on a truce within 24 or 48 hours if Israel complies with its demands.
Hochstein carrot or stick?
Hochstein's last visit to Beirut in mid-January was preceded by American leaks. Part of it was reflected by former US Ambassador Dorothy Shea before she left Lebanon. These leaks dealt with the US presidential envoy’s focus and mediation on opening the file of stabilizing the Lebanese-Israeli land border. This coincides with the pressure to cool the southern front. At the time, it stressed the US administration’s keenness not to heat up the fronts from Gaza to the southern border and to reduce the scope of confrontations. This marks the beginning of the phase of settlement or gradual truces.
Hochstein: Security of Northern Settlers
But Hockstein's recent visit was almost cut short by a clear American-Israeli demand that the party should retreat about seven kilometers beyond the Blue Line. It is a mandatory step that precedes the return of displaced persons from both sides in Israeli settlements and southern border areas. It is reinforced by the massive deployment of Lebanese army soldiers in the Litani area, before the border file is discussed.
A leadership source in Hamas: The possibility of agreeing on a truce within 24 or 48 hours if Israel responds to its demands
In his diplomatic tone, Hockstein conveyed to Lebanese officials what looked like a threat. It included evidence that the party would not retreat a few kilometers back with its entire missile arsenal. The Israelis will meet him by not slowing down in implementing their military plan to invade Lebanon to create a buffer zone to protect the security of the settlers of the north. He acknowledged that the cessation of hostilities on both sides is the gateway to calm in the south, and not just waiting for the outcome of the negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Actually, the positions of the Serail, Ain al-Tineh, and the party intersected that day regarding the necessity of stopping the Gaza war first and implementing the 1701 agreement, provided that it coincides with Israel’s withdrawal from the disputed border points and the liberation of the Shebaa Farms. This made Hockstein’s proposals on hold pending the crystallization of the Gaza scene and monitoring the extent of Israel’s ability to implement its threats to wage war on Lebanon.
Party hardening
But what the American envoy may encounter is more rigidity on the part of the party. Its Secretary-General, Mr. Hassan Nasrallah, had previously called on the Lebanese government to impose more conditions to adhere to the implementation of Resolution 1701. What is certain is that the most painful operations for the party are translated into aerial assassinations of its cadres and members. The most recent of which was the killing of four members of the party in an Israeli strike that targeted them while they were in a house in the Blida area. Another strike on the same day targeted a car carrying three members on the Naqoura coastal road. This is within the UNIFIL area of operations, close to the city of Tyre, which was still classified as safe from a military perspective. Assassinations with missiles are an ambiguous point about which Israel may not commit to providing guarantees within the first stages of the truce in Gaza!

Hectic intelligence activity in the suburb and outside it: Lebanon is an open field
Munir Al-Rabie/Al-Modon/March 4, 2024
In parallel with the battles and military confrontations that Lebanon is witnessing in the south, which expand from time to time to areas in the Lebanese interior, a security and intelligence battle is emerging that Lebanon is almost witnessing for the first time, in this qualitative and complex manner. It has a lot of mystery, complications and technological secrets. Some of the information or news that has been circulated in the past few days takes Lebanon back to the era of the seventies and eighties, that is, making its lands an open arena for competing intelligence services, some of which collect information and others may be planning to carry out operations. It is noteworthy that the majority of these people hold diplomatic passports. In practice, Lebanon has become an open arena for endless war.
Commando power?
The intelligence battle was not limited to the Dutch who were arrested a few days ago before their release, or the Spanish “diplomat” who was arrested and then released. Indeed, according to what security and military sources reveal, a person suspected of carrying out any kind of security activity is arrested almost daily, whether in the southern suburbs of Beirut or outside it. Some of these are foreigners and hold diplomatic passports, while others are Lebanese. But what was prominent was the issue of the Dutch and their entry into the southern suburb of Beirut, specifically into the Haret al-Hreik area, equipped with advanced military equipment, as if they were a commando force or a special force preparing to carry out a qualitative operation. Hezbollah managed to arrest them. There were major interventions to prevent them from being left with the party and to force it to hand them over to Army Intelligence. As it turns out, they are also holders of diplomatic passports. So far, there is no clear data in the investigation about the goals and backgrounds of this suspicious activity, although what has been marketed relates to conducting a live maneuver to evacuate Dutch nationals. But of course, the story is not convincing to many in Lebanon. In the 1970s, in light of the activity of the Palestine Liberation Organization on the Lebanese scene, similar Israeli commando operations took place in Lebanon, including one in Tripoli in 1973 to assassinate a Palestinian leader, Saeed Al-Sabaa, and the perpetrators carried German passports. Here some information indicates that the real nationality of these people is Israeli. Also in 1973, Beirut witnessed a commando operation carried out by Israelis, including Ehud Barak, who later became prime minister, and whose government was the one that made the decision to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000. Barak that day disguised himself as a woman and wore a “sheet” or cloak to carry out an assassination operation. Kamal Adwan, Kamal Nasser and Abu Youssef Al-Najjar.
Multiple nationalities
Recalling such operations raises the level of fears about the reality of the intrusions that the Lebanese arena is being exposed to, especially in light of the information that speaks about the fact that Hezbollah leader Youssef al-Tawil was assassinated by an explosive device in a car bomb, and was not assassinated by a missile or an Israeli march. Here, too, we must return to the assassination of the prominent leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Laqqis, who was assassinated by shooting directly in the head in 2013 in the southern suburb of Beirut. As for the Spanish person who was also arrested in the suburb, information indicates that he was conducting photography operations in several places in the suburb, including the vicinity of the site of Saleh Al-Arouri’s assassination. Hezbollah handed the man over to the Lebanese security services, and showed his diplomatic card as accredited to the Spanish embassy in Beirut, and his diplomatic passport as well, refusing to investigate him because he has diplomatic immunity. There were intense communications from the embassy about his release. Which is what happened. Follow-up sources indicate that there are individuals of multiple nationalities who were also arrested and were carrying out photographic or surveillance activities. When asking the agencies if there is an Israeli need, for example, for such operations on the ground, the sources answer that security is “all in all,” and it is not possible to limit ourselves to the issue of remote monitoring or eavesdropping, or to rely solely on drones and photography operations. Part of the security wars also relate to calls received from external numbers to Lebanese people, submitting job offers, or making calls on behalf of foreign companies. It turns out that the source of the calls is in Israel, even though the numbers shown belong to European countries. This security war extends to cell phones, which Hezbollah and its Secretary-General have clearly warned against, in addition to warning against the use of surveillance cameras in homes due to the Israelis’ ability to penetrate them. Part of the war is leaking the names of Hezbollah leaders and cadres on the grounds that they have been targeted, so communications are poured in to reassure them, and then the Israelis can monitor their communication network, determine their locations, and carry out the assassination operation. It is a war with a different form and different techniques...but it is more terrifying.

Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 03-04/2024
Ceasefire negotiations teeter on edge as Israeli army faces operational challenges
LBCI/March 3, 2024
With the onset of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" war entering its fifth month, negotiations are once again threatened. The arrival of the Hamas delegation in Cairo has moved the stagnation in the negotiations towards a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel refuses the participation of its delegation until it obtains a list of captives to be included in the deal, a demand deemed impossible by Hamas due to the dire situation in Gaza caused by the ongoing war. Israel awaits any progress in Cairo to discuss it in the war cabinet, taking advantage of the US president's statement that the ball is now in Hamas' court, strengthening its position. The negotiations come amid increasing threats of invading Rafah. Security officials reveal a real crisis facing Israel after five months of fighting: The Israeli army is lacking about eight thousand soldiers, hindering operations on multiple fronts. In Gaza, many soldiers continue to refuse participation in combat, as the Israeli army operates there within two units and four divisions. This shortage makes achieving the objectives of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" war from Gaza in the south to Lebanon in the north, alongside the West Bank, seem unattainable. The crisis is not only in the shortage of soldiers; an Israeli report revealed that with the increasing casualties among Israeli soldiers, the last of whom were three in the past hours, the army is unable to execute operations quickly, allowing Hamas fighters to approach and open fire. The report raised two questions about the Rafah invasion: The first, whether it is appropriate to advance into the south despite international pressures, particularly from the US and Egypt, while the army insists that Rafah is a Hamas stronghold and that the image of victory will emerge from there. The second question relates to the army's capability to defeat Hamas and whether the attack will thwart efforts to reach a captive exchange deal. Therefore, Israel is facing challenging days amid apparent confusion in the structure of the army's leadership and the war cabinet, with a lack of consensus on the invasion of Rafah.

