Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 08-09/2024
Lebanese border region dotted with ghost towns as residents flee Israeli bombardment
Hochstein 'suspends his mission' as Gaza talks collapse
Israel 'denies' March 15 deadline as Halevi 'orders plan' for Lebanon incursion
Israel-Hezbollah clashes: Latest developments
Bassil walks fine line between supporting, opposing Hezbollah strikes on Israel
Lebanese expatriates: The economic and political backbone of Lebanon
Jumblat ridicules Biden's 'fictitious' Gaza pier plan
Joumblatt urges Biden for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Israel denies targeting journalists after report on tank fire
Lebanon's 'icons of change': Honoring Lebanese trailblazers Linda Matar and Giselle Khoury on International Women's Day
Wronecka meets women's groups in Tripoli ahead of International Women’s Day
Dutch group confirms Israeli tank fire killed Lebanese journalist
Israel-Hezbollah fighting looks set to scuttle plans for historic land border settlement

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 08-09/2024
Gaza war goals: Israel blames Hamas for stalling prisoner exchange amid Cairo's deal proposal
US envoy to Israel says Gaza talks not 'broken down', gaps narrowing
Biden says temporary pier in Gaza will boost aid deliveries as hopes for truce dim
Biden in a hot mic moment shows his growing frustration with Netanyahu over Gaza humanitarian crisis
Blinken says the ball is in Hamas' court on Gaza ceasefire
UN rights office says Israeli settlements in Palestinian areas amount to a 'war crime'
At the edge of Gaza, Israelis try to stop aid trucks
Aid plan for Gaza by sea: US-led initiative faces hurdles amid Israeli inspection of aid
Activist slashes painting of British author of Jewish homeland declaration
IDF says troops fired at ‘suspects’ in deadly food aid incident but denies targeting convoy
Ship leaves for Gaza as test of new humanitarian corridor: Top EU official
Israeli settlements expand by record amount, UN rights chief says
Five killed in Gaza aid drop parachute failure - reports
With Sweden in NATO, the alliance has new ways to strike Russia's prime targets
Father Of Marine Killed In Afghanistan Arrested After Heckling Biden At SOTU
17 years after FBI agent went missing in Iran, bureau still seeks clues in disappearance
Iran is responsible for the 'physical violence' that killed Mahsa Amini in 2022, UN probe finds
Two civilians killed in Turkish air strike in northern Iraq, security sources say
New incident reported in sea off Yemen
Solidarity protests: Biden challenged during speech at the Capitol

Titles For The Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on March 08-09/2024
Ramadan - Month of Jihad' : Ramadan Will Not Stop Hamas From Killing Jews/Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/March 8, 2024
U.S. and Western Recognition of a Palestinian State Would Ultimately Make Israel Safer/Daniel Bral/The Daily Beast/March 8, 2024
Question: “Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?”/GotQuestions.org/March 08/2024
Anti-Biden coalitions plan national convention to find presidential alternatives/RAY HANANIA/Arab News/March 08, 2024
A day of celebration for the strong and powerful women of the Gulf/Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/March 08, 2024
Unions should not disrupt France’s Olympics party/Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/March 08, 2024
How Britain stood up to be counted on Ukraine/Luke Coffey/Arab News/March 08, 2024

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 08-09/2024
Lebanese border region dotted with ghost towns as residents flee Israeli bombardment
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/March 08, 2024
BEIRUT: Towns along the Lebanese border with Israel are becoming deserted as residents flee the Israeli bombardment, a local man told Arab News on Friday, as two more civilians were hurt in a blast that damaged a property in the village of Baraachit.“After five months of daily confrontations between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, 90 percent of the border towns have become empty, while 100 percent of the residents in other adjacent towns have completely fled the area,” the person said. “The weapons used by the Israeli enemy have become more destructive, meaning that bombed buildings are being destroyed, which makes it more difficult to tell if there are any residents living there, or to even find them due to their scattered body parts,” said the resident of Nabatieh, itself a target for the attacks. Hezbollah said on Friday that four of its members were killed earlier in the week when the house they were in was hit by an Israeli shell. The victims were identified as Ali Amin Marji, Fadel Abbas Kaoud and Hadi Mahmoud Hijazi. Another member, Fadi Mahmoud Daoui, was killed in a similar attack on Aitaroun on Thursday night, the group said. Meanwhile, Hezbollah conducted artillery strikes on Israeli military sites in Shtula, Western Galilee and, according to Israeli media sources, “in the vicinity of Al-Rahib.”According to figures from Information International, as of Tuesday, 290 people — including 228 Hezbollah members and cadres — had been killed in Lebanon as a result of the fighting. Most of the deaths were reported in villages and towns in the south and Bekaa regions, including nine each in Ayta Al-Shaab and Kafr Kila, seven in both Markaba and Aitaroun, and six each in Khirbet Selm and Taybeh. The deadliest week for Hezbollah so far was Oct. 22-28, when 28 of its members were killed, followed by Feb. 11-17, which saw 20 fatalities, the data showed. Israel’s Channel 13 reported on Friday that the Israeli army was planning to invade Lebanon by land, but analysts said there was still the possibility of a political solution to the conflict. Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said: “It has been spread all over the media that Israel threatened to attack with a deadline of March 15. If Israel attacks, we will take it down with its supporters. We will pay it in the same coin: assault for assault, fight for fight. “We are prepared for any day on which Israel chooses to expand its battle. We are on the lookout. We will win.” The head of Hezbollah’s Shariah Council, Sheikh Mohammed Yazbek, said during his Friday sermon in Baalbek that the group would “keep striking until the war on Gaza and the attacks on Lebanon end.” Hezbollah would “prevent the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the killing of innocent people and civilians,” he said.

Hochstein 'suspends his mission' as Gaza talks collapse
Naharnet /March 8, 2024
U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein has suspended his mission and decided to return to his country, while also recalling the aide whom he had kept in Beirut for further talks, after the Gaza truce negotiations reached a dead end, official sources said. The U.S. envoy “will not return except after a truce is declared, because he did not obtain an answer as to whether the resistance (Hezbollah) will halt its operations should Israel declare a unilateral truce or should a U.N. Security Council resolution be issued in this regard,” the sources told al-Akhbar newspaper in remarks published Friday. “Hochstein’s initiative practically collapsed with the news about the collapse of the Cairo negotiations,” informed sources said. “The initiative is mainly aimed at returning settlers to the north of occupied Palestine, while the rest of the terms, such as the army’s deployment and other issues, are unnecessary,” the sources added. Hezbollah has targeted Israeli positions across the border almost daily since an October 7 attack by its Palestinian ally Hamas triggered war with Israel. Israeli forces have responded with strikes against Hezbollah positions as well as targeted operations against senior officials. The border clashes since October have killed at least 303 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters but including 50 civilians. On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed according to the Israeli army.

Israel 'denies' March 15 deadline as Halevi 'orders plan' for Lebanon incursion
Naharnet/March 8, 2024
Israeli military officials have denied a Lebanese report that claimed that Israel would launch a major attack in Lebanon if no diplomatic deal was reached by March 15, Israel’s Channel 13 reported. “There’s no date for going to war in Lebanon,” an unnamed source was quoted as saying. Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi meanwhile instructed Brig. Gen. Moshe Chico Tamir to “prepare several possible plans for a ground operation in Lebanon,” Channel 13 said. The channel pointed out that "Tamir had great experience in the northern sector when he was in his last position as deputy commander of the Northern Corps of the Israeli army." “Tamir will develop a number of incursion plans of different scopes, including limited entry, which aims to push Hezbollah to withdraw eight to 10 kilometers off the border,” the channel said. Hezbollah has targeted Israeli positions across the border almost daily since an October 7 attack by its Palestinian ally Hamas triggered war with Israel. Israeli forces have responded with strikes against Hezbollah positions as well as targeted operations against senior officials. The border clashes since October have killed at least 303 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters but including 50 civilians. On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed according to the Israeli army. Israel has also threatened to use bigger force against Hezbollah to secure the return of around 80,000 Israelis displaced from northern Israel.

Israel-Hezbollah clashes: Latest developments
Naharnet/March 8, 2024
Two people were wounded Friday in an Israeli airstrike on the southern town of Baraashit, around 10 kilometers from the border, MTV reported. Another airstrike destroyed a house between the southern towns of al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun, the National News Agency said. Israeli artillery meanwhile targeted the al-Mutran Hill in Marjeyoun’s Sarda with two shells. Later on Friday, several missiles were fired from Lebanon at Israel's Shtula according to Israeli reports, as Hezbollah announced the death of three fighters who hail from the southern town of Blida. Hezbollah also said that it targeted Israeli troops in the vicinity of the al-Raheb post with artillery shells, as Al-Jazeera said rockets were fired at the al-Sammaqa Israeli post in the occupied Kfarshouba Hills and at the al-Radar Israeli post in the occupied Shebaa Farms. Israeli artillery shelling also targeted the border towns of Mays al-Jabal and Houla. The Israeli army had at dawn fired heavy-caliber machineguns at the forests adjacent to the border towns of Ramia and Aita al-Shaab. An Israeli airstrike overnight destroyed a house in Majdal Zoun, with the flying glass shards and stones causing minor injuries among the town’s residents. Another airstrike meanwhile hit the town of Ramia, causing material damage. Hezbollah has targeted Israeli positions across the border almost daily since an October 7 attack by its Palestinian ally Hamas triggered war with Israel. Israeli forces have responded with strikes against Hezbollah positions as well as targeted operations against senior officials. The border clashes since October have killed at least 303 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters but including 50 civilians. On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed according to the Israeli army.

Bassil walks fine line between supporting, opposing Hezbollah strikes on Israel
Naharnet/March 8, 2024
Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil is walking a fine line between supporting and opposing the ongoing war in Lebanon's south. "The Lebanese have the right to defend their country but Palestinians do not have the right to defend Palestine from Lebanon [...] and self-defense is a legitimate right but the decision to attack requires a united Lebanese stance," Bassil said in a televised interview. "I support the unity of the Lebanese arena, [...] but the decision of war was not taken by Lebanon, neither by Hezbollah," he added. "A Palestinian faction took the decision of war, and I am against Hezbollah's decision to follow them.""We support war if it will return the Shebaa Farms to Lebanon and secures offshore oil and gas exploration," Bassil explained. "But why are we linking Lebanon's fate to Gaza?"he asked. "Is Hamas linking its fate to Lebanon?"Bassil went on to say that he understands that Hezbollah was pre-empting a possible Israeli attack and that he is convinced that the group, unlike Israel, does not want a war, but warned the group against letting Israel drag the country into a war. "We shouldn't give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a chance to destroy everything," he said. Hezbollah has targeted Israeli positions across the border almost daily since an October 7 attack by its Palestinian ally Hamas triggered war with Israel. Israeli forces have responded with strikes against Hezbollah positions as well as targeted operations against senior officials. The border clashes since October have killed at least 303 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters but including 50 civilians. On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed according to the Israeli army.

Lebanese expatriates: The economic and political backbone of Lebanon
LBCI/March 8, 2024
For 229 years, Lebanon has witnessed the first wave of emigration to the New World. Today, the number of Lebanese expatriates worldwide has reached approximately 14 million people, according to the Lebanese Executive Council.
They are distributed across America, Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Lebanese expatriates serve as the economic lifeline of Lebanon. Annually, their remittances amount to around 7 billion dollars, in addition to their pivotal role in supporting the tourism sector throughout its seasons. Moreover, the role of expatriates is crucial in Lebanese political life, as evidenced by the results of the recent parliamentary elections. With 137,763 expatriates participating in the elections, they contributed to the victory of at least five reformist candidates. Today, Lebanon's strength lies in its significant diaspora. Despite challenging circumstances, they are always present to offer assistance when needed.

Jumblat ridicules Biden's 'fictitious' Gaza pier plan
Naharnet/March 8, 2024
Lebanon’s Druze leader Walid Jumblat on Friday criticized U.S. President Joe Biden’s aid plans for the embattled Gaza Strip. “President Biden. Nothing will prevent the starvation and the death of the people of Gaza if you are delaying the immediate ceasefire,” Jumblat said in an English-language post on the X platform. “It is useless to improvise fictitious harbors or drop meager food rations amidst the continuous bombardment of Gaza,” Jumblat added. Biden ordered the U.S. military Thursday to set up a temporary port off the coast of Gaza, joining international partners in trying to carve out a sea route to deliver food and other aid to desperate Palestinian civilians cut off by the Hamas-Israel war and by Israeli restrictions on humanitarian access by land. The U.S. says it airdropped 36,000 meals into northern Gaza on Tuesday in coordination with Jordan, the second such joint mission in recent days. It came a day after the World Health Organization said children were dying of starvation in northern Gaza, where an estimated 300,000 Palestinians are living with little food or clean water. But the strategy has sparked considerable discussion, with humanitarian organizations saying it cannot meet the soaring needs. It has also become a symbol of the failure of the aid effort on the ground.

Joumblatt urges Biden for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
LBCI/March 8, 2024
Former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Joumblatt, directed a message to US President Joe Biden on Friday, imploring him to act swiftly to halt the escalating crisis in Gaza. In a post on X, Joumblatt emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further devastation and loss of life among the people of Gaza. Joumblatt said, "Nothing will prevent the starvation and the death of the people of Gaza if you are delaying the immediate ceasefire.""It is useless to improvise fictitious harbors or drop meager food rations amidst the continuous bombardment of Gaza," he added. Président Biden .Nothing will prevent the starvation and the death of the people of Gaza if you are delaying the immediate https://t.co/QzvtnVK6kU is useless to improvise fictitious harbors or drop meagre food rations amidst the continuous bombardment of Gaza #gaza pic.twitter.com/kw9qreorPc

Israel denies targeting journalists after report on tank fire
Agence France Presse/March 8, 2024
The Israeli military on Friday denied it targets reporters after an expert report gave further details of a tank crew opening fire and killing a journalist and wounding others in Lebanon last year.The military said it "does not deliberately shoot at civilians, including journalists" after a probe by the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) found troops "likely" opened fire on the journalists with a machine gun after deadly shelling. The strike in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on October 13 instantly killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. Six other journalists from Reuters, Al Jazeera and AFP were injured. One of them, AFP photographer Christina Assi, 28, later had a leg amputated. An AFP investigation in December pointed to a tank shell only used by the Israeli army being fired in the attack. And a separate Reuters probe, including initial findings from the TNO, found two Israeli tank rounds fired from the same position across the border were used. In its final report on Thursday, the TNO said analysis of audio picked up by an Al Jazeera video camera at the scene showed the reporters also came under fire from 0.50-calibre rounds of the type used by the Browning machine guns that can be mounted on Israel's Merkava tanks. "It is considered a likely scenario that a Merkava tank, after firing two tank rounds, also used its machine gun against the location of the journalists," it said. "The latter cannot be concluded with certainty as the direction and exact distance of (the machine gun) fire could not be established." The Israeli military said Friday that troops responded to attacks by Hezbollah militants, using "artillery fire and tank fire in order to remove the threat". In a statement to AFP, the military said "a report of the injury of journalists who were in the area was received" after the fire by Israeli troops. The "incident will continue to be examined" by a military body, the statement said. The Israeli military said it "considers the freedom of the press to be of utmost importance while clarifying that being in a war zone is dangerous."Rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also concluded that the first strike in southern Lebanon was most likely a tank round fired from Israel. They said the journalists had been clearly marked as such, and that the deadly strike merited a "war crimes" probe.

Lebanon's 'icons of change': Honoring Lebanese trailblazers Linda Matar and Giselle Khoury on International Women's Day
Shaza Wannous/LBCI//March 8, 2024
As the world commemorates International Women's Day, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate the remarkable influence of Lebanese women on shaping the rich tapestry of our nation's history, culture, and heritage. From breaking societal taboos to excelling in diverse fields, Lebanese women have continually demonstrated strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. They have fearlessly served in various capacities within the military, embodying courage and dedication in defending their nation. Since being granted the right to enroll in the Lebanese Armed Forces in the late 1980s, Lebanese women have defied stereotypes, serving with courage and distinction in various roles, including combat units. Today, their presence is growing, with approximately 6,700 women in the armed forces, reflecting their invaluable contributions to safeguarding Lebanon's peace and security. Transitioning from military service to the realm of sports, Lebanese women have carved out a formidable presence. Their prowess on the court not only showcases their athletic abilities but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes nationwide. One prominent example in the sports field is Aziza Sbaity, dubbed "the fastest woman in Lebanese history." She has captured attention for her exceptional athletic power, particularly in sprinting, and was listed among BBC's 100 Women 2023. Moving beyond sports, across the spectrum of arts and media, Lebanese women have elevated Lebanon's reputation as singers, artists, comedians, human rights activists, and journalists. Building upon the acknowledgment of Lebanese women's pivotal role in driving progressive change, it is imperative to delve into the remarkable contributions of individuals who have exemplified resilience and empowerment. Linda Matar and Giselle Khoury emerge as shining examples of this spirit, each leaving an unforgettable mark in their respective domains.
Linda Matar:
A pioneering figure in the Lebanese feminist movement, Linda Matar left a legacy of firm dedication to women's rights and gender equality. Born in 1925, Matar's life was marked by a relentless pursuit of justice and empowerment for women in Lebanon and beyond. Throughout her life, Matar played a fundamental role in shaping the landscape of women's rights activism in Lebanon. She was instrumental in establishing various women's organizations, and her advocacy extended to the legislative arena, where she fought for women's rights to run for elections, travel without spousal consent, and ensure working women's rights to their children. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Matar remained steadfast in her commitment to advancing women's rights. She participated in numerous Arab and international conferences, including those organized by the United Nations, where she advocated for policies to address gender-based violence and discrimination. Matar's influence transcended national borders, earning her recognition on the global stage. In 1995, the French magazine Marie Claire selected her as one of the hundred women who shook the world. Lebanese Presidents Michel Sleiman and Elias Hrawi further acknowledged her contributions, awarding her the National Order of the Cedar for her exemplary service to Lebanon. Throughout her life, Matar was a beacon of hope and inspiration for women across Lebanon and the Arab world. Her diligence lives on in the countless lives she touched and the progress she helped achieve in the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
Giselle Khoury:
Renowned Lebanese journalist Giselle Khoury, a luminary in the Arab world, passed away at the age of 62 after a battle with cancer. Throughout her three-decades-long career, Khoury made an indelible mark as one of the Arab world's most respected interviewers and analysts. Her journey in journalism began in 1986 at LBCI, where she hosted the widely acclaimed talk show Hiwar al-Omer. She later ventured into various media organizations, contributing significantly to the launch and success of renowned news platforms. Across these roles, Khoury showcased her journalistic acumen by conducting insightful interviews with prominent figures and anchoring programs that delved into critical global issues. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Khoury's profound love for Lebanon and dedication to preserving its heritage and promoting civic activism were evident throughout her life.
In 2006, she established the Samir Kassir Foundation to promote democratic values in Lebanon and the Arab world while advocating for freedom of expression. Recognized globally for her contributions, Khoury was selected by The New York Times in 2005 as one of the top eight female journalists worldwide in news and politics.Her commitment to advancing democratic principles earned her the prestigious Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from French President Emmanuel Macron. Khoury's legacy continues to inspire generations and shape the discourse on democracy and freedom of expression in Lebanon and beyond. On International Women's Day, let us honor and appreciate the invaluable contributions of Lebanese women like Linda Matar and Giselle Khoury, whose unwavering resilience, courage, and determination serve as a testament to the enduring strength of women everywhere, inspiring us to strive for a future where gender equality and empowerment reign supreme.

Wronecka meets women's groups in Tripoli ahead of International Women’s Day
Naharnet/March 8, 2024 
Ahead of International Women's Day, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, accompanied by U.N. Women representative in Lebanon Gielan Elmessiri, has met in the northern city of Tripoli with youth, women-led groups and non- governmental organizations active in empowering women and girls, peacebuilding efforts and the promotion of social stability through inclusive political dialogue, social inclusion and economic empowerment."All across Lebanon, I have met with inspiring women who are playing leading roles in trying to make their communities more peaceful, inclusive, resourceful and involved in contributing to a more sustainable future for their country," Wronecka said Wednesday. "Creating a conducive environment for enhancing women and girls’ rights and participation is even more necessary during times of crisis so that Lebanon can benefit from the full potential of all its citizens," she added. The Special Coordinator met with a group of young women and men at the Azm university who shared how Lebanon’s socio-economic crisis was impacting youth in their education and employment opportunities, particularly in Tripoli. They also shared their aspirations for change and for building a better future in all the regions of Lebanon. At the Ruwwad Al-Tanmeya Center, the Special Coordinator was briefed on the peacebuilding efforts, including in offering a space for engaging youth across sectarian divides.In a separate discussion with local women NGOs funded under the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), the Special Coordinator, U.N. Women and the participants highlighted the need to improve the political participation of women and their engagement in matters of peace and security. The Special Coordinator also attended the play “I dream of dreaming” involving Lebanese and Syrian women organized by Seenaryo, Women Now for Development and U.N. Women as part of a project to empower women in facilitating peaceful dialogue and inclusion in their communities.U.N. Women representative in Lebanon Elmessiri said “the courage and commitment of the women and men we met in Tripoli today stands as a beacon of hope towards a more just society that empowers, uplifts, and advocates for every woman's voice to be heard and her rights respected."The U.N. said in a statement Thursday that it remains committed to supporting the inclusion and empowerment of women and girls as part of its overall efforts to support Lebanon’s peace, security and development.

Dutch group confirms Israeli tank fire killed Lebanese journalist
Associated Press/March 8, 2024
A report by an independent research organization in The Netherlands confirmed that Israeli tank fire killed a Reuters videographer and wounded six other journalists in southern Lebanon last October. The journalists were covering cross-border clashes between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israeli forces on Oct. 13, just days after the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, when an Israeli tank shell landed among them. The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, said that after two ammunition rounds struck the area where the journalists were working, “arms fire and bullets whizzing through the air were heard.” It said the two ammunition rounds were 37 seconds apart. The report by TNO, which was contracted by Reuters to analyze evidence from southern Lebanon clashes on Oct. 13, was released Thursday. It said the Israeli fire in the attack lasted 1 minute and 45 seconds. Israeli officials have said that they do not deliberately target journalists. Israel did not immediately comment on the Dutch group's findings. In December, international human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said Israeli strikes that killed and wounded the journalists on Oct. 13 were apparently deliberate and a direct attack on civilians. The strikes killed Issam Abdallah and wounded Reuters journalists Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, Qatar’s Al-Jazeera television cameraman Elie Brakhya and reporter Carmen Joukhadar, as well as AFP’s photographer Christina Assi and video journalist Dylan Collins.
Assi, who was seriously wounded, was discharged from Beirut’s American University Medical Center earlier this month, after nearly five months of treatment.