US army says cargo ship sunk by Houthi strike poses environmental risk
Agence France Presse./March 3, 2024
A fertilizer-laden cargo ship, which sank in the Gulf of Aden after it was damaged by missiles from Yemen's Houthi rebels, poses an environmental risk, the U.S. military warned. The Houthis claimed the February 18 attack against the Rubymar, a cargo ship flying a Belizean flag and operated by a Lebanese firm, which transported combustible fertilizers. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed late Saturday that the vessel "sank in the Red Sea after being struck" by an anti-ship ballistic missile last month. "The approximately 21,000 metric tons of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer that the vessel was carrying presents an environmental risk in the Red Sea," CENTCOM said in a statement. "As the ship sinks it also presents a subsurface impact risk to other ships transiting the busy shipping lanes of the waterway," it added. Yemen's government also said earlier Saturday that the ship had sunk. Container shipping through the Red Sea dropped by around one-third in the first week of 2024 compared with the same period last year as Houthi attacks caused shipping companies to avoid the Suez Canal, according to the International Monetary Fund. The vessel had departed the United Arab Emirates and was bound for the Bulgarian port of Varna.Its crew abandoned the ship and evacuated to safety after it was hit by two missiles. Several other organizations have also expressed concern about the environmental threat posed by the tanker.
Fuel oil appeared to be leaking from the vessel in satellite images shared by Maxar Technologies and published by AFP. The TankerTrackers website said the sinking would "cause an environmental catastrophe in the (Yemeni) territorial waters and in the Red Sea." Since November, the Houthis have been carrying out attacks on ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israel has waged a war against Hamas in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. In response to the Houthi attacks, Israel's main ally the United States established a multinational force in December to protect maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. Since January, Washington and its allies have launched numerous strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, where the Iran-backed rebels have fought forces loyal to the internationally recognized government since 2014.

Gaza civilian deaths test Israel's AI precision claims
Agence France Presse./March 3, 2024
The Israeli military has said AI helps it more accurately target militants in its five-month war against Hamas, but as Gaza deaths rise, experts are questioning how effective algorithms can really be. The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip says the war has killed upwards of 30,000 people, the majority of them civilians. "Either the AI is as good as claimed and the IDF (Israeli military) doesn't care about collateral damage, or the AI is not as good as claimed," Toby Walsh, chief scientist at the University of New South Wales AI Institute in Australia, told AFP. The health ministry does not specify how many militants are included in the Gaza toll. Israel has said its forces "eliminated 10,000 terrorists" since the war began in early October, triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel. Israel's claimed use of algorithms adds another layer of concern for activists already alarmed by artificial intelligence-powered hardware like drones and gunsights that are being deployed in Gaza. The Israeli military told AFP it had no comment on its AI targeting systems.But the army has repeatedly claimed its forces target only militants and take measures to avoid harm to civilians.
'Precise attacks'
Israel began hyping AI-powered targeting after an 11-day conflict in Gaza during May 2021, which commanders branded the world's "first AI war". The military chief during the 2021 war, Aviv Kochavi, told Israeli news website Ynet last year that the force had used AI systems to identify "100 new targets every day.""In the past, we would produce 50 targets in Gaza in a year," he said. The current Gaza offensive began when Hamas launched an attack on October 7 that allegedly resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 Israeli soldiers and civilians according to Israel. Weeks later, a blog entry on the Israeli military's website said its AI-enhanced "targeting directorate" had identified more than 12,000 targets in just 27 days. An unnamed Israeli official was quoted as saying the AI system, called Gospel, produced targets "for precise attacks on infrastructure associated with Hamas, inflicting great damage on the enemy and minimal harm to those not involved."But an anonymous former Israeli intelligence officer, quoted in November by independent Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine, described Gospel's work as creating a "mass assassination factory." Citing an intelligence source, the report said Gospel crunches vast amounts of data faster than "tens of thousands of intelligence officers" and identifies, in real time, locations likely to be used by suspected militants. However, the sources gave no detail of the data put into the system or the criteria used to determine the targets.
'Dubious data'
Several experts told AFP the military was likely to be feeding the system with drone footage, social media posts, information from agents on the ground, mobile phone locations and other surveillance data. Once the system identifies a target, it could use population data from official sources to estimate the likelihood of civilian harm. But Lucy Suchman, professor of anthropology of science and technology at Britain's Lancaster University, said the idea that more data would produce better targets was untrue. Algorithms are trained to find patterns in data that match a certain designation -- in the Gaza conflict, possibly "Hamas affiliate", she said. Any pattern in the data matching a previously identified affiliate would generate a new target, but any "questionable assumptions" would be amplified, Suchman explained. "In other words, more dubious data equals worse systems."
Humans in control
The Israelis are not the first fighting force to deploy automated targeting on the battlefield. As far back as the 1990-91 Gulf War, the U.S. military worked on algorithms to improve targeting. For the 1999 Kosovo bombing campaign, NATO began using algorithms to calculate potential civilian casualties.
And the U.S. military had hired secretive data firm Palantir to provide battlefield analytics in Afghanistan. Backers of the technology have repeatedly insisted it will reduce civilian deaths. But some military analysts are sceptical that the technology is advanced enough to be trusted. In a blog post for the British Royal United Services Institute defence think-tank, analyst Noah Sylvia said last month that humans would still need to cross-check every output. The Israeli military is "one of the most technologically advanced and integrated militaries in the world," he said.
But "the odds of even the IDF (Israeli army) using an AI with such a degree of sophistication and autonomy are low."

Gaza truce talks in Cairo as heavy fighting rages
ARAB NEWS/March 03, 2024
RIYADH: Mediators in Cairo made a renewed push for a Gaza ceasefire, but differences remained as fighting raged on in the Palestinian territory gripped by desperate food shortages. US, Qatari and Hamas envoys travelled to Cairo for the latest effort toward a six-week truce, stepped-up aid deliveries and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Their goal has been to secure a truce by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on March 10 or 11. But sticking points remained, including a Hamas demand that the Israeli armed forces entirely withdraw from the Gaza Strip after almost five months of devastating war. Israel boycotted the ceasefire talks in Cairo after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list naming hostages that are still alive, an Israeli newspaper reported. A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for the talks, billed as a possible final hurdle before an agreement that would halt the fighting for six weeks. But by early evening there was no sign of the Israelis. “There is no Israeli delegation in Cairo,” Ynet, the online version of Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, quoted unidentified Israeli officials as saying. A Hamas source on Sunday told AFP its delegation to Cairo is being led by senior leader Khalil Al-Haya. “The delegation will meet Egyptian mediators and deliver the group’s response to the new Paris proposal,” the source said, in reference to negotiations held last month in the French capital with Israel’s presence. In Riyadh, Arab foreign ministers on Friday stressed the importance of achieving an immediate ceasefire and ensuring the security of relief corridors for the delivery of humanitarian, food and medical aid. The 159th regular session of the Foreign Ministerial Council was held at the GCC headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Joint ministerial meetings between the GCC countries and Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan were held to further strengthen cooperation and discuss urgent matters related to besieged Gaza. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in the meetings, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani, Qatar’s prime minister and minister of foreign affairs. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that what was happening in Gaza is part of a systematic plan to annihilate Palestine, adding that “security solutions to the conflict have brought nothing but destruction to the region, and the escalation in Gaza (has) extended to the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab.” Pope Francis called for Gaza fe access to the humanitarian aid they urgently need,” telling the faithful at the Vatican that he supports an “immediate ceasefire” and hostage release. Washington has insisted the ceasefire deal is close and should be in place in time to halt fighting by the start of Ramadan.
But the warring sides have given little sign in public of backing away from previous demands. After the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo, a Palestinian official said the deal was “not yet there.” From the Israeli side, there was no official comment. Also on Sunday, a senior Lebanese official said US envoy Amos Hochstein was due to visit Beirut on Monday to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict across the Lebanese-Israeli border and bringing stability, Lebanon’s deputy parliament speaker Elias Bou Saab, one of the officials due to meet Hochstein, said he believed the timing of his visit pointed to progress in efforts to secure a Gaza truce “within the next few hours or days.”The war began on October 7 with an unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Gaza militants also abducted 250 hostages, of whom 130 remain in captivity according to Israel, a figure that includes 31 presumed dead. Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the besieged Palestinian territory has killed 30,410 people, mostly women and children, the Gaza health ministry reported Sunday.
(With AFP)

Arab foreign ministers meet in Riyadh to discuss Gaza war
NADA ALTURKI/Arab News/March 03, 2024
RIYADH: The 159th regular session of the Foreign Ministerial Council was held on March 3 at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh. Joint ministerial meetings between the GCC countries and Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan were held to further strengthen cooperation and discuss urgent matters related to besieged Gaza. Jassim Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC, said: “We gather today as we are faced with horrific scenes of what our brothers, the Palestinian people, are being subjected to in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. “We condemn all types of violence and indiscriminate bombing carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, in light of the … systematic destruction of civilian facilities and infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools and hospitals.”The meetings highlighted the atrocities of the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and in the destruction of infrastructure, cutting off vital resources and aid to the population. Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in the meetings, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani, Qatar’s prime minister and minister of foreign affairs. The ministers stressed the importance of achieving an immediate ceasefire and ensuring the security of relief corridors for the delivery of humanitarian, food and medical aid. They also discussed efforts to stop violations of international law, especially humanitarian law, in Gaza and to support the peace process in a way that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people to establish a state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that what is happening in Gaza is part of a systematic plan to annihilate Palestine, adding that “security solutions to the conflict have brought nothing but destruction to the region, and the escalation in Gaza (has) extended to the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab." Ayman Safadi, Jordanian deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, said: “Our cooperation is a necessity … and our ability to confront common challenges increases whenever we work together as one. “Today, the biggest challenge we face in the region is the brutal Israeli occupation of Gaza. We are all working together to stop this aggression and provide enough humanitarian aid to over 2,300,000 Palestinians facing famine.”During the GCC’s meeting with Morocco, the council welcomed Morocco’s nomination for membership in the UN Security Council from 2028-2029. The council also stressed the importance of strengthening its strategic partnership with Egypt through a memorandum of understanding signed on Feb. 24, 2022. It affirmed that water security for Egypt and Sudan is an integral part of Arab national security and rejected any action that would affect their rights to the water in the Nile. It declared its support for all endeavors that would contribute to resolving the Renaissance Dam issue, taking into account the interests of all parties. The council underscored the need to reach an agreement in this regard in accordance with the principles of international law and the stipulations contained in a Security Council statement issued on Sept. 15, 2021.

Abbas to discuss intra-Palestinian dialogue in Ankara
REUTERS/March 03, 2024
ANKARA: Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas will visit Turkiye on Tuesday for talks about the Gaza war and reconciliation efforts between Palestinian factions, the Turkish foreign minister said. The visit comes as intensive diplomacy is underway to pause the fighting in the almost five-month-old war between Israel and Hamas sparked by the Oct. 7 attacks. Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said: “There is a serious desire and effort to reach a ceasefire before Ramadan,” in closing remarks to an annual diplomacy forum in the Mediterranean holiday resort of Antalya. Fidan confirmed that Abbas would visit Ankara on Tuesday at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a vocal advocate of the Palestinian cause. Both leaders would discuss “the developments in Palestine, the current course of the war as well as the intra-Palestinian dialogue, Fidan said. Hamas is a rival of Abbas’s Fatah faction that rules the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. It ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007 following its landslide victory in the previous Palestinian parliamentary elections. Erdogan has become one of the harshest critics of Israel’s war in Gaza. He has branded Israel a “terrorist state” and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler while calling Hamas “a liberation group.” The Israeli military said on Sunday it intensified operations in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, destroying dozens of militant targets in a blitz of air and artillery strikes. The air force and artillery hit about 50 targets within six minutes, it said, in a bid to “intensify operational achievements in the area.”“During the strikes, the troops destroyed terrorist infrastructure and eliminated Hamas terrorists who were operating from civilian facilities in urban areas,” it said. Residents in the area said they were surprised by the swift advancement of Israeli tanks, which sparked fresh battles with gunmen. In one housing project some families took to social media, saying they were unable to leave their homes with the tanks in the streets. Islamic Jihad said it attacked two tanks with rockets and blew up a building where soldiers had entered. Khan Younis has been a focus of Israel’s military offensive in recent weeks.

Israel 'Accepts Ceasefire Proposal' - WH Official
NNA/March 03, 2024
A senior US administration official claimed late Saturday that Israel has "more or less accepted" a proposal for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza and release of vulnerable hostages, and that it was now up to Hamas to agree to the terms or not.
Talks involving Egyptian and Qatari mediators are set to resume Sunday with a Hamas delegation as the international peace negotiators push to reach a firm agreement before the holy month of Ramadan begins on March 10. --- RT

Hamas Health Ministry: The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 30410 since the start of the war
NNA/March 03, 2024
The Hamas Health Ministry announced on Sunday an increase in the death toll in the Gaza Strip to 30410 since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7th. The number of injuries has reached 71700 since the start of the destructive Israeli bombardment on the besieged Palestinian territory. The toll includes the killing of at least 90 people in the past 24 hours. --- AFP

Palestinian president to visit Turkey at the invitation of President Erdoğan
NNA/March 03, 2024
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to travel to Turkey on Tuesday in response to an invitation from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday.The Turkish minister stated after The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, located in the south of Turkey, that "President Erdoğan invited Abbas to Turkey to discuss the situation in Palestine and the ongoing conflict, and to be briefed on the talks" being conducted by the Palestinian Authority with Hamas and other Palestinian factions.The location of the meeting between the two presidents has yet to be determined. Fidan also confirmed that "negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza are ongoing through intermediaries," with "genuine desire and actual effort to reach a ceasefire before Ramadan."

Israeli military review claims that Gaza aid convoy deaths result of stampede
NNA/March 03, 2024
Israel said on Sunday that its military has completed a preliminary review of civilian deaths at a Gaza aid convoylast week in which it claimed that its forces did not strike the convoy and that most Palestinians died in a stampede. Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari claimed that the military also launched a more thorough examination of the incident to be handled by “an independent, professional and expert body” which will share its findings as early as in the coming days. Pressure has mounted on Israel over the deaths of dozens of Palestiniansduring a confused incident in the Gaza Strip on Thursday in which crowds surrounded a convoy of aid trucks and soldiers opened fire, with several countries backing a UN call for an inquiry. Health authorities in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip said Israeli forces had killed more than 100 people trying to reach a relief convoy near Gaza City. “The IDF has concluded an initial review of the unfortunate incident where Gazan civilians were trampled to death and injured as they charged to the aid convoy,” said Hagari. The review, he said, which gathered information from commanders and troops in the field, determined that no strike was carried out towards the aid convoy. “The majority of Palestinians were killed or injured as a result of the stampede,” Hagari said. “Following the warning shots fired to disperse the stampede and after our forces had started retreating, several looters approached our forces and posed an immediate threat to them. According to the initial review, the soldiers responded toward several individuals,” he said. “We have opened an inquiry to examine the incident further, which will help us reduce the risk of such a tragic incident from occurring again during one of our humanitarian operations,” he said. “The incident will be examined in the fact finding and assessment mechanism, an independent, professional and expert body. For the sake of transparency we will share updates as our examination develops hopefully in the coming days.”Hagari did not give details on who specifically would be handling the inquiry. --- Al- Arabiya

Maintaining GCC-Egypt diplomatic links vital to regional security: Egyptian foreign minister
GOBRAN MOHAMED/Arab News/March 03, 2024
CAIRO: Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry on Sunday highlighted the importance of Cairo maintaining its strong links with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. His comments came as he took part in a joint consultative meeting of Egypt and GCC foreign ministers in Riyadh. In a speech, Shoukry noted the increased significance of political consultation in tackling key issues of mutual concern and the shared social and economic strategic interests of Egypt and council member nations. He also pointed out that solid relations between the parties were vital in working toward stability in the region and dealing with the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip. Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that during the meeting in the Saudi capital, Shoukry warned of the disastrous humanitarian repercussions of any ground military operation by Israel in the city of Rafah and the threat such action would pose to regional security. And he called on Israel to stop obstructing the access of humanitarian aid to the Strip. The Egyptian minister also discussed with his GCC counterparts continued Iran-backed Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, along with the latest situations in Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Somalia. Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Shoukry highlighted what he described as Ethiopia’s uncompromising approach to tackling project issues with its neighbors, a stance that had led Cairo to withdraw from negotiations. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said it was crucial that Arab nations cooperated in dealing with regional challenges including bringing about a Gaza ceasefire and ensuring Nile water security for Egypt and Sudan.

Netanyahu Rebukes Israeli Rival Ahead of Washington Trip
Corbin Bolies/The Daily Beast./March 3, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused a top Israeli cabinet official of effectively undermining him for coming to the U.S. on an unauthorized trip for war talks, widening the rift between Israel and the U.S. over the direction of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu told Benny Gantz, a political rival who joined the cabinet following the Oct. 7 attack, that Israel has “just one prime minister,” a source told the Associated Press. Gantz is scheduled to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday, along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. Official Says Israel Must ‘Strike First’ in ‘Inevitable’ War in Second Country. Netanyahu’s allies fear Gantz’s trip risks undercutting the prime minister’s positions on the war, and the Israeli embassy was ordered to boycott Gantz upon his arrival, according to the Financial Times. The U.S. meanwhile believes Gantz represents a better barometer of where Israel’s citizens stand on the war effort and a potential two-state solution, according to the Times. The visit also allows the U.S., on American soil, to directly impress upon an Israeli government official its desire for the fighting to end. A White House official told NPR that Harris “will reiterate civilian casualties must be reduced” and "the importance of creating a hopeful political horizon for the Palestinian people” once the fighting eventually ends. The last week continued a precarious saga in the war as representatives met in Egypt to broker a ceasefire—all while more than 100 Palestinians were killed while trying to get food from a convoy. Hamas has blamed Israeli troops for shooting them, while Israel maintained that people had trampled over each other. The U.S. has since airdropped more than 38,000 meals into the country, joining other nations such as the U.K. and France.