Israel-Hezbollah fighting looks set to scuttle plans for historic land border settlement
Mireille Rebeiz, Dickinson College/Associated Press/March 8, 2024
(THE CONVERSATION) In October 2022, Lebanon and Israel signed a maritime border agreement brokered by the U.S., a move interpreted as the beginning of normalizing relations between two countries technically at war. The next step would have been the settlement of the long-running land border dispute.But then came the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel's response in bombing Gaza. The following day, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general of Lebanon's political party and militant group Hezbollah, announced the faction had "entered the battle," effectively dragging Lebanon into fresh, intensified fighting with Israel. Since then, near-daily tit-for-tat strikes have seen Hezbollah fighters fire missiles into northern Israel and the Israeli army responding in kind. As a scholar who researches evolving issues in Lebanon and the Middle East, I worry that as regional violence escalates, the long simmering conflict between Israel and Lebanon is heading toward an unavoidable full-blown war. In such circumstances, hopes for a land settlement to accompany the historic maritime deal look, for now at least, dead in the water.
Lebanese–Israeli relations -
For over 75 years, Israel's border with Lebanon has been a source of conflict. Following the proclamation of the state of Israel in 1948, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled or fled their land; many ended up as refugees in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. In 1963, the Palestine Liberation Organization was created and began to operate cells and recruit members from the Palestinian refugee camps in those three countries. In 1970, the PLO was expelled from Jordan. It moved its headquarters into Lebanon, and by the mid-1970s over 20,000 PLO fighters were in Lebanon launching attacks on Israel. Their armed presence divided Lebanese public opinion between those who wanted to make peace with Israel and those who wanted to defend the Palestinian cause. On April 13, 1975, violence erupted over the issue of Palestinian armed presence in Lebanon, and the country descended into chaos. It resulted in a messy civil war in which Palestinian insurgents in Lebanon fought the country's Christian parties while also continuing to fire rockets into Israel. Lebanon thus became an unstable political and security threat to Israel. In 1982, Israeli Defense Minister Ariel Sharon launched Operation Peace for Galilee. On June 6 of that year, the Israel army invaded Lebanon with the intent to eliminate PLO fighters. Nearly 18,000 people were killed and another 30,000 wounded during the invasion. The Lebanese authorities called for help, and a multinational peacekeeping force composed of American, French, British and Italian troops arrived in August 1982. Its mission was to evacuate PLO fighters out of Lebanon into Tunisia. But on Sept. 14, Lebanese President-elect Bashir Gemayel was assassinated. In retaliation, Lebanese Christian militias entered the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila and killed over 2,000 civilians. Evidence suggests Israel played a role in these massacres and was indirectly responsible for them. Israel officially retreated from Beirut in September 1982, but it occupied southern Lebanon until 2000.It was during this Israeli occupation that Hezbollah, a Shiite political party in Lebanon and militant organization backed by Iran, was born. Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been engaged in fierce fighting ever since, including a 1996 war known as Operation Grapes of Wrath, in which an estimated 200 were killed.
Land and maritime border disputes -
Much of the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel takes place along a border that has been contested since the creation of Israel. Matters became more complicated with the occupation of the Golan Heights -– a Syrian territory that borders Israel and Lebanon and was taken by Israeli forces during the 1967 Six-Day War. In the past, there have been attempts to settle land disputes. In 1949, Israel and Lebanon signed the general armistice agreement, which adopted the boundaries of the mandatory territories of Palestine and Lebanon. This agreement continues to exist on paper.In May 1983, Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement calling for the establishment of peaceful diplomatic relations between the two states. However, after the assassination of Gemayel and the Sabra and Shatila massacres, the agreement was not implemented. Following the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, a "Blue Line" was established by the U.N. It is not a real border but rather an imagined line separating the two states and monitored by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Although the Blue Line acts as a buffer zone between Lebanon and Israel, it does not offer an accurate drawing of land boundaries and does not solve the issue of a key source of contention: the disputed Shebaa Farms. Located between Israel, Syria and southern Lebanon, the Shebaa Farms have been contested lands for over two decades. While Lebanon and Hezbollah claim that it is Lebanese territory, Israel asserts that it is part of the Golan Heights, which it continues to occupy. After appointing cartographers, the United Nations declared the Shebaa Farms Syrian territory captured by Israel in 1967. In 2011, Syrian leader Bashar Assad recognized that the Shebaa Farms are Syrian, refuting Hezbollah's claim over this land and Israel's jurisdiction in the occupied Golan Heights. Meanwhile, efforts led by the U.S. began to look at the issue of Lebanon and Israel's disputed maritime boundary, starting in earnest in 2010. The discovery of the Leviathan field, the largest gas reservoir in the Mediterranean, made it urgent to address the question of the maritime borders. With gas exploitation and economic growth a possibility, it was deemed important to lower security risks for investors. In 2022, Amos Hochstein, the American envoy for energy affairs, met separately at the Blue Line with Israeli and Lebanese officials. Hezbollah was involved in the negotiations and gave the green light for the deal to be sealed. In October of that year, the U.N. was notified of the new Israeli and Lebanese maritime borders.It came amid other signs of a lessening in tensions between Israel and Arab states. In September 2020, the United Arab Emirates signed the Abraham Accords in which it recognized Israeli statehood. Soon after, Sudan and Bahrain followed suit.
Moving forward
The maritime border agreement carried a potential for peace in the region, a deal that would, potentially, benefit both Lebanon and Israel. The next step would have been drawing land boundaries. In fact, Hochstein had already held preliminary discussions over 13 land border points, including the Shebaa Farms, and had explicitly said that the U.S. is ready to help mediate between the two countries. Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza have, however, derailed the process. It is hard to envision a land border deal in such circumstances, especially after the January 2024 assassination of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut's southern suburbs and Hezbollah's vow to avenge the death. The final nail in the coffin looks to be Saudi Arabia's statement on Feb. 7, 2024, that it can have no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized with the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. It has ended hopes, for now at least, that Saudi Arabia will follow the UAE's lead and normalize diplomatic relations with Israel. The U.S. is still desperately trying to keep the land deal alive. Recently, Hochstein visited Lebanon and met with pro- and anti-Hezbollah parties in an attempt to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and move forward with a land agreement. One voice often neglected in all this is that of the Lebanese public. Many Lebanese have expressed their opposition to war. In one recent poll, a majority agreed that what the country needed was domestic and economic reforms more than involvement in foreign policy issues. A historic land deal accompanying the maritime settlement may have gone some way to achieve those goals. Instead, the danger now is a full-scale war that will scuttle any negotiations. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/lebanese-israeli-fighting-looks-set-to-scuttle-plans-for-historic-land-border-settlement-222832.

Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 08-09/2024
Gaza war goals: Israel blames Hamas for stalling prisoner exchange amid Cairo's deal proposal
LBCI/March 8, 2024
Israel, along with its political and security officials, has squarely placed the blame on Hamas for obstructing the prisoner exchange deal. They assert that Hamas' leadership, particularly Yahya Sinwar, aims to keep the tensions high to achieve its goals. However, discussions about the possibility of reaching agreements have not been entirely ruled out. Simultaneously, a survey revealed that a majority, 43% of Israelis, support Cairo's proposal for the deal, even if it includes a permanent ceasefire and the release of Palestinian security prisoners. Meanwhile, Israelis are divided on achieving the goals of the war declared by the Netanyahu-Gantz-Gallant trio, which include eliminating Hamas. In addition, 45% consider the goal unattainable, favoring an end to the war. An equal percentage supports continuing the war to achieve this objective. Given these realities and numbers, the rhetoric threatening the continuation of fighting has escalated, as the feasibility of the deal before Ramadan seems increasingly unlikely. The unsettling scenarios and the absence of a horizon to ensure calm have added to concerns on the northern front with Lebanon. Israeli security assessments indicate that the region could explode due to any exceptional event, extending its battle to various fronts. After deeming diplomacy unsuccessful in reaching a solution with Lebanon to return settlers to their towns, internal discussions have begun to outline a timeline to determine the fate of the war with Lebanon.

US envoy to Israel says Gaza talks not 'broken down', gaps narrowing
Agence France Presse/March 8, 2024
Talks for a truce in Gaza have not yet "broken down," the U.S. ambassador to Israel said, after a Hamas delegation voiced dissatisfaction with Israel's positions and left Cairo. "The differences are being narrowed. It's not yet an agreement. Everyone's looking towards Ramadan, which is coming close. I can't tell you that it will be successful, but it is not yet the case that it is broken down," Jack Lew said at a conference in Tel Aviv. The U.S. envoy's remarks come after a senior Hamas official told AFP the group's delegation had left Egypt for consultations in Qatar. "The initial (Israeli) responses do not meet the minimum requirements related to the permanent cessation of hostilities" or other Hamas conditions for a ceasefire, he added. Hamas has been insisting on a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced people to their homes and allowing humanitarian aid in and reconstruction to begin in the territory. Gadi Eisenkot, a member of Israel's five-member war cabinet, said Hamas is under "very serious pressure" from mediators to make a "counter-offer.""Then it will be possible to advance it and take a position," Eisenkot said at the Tel Aviv conference. The war broke out after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel on October 7 that allegedly resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 Israeli troops and civilians according to Israeli figures. Militants also took around 250 Israeli and foreign hostages, around hundred of whom were released during a week-long November truce. Israel believes 99 of them remain alive in Gaza and that 31 have died. Israel's retaliatory air, land and sea offensive has killed at least 30,800 people, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

Biden says temporary pier in Gaza will boost aid deliveries as hopes for truce dim
Associated Press/March 8, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden Biden said overnight that the U.S. military will help establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza as a way to boost the delivery of aid for Palestinians trapped in the besieged territory by the Israel-Hamas war.
He unveiled the plan during his State of the Union address to Congress. The move comes after Biden last week approved the U.S. military airdropping aid into Gaza. Biden said the temporary pier ”will enable a massive increase in humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza.”But at the same time he called on Israel to do more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians even as its forces try to eliminate the Hamas group. “To Israel, I say this humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” Biden said. The plans follow an announcement by Hamas that negotiations over a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of more Israeli hostages will resume next week, dimming hopes that mediators could broker a truce before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin at sundown Sunday. After nearly five months of war, much of Gaza is in ruins, and international pressure is growing for Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would halt the fighting and release the remaining Israeli captives held by Hamas. Israel’s near-total blockade of Gaza and the fighting have made it nearly impossible to deliver supplies in most of Gaza, aid groups say. Many of the estimated 300,000 people still living in northern Gaza have been reduced to eating animal fodder to survive. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas-led militants stormed across the border on Oct. 7, allegedly killing over 1,100 troops and civilians according to Israel and abducting around 250. Over 100 hostages were released in November in exchange for 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The number of Palestinians killed has climbed above 30,700, two thirds of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It says over 72,000 people have been wounded.