Hamas says Gaza truce possible 'within 24 to 48 hours' if Israel accepts terms
Agence France Presse./March 3, 2024
Egypt was Sunday set to host the latest talks aiming for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as Gaza officials reported more deadly bombardment in the nearly five-month-old war. A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the Palestinian group would discuss with mediators a proposal for a six-week truce, after a U.S. official said Israel had "more or less accepted" its terms. Envoys from the United States, Qatar and Hamas have arrived in Cairo, state-linked media reported, as all sides have been scrambling to lock in a truce before Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month that begins on March 10 or 11. The Hamas official said that if Israel were to meet its demands -- which include a military withdrawal from Gaza and stepped-up humanitarian aid -- this would "pave the way for an agreement within the next 24-48 hours". The health ministry in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip said at least 90 Palestinians had been killed in the past 24 hours, including 14 family members whose house in the southern Rafah refugee camp had been hit. In a sign of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the narrow coastal territory, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said at least 16 children had died of malnutrition in recent days as "famine spreads in the Strip's north".Israel's top ally the United States on Saturday began airdropping aid into war-ravaged Gaza, which has faced dwindling deliveries of relief supplies across its land borders. The Hamas official said the group would demand "the entry of at least 400 to 500 trucks per day" carrying food, medicine and fuel as part of the truce deal. The US official, speaking to reporters late Saturday, said "there's a framework deal" for a ceasefire which "the Israelis have more or less accepted". Israel had yet to confirm that it has accepted the truce plan or whether it would attend the Cairo talks.A ceasefire could start "today if Hamas agrees to release the defined category of vulnerable hostages... the sick, the wounded, elderly and women," the US official said. "Right now, the ball is in the camp of Hamas." Osama Hamdan, a Lebanon-based Hamas official, told Qatar's Al-Araby TV that the group insisted on a complete, rather than "temporary", ceasefire and on "ending the aggression against our people".
'Acute food insecurity'
With fears of widespread famine mounting, US military planes parachuted "over 38,000 meals" into Gaza, US Central Command said, joining several Arab and European government that have carried out airdrops since November.
But officials and aid groups have said such operations cannot replace overland aid access. The UN Security Council voiced concern over "alarming levels of acute food insecurity", highlighted by a desperate rush for aid from a convoy of trucks in Gaza City on Thursday that ended in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians. In a statement on Saturday, the council stressed "the need to take all necessary measures to protect civilians" and urged "parties to the conflict to allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, rapid, safe, sustained and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale". Several foreign leaders have called for an investigation into the aid truck storming, which the Gaza health ministry said resulted in the deaths of 116 people. The ministry said Israeli forces shot civilians, but the Israeli army insisted most died in a stampede or crush. A United Nations team that visited a Gaza City hospital reported seeing "a large number" of gunshot wounds among Palestinians in the aftermath of the incident. The aid convoy deaths pushed the war death toll in Gaza to at least 30,410, mostly women and children, the health ministry said Sunday. The war began on October 7 with an unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 Israelis according to Israel. Gaza militants also abducted 250 hostages, of whom 130 remain in captivity according to Israel, a figure that includes 31 presumed dead.
50 targets -
An AFP correspondent in southern Gaza, near the border with Egypt, said several air strikes hit Rafah and Khan Yunis during the night. The Hamas government media office also reported intense tank shelling in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said its forces had carried out "an extensive series of strikes on terror targets" in Khan Yunis, south Gaza's main city that has become the focus of fighting in recent weeks. About 50 targets including "underground terrorist infrastructure" and military sites were hit "within six minutes", the army said. In Rafah, where more than one million Gazans displaced by the war have sought refuge, Israeli bombardment late Saturday killed 11 people at a makeshift camp near a hospital, the health ministry said. The Israeli army said it had carried out a "precision strike" in the area that targeted Palestinian militants. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced mounting calls to secure the release of the remaining hostages, as well as pressure from a resurgent anti-government protest movement. Rallies were held on Saturday in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where a relative of one of the captives said he hoped freeing them was a top priority. Israeli officials "must seal this deal no matter what," said Eyal Kalderon, cousin of hostage Ofer Kalderon. "I don't know if they will have another chance. It's now or maybe never."

Airdrops and arms deals: Unraveling the US approach in the Israel-Gaza conflict
LBCI/March 3, 2024
The question arises: Is it inconsistency or a strategic distribution of roles?
The United States, which supplies Israel with weapons during its war on Gaza, conducts airdrops of food to the residents of the Gaza Strip, a practice previously carried out by France, Jordan, and Egypt. Within the lines of this American contradiction, a report in Politico suggests that President Joe Biden's decision to airdrop aid reveals the limits of the American approach towards Israel. When the United States sends military planes to drop food, water, and medicine for those in need, it typically does so in areas occupied by terrorist groups or hostile regimes, not allies. The newspaper adds that the step of dropping aid indicates that Biden cannot convince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. All of the above does not negate the following: The United States will continue to support Israel under the banner of its right to self-defense. Regardless of the reasons behind the US decision to airdrop aid, the electoral necessities cannot be ignored, especially in light of Biden and the Democratic Party's declining popularity among Arabs and Muslims, with the latest of these results recorded in the state of Michigan.

Houthis vow to sink more UK ships in the Red Sea
SAEED AL-BATATI/Arab News/March 03, 2024
AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia vowed on Sunday to target more UK ships in the Red Sea, despite growing worldwide outrage over the sinking of a vessel carrying thousands of tonnes of fertilizer. Hussein Al-Ezzi, the group’s deputy foreign minister, said that its forces would continue sinking ships in the Red Sea, even if it meant causing an ecological disaster off Yemen’s coasts. He also blamed the UK for participating in US-led strikes against Houthi areas, as well as supporting Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip. Al-Ezzi said in a post on X: “Yemen will continue to sink more British ships, and any repercussions or other damage will be added to Britain’s bill, as it is a rogue state that attacks Yemen and partners with America in sponsoring the ongoing crime against civilians in Gaza.”The Houthi threats came a day after the Yemeni government and the US Central Command announced that the Belize-flagged Rubymar, which was hit by the militia’s missiles last month, sank with a cargo of more than 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer, raising concerns about possible environmental disaster for Red Sea coral reefs, along with shipping using the route. The Houthis said that the ship was owned by the UK and was targeted in retribution for the country’s strikes on Yemen, as well as its backing for Israel’s blockade and bombing of Gaza. The Houthis have seized the commercial ship Galaxy Leader and launched hundreds of drones and missile strikes against commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden, since November. The group says it has banned any Israel-bound ships from passing across the Red Sea in order to force Israel to allow humanitarian assistance into the besieged Gaza Strip.
Yemen’s Minister of Transport Abdul Salam Humaid said in a statement on Saturday that he had asked the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden, based in Jeddah, and other marine conservation bodies for assistance in containing any pollution from the ship, as well as help in forming a legal commission to force the ship’s owners to remove the vessel and its cargo. The US Central Command said on Sunday that the ship’s cargo of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer constituted a hazard to nautical life, and that the sinking ship was also a risk to other vessels passing through the Red Sea. The US military said in a statement: “As the ship sinks, it also presents a subsurface impact risk to other ships transiting the busy shipping lanes of the waterway. The Houthis pose a heightened threat to global maritime activities.”
Despite worldwide condemnation and warnings about the consequences of its actions, the Houthis have renewed threats to obstruct a rescue mission for the ship prior to humanitarian aid arriving in Gaza. Yemen’s Houthi leader Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi blamed the sinking of the Rubymar on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government, saying on Saturday that his group would only let the world rescue the ship if Israel lifted its siege of Gaza. Al-Houthi said on X: “We say to Sunak, you and your government are responsible for the (sinking of the) ship MV Rubymar, as well as for supporting genocide and the blockade of Gaza.”The militia has said it would release the crew of the Galaxy Leader if requested to do so by Hamas. Nasr Al-Din Amer, a Houthi media official, said: “Given that the crew was operating on a ship related to Israel, their governments may make a request to the brothers in the Hamas organization, and if they accept, we have no objections.”

An Israeli plan to destroy border villages... and a suspicious project to settle the displaced
Muhammad Alloush/Al-Modon/March 03, 2024
Two basic questions are being asked in Lebanon today. First, does any truce in Gaza reflect on the reality in the south? Second, does Israel have any intention of expanding its attack on Lebanon in the coming weeks, after the escalating American warnings? The answers to these two questions may not be easy or available at this time. But what may be available is talk about Israeli goals that are being worked to achieve in southern Lebanon, which may mean, in one way or another, prolonging the war, even if it is not a comprehensive war affecting all of Lebanon.
An Israeli plan has begun to be implemented
Sources following what is happening in the south say that the Israeli army began implementing a new plan a few days ago entitled the complete “destruction” of the villages of the edge or the villages of the border strip. Pointing out through Al-Modon that the Israelis aim, by destroying all the homes in these villages, to achieve a basic goal, which is to keep the displaced people of these towns out of them for the longest possible period of time, in order to invest that in any future negotiation. In this context, the Israeli destructive operations of villages gradually intensified. The focus is on one town after another. Recently, Blida was an Israeli focus, where dozens of homes were destroyed in 72 hours. The sources reveal that the Israelis have begun implementing the buffer zone plan away from the negotiations, as they want to create a destructive vacuum 5 kilometers deep in the south, with which return will be impossible after the war stops, for the displaced and the fighters. Therefore, expectations among the resistance indicate that the Israeli war will continue and expand in the south, specifically in the area south of the Litani River, provided that the north of the river will be relatively safe. The Israeli strikes north of the river will remain limited to Hezbollah centers and points. The sources draw attention to the fact that the Israeli strikes north of the river target Hezbollah points that are empty or have been emptied. The same sources reveal that during the past five days, Israel targeted Hezbollah centers after emptying them within a few hours. This means that the Israelis do not want to inflict human casualties on this side of the south, and are seeking to keep the war between the south of the river and the Palestinian north at a specific depth. According to the sources, the resistance has prepared for a long war, and it expects, according to some data, that the Gaza truce will not be withdrawn if it takes place on the southern front, because the Israelis are seeking to undermine the principle of unity of the battlefields, by separating the Lebanese front from the Palestinian front. Even if the truce is partially reversed, the war is expected to continue. Hence, the Israeli attacks on the Qusayr area, which according to the Israelis is considered a corridor for resistance weapons, are read, revealing that the two trucks targeted in that area were not loaded with ammunition.
Suspicious project
In conjunction with the start of implementing this Israeli plan, a suspicious project emerged in some villages north of the Litani River to settle displaced southerners in these villages. A few days ago, one of the municipalities circulated news saying: “Dear people of our town, (we will finance) everyone who has a ‘bones’ (incomplete) house and needs the installation of aluminum, doors, electricity, and sanitary supplies, in exchange for housing displaced persons due to the war. And whoever meets these specifications is entitled to it.” Registration in the municipality, provided that he has a civil planning license or a municipal permit. According to the details obtained by Al-Modon, this project is funded by foreign organizations, which want to provide an amount to those who have the above specifications, amounting to approximately 15 thousand US dollars, in order to finish the house, on the condition of housing displaced people from the war. Which means preparation for a long stay. According to Al-Modon’s information, more than one municipality in the Tire District initially received this project, and took the initiative to register the names and submit them to the Union of Municipalities. Although some of those Al-Modon spoke to did not have complete information about the project, the Union informed them and they began implementation. But after a while, Al-Modon learned that the municipalities had been asked not to cooperate at all due to suspicious goals. Ironically, sources in the Union of Tire Municipalities reveal that the Union is not interested in this project either, and thus the Union has withdrawn its hand. Does the withdrawal of the hand come in the context of the ambiguity of the project and its objectives?

Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on March 03-04/2024
Escalation Towards an Independent Terrorist State
Nils A. Haug/Gatestone Institute./March 3, 2024
Both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron reveal their simplistic, and somewhat imperialist, Western approach to a complex Middle Eastern situation, irrespective of the aims and intentions of the two parties chiefly involved: the radical Islamists of Gaza and the West Bank, and the State of Israel itself.
"They [Hamas] told us in all of their statements that their charter is to destroy Israel and exterminate the Jews. Other countries have said the same thing. It's also in the Houthis' charter. It's in Iran's direct messaging. I think that when they tell you they want to kill you, you should believe that. I think that's the lesson." — Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle, ynetnews.com, February 24, 2024.
Realistically, the Palestinian claim to Gaza is based on tenuous grounds. Gaza is not the traditional homeland of the so-called Palestinian people. They are simply a collection of nomadic Arabs who forged that identity for political expediency. This arrangement was openly stated by the late PLO executive committee member, Zoheir Moshen, in an interview with James Dorsey for the Dutch newspaper Trouw, on March 31, 1977: "The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak about the existence of a Palestinian people since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct 'Palestinian people' to oppose Zionism."
Even if a political compromise were reached over Gaza, or, the "1949 Armistice Line" as in the revised 2017 Hamas charter, the violent struggle for control over the rest of Israel, particularly the West Bank -- the "heart" of Israel -- will persist.
Both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron reveal their simplistic, and somewhat imperialist, Western approach to a complex Middle Eastern situation, irrespective of the aims and intentions of the two parties chiefly involved: the radical Islamists of Gaza and the West Bank, and the State of Israel itself. Pictured: Blinken (R) and Cameron hold a press conference in Washington, DC, December 7, 2023. (Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
The hard truth is that for millennia, the land of Israel, whether occupied by Jacob's tribes or others, has been the domain of countless generations of Israelites. The vast majority of Israel's citizens, and many Jews in the diaspora, understand their rights to retain their homeland after escaping 400 years of slavery in Egypt. At its core, the debate over this tiny area of land is founded on three primary factors: spiritual, national, and political. In the result, the conviction of the majority populace is that not one square inch of the current boundaries of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) can belong to anyone who might harm them again, although people of peace are always graciously allowed to reside among them.
In the minds of the most committed Jews, their land is sacred, promised to them by their Creator, and deserves to remain under authority and control of the Jewish nation. It is therefore a fantasy to expect that this ancient land would be willingly parcelled out, especially to enemies of that nation. Furthermore, actions by Western nations to compel expropriation of any portion of the land accords with an anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic ideology irrespective of commendable, but mistaken, motives. Such action would again expose the Jewish people to existential danger, as is evident throughout centuries past and most recently on October 7, 2023. No lasting peace could possibly ensue from partitioning this ancient soil. It is unrealistic to expect that historic enemies could harmoniously reside in close proximity to each other when one party keeps vowing to destroy its peaceful neighbour.
The enforced relinquishing of Israeli control over the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian people in 2005 is what directly enabled the tragic events of October 7. A politically driven and short-sighted move, energized by a naïve anticipation of peace, has come full-circle to devastate the residents of Israel and Gaza whether Jews, Druze, Christians, Muslims or others. This demonstrates once again that Israel cannot share space with those seeking its destruction.
At the age of 100 and at apex of his wisdom and experience, while referring to events of October 7, Henry Kissinger emphasized this point: "The two-state solution doesn't guarantee that what we saw in the last weeks won't happen again." He was correct. The Quran (Sura 2, verse 193) does not allow for peace or compromise with non-Muslims:
"And fight them until there be no more sedition, and religion will be Allah's alone. So if they desist, then there is to be no violence save against the wrong-doers."
Commencing with the founding of Islam in the seventh century, the ideology of compelling obeisance to Islam for everyone, often by "any means necessary," is a main motivating force behind conflicts against Jews, Christians, non-Muslim Arabs, and those of other faiths.
Nonetheless, against all strategic intelligence regarding the feasibility of a two-state scenario, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on January 29, 2024, at the House of Commons, announced a political plan to partition Israel into two states, while bypassing Israel's opposing position. Cameron said:
"We should be starting to set out what a Palestinian state would look like – what it would comprise, how it would work.
"As that happens, we, with allies, will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations. This could be one of the things that helps to make this process irreversible."
The same contention pertains to Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, who is considering recognition of an independent Palestinian state with supposed security guarantees for Israel. Both Blinken and Cameron reveal their simplistic, and somewhat imperialist, Western approach to a complex Middle Eastern situation, irrespective of the aims and intentions of the two parties chiefly involved: the radical Islamists of Gaza and the West Bank, and the State of Israel itself.
To the contrary, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, thoroughly understands that his country's citizens cannot in practice share space with their sworn enemies. On January 18, 2024, he issued a public statement to the effect that in a post-war setting:
"Any future arrangement, or in the absence of an arrangement, Israel must maintain security control of all territory west of the Jordan River — meaning Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. That is a vital condition."
Netanyahu's determination reflects the unfortunate reality of Islamist bellicosity, which is clear from the recent outburst by Imam Alhagie Jallow of the Madinah Community Center in Madison, Wisconsin, on October 13. Just six days after the events of October 7, the imam declared:
" It's only jihad that can bring victory. Not contracts, not agreements, not alliances – not any of these things... By Allah, all of the Jews will be killed by Muslims. They will all be executed by Muslims; they will all be killed."
Hamas leaders openly admit that they seek ownership of all Israel's land, not only Gaza: they deny the legitimacy of Israel's existence. During late January 2024, senior Hamas official Khaled Mashaal, speaking from his safe-haven in Qatar, underscored the Palestinian claim to all of Israel: "from the Jordon river to the Mediterranean sea; the West Bank, Gaza, and all of Israel." This intent, clear in the Hamas's original 1988 charter was purportedly redacted in the supposedly revised Hamas 2017 charter , but Articles 19- 27 clarify that:
19. There shall be no recognition of the legitimacy of the Zionist entity.
20. Hamas believes that no part of the land of Palestine shall be compromised or conceded, irrespective of the causes, the circumstances and the pressures and no matter how long the occupation lasts. Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea. However, without compromising its rejection of the Zionist entity and without relinquishing any Palestinian rights, Hamas considers the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital along the lines of the 4th of June 1967, with the return of the refugees and the displaced to their homes from which they were expelled, to be a formula of national consensus. [The "1967 Armistice Line"- (Emphasis added, Ed.)]
21. Hamas affirms that the Oslo Accords and their addenda contravene the governing rules of international law in that they generate commitments that violate the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Therefore, the Movement rejects these agreements and all that flows from them, such as the obligations that are detrimental to the interests of our people, especially security coordination (collaboration). [Emphasis added, Ed.].
22. Hamas rejects all the agreements, initiatives and settlement projects that are aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause and the rights of our Palestinian people. In this regard, any stance, initiative or political programme must not in any way violate these rights and should not contravene them or contradict them.
24. The liberation of Palestine is the duty of the Palestinian people in particular and the duty of the Arab and Islamic Ummah in general.
25. Resisting the occupation with all means and methods is a legitimate right guaranteed by divine laws and by international norms and laws. At the heart of these lies armed resistance, which is regarded as the strategic choice for protecting the principles and the rights of the Palestinian people.
26. Hamas rejects any attempt to undermine the resistance and its arms. It also affirms the right of our people to develop the means and mechanisms of resistance. Managing resistance, in terms of escalation or de-escalation, or in terms of diversifying the means and methods, is an integral part of the process of managing the conflict and should not be at the expense of the principle of resistance. 27. A real state of Palestine is a state that has been liberated. There is no alternative to a fully sovereign Palestinian State on the entire national Palestinian soil, with Jerusalem as its capital.
On January 31, 2024, political analyst George Weigel addressed the gullibility of Western leaders this way:
"Too many Western policymakers cannot imagine that calls to various forms of violent jihad, whether from Sunni or Shiite Islamic sources, make any real difference for professionals find it hard to take religiously-based political radicalism seriously. Yet it's precisely because it's religiously grounded that such radicalism is exceptionally dangerous." Weigel's point is valid: due to reasons of religion, no accommodation is possible. Even if a political compromise were reached over Gaza, or, the "1949 Armistice Line" as in the revised 2017 Hamas charter, the violent struggle for control over the rest of Israel, particularly the West Bank -- the "heart" of Israel -- will persist.
The CEO of tech-giant Oracle, Safra Catz, emphasized this view in January 2024 when she said:
"They [Hamas] told us in all of their statements that their charter is to destroy Israel and exterminate the Jews. Other countries have said the same thing. It's also in the Houthis' charter. It's in Iran's direct messaging. I think that when they tell you they want to kill you, you should believe that. I think that's the lesson."
Realistically, the Palestinian claim to Gaza is based on tenuous grounds. Gaza is not the traditional homeland of the so-called Palestinian people. They are simply a collection of nomadic Arabs who forged that identity for political expediency. This arrangement was openly stated by the late PLO executive committee member, Zoheir Moshen, in an interview with James Dorsey for the Dutch newspaper Trouw, on March 31, 1977:
"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak about the existence of a Palestinian people since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct 'Palestinian people' to oppose Zionism."
Some Palestinians may have been early settlers in the land, others not -- unlike the Jewish people who have lived there for more than 3,600 years. It appears that part of Islamist strategy is to take ownership of certain words and slogans and to reverse their intended application. For this reason, Jews are referred to as "occupiers" of Israel, implying that Gaza, Judea and Samaria were the original Palestinian homeland, despite voluminous written and archaeological evidence to the contrary.
The ancient Jewish Israelites, the Israelis, according to verifiable historical evidence, are indigenous people as much as anyone else. The term, "Syria Palaestina" was first used by the Roman Emperor Hadrian around 135 CE to try to sever all connections of the Jews to the land after their failed Bar Kochba Revolt in 67 CE. For the last hundred years or so, since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, the word "Palestinian" has applied to those people who happened to be born in that region during the League of Nations' British Mandate for Palestine; their passports stamped "Palestinian" due to the location, not ethnicity or origin. Empowering Gazans to be self-governing in 2005, free of Israel's presence, was possibly made in the hope that they would coexist with their Jewish neighbours in harmony. The 1993-1995 Oslo Accords, signed by Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, stated that:
"[It] is time to put an end to decades of confrontation and conflict, recognize their mutual legitimate and political rights, and strive to live in peaceful coexistence and mutual dignity and security and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement and historic reconciliation through the agreed political process."The breaches of these material conditions on October 7 by Hamas as representative of the Gazan Palestinian people, are solid grounds for invalidating the compact as a whole. Israel has the legal and moral right to re-take control of their own land and to remove all harmful elements: they never ceded permanent title to their land. The military forces of Israel currently undertake this onerous task with courage and determination and comply, as far as practicable, with constraints of just war principles and the human rights of non-combatants. Even then, wild and unsubstantiated allegations of genocide against the Palestinian people are made by anti-Zionists and proponents of Marxist liberation theology, which sees the world through a lens of the oppressor and the oppressed. So, lessons from the partition of sections of Eretz Yisrael have been learned the hard way; division of land in order to accommodate genocidal enemies cannot again be considered. Any form of permanent division without oversight and realistic security measures (for third-party guarantees are basically worthless) must remain an unrealisable dream, a chimera, for those seeking to deprive the Jewish people of their ancestral sanctuary. Let Israel choose strong leaders who recognize this reality; and let them be gracious to law-abiding people of peace who call Israel their home. Although they might not be of Jewish origin, there is a divine command at play: "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." Given the rapid global rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, the isolated position that the people of Israel face is well expressed by Leon Kass when, in the spirit of Boer Bittereinder confronting the mighty British empire, he says:
"It is left to little Israel to make the first stand against radical evil and the new axis of nations dedicated to the demise of the West. With resolve, courage, and dedication, but, alas, with much more sacrifice, Israel will show the way."
The words of the late UK Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks preceded Kass's remarks:
"Jews are a nation of strong individuals. The whole community is holy, every one of them. They always were. They still are. That is their strength." In conclusion, Russian-British scribe Konstantin Kisis exposes the inane, naïve, and languid attitude of Western leaders when he posits:
"And the truth is that we have indulged in magical thinking for too long, choosing comforting myths over harsh realities. About terrorism and a host of other issues. Now the world is paying a price for that self-indulgence."
Kisis implies that jihadist actors take advantage of Western concepts of natural law with its moral, humanitarian, and ethical rubrics that constrain retaliatory or pre-emptive actions. While averring Islamic religious convictions, radical Islamists decry Western moral restraints and instead reveal a set of doctrines, at times disturbingly assertive, emanating from the Quran and various Hadith, that validate their actions. Unswerving dedication to their ideology guarantees they will persist in their agenda, intending to kill or convert every last Jew, Christian and "disbeliever," until they achieve their doctrinal goals.
*Nils A. Haug is an author and columnist. A trial lawyer by profession, he is member of the International Bar Association, the National Association of Scholars, the Academy of Philosophy and Letters. Retired from law, his particular field of interest is political theory interconnected with current events. He holds a Ph.D. in Theology (Apologetics). Dr. Haug is author of Politics, Law, and Disorder in the Garden of Eden – the Quest for Identity (March 2023); and Enemies of the Innocent – Life, Truth, and Meaning in a Dark Age (November 2023). His work has appeared in First Things, The American Mind, Minding the Campus, and The Quadrant.
© 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.