Biden in a hot mic moment shows his growing frustration with Netanyahu over Gaza humanitarian crisis
WASHINGTON (AP)/March 8, 2024 
President Joe Biden 's growing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to mount, with the Democrat captured on a hot mic saying that he and the Israeli leader will need to have a “come to Jesus meeting.”The comments by Biden came as he spoke with Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., on the floor of the House chamber following Thursday night's State of the Union address. In the exchange, Bennet congratulates Biden on his speech and urges the president to keep pressing Netanyahu on growing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were also part of the brief conversation. Biden then responds using Netanyahu's nickname, saying, “I told him, Bibi, and don’t repeat this, but you and I are going to have a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting.”An aide to the president standing nearby then speaks quietly into the president’s ear, appearing to alert Biden that microphones remained on as he worked the room. “I’m on a hot mic here,” Biden says after being alerted. “Good. That’s good.” A widening humanitarian crisis across Gaza and tight Israeli control of aid trucks have left virtually the entire population desperately short of food, according to the United Nations. Officials have been warning for months that Israel’s siege and offensive were pushing the Palestinian territory into famine. Biden has become increasingly public about his frustration with the Netanyahu government’s unwillingness to open more land crossings for critically needed aid to make its way into Gaza. In his address on Thursday, he called on the Israelis to do more to alleviate the suffering even as they try to eliminate Hamas. “To Israel, I say this humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” Biden said. The president announced in his speech Thursday that the U.S. military would help establish a temporary pier aimed at boosting the amount of aid getting into the territory. Last week, the U.S. military began air dropping aid into Gaza. Biden said the temporary pier, ”will enable a massive increase in humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza.”

Blinken says the ball is in Hamas' court on Gaza ceasefire
WASHINGTON (Reuters)/March 8, 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday it was up to Hamas to agree to a ceasefire that would allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and pave the way for talks on an "enduring resolution" to the conflict. The Palestinian militant group left talks in Cairo aimed at reaching an agreement to pause fighting ahead of Ramadan, amid fears violence could escalate during the Muslim fasting month. Israel and Hamas blamed each other for the lack of agreement on a deal that would require Hamas to free some of the hostages it still holds in exchange for a 40-day truce. Palestinian prisoners held in Israel would also be released. Blinken, ahead of a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, said Washington was still pushing for a ceasefire. "The issue is Hamas. The issue is whether Hamas will decide or not to have a ceasefire that would benefit everyone," Blinken said.
"The ball is in their court. We're working intensely on it, and we'll see what they do."Gaza health authorities say more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign in response to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, in which Israel said 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted.

UN rights office says Israeli settlements in Palestinian areas amount to a 'war crime'
GENEVA (AP)/March 8, 2024
The U.N. human rights office says in a report published Friday that the establishment and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem amount to a war crime. The report covers the one-year period from Nov. 1, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2023, when it says roughly 24,300 housing units in existing settlements in the West Bank were “advanced” — the highest number in a year since monitoring began in 2017. It deplored an increase in the building of new settlement homes in recent months. “The West Bank is already in crisis. Yet, settler violence and settlement-related violations have reached shocking new levels, and risk eliminating any practical possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian state,” U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said. He presented the report to the Human Rights Council on Friday. Reports this week that Israel plans to build nearly 3,500 settler homes in three areas "fly in the face of international law,” he said. Türk said the creation and expansion of settlements amount to the transfer by Israel of its own population into territories that it occupies, “which amounts to a war crime under international law,” his office said in a statement. Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva, which regularly accuses Türk's office of overlooking violence by Palestinian extremists against Israelis, said the report “totally ignored” what it said was the deaths of 36 Israelis and injuries of nearly 300 others in attacks due to “Palestinian terrorism” last year. Much of the international community considers the settlements to be illegal under international law. Expanded settlement activity and an upsurge in violence in the West Bank in recent months have been largely overshadowed by bloodshed and displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israeli forces have led a blistering military campaign against the militant group Hamas following its deadly Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.

At the edge of Gaza, Israelis try to stop aid trucks
Clarissa Ward and Brent Swails, CNN/March 8, 2024
For weeks Israeli border officers allowed protesters to disrupt the critical aid convoys at Kerem Shalom, the country’s sole functioning border crossing with Gaza. But at the end of last month, with international pressure and condemnation mounting, authorities announced they were moving additional officers to the crossing to take back control. But even with the area now declared a closed military zone, protesters continue to arrive and try to outmaneuver the police. Watch the video to see the scene. The protests are being led by the “Tsav 9” movement, a grouping of demobilized reservists, families of hostages and settlers. Its name, meaning “Order 9,” is a reference to the emergency mobilization notices that call up reservists.The protesters say they fear the aid is helping militants still holding their friends and relatives hostage, five months after the murderous cross-border raids led by Hamas that killed about 1,200 people in Israel with 200 more being taken prisoner. They hope preventing food and supplies from entering Gaza will force Hamas to release them. A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that two-thirds of Jewish Israelis support their view opposing the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The war in Gaza has killed more than 30,000 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, and the remaining population has been forced from their homes and struggle to survive. The World Health Organization says food and safe water have become scarce and diseases are spreading. There is a surge of acute malnutrition, it says. Children are dying. But aid has been slow to reach those in desperate need. Israel restricts what can go in, and a UN official said from February 24 to March 3 fewer than 1,000 trucks entered the strip, far below the required 500 daily.
Some countries started dropping aid from the air, and the US, UK and European Union are setting up a shipping corridor in the Mediterranean to access Gaza directly, but the UN says road access remains vital to stop a deepening of the catastrophe. nOn Thursday, the Israeli border police ensured aid trucks got through at Kerem Shalom, but only after turning away several attempts by protesters over the course of several hours. As the day wore on, officers took a more aggressive stance against protesters. Watch the video to see the tense exchanges. This is a critical moment for aid delivery through Kerem Shalom as Gaza inches closer to famine. According to Gaza’s health authorities, at least 17 children have died from malnutrition and dehydration already.Many more are sick. Inside Kamal Adwan Hospital – the only pediatric facility still operating in the north of Gaza – doctors are struggling to treat 7-year-old Fadi al Sant. Watch the video to see Fadi, suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition, with his mother.

Aid plan for Gaza by sea: US-led initiative faces hurdles amid Israeli inspection of aid
LBCI/March 8, 2024
The scarcity of food is a tragic reality experienced by hundreds of thousands of Gazans, who are now waiting for world aid to survive. A US-led initiative, which involves Western countries and Arab states, aims to assist in Gaza through maritime routes. This innovative approach will see floating ports deployed offshore, with US military personnel stationed at sea to oversee the operation. However, the details of this floating port remain vague, with the project not involving the deployment of US troops in the Gaza Strip.Instead, American military personnel will remain at sea, while UN agencies and relief organizations will handle the transportation of aid to Gaza by land. The implementation of this project, which has been communicated to Israel, will require weeks of planning and execution. Additionally, Cyprus will serve as a multinational maritime corridor for aid delivery to Gaza through the port of Larnaca, with operations expected to commence next Saturday or Sunday. The US-led floating port is not expected to materialize soon as it is still in the planning stages. Nevertheless, the maritime corridor appears to be closer to realization. Yet, both projects face significant challenges, including determining the destination and distribution of aid and the potential obstruction by Israeli inspections, similar to land-based aid shipments. According to The Guardian, Israeli inspectors will be present at the port of Larnaca to inspect aid shipments. Meanwhile, Israel is seeking alternatives to ensure absolute control over humanitarian aid distribution. This Israeli plan involves arming local Gazans not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority to oversee aid distribution in light of Tel Aviv's conviction that the problem is not how humanitarian aid will arrive but rather who will distribute it. Observers view the entry of aid through maritime routes as evidence of the prolonged war and growing American frustration with Israel's obstruction of land-based aid delivery. This comes as President Biden faces increasing domestic pressure amid escalating election tensions. The initiative underscores the pressing need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while navigating complex political and logistical challenges.

Activist slashes painting of British author of Jewish homeland declaration
LONDON (Reuters)/March 8, 2024
A pro-Palestinian activist slashed a painting of the early 20th-century British foreign minister Arthur Balfour at Cambridge University on Friday, saying his 1917 declaration was the reason the Palestinians had lost their homeland to Israel. A video posted on social media by the Palestine Action protest group showed a woman spraying red paint over the life-size portrait before cutting it repeatedly with a knife - the latest in a flurry of protests prompted by the Israel-Hamas war. Balfour's declaration, made as Ottoman rule was crumbling in the Middle East and Britain a global power, said London would "view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people" and work toward it - albeit without prejudicing "the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities". It was the first time a major power had publicly expressed support for a Jewish homeland, gave a boost to the growing worldwide Zionist movement - and shaped what was to become interim British "mandate" rule of Palestine from 1918 onward. Palestinians have long demanded that Britain apologise for the 67-word statement. British oversight of Palestine ended traumatically in 1947-48 with war between Jews and Arabs, the declaration of the State of Israel and the exodus of some 750,000 Palestinians who were forced out or fled. "Balfour’s declaration began the ethnic cleansing of Palestine by promising the land away — which the British never had the right to do," Palestine Action said in a caption accompanying the clip. Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for tougher policing of protests in light of an increase in hate speech. His government has particularly alleged threatening behaviour by some of those attending a wave of protests against the thousands of civilian deaths and the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip. Sunak said people had the right to protest, but could not use support for Gaza's Palestinians to justify backing Hamas, the armed movement that rules Gaza, which Britain considers a terrorist group. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's military since Oct. 7, when Palestinian militants led by Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted 253, by Israeli counts. Cambridge's Trinity College said it regretted the damage, and that support was available for college members.

IDF says troops fired at ‘suspects’ in deadly food aid incident but denies targeting convoy
Elliott Gotkine, Mia Alberti and Rob Picheta, CNN/March 8, 2024
Israel’s military has said its investigation into the deadly humanitarian aid incident in Gaza last month found Israeli troops did not fire at the aid convoy, but at “a number of suspects” who approached and posed a threat to nearby forces, a conclusion swiftly rejected by Palestinian authorities.More than 100 people were killed in the incident in northern Gaza, which has become known as the “Flour Massacre,” as Israeli troops opened fire near civilians gathering around food aid trucks, triggering panic. A local journalist in Gaza, Khader Al Za’anoun, who was at the scene and witnessed the incident, said at the time that the chaos and confusion only began once Israeli troops opened fire, and that many of the victims were run over by trucks in the ensuing panic. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 118 people were killed and more than 700 injured, making it one of the deadliest incidents since the war in Gaza began. CNN cannot independently confirm the figures. “The command review found that IDF troops did not fire at the humanitarian convoy but did fire at a number of suspects who approached the nearby forces and posed a threat to them,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a summary of the report released Friday. The IDF said that thousands of Palestinians swarmed the aid trucks, which were traveling toward distribution centers, looting the trucks’ equipment. They added that “incidents of significant harm” occurred to civilians from a stampede and being run over by trucks. The IDF said during the crowding, dozens of Palestinians “advanced towards nearby IDF troops, up to several meters from them, and thereby posed a real threat to the forces at that point.”“At this stage, the forces fired cautionary fire in order to distance the suspects. As the suspects continued to advance toward them, the troops fired precisely toward a number of the suspects to remove the threat,” the IDF’s summary said. The United Nations said earlier that most of the civilians wounded in the incident presented gunshot wounds. The international body could not determine the same for the deceased. UN experts earlier this week condemned the incident as a “massacre,” and have called on Israel to relax its severe restrictions on food aid entering Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are facing the prospect of famine. And Friday’s findings were quickly rejected by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, which claimed Israel’s investigation represented “the same old formality aimed at exonerating the occupation army and obliterating the evidence.” Israel “always lies and covers up for its soldiers in order to protect them from accountability and prosecution,” the ministry said in a statement. The Palestinian ministry said the international community should follow through with an independent international investigation committee, adding that “the accused cannot investigate itself.”

Ship leaves for Gaza as test of new humanitarian corridor: Top EU official
AP/March 08, 2024
NICOSIA, Cyprus: A top European Union official is in Cyprus on Friday to inspect preparations to send desperately needed aid to war-ravaged Gaza by sea, just hours after President Joe Biden announced that the US military will set up a temporary port off Gaza’s Mediterranean coast to support deliveries. Efforts to dramatically ramp up aid deliveries signaled growing frustration with Israel’s conduct in the war in the United States and Europe. Biden’s announcement of the sea port plan underscored how the United States is having to go around Israel, its main Mideast ally and the top recipient of US military aid, to get aid into Gaza, including through airdrops that started last week. Israel accuses Hamas of commandeering some aid deliveries. Efforts to set up a sea route for aid deliveries come amid mounting alarm over the spread of hunger among Gaza’s 2.3 million people. Hunger is most acute in northern Gaza, which has been isolated by Israeli forces for months and suffered long cutoffs of food supply deliveries. After months of warnings over the risk of famine in Gaza under Israel’s bombardment, offensives and siege, hospital doctors have reported 20 malnutrition-related deaths at two northern Gaza hospitals. While reiterating his support for Israel, Biden used his State of the Union speech to reiterate demands that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow in more aid to Gaza. “To the leadership of Israel, I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” Biden declared before Congress. He also repeated calls for Israel to do more to protect civilians in the fighting, and to work toward Palestinian statehood as the only long-term solution to Israeli-Palestinian violence.
US officials said it will likely be weeks before the Gaza pier is operational.
Officials from the US, Europe, Israel and the Middle East were already deep in discussions and preparations for a maritime aid route. Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Union’s powerful executive arm, arrived in Cyprus late Thursday to inspect facilities at the port of Larnaca, where aid ships are expected to depart for Gaza. In November, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides offered the use of the port, which is a 230-mile (370-kilometer) journey from Gaza. It’s unclear when the first ship will set sail, but it’s believed it could happen as early as Sunday, the expected start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A ship belonging to Spain’s Open Arms NGO is moored at Larnaca waiting for permission to deliver food aid from World Central Kitchen, a US charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés. Aid groups have said their efforts to deliver desperately needed supplies to Gaza have been hampered because of the difficulty of coordinating with the Israeli military, the ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order. It is even more difficult to get aid to the isolated north. Sigrid Kaag, the UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, told reporters late Thursday that air and sea deliveries cannot make up for a shortage of supply routes on land. EU Commission spokesman Balazs Ujvari said on Wednesday the bloc would consider air drops, but this would be a last resort and cannot replace ground access to the enclave. Ujvari said the EU has so far carried out around 40 flights to deliver aid to Gaza, primarily through Egypt. Meanwhile, efforts to reach a ceasefire before Ramadan appeared stalled. Hamas said Thursday that its delegation had left Cairo, where talks were being held, until next week. International mediators had hoped to alleviate some of the immediate crisis with a six-week ceasefire, which would have seen Hamas release some of the Israeli hostages it is holding, Israel release some Palestinian prisoners and aid groups be given access to to get a major influx of assistance into Gaza. Palestinian militants are believed to be holding around 100 hostages and the remains of 30 others captured during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, in which militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took some 250 hostages. Several dozen hostages were freed in a weeklong November truce, and about 30 are believed to be dead. Egyptian officials said Hamas has agreed to the main terms of such an agreement as a first stage but wants commitments that it will lead to an eventual more permanent ceasefire, while Israel wants to confine the negotiations to the more limited agreement. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations with media. Both officials said mediators are still pressing the two parties to soften their positions.

Israeli settlements expand by record amount, UN rights chief says
Emma Farge/Reuters/Mrch 8, 2024
GENEVA-Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have expanded by a record amount and risk eliminating any practical possibly of a Palestinian state, the U.N. human rights chief said on Friday. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said that the growth of Israeli settlements amounted to the transfer by Israel of its own population, which he reiterated was a war crime. The U.S. Biden administration said last month the settlements were "inconsistent" with international law after Israel announced new housing plans in the occupied West Bank. "Settler violence and settlement-related violations have reached shocking new levels, and risk eliminating any practical possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian State," Turk said in a statement accompanying the report which will be presented to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in late March. Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva said that the report should have included the deaths of 36 Israelis in 2023. "Human rights are universal, yet Israeli victims of Palestinian terrorism are ignored by the Office (of the High Commissioner) time and time again," it said in a statement. The 16-page report, based on the U.N.'s own monitoring as well as other sources, documented 24,300 new Israeli housing units in the occupied West Bank during a one-year period through to end-October 2023, which it said was the highest on record since monitoring began in 2017.
RISING VIOLENCE
It also said there had been a dramatic increase in the intensity, severity and regularity of both Israeli settler and state violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, particularly since the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.
Since then, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces or by settlers, it said. Israel, which captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war, claims a biblical birthright to the land where settlements are expanding. Its military says it is conducting counter-terrorism operations in the West Bank and is targeting suspected militants. Turk's report noted that the policies of Israel's government, which is the most right-wing in the country's history and includes religious nationalists with close ties to settlers, appeared aligned to an "unprecedented extent" with the goals of the Israeli settler movement. It has documented cases of settlers wearing full or partial Israeli army uniforms and carrying army rifles while harassing or attacking Palestinians, in a blurring of the lines between them. Sometimes they were shot at point-blank range, it said. The five-month-old Gaza war has put a renewed focus on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as foreseen by the Oslo accords from the early 1990s. But there has been little progress on achieving Palestinian statehood since then, with the expansion of settlements being one of the obstacles.

Five killed in Gaza aid drop parachute failure - reports
George Bowden - BBC News/March 8, 2024
Aid is dropped from a c17 cargo plane, parachutes fail to open and parcels break apart hitting the ground with force. Aid is dropped from a c17 cargo plane, parachutes fail to open and parcels break apart hitting the ground with force. Five people have died after a parachute failed on an aid package dropped by air into Gaza, reports say. An eyewitness and the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said the five were killed on Friday when at least one parachute failed to deploy, the BBC's US partner CBS News reported. AFP news agency quoted a Gaza doctor as saying five people were killed. The BBC has not independently verified this. It is unclear which air drop was involved in the incident. The US, Jordan, Egypt, France, the Netherlands and Belgium have been dropping aid into Gaza in recent days as concerns about famine among the population grow. Jordanian state TV quoted a source as denying that a Jordanian aircraft was involved in the incident. A US official told CBS an initial review suggested a US air drop was not involved. The UN says a quarter of Gaza's 2.3m population is on the brink of famine and children are starving to death. A video posted to social media on Friday and verified by BBC News shows aid dropping from a C-17 cargo plane over al-Shati, north of Gaza City, in an area largely cut off from assistance in recent months. While most of the large packages of aid fall with parachutes deployed, one fails to open and falls in a more uncontrolled way.
It is difficult to say from the video, a screenshot from which is above, what may have gone wrong. We do not know if this footage captures the incident in which people were reportedly killed. Aid organisations have been critical of the air drops, saying they were a last resort and incapable of meeting the soaring need. On Friday the EU, UK, US and others said they planned to open a sea route to Gaza to deliver aid that could begin operating this weekend. The US has said it will construct a temporary harbour to ship aid directly into Gaza, but US officials have said it will take weeks to make. Western countries have pressed Israel to expand delivery of aid by road, facilitating more routes and opening additional crossings. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: "We continue to urge Israel to allow more trucks into Gaza as the fastest way to get aid to those who need it." Israel denies impeding the entry of aid to Gaza and accuses aid organisations of failing to distribute it. Aid lorries have been entering the south of Gaza through the Egyptian-controlled Rafah crossing and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing. But the north, which was the focus of the first phase of the Israeli ground offensive, has been largely cut off from assistance in recent months. An estimated 300,000 Palestinians are living there with little food or clean water. Last week more than 100 people were killed trying to reach a ground aid convoy amid the growing desperation. Palestinians said most were shot by Israeli troops. The Israeli military, which was overseeing the private aid deliveries, on Friday said its troops did not fire at Palestinians around an aid convoy but at "suspects" nearby who they deemed a threat. Israel's military launched an air and ground campaign in Gaza after Hamas's attacks on Israel on 7 October, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 253 others were taken hostage. More than 30,800 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the territory's Hamas-run health ministry says.

With Sweden in NATO, the alliance has new ways to strike Russia's prime targets
Tom Porter/Business Insider/March 8, 2024
Sweden has formally joined the NATO alliance.
Sweden's membership enhances NATO's capabilities against Russia.
It would enable NATO to strike key Russian cities.
As Sweden's NATO membership took a decisive step toward becoming a reality, Russia was issued with a stark warning. "If Russia dares to challenge NATO, Kaliningrad would be 'neutralized' first," the former Lithuanian foreign minister, Linas Linkevicius tweeted on X in February. Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, shrugged off the comment, describing it as "information warfare."But the threat shouldn't be dismissed so quickly. With Sweden now formally accepted as a member of the alliance, key Russian cities and military assets are in closer range of NATO attacks.
Russia menaces the Baltics
NATO planners have long seen the alliances' northeastern flank, the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, as a potential weak point. The territory used to be part of the Soviet empire, and analysts believe Russia's President Vladimir Putin has long harbored ambitions to bring it back under Moscow's control. In documents leaked in January, German military experts envisage a scenario in which Russia defeats Ukraine and then attacks NATO's Baltic members, spelling out how Putin could seek to realize his ambition. The documents say that Russia could stir internal turmoil and then move troops into the Suwalki Gap, a 65-mile stretch of territory connecting Russia's Kaliningrad enclave on the Baltic Sea to Belarus, a close Kremlin ally. The move would cut the Baltic NATO members off from the rest of Europe, exposing them to further Russian attacks. But Sweden's membership of NATO gives the alliance potent new ways of deterring Russia from attacking the Baltic region, bringing key Russian targets in closer range. Nima Khorrami, an analyst at the Arctic Institute, recently told Business Insider that Sweden's membership "extends NATO's missile range, putting strategic locations in Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg within reach." "This adds another layer of deterrence against potential Russian aggression, as NATO forces can effectively respond to threats in real time."
St. Petersburg, Russia's second city, has long been the base of Russia's Baltic fleet.
Kaliningrad was formerly named Königsberg and was seized the the Soviet Union from Germany in World War 2. It extends Russia's capacity to project its power into the Baltic region, containing air defenses, electronic warfare units to scramble GPS systems, cruise missiles, and more. It would likely play a key role in any Russian attempt to attack the Suwalki Gap and Baltic nations."Degrading Russian assets there is critical for NATO operations in the area. That would, in particular, need a saturation of Russian air defense systems," Oscar Jonsson, a researcher at the Swedish Defence University, told Business Insider. "Sweden is important for both safely receiving NATO troops and capabilities and by being hard to target for Russian forces, while being close enough to Kaliningrad to launch long-range precision capabilities. As its closest, Sweden is 280 km [173 miles] away from Kaliningrad which is a good distance," he said. Russia is responding to NATO's new, expanded presence in the Baltic by massively expanding its own military presence in the region, a Lithuanian intelligence report released this week said. It found that as part of a decadelong restructuring process, Russia will increase its military forces in the region and place nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in Belarus.Russia has long accused NATO of seeking to encircle it, with Putin citing the claim as part of the justification for Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. But with Sweden becoming the newest member of the alliance, Putin has inadvertently placed his forces at a serious disadvantage in a key region. "Russia's previous false accusations that it is surrounded by NATO are now becoming a reality," said Linkevicius.