UK’s Labour needs a comprehensive immigration strategy
Dr. Azeem Ibrahim/Arab News/March 03, 2024
The upcoming general election in the UK highlights the pressing need for the Labour Party to formulate a comprehensive immigration policy that resonates with voters. Recent polls indicate that British citizens are particularly concerned about three major issues: the state of the National Health Service, the rising cost of living and immigration. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s election strategy is evident to those closely observing the political landscape. He appears inclined to offer minimal details regarding his policies for as long as possible, aiming to safeguard his party’s significant lead in the polls. Labour’s policy discussions reflect a cautious approach, emphasizing the importance of not underestimating the potential challenges of securing victory. The electoral strategy employed by Starmer reflects a pragmatic logic. Avoiding detailed policy announcements minimizes the risk of having to backtrack later, which could provide an advantage to political opponents. Notably, recent policy shifts — such as the abandonment of a pledge to spend £28 billion ($35 billion) a year on green initiatives and the shelving of a national care service proposal — underscore the challenges of presenting concrete policy proposals.
For Starmer, the devil lies in the details. It appears strategically prudent to signal flexibility on key issues like immigration, aiming to address the diverse concerns of the electorate. The lack of specific proposals leaves room for interpretation and adaptation based on changing political dynamics, mirroring the contradictory desires of the voting populace. The challenge for researchers and voters alike lies in predicting the policy trajectory of a potential Starmer government. Analyzing Starmer’s historical positions, legal career and political affiliations provides some insight into his potential policy directions. Additionally, understanding the influence of party dynamics and subject matter expertise is crucial in evaluating the potential impacts of his policies. A recent report by the Henry Jackson Society sheds light on Starmer’s prospective immigration policy, suggesting continuity with many Conservative reforms. While certain policy changes remain uncertain, a Starmer government would likely retain key measures, such as the higher earning threshold for overseas workers.
However, significant changes are anticipated under Starmer’s leadership, including the scrapping of the Rwanda scheme and the negotiation of an EU-wide returns agreement with a migrant quota. These changes could result in a substantial increase in migration.
Moreover, a forensic analysis highlights the potential challenges associated with an EU returns agreement, indicating limited effectiveness in terms of addressing illegal English Channel crossings. The analysis suggests that such agreements may not significantly deter irregular migration, underscoring the complexity of immigration policy. Embracing diversity as a source of strength and innovation can enhance the UK’s global competitiveness.
The urgency of a comprehensive policy is not lost on British voters. Migration trends over the next decade are poised to significantly impact the UK, both socially and economically. As global dynamics evolve, several key factors will shape the migration landscape and its implications for the country.
Demographic shifts and economic disparities in various regions of the world will continue to drive migration patterns. Population growth, coupled with economic challenges in developing nations, may lead to increased migration flows toward more prosperous and stable countries like the UK. Additionally, factors such as climate change-induced displacement and political instability will further contribute to migration pressures globally. Also, geopolitical developments and policy changes will shape the direction and composition of migration flows. Brexit, for instance, has led to significant shifts in the UK’s immigration policies and its relationship with the EU. While the UK seeks to assert greater control over its borders and prioritize skilled migration, uncertainties remain regarding the impact on sectors reliant on low-skilled labor and the overall demographic composition of the country.
Moreover, global challenges such as refugee crises and humanitarian emergencies will continue to drive forced migration and asylum-seeking behaviors. The UK’s response to such crises will not only reflect its commitment to international humanitarian principles but also influence its standing within the global community. Considering these trends, any UK government must adopt a proactive and comprehensive approach to managing migration and its associated challenges. This entails fostering inclusive policies that balance the need to protect national security and sovereignty with humanitarian considerations and economic imperatives.Furthermore, investing in integration programs and social cohesion initiatives will be essential to mitigate potential tensions arising from cultural diversity and demographic changes. Embracing diversity as a source of strength and innovation can enhance the UK’s global competitiveness and position it as a welcoming destination for migrants and talent from around the world. Ultimately, navigating the complexities of migration in the coming decade requires strategic foresight, political leadership and international cooperation. By embracing the opportunities and addressing the challenges posed by migration, the UK can harness the full potential of its diverse population and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous future for all. Aspiring to the role of prime minister, Starmer must formulate a thorough and feasible immigration policy that aligns with the expectations of the UK electorate and addresses the nation’s requirements. The clock is ticking, urging swift action.
• Dr. Azeem Ibrahim is the director of special initiatives at the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, DC.
X: @AzeemIbrahim

Sweden’s NATO admission is great news for European security
Luke Coffey/Arab News/March 03, 2024
NATO. After months of delays, Hungarian parliamentarians voted 188 to six in favor of the Scandinavian nation’s entry into the alliance.
Sweden will therefore soon become the alliance’s 32nd member, less than a year after Finland also joined. In the context of European security, this is a historic event. The Swedish government, backed by the people of the country, made the decision to apply to join NATO soon after Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and it came as a surprise to many. For centuries, Sweden pursued a policy of military nonalignment in Europe. The country stayed out of the First World War and Second World War and pursued a policy of neutrality during the Cold War. Before 2022, there was no serious debate within Swedish politics about the possibility of joining NATO, nor was there any meaningful public support for it.
Attitudes changed almost overnight when Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland and Sweden applied to join the alliance at the same time. Finland’s membership received the green light last spring but Sweden had to wait.
The decision to add new members to NATO must be unanimously agreed by existing member states and Stockholm’s application was first stalled by Turkiye and later by Hungary. Initially, the dispute was over a Turkish demand that Stockholm extradite members of the outlawed PKK, who Ankara accused of terrorism. That matter was resolved and, in January, the Turkish parliament voted to approve Sweden’s membership of NATO.
The reason for Hungary’s opposition was less clear. However, it probably had more to do with internal debates about EU funding allocations than any genuine security concerns.
The addition of Sweden to the alliance will make it stronger for three reasons. Firstly, the nation already takes defense issues very seriously. Due to its nonaligned military status throughout the country’s recent history, it has maintained robust and sizable armed forces.
Sweden also maintains a very productive and proven defense industry that produces some of the best weapons in the world. To help meet NATO defense spending targets in 2024, the country even announced last year that it was boosting defense spending by a staggering 30 percent.
It has also played a leading role in providing economic, humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. Since February 2022, it has given almost $3.5 billion of assistance to Kyiv. Secondly, Sweden’s membership of NATO formalizes a relationship that, in practice, has existed for decades. Although Sweden was nonaligned militarily during the Cold War, Stockholm quietly cooperated with NATO on issues of mutual interest.
Arguably, Sweden was the country that enjoyed the closest relationship with NATO without formally being a member of the organization. It also participated in many NATO-led peacekeeping operations.
With the addition of Sweden and Finland to the alliance, the geopolitical reality in Northern Europe has changed. To this day, Swedish troops continue to be part of NATO’s long-running Kosovo Force mission. The nation’s troops also contributed to the alliance’s 2011 no-fly zone mission in Libya and to its International Security Assistance Force and Resolute Support Missions in Afghanistan. Thirdly, a NATO that includes Sweden allows the alliance to defend Northern Europe more effectively. The Swedish island of Gotland, which occupies a strategic position in the Baltic Sea halfway between Sweden and Latvia, is a good example of this. Gotland is one of the most important pieces of territory in Northern Europe and Sweden has maintained a permanent military garrison on the island for hundreds of years. Currently, about 400 soldiers are stationed there. This important location will now be a part of NATO.
Iceland, Norway and Denmark are already in NATO. With the addition of Sweden and Finland to the alliance, the geopolitical reality in Northern Europe has changed.
As Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said recently: “For the first time in 500 years, the Nordic countries will have a common defense.”
As circumstances change, NATO needs to adapt and should update its military contingency plans for the region.
NATO members need to increase their naval presence in the Baltic Sea. Other than Russia’s small, albeit important, exclave of Kaliningrad, which is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, the Baltic Sea is now effectively a NATO lake.
The alliance also needs to establish a new Northern Europe air defense mission. While the existing Baltic Air Policing mission has been useful for policing the region’s airspace, more needs to be done. With the addition of the new NATO members in the region, combined with the threats emanating from Russia, a robust and expanded air defense mission is needed. NATO has been one of the most successful defensive alliances in history, so it is no surprise that countries in Europe that are not members want to join. Sweden’s entry is welcome news ahead of the alliance’s major summit this summer, which will mark the 75th anniversary of its founding. Extending the NATO security umbrella to new members such as Sweden encourages other like-minded countries to coalesce around common defense. Ultimately, this makes Europe more secure. And because NATO is a defensive military alliance, Russia should not fear additional countries joining it. Sweden’s membership of NATO is also a reminder that the door is open to other new members and should offer hope to other countries that want to join, such as Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Even in some traditionally strictly neutral countries, such as Ireland, there have been small, but growing, public debates about the possibility of NATO membership, because of the example set by Sweden.
As a member of NATO, Sweden will be a net contributor to regional security. Unlike some existing members that do not pull their weight, it will not be a burden on the alliance. All in all, its entry into NATO is a much-needed good news story.
• Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.
X: @LukeDCoffey

Embracing digital innovation in wildlife conservation
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/March 03, 2024
UN World Wildlife Day, which is celebrated on March 3 every year, is dedicated to the remarkable diversity of life on Earth, honoring the invaluable contributions of wild animals and plants to our planet’s ecological balance. With each passing year, this occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to safeguard and conserve our natural heritage. In 2024, World Wildlife Day was themed “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation,” emphasizing the critical role of technology in addressing contemporary conservation challenges. Let us delve into the significance of this theme and explore how digital innovation can propel us toward a future of sustainable wildlife conservation. First of all, we ought to examine the intersection of technology and conservation.
In recent decades, technological advancements have revolutionized various aspects of human life — and conservation efforts are no exception. From satellite imagery and drones to data analytics and artificial intelligence, the tools at our disposal have become increasingly sophisticated, offering unprecedented insights into the dynamics of ecosystems and the behavior of wildlife.
In other words, digital innovation has not only enhanced our understanding of ecological processes, but has also empowered conservationists with more effective strategies for protecting endangered species and their habitats.
One of the most promising applications of technology in wildlife conservation is the use of digital platforms for community engagement and education. Through social media, mobile apps and online forums, conservation organizations can connect with a global audience in order to raise awareness of environmental issues and mobilize support for conservation initiatives. By leveraging digital communication channels, stakeholders can also foster a sense of collective responsibility toward wildlife conservation, inspiring individuals to take action in their communities and beyond.
In addition, digital tools play a crucial role in monitoring and combating the illegal wildlife trade, which poses a significant threat to many endangered species. By employing blockchain technology and geospatial tracking systems, authorities can trace the origins of wildlife products and identify smuggling routes with greater accuracy. Additionally, machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to detect patterns of illegal activity, enabling law enforcement agencies to intervene more effectively and disrupt illicit trade networks.
Another key aspect of digital innovation in wildlife conservation is the emergence of citizen science initiatives, which engage volunteers in collecting and analyzing environmental data. Through smartphone apps and online platforms, individuals can contribute valuable information about wildlife sightings, habitat conditions and biodiversity trends, supplementing the work of professional researchers.
Citizen science not only expands the scope of data collection, but also fosters public participation in conservation efforts, empowering people to become active stewards of their natural surroundings.
In spite of the challenges, the opportunities afforded by digital innovation are vast and multifaceted. In addition, digital technologies enable the real-time monitoring of wildlife populations, thus facilitating more responsive conservation interventions. For example, with the aid of GPS collars and sensor-equipped cameras, researchers have been able to live track the movements of animals and assess their health status. This real-time data allows conservationists to identify emerging threats, such as habitat loss or poaching activity, and implement timely interventions to mitigate these risks. This means that, by leveraging digital platforms for wildlife monitoring, researchers can adapt conservation strategies in accordance with changing environmental conditions, ensuring a more dynamic and adaptive approach to conservation management.
While digital innovation holds immense potential for advancing wildlife conservation, it also presents certain challenges that must be addressed. One of the primary concerns is the digital divide, which refers to disparities in access to technology among different communities and regions. In many parts of the world, particularly in rural or remote areas, limited internet connectivity and technological infrastructure hinder the adoption of digital tools for conservation purposes.
As a result, it is vital to bridge this gap, which requires concerted efforts to expand access to technology and provide training and support to communities, ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for conservation.
Another issue is that the rapid pace of technological development poses challenges in terms of data privacy and security. As conservation organizations collect and analyze increasing amounts of data, there is a growing need to safeguard sensitive information and adhere to ethical guidelines for data management. In this case, collaborative efforts between technologists, policymakers and conservationists are essential in order to develop robust frameworks for data governance and to ensure that digital innovations are being used responsibly and ethically in wildlife conservation.
Nevertheless, in spite of these challenges, the opportunities afforded by digital innovation in wildlife conservation are vast and multifaceted. By harnessing the power of technology, we can enhance our understanding of ecological systems, engage citizens in conservation action and implement more effective strategies for protecting biodiversity. From remote sensing and predictive modeling to community-based monitoring and public outreach, digital tools offer a wealth of possibilities for safeguarding our natural heritage and fostering a harmonious relationship between people and our planet.
As we reflect on this year’s UN World Wildlife Day and its theme, let us reaffirm our commitment to harnessing the transformative potential of technology for the greater good. By embracing digital innovation and fostering collaboration across disciplines and sectors, we can overcome the challenges facing wildlife conservation and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Together, let us embark on this journey toward a world where humans and wildlife thrive in harmony, guided by the principles of innovation, stewardship and respect for all life on Earth.
• Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist.
X: @Dr_Rafizadeh

Turkiye making strides in improving its air force
Yasar Yakis/Arab News/March 03, 2024
The Turkish air force last month carried out the first test flight of its fifth-generation fighter jet. This test has the potential to change paradigms in Turkiye, Turkish-Greek relations and Turkish-American relations.
The US has done everything it can to prevent its NATO ally Turkiye from improving its air force. This started in 1964, when US President Lyndon Johnson sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Ismet Inonu telling him that, in case the Soviet Union attacks Turkiye because of the Cyprus problem, NATO may not come to Ankara’s aid. This was in stark contrast to the obligations of the NATO alliance. Inonu responded that, in this case, a new world order would emerge and Turkiye would find its place.
More than 10 years later, amid clashes between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the Turkish military carried out an operation on the island. As a reaction to Turkiye’s move, the US Congress took the decision to impose an embargo on the supply of military equipment to Ankara.
This became a turning point in Turkiye’s attitude to the manufacturing of the military equipment it needed. But it took several years for the country to develop its defense industry and start to manufacture the military equipment that its NATO ally refused to provide.
A similar attitude was adopted by the US more recently, when it withheld the delivery of the spare parts required for the upgrading of about 90 F-16 fighter aircraft that are in Turkiye’s air force inventory.
Ankara understood that reliance on a foreign country for the provision of defense equipment has risks. Therefore, it started to slowly develop its defense industry. The first contract signed with a Turkish defense company dates back to 2010. Many other national projects are now underway.
In 2007, an unmanned drone manufactured by a private Turkish company entered Turkiye’s air force inventory. Other more sophisticated manned and unmanned drones followed. Ankara had cooperation with Ukraine in the field of defense before the outbreak of the Ukrainian war and this cooperation was not interrupted by Russia’s invasion. As this was a commercial deal, Moscow did not formally object to the cooperation between Turkiye and Ukraine. Turkish drones played a very important role during the 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia war and changed the destiny of the conflict. After the drones proved their efficiency, other countries purchased them. The number of countries that have purchased Turkish-made manned and unmanned drones now exceeds 25. They include several Middle Eastern, Central Asian, African and European nations.
Last December, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a list of the world’s top 100 arms-producing and military services companies. Four Turkish defense industry companies (Aselsan, Baykar, Tusas and Roketsan) were included in this list. Furthermore, Baykar was the fastest-growing company in the list with a 94 percent increase in its yearly income.
Ankara understood that reliance on a foreign country for the provision of defense equipment has risks. Unmanned drones manufactured by Turkiye have distinguished themselves with their performance in Libya, Montenegro and Ukraine. Ukrainians have even composed a song praising the Turkish-made Bayraktar drones. Turkiye has now entered a new era thanks to the test flight of its first fighter aircraft, named Kaan, which means “emperor,” “king” or “leader” in the old Turkish vocabulary. The most important component of an aircraft is, of course, the engine. Turkiye installed in Kaan the engine of the US-manufactured F-16 fighter aircraft. With this achievement, Turkiye’s aviation industry will produce what is known as a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. It is now trying to develop its own homemade engine. It may take some time, but it looks like it is within the range of its capabilities. As of today, Turkiye is one of only four countries in the world that is manufacturing its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Experts familiar with the avionics industry believe that, by 2030, the Turkish-manufactured Kaan aircraft might replace the F-16 fighters in the Turkish air force’s inventory. But six years is a short period in the evolution of the aviation industry.
Turkiye was previously participating in the consortium established to manufacture the F-35 fighter aircraft. About 900 components for this aircraft were being manufactured by Turkish companies. Victoria Nuland, as acting deputy US foreign secretary, in January hinted that Turkiye might return to the F-35 consortium if the problem of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system was brought to a satisfactory conclusion. It is not clear what Nuland meant by this statement, but it appears that the US may be softening its attitude on this controversy.
The country that is the most disturbed by the steps taken by Turkiye’s avionics industry must be Greece because it is in fierce competition with Ankara. Greece claims, with a distorted logic, that it is not ready to negotiate the question of sovereignty of the maritime area that is contested by Turkiye. Such an approach is, of course, a nonstarter. When a country says that it is not ready to negotiate a conflict, there is nothing to discuss. A country like Turkiye, which is located at a strategically important juncture, has to maintain a strong army. It has no other choice. It also needs a fairly strong defense industry. Turkiye should avoid at all costs becoming a revisionist or aggressive country, but there is nothing wrong with it improving its defense capability.
• Yasar Yakis is a former foreign minister of Turkiye and founding member of the ruling AK Party.
X: @yakis_yasar