Father Of Marine Killed In Afghanistan Arrested After Heckling Biden At SOTU
Ron Dicker/HuffPost/March 8, 2024
Steve Nikoui, whose son in the Marines was killed during the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan, screamed at President Joe Biden as he gave his State of the Union speech. Nikoui was arrested. Nikoui seemed to yell “Marines” and “Abbey Gate,” referring to the site of a terrorist attack where Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui and 12 other American troops died as the U.S. military pulled out of Kabul. TV footage captured the elder Nikoui’s outburst that caught the attention of Biden as the president talked about America being safer under his leadership. Nikoui is then shown being escorted out of the gallery. Nikoui was charged with a misdemeanor for crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, ABC News reported. Capitol Police said it had warned Nikoui to stop before taking action. “This is a routine charge on Capitol Hill. People who illegally demonstrate/disrupt Congress typically are released after they pay a $50 fine, so the misdemeanor charge is resolved without going to court,” officers wrote, according to The New York Times. Videos on social media purportedly show Nikoui, a guest of Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), out and about after the arrest. Gold Star families have accused Biden of ignoring the loss of their loved ones in Afghanistan, Politico reported, and the president has been reluctant to offer consolation because his “poll numbers took a nosedive after the swift fall of Kabul.”Nikoui told The Daily Beast in 2021, “Biden turned his back on him.”

17 years after FBI agent went missing in Iran, bureau still seeks clues in disappearance
Ehren Wynder/United Press International/Fri, March 8, 2024
March 8 (UPI) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a statement Friday ahead the 17th anniversary of the abduction of retired FBI agent Robert "Bob" Levinson in Iran, saying it will continue to seek "every lead" in his disappearance. The FBI also noted March 9 will now commemorate National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day to remember all Americans unjustly detained abroad. "It has been 17 years since Bob disappeared in Iranian territory, but no matter how much time has passed, the FBI and our partners will pursue every lead to uncover what happened to Bob and return him to his family," FBI Director Christopher Wray said in the statement. The United States has long appealed to the Iranian government to help find Levinson, a retired DEA and FBI agent who went missing in Kish Island, Iran, in 2007. Levinson, who retired in 1998 and had since become a private investigator was in Iran to investigate cigarette smuggling on behalf of a client. During that time, he met with U.S. fugitive Dawud Salahuddin. Salahuddin said Iranian security officials detained the two of them, but after he was released, he never saw Levinson again. He is one of the longest held Americans in history, according to the White House. Ten years after his disappearance, Levinson's family sued Iran in federal court for falsely reporting he was kidnapped by a terrorist organization. The suit alleged Iranian government news outlet Press TV reported Iranian security authorities had detained Levinson three weeks after the event took place and that he should be released shortly. Levinson, however, was not released, and the Iranian government began denying any involvement in his disappearance. Washington, D.C., District Court Judge Timothy Kelly in 2020 ordered Iran to pay his family $1.4 billion in damages for the "barbaric conduct that has caused him and his family immeasurable suffering."Months earlier, U.S. officials had informed Levinson's family that he was presumed dead. His family said they did not know how or when he died, only that it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.The Trump administration that same year sanctioned Iranian intelligence officials Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai for their alleged involvement in Levinson's disappearance. "The abduction of Mr. Levinson in Iran is an outrageous example of the Iranian regime's willingness to commit unjust acts," Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at the time. "The United States will always prioritize the safety and security of the American people and will continue to aggressively pursue those who played a role in Mr. Levinson's detention and probable death."The FBI on Thursday again called on the Iranian government to cooperate with the United States and share information that could lead to Levinson's return.
"This weekend, Bob should be celebrating his 76th birthday with his wife, children, and grandchildren," the statement read. "Instead, we remember Bob as part of the FBI family and publicly renew our commitment to bring him home."The bureau said it is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to return.

Iran is responsible for the 'physical violence' that killed Mahsa Amini in 2022, UN probe finds
JON GAMBRELL/DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) /March 8, 2024
Iran is responsible for the “physical violence” that led to the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022 and sparked nationwide protests against the country's mandatory headscarf, or hijab, laws and its ruling theocracy, a U.N. fact-finding mission said Friday. The stark pronouncement came in a wide-ranging initial report submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council by the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran that concluded Tehran has committed “crimes against humanity” through its actions. It also found that the Islamic Republic employed “unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force” to put down the demonstrations that erupted following Amini's death, and that Iranian security forces sexually assaulted detainees. The monthslong security crackdown killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. Iranian officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press on the mission’s findings.
The release of the report is unlikely to change the trajectory of Iran's government, now more firmly in the hands of hard-liners after a low-turnout vote last week put them back in charge of the country's parliament. However, it provides further international pressure on Tehran amid wider Western concerns about its advancing nuclear program, Iran's arming of Russia in Moscow's war on Ukraine and the continued harassment and imprisonment of activists, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. “The protests were unprecedented because of the leadership of women and youth, in their reach and longevity and, ultimately, the state’s violent response,” the report says. Amini, 22, died on Sept. 16, 2022, in a hospital after her arrest by the country's morality police over allegedly not wearing her hijab to the liking of the authorities. She was brought to Iran's Vozara detention facility to undergo a “re-education class," but collapsed after 26 minutes and was taken to a hospital 30 minutes later, according to the report. Iran has denied being responsible for her death or that she had been beaten. At times, authorities have pointed to a medical condition Amini had from childhood after a surgery. The U.N. report dismissed that as a cause of her death. The panel "has established the existence of evidence of trauma to Ms. Amini’s body, inflicted while in the custody of the morality police," the report says. “Based on the evidence and patterns of violence by the morality police in the enforcement of the mandatory hijab on women, the mission is satisfied that Ms. Amini was subjected to physical violence that led to her death,” it said. The report stops short, however, of blaming anyone specifically for harming Amini.
The protests that followed Amini's death started first with the chant “Women, Life, Freedom.” However, the protesters' chanting and cries soon grew into open calls of revolt against Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.N. report found Iranian security forces used shotguns, assault rifles and submachine guns against demonstrators “in situations where there was no imminent threat of death or serious injury" to them, “thereby committing unlawful and extrajudicial killings.”It also found a pattern of protesters being shot intentionally in the eye. “The mission notes the deterrent and chilling effect of such injuries, as they permanently marked the victims, essentially ‘branding’ them as protesters,” the report says. Some of those detained faced sexual violence, including rape, the threat of rape, forced nudity, groping and electrocution of their genitals, according to the report.“The security forces played on social and cultural stigma connected to sexual and gender-based violence to spread fear and humiliate and punish women, men and children,” the report says. The panel also acknowledged it continued to investigate the 2023 death of teenager Armita Garavand, who died after falling on the Tehran Metro in what activists allege was an attack over her not wearing a hijab. Geravand’s parents appeared in a state media video at the time saying a blood pressure issue, a fall or perhaps both contributed to their daughter’s death. “In actions reminiscent of Ms. Amini’s case, the state authorities took measures to obfuscate the circumstances leading to Ms. Garavand’s death,” the report says. It also noted a suspected spate of poisonings targeting Iranian schoolgirls, without drawing conclusions on what transpired in the incidents. Activists welcomed the report's release. “The Islamic Republic’s violent repression of peaceful dissent and severe discrimination against women and girls in Iran has been confirmed as constituting nothing short of crimes against humanity,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran.

Two civilians killed in Turkish air strike in northern Iraq, security sources say
BAGHDAD/ANKARA (Reuters)/March 8, 2024
Two civilians have been killed in a Turkish air strike in the mountainous Sheladiz area of northern Iraq's Duhok province, two Iraqi security sources said on Friday. Turkey's defence ministry said its forces carried out two air strikes in northern Iraq and northern Syria overnight, killing six militants in Iraq and seven in Syria. Its post on social media platform X did not provide further information. The ministry did not say which regions the attacks targeted and it was unclear whether the ministry was referring to the same incident in northern Iraq as the security sources. Turkey regularly carries out air strikes and cross-border operations in neighbouring Iraq as part of its offensive against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is mainly based in northern Iraq's mountainous region. The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the insurgency. Turkey has also staged a series of military offensives and bombing campaigns in northern Syria against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which it regards as a wing of the PKK.

New incident reported in sea off Yemen
REUTERS/March 08, 2024
DUBAI: British maritime agencies said on Friday that an incident had been reported in waters around 50 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's city of Aden where Houthi militants have been attacking ships. The Iran-backed group has launched drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden since November. They say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians over the war in Gaza.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that the authorities are investigating the incident while security firm Ambrey said it is aware of an incident nearly 52 nautical miles south of Aden and is also investigating.

Solidarity protests: Biden challenged during speech at the Capitol
LBCI/March 08, 2024
"Biden's legacy is genocide. Free Palestine."Chanting slogans condemning the Biden administration's policies, hundreds of protesters blocked the road leading to the US Capitol. President Biden delivered his annual State of the Union address to Congress, addressing crucial issues facing Americans. Biden arrived at the Capitol 20 minutes late, but the protests continued.Democratic lawmakers notably wore white, emphasizing women's rights and reproductive freedom, highlighting a sharp partisan divide between the Democratic Party, which supports abortion, and the Republican Party, which completely rejects it. Others showed solidarity with Ukraine by wearing blue and yellow scarves, condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions. A few wore Palestinian keffiyehs, underscoring support for Palestine. Biden reacted to the serious picture of the claims and had a different attitude. Republican Representative Marjorie Greene wrote "Say Her Name, Laken Riley" on her shirt, referring to a 22-year-old woman who a Venezuelan immigrant killed. Biden's speech comes nine months before the US presidential elections. He utilized every minute of the speech, which lasted for over an hour, to showcase his ability to his opponents and supporters and to address presidential duties despite criticism. At 81, President Biden tackled sensitive topics and engaged with the audience, reaffirming his readiness to confront challenges, particularly against his fierce opponent, Donald Trump. This will set the stage for a heated battle before the next presidential election.

Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on March 08-09/2024
Ramadan - Month of Jihad' : Ramadan Will Not Stop Hamas From Killing Jews
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/March 8, 2024
On March 5, Biden warned of potential problems without a ceasefire deal by Ramadan. "There's got to be a ceasefire because Ramadan – if we get into circumstances where this continues to Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem could be very, very dangerous," he told reporters in Washington.
Such statements are undoubtedly based on the extremely false assumption that Muslims do not engage in wars and armed conflicts during the month of fasting. In fact, the opposite is true. As the New York Times reported "It is widely believed that the rewards earned for noble acts are greater during Ramadan...."
Hamas... even published an article entitled, "Ramadan – The Month of Jihad, Fighting, and Victory over the Enemies."
Throughout history, Muslims have taken advantage of Ramadan to wage war against their enemies. Five historic Islamic battles were fought in the month of Ramadan: Battle of Badr, Conquest of Mecca, Battle of Tabuk, Battle of Amin Jalut, and Battle of Hattin.
Those who believe that Hamas seeks a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan are deluding themselves. Those who are concerned about the sanctity of the holy month ought to listen to what the terrorists themselves are saying: Ramadan actually increases their desire for Jewish blood.
Those who believe that Hamas seeks a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan are deluding themselves. Throughout history, Muslims have taken advantage of Ramadan to wage war against their enemies. For example, during Ramadan of 2016, two Palestinian cousins, Mohammed and Khalil Mukhamara, carried out a shooting attack in Tel Aviv's Sarona Market, murdering four Israelis and wounding 40 others. Pictured: Volunteers from the organization: "Zaka - Identification, Extraction and Rescue" remove spattered blood from the scene of the terrorist attack in Sarona Market on June 8, 2016. (Photo by Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)
International mediators and world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, are hoping to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Iran-backed Hamas terror group before the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which starts on March 10.
On March 5, Biden warned of potential problems without a ceasefire deal by Ramadan. "There's got to be a ceasefire because Ramadan – if we get into circumstances where this continues to Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem could be very, very dangerous," he told reporters in Washington.
Such statements are undoubtedly based on the extremely false assumption that Muslims do not engage in wars and armed conflicts during the month of fasting. In fact, the opposite is true. As the New York Times reported "It is widely believed that the rewards earned for noble acts are greater during Ramadan...."
"In the holy month of Ramadan," according to fatwa 1566/10013/L=1431, "the reward of virtues is increased."
Uninformed Western statements also ignore that Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups have never hesitated to use Jewish holidays to wage war, carry out terrorist attacks and murder Jews, including October 7, 2023, which was the Jewish Sabbath and the Simchat Torah holiday -- not to mention the launch of the Yom Kippur War by Egypt and Syria.
Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups have long been using Ramadan to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel.
Hamas, through its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, even published an article entitled, "Ramadan – The Month of Jihad, Fighting, and Victory over the Enemies."
During the fasting month of Ramadan, Hamas claimed, "the Jihad fighter dedicates himself to the study of Islam by day he sets forth to defend his homeland, Palestine, by night."
The article harked back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, part of which took place during Ramadan. "This month has seen the actualization of exceptional Islamic victories," the group said. During the war, the article claimed, "the Palestinian resistance, chiefly the al-Qassam Brigades, fought the most impressive battles of heroism and martyrdom."
In 2022, the Hamas website posted : "We welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of jihad, martyrdom, and mighty victories."
In May 2021, the Qatar-owned Al-Jazeera TV station, which serves as a mouthpiece for the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, published on its website an article headlined, "Month of Jihad and Victories: How the Palestinian Resistance Turned Ramadan into the Season of Attacks and Victories." The author, Adnan Abu Amer, a Palestinian political science lecturer at Al-Ummah University in Gaza, listed a long line of deadly attacks by the Palestinian terror organizations – against both soldiers and civilians, including suicide bombings – that were deliberately carried out during Ramadan.
In Ramadan in 2017, for example, three terrorists – members of the Jabarin family of the Israeli Arab city of Umm al-Fahm, murdered two Israeli Border Police officers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound (Temple Mount) in Jerusalem.
A year earlier, also during Ramadan, two Palestinian cousins, Mohammed and Khalil Mukhamara, carried out a shooting attack in Tel Aviv's Sarona Market, murdering four Israelis and wounding 40 others.
During Ramadan in 2015, a Palestinian terrorist carried out a stabbing attack against two Israeli police officers near the Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Abu Amer also pointed out that the 2014 Israel-Hamas war coincided with Ramadan and served as a model for resistance groups because it included "the most prominent acts of heroism by the resistance in the history of Palestine and the conflict with the occupation."
According to Amer:
"Every year, at the beginning of Ramadan, the military branches of the Palestinian resistance factions stress that this is a [special] month, in which the jihad fighters pray during the daytime and defend their Palestinian homeland during the night. It is a month marked by outstanding Muslim victories, and the month during which the resistance carried out [its] most impressive wars of heroism and sacrifice. It is the custom of the resistance to step up its activity during Ramadan. The Ramadan atmosphere increases the readiness for sacrifice, due to its religious and psychological effect, which is automatically felt by the resistance fighters."
In 2021, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another Gaza-based Iran-backed terror proxy, fired rockets into Israel during Ramadan. During that Ramadan, Palestinians in the West Bank and east Jerusalem rioted, burned tires, threw rocks, shot fireworks and clashed with Israeli police officers and soldiers. The Palestinians also chanted slogans praising the terrorist leaders of Hamas.
Throughout history, Muslims have taken advantage of Ramadan to wage war against their enemies. Five historic Islamic battles were fought in the month of Ramadan: Battle of Badr, Conquest of Mecca, Battle of Tabuk, Battle of Amin Jalut, and Battle of Hattin.
So, while non-Muslims such as Biden appear to be worried about violence and bloodshed during Ramadan, the Palestinian terror groups have repeatedly shown quite an appetite for it during their own holy month by engaging in terrorism and murdering Jews.
During the Jewish holiday of Passover in 2002, while 250 guests of the Park Hotel in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya were celebrating the traditional Passover Seder in the hotel dining room, Abdel Basset Oder, a Palestinian suicide bomber disguised as a woman, entered the hotel with a suitcase containing powerful explosives. He detonated the bomb, killing 30 civilians and wounding 150 others. Some of the victims were Holocaust survivors; most were senior citizens (70 and over).
The Palestinian terror groups have long demonstrated that they do not care about any holiday – Muslim or Jewish – when it comes to advancing their goal of murdering Jews. Those who believe that Hamas seeks a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan are deluding themselves. Those who are concerned about the sanctity of the holy month ought to listen to what the terrorists themselves are saying: Ramadan actually increases their desire for Jewish blood.
**Bassam Tawil is a Muslim Arab based in the Middle East.
© 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.

U.S. and Western Recognition of a Palestinian State Would Ultimately Make Israel Safer
Daniel Bral/The Daily Beast/March 8, 2024
Jaded by failed peace talks and content with a relatively static status quo, Israel had been in no rush to finish eating the cake it was also having. That is, until Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack savagely transcended (and Israeli bombardment cemented) the “Palestinian cause” from a patronizing talking point to a global crisis and unresolved injustice.Perhaps the single universal point of agreement about what must come is that there can be no return to what was. Gazans, of course, quite literally can’t go back to what was—as the enclave lies largely in ruins. And beyond that starting point, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been largely relegated to an intransigent spectator as international consensus crystallizes around the idea and imperative of recognizing the State of Palestine. Unilateral recognition of the State of Palestine—a radical action in a pre-Oct. 7 world—is a necessary and just measure to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution precisely at a time when the bleakest chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has seemingly delivered a death knell to the prospect of peace between the two peoples.
The Best Hope for Peace Is the Israeli Left. Don’t Abandon Them.
Recognition is an act of restorative justice. It rectifies a generational wrong—not the establishment of the State of Israel itself, but the failures of the international community, Israel, Arab leaders, and, yes, Palestinians themselves, to establish a concomitant Palestinian state. But dwelling on past failures, the appropriate apportionment of blame, and even the specificities of recognition risk obscuring an inescapable truth: Palestinians are a people in need of independence.
The apocalyptic scenes from Gaza couldn’t paint a more vivid testament. Tens of thousands dead, starving, orphaned, maimed, homeless, and hopeless. And then there are the daily indignities of the West Bank—the unrestrained settler violence, settlements, unjust evictions, home demolitions, etc. Combined, Gaza and the West Bank tell a stark story about how unsustainable and unjust statelessness has become and will continue to be.
That’s not to infantilize Palestinians or absolve Hamas, as their past rejectionism and terrorism have undoubtedly contributed to today’s realities. It is to suggest that recognition could unlock the conditions for a saner paradigm because it would offer Palestinians an alternative they’ve largely lacked: hope. Lagging behind nearly 150 other countries, the West’s recognition would symbolize their sincerity toward redressing the Palestinians’ plight by transcending the mere lip service of a “two-state solution.” Righteous in its own right, recognition and eventual independence would provide a measure of liberation—a second independence—for Israelis, too. Not liberation from Palestinians, but liberation from the psychological shackles of past traumas, present crises, and future bloodshed.
Israel’s very name, existence, and reputation would no longer be defined by nor tethered to its treatment of the Palestinians. Anti-Israel attitudes and outright antisemitism wouldn’t be cured, of course, but Palestinian sovereignty could rehabilitate Israel’s international standing that—thanks to Bibi and extremist members of his ruling coalition like Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich—is steadily progressing toward outcast status. Recognition would trigger broader regional acceptance, and the safety, economic, and cultural benefits that will follow.
For all the concern about the threat an independent Palestine would pose to Israel, the cruel irony is that Palestinian statehood represents a lifeline that would actually save Israel from its greatest existential threat: itself.
The Biden Administration’s Going All-In on Its Push for a Gaza Ceasefire
Kicking the can down the road can support Israeli hubris for only so long until reality beckons with an inconvenient truth: it is impossible for the State of Israel to remain both Jewish and democratic without the establishment of the State of Palestine.
Perhaps most importantly for Israelis, recognition and eventual independence would allow Israel to credibly honor its founding promise and raison d’être: being a safe haven for the Jewish people. The attacks of Oct. 7 didn’t bring to light the irrationality or inherent dangers of Palestinian statehood, they proved that the strategy of containment was nothing more than a house of cards.
All Israelis have known since their miracle of statehood is the curse of conflict. Not by choice, of course. Parents—Israeli and Palestinian—could finally raise the first generation of children who truly know peace. Bouts of violence or lone wolf attacks wouldn’t cease, as is the case elsewhere, but the foreseeable tragedies of endless conflict would be rendered a relic. Recognition is, therefore, the most “pro-Israel” thing President Joe Biden and Western leaders can do.
The understandable anxieties of traumatized Israelis notwithstanding, Netanyahu’s protestations should be taken with Dead Sea-size grains of salt. The same man who shamelessly brags about preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state cannot, out of the other side of his mouth, convincingly claim that unilateral actions like recognition would taint the sanctity of the very direct negotiations he’s made a mockery of for his entire political career. It is precisely Netanyahu’s unwillingness to engage in good faith negotiations that leaves the Biden administration and the West with no choice but unilateral recognition to catalyze the unavoidable peace process.
Bibi’s feigned outrage is particularly rich, considering one need only look at the West Bank to appreciate his contempt for unilateralism. Legitimizing such naked bad faith would thus grant veto power over vital United States foreign policy to an admitted saboteur.
Do Americans Want a Ceasefire in Gaza? It Depends.
Equally disingenuous are claims that recognition would be tantamount to “rewarding” terrorism. Such a talking point overlooks the definitional premise: Hamas doesn’t want a two-state solution. “Giving” someone something they don’t want isn’t a reward, it’s a punishment. Further baked into that faulty premise is the conflation of Hamas with all Palestinians, the belief that the Palestinians’ primary motivation is not sovereignty but the genocide of Jews, and the illusion that the occupation is a sustainable phenomenon whose bloody effects stop at Israel’s borders.
The perversity of rock bottom is that it has the power to resurrect hope in what has been a hopeless situation. Recognizing the State of Palestine—an overdue moral, ethical, safety, and strategic imperative for Palestinians and Israelis—is the starting point to a path of peace that cannot be bypassed. It may be our final chance.

Question: “Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?”
GotQuestions.org/March 08/2024
Answer: There is a great deal of confusion regarding this question. The concept that Jesus went to hell after His death on the cross comes primarily from the Apostles’ Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scripture passages that, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” The New Testament indicates that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 makes a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades.
Sheol/hades is a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol, or paradise. (Some believe, based on a particular interpretation of Ephesians 4:8–10, that Jesus took believers with Him from sheol to another place of bliss that we now call heaven. More likely, Ephesians 4 refers to the ascension of Christ.) All the unbelieving dead go to the cursed side of hades to await the final judgment. All the believing dead go to the blessed side of hades to await the resurrection. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Jesus’ own words, He went to the blessed region of sheol.
Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will see you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”
Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7–9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ’s struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin that He asked to pass from Him (Matthew 26:39).
As Jesus neared death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.

Anti-Biden coalitions plan national convention to find presidential alternatives
RAY HANANIA/Arab News/March 08, 2024
CHICAGO: Leaders of the #AbandonBiden movement said Thursday they are planning their own convention — in August or September — to find candidates who would run against Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 presidential election. Launched on Oct. 31, 2023, the #AbandonBiden campaign has grown and partnered with coalitions in several states including “Listen to Georgia” and “Listen to Minnesota,” said Farah Khan a co-leader of the #AbandonBiden movement. Khan said a date for the anti-Biden convention has not yet been set but will be held sometime in August or September after the Democratic and Republican parties conclude their conventions. She said the #AbandonBiden movement will partner with the other anti-Biden coalitions to consider “all of the candidates” before making a final endorsement for the November elections. Khan said the movement’s voters will not accept Biden’s “repeated gratuitous promises,” calling them a “desperate effort” to “save his presidency.”“Biden won Michigan and several other states on the back of Arab and Muslim votes and he turned his back on us. He was deaf to our cries and our concerns. We gave him a deadline of October 31 to stop the genocide and he did not.
“He crossed that red line. Killing our brothers and sisters in Gaza is a red line. He is beyond redemption. He is not coming back. We are not supporting him now and we are not going to support him in November,” Khan told Arab News Thursday evening as Biden delivered his annual State of the Union speech.
“We are done choosing the lesser of the two evils. Why do they, the Democrats, have to bring in bad candidates? Why can’t the Democratic Party be the Democratic Party for all of the people? You take our votes and then you turn a deaf ear to us? And there is no concern for us? They are not listening to us. How can they continue to support the killing of civilians? How does killing civilians align with anyone’s principles?”
Khan rejected Biden’s promises of support for Palestinians in Gaza calling them “empty words” and “desperate efforts” intended to derail the #AbandonBiden movement and shore up his reelection chances. During his State of the Union speech, Biden condemned the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 and accused the militant organization of hiding behind civilians. Biden said Israel has a “fundamental responsibility to protect civilians in Gaza,” and reaffirmed his commitment to the two-state solution. Biden said the US will build a “temporary pier in the Mediterranean” to facilitate the delivery of “large shipments of aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”Khan said that Arab and Muslim voters, and their supporters, will not be moved by “belated promises” to assist Gaza’s displaced civilian population.
“We are very happy with the turnout so far and it keeps growing. More than 100,000 voters voted uncommitted in Michigan. That speaks volumes. And not every voter comes out to vote in the primary elections as they do in the general election. Just imagine that almost 1.5 million Muslims and over 300,000 Muslims with lineage from the Middle East will vote. That is significant,” Khan said of the #AbandonBiden voter turnout over the past two weeks in more than 20 state primary elections. “We’re not just talking about Arab and Muslim voters. We are also talking about a movement that is growing with support from others who share our opposition to the violence in Gaza. It is not just Arab and Muslim concerns. We’re working with Christian leaders and activists, Jewish leaders and activists.”Khan added: “If Biden thinks it is just Muslims, he is gravely mistaken. People have woken up. They know what our president is doing. It is shameful for us. We feel he has made us complicit in the genocide because our tax dollars are being used.”
Leaders of the “Listen to Georgia” coalition released voter data from Tuesday’s elections that showed at least 253,000 people voted “uncommitted” or “no preference” in the eight states with an option to do so. Republican and Democratic voters went to the polls in 16 US states Tuesday to nominate their respective candidates for the Nov. 5 presidential election. Trump swept 15 of the 16 states in the Republican primaries forcing his last remaining major challenger, Nikki Haley, who edged him out in Vermont, to formally withdraw as a candidate. Biden faced no major rival and won easily in all 16 states. Although Biden is seen as winning the Democratic Party nomination, Khan and #AbandonBiden leaders said their movement will undermine Biden if he faces-off with Trump “or any other candidate” in the presidential election. In the Minnesota Democratic presidential primary, over 45,000 voters (20 percent) chose the “uncommitted” option, seen as the results of a last-minute organizing campaign. In North Carolina, over 88,000 people voted “no preference” (13 percent) and over 54,000 (Massachusetts) also selected “no preference,” according to the #AbandonBiden coalition. More than 19 percent of voters in Minnesota cast “uncommitted” votes, they said.
Only some states allow voters to cast an “uncommitted” or “no preference” vote in their election primaries. In other states, the only option is to cast a vote for other minor alternative candidates to Biden or Trump. But those “uncommitted,” “no preference” or alternative candidate votes will have a direct impact on the expected Biden-Trump contest and could deny Biden the edge he held in 2020, activists argue. Hassan Abdel Salam, a co-leader with Khan of the #AbandonBiden campaign, called growing opposition to Biden’s Gaza policies “a pivotal moment for the campaign, which has been advocating for voters to remain uncommitted in response to President Biden’s handling of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The campaign emphasizes the need for leadership that prioritizes a permanent ceasefire and the safeguarding of innocent lives.”The election nomination process, called primary elections, will continue with Trump and Biden leading the Republican and Democrat primary contests on March 12 in Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington state, March 19 in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio, and in 21 remaining states through June 4.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties will hold their conventions this summer in Chicago and Milwaukee to formalize their likely nominations of Trump and Biden for the November elections. Activists of the #AbandonBiden movement have been buoyed by the results of a telephone exit polling of 568 Muslim voters conducted in a March 5 survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The CAIR survey found that 37 percent of Muslim voters prefer a third-party candidate over incumbent Biden (36 percent) or Republican presidential nominee frontrunner Donald Trump (27 percent).
The CAIR survey also showed 72 percent of Muslim Super Tuesday voters reported “disapproving” of Biden’s handling of the Israeli government’s war in Gaza. Robert S. McCaw, the CAIR’s government affairs director, cited a “notable surge” in the number of registered Muslim-American voters, totaling 2.5 million people. “This primary season marks the continued rise of American-Muslim voters, who have asserted their presence in our nation’s democratic process and ensured their voices are being heard,” said McCaw.

A day of celebration for the strong and powerful women of the Gulf
Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/March 08, 2024
Anticipating the post-oil future, the Gulf states have revolutionized their diplomatic strategy in recent years, placing a greater emphasis on women’s empowerment both domestically and internationally.On Friday, International Women’s Day, the Gulf Cooperation Council hosted an inaugural ceremony at its general secretariat in Riyadh to celebrate the achievements of Gulf women and underscore their importance in the development of the six GCC states.
I attended the event, which brought together prominent Gulf women in the fields of diplomacy, economy, security, and science. Ambitious female employees at the general secretariat were the driving force behind this initiative. When the GCC was established in 1981, Fawzia Al-Khajah was the only female employee at its headquarters. There are now about 300, about 30 percent of the workforce.
Before the ceremony, Deemah AlYahya from Saudi Arabia, secretary-general of the Digital Cooperation Organisation, and Tahani AlTerkait from Kuwait, an adviser to GCC secretary-general Jassim Al-Budaiwi, shared their experiences at a workshop for female GCC employees. After that I had a discussion with Al-Budaiwi about initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s status in the workforce and in wider society.
He emphasized the GCC’s commitment to advancing women’s inclusion. “Each GCC country has its own plans, own history and own story in regard to women’s empowerment. However, one common objective for all the GCC states is encouraging and increasing women’s participation in various fields,” he told me. The GCC has set its goals for female empowerment on three pillars: strong government commitment, effective collaboration among GCC states, and comprehensive GCC policy transcending national borders. The organization has already taken significant steps in promoting women’s integration.
In 2021, the GCC established its first Permanent Women’s Committee, with representatives from the six member states. This committee meets every two years to offer recommendations to GCC governments and coordinate efforts on issues related to women’s empowerment and sex equality. The Gulf states will also host an event focused on women’s empowerment in the GCC during the Commission on the Status of Women next week in New York.
With International Women’s Day behind us for another year, we should continue to recognize the progress made in expanding opportunities for women in the GCC states.
With International Women’s Day behind us for another year, we should continue to recognize the progress made in expanding opportunities for women in the Gulf, acknowledging their achievements across social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. Many pioneering women in the Gulf states have played a role. On social media, the GCC has already published inspiring stories about women from each member state. Through their achievements, they are exerting a positive influence on society and moving beyond the traditional mindsets that have shaped women’s roles in the Gulf states for decades.
Although the journey toward women’s inclusion in the region has faced challenges and progress has sometimes been slow, in recent years there have been determined strides, driven by factors including economic development, government policies, and social change. There is a growing awareness of women’s participation, supported by both societal and governmental initiatives. The GCC governments are rapidly catching up with other nations: you can feel the changes that have been introduced over the past few years. Meeting ambitious women reinforces my belief that their increased presence in the diplomatic, economic and security fields will lead to a more sustainable and prosperous state for current and future generations. Studies have shown that women’s inclusion in these key areas can add varied perspectives and novel ways of understanding critical issues.
Anticipating the post-oil future, the Gulf states have revolutionized their diplomatic strategy in recent years, placing a greater emphasis on women’s empowerment both domestically and internationally. The inclusion of women is particularly important in male-dominated fields, and there has been immense progress in this. The presence and level of activity of women is integral to the success of the different visions of the GCC states: they are well aware that the success of their endeavors depends on how they invest in all members of society.
Reflecting on Friday’s event, AlTerkait said it was more than just a celebration: it was an opportunity to spotlight the critical role played by women in the GCC. She said the event was a form of soft diplomacy, showcasing the increasing involvement of Gulf women in negotiations and decision-making roles.
Celebrating this important day with Gulf women in Riyadh was impressive. Women’s participation is increasing considerably, and there have been notable gains in women’s rights. But there are still challenges to overcome, and more needs to be done. May all women worldwide strive to achieve their goals and contribute to the betterment of their societies.
• Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz

Unions should not disrupt France’s Olympics party
Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/March 08, 2024
Earlier this week, Sophie Binet, the general secretary of the General Confederation of Labor in France, did not rule out the possibility of strikes during this summer’s Paris Olympic Games. The General Confederation of Labor is the biggest of France’s five major confederations of trade unions. It is the largest in terms of votes and second-largest in terms of membership numbers. Binet added that its members were committed to mobilization in defense of their rights and criticized the government’s social preparations for the Games, describing them as insufficient for the hundreds of thousands of workers whose conditions will be deeply impacted.
French unions are threatening strikes during the Olympics over their workers’ general rights, but also for working conditions during the Games themselves. They are urging Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to initiate swift negotiations on issues such as leave, overtime and partial unemployment. Their specific demands include partial unemployment for all workers within the Olympic security perimeter. The General Confederation of Labor has also highlighted disparities in the bonuses offered to police and other civil servants, as well as the challenges faced by hospital caregivers.
Additionally, workers on the Paris public transport system have issued a strike notice that extends to Sept. 9, the day after the Paralympic Games end. Moreover, fewer than five months before the opening ceremony, the public transport offering remains a source of tension. To enable hundreds of thousands of visitors to reach the Olympic venues, new metro and RER lines had been promised, but construction has faced delays and so this strike notice puts the entire logistics of the Games in peril.
I feel like I am watching a Monty Python movie when witnessing the situation in Paris and its preparations for the Olympics
So, unions are threatening strikes during the 16 days of competition scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 11, as well as during the subsequent Paralympics, to protect workers’ rights. This means the General Confederation of Labor will fight for the rights of workers during the Olympics while simultaneously disrupting the Olympics. I truly feel like I am watching a Monty Python movie when witnessing the current situation in Paris and its preparations for the Olympics. Anyone who has lived in Paris for any length of time has had to live with strikes; they have become part of the culture, just like croissants and baguettes. Yet, this time, one might say that there is a deep crack in the social contract. Something is broken.
The question remains: Should unions organize massive strikes during the Olympics, which is a huge global event? Is it acceptable to potentially ruin the trips of hundreds of thousands of people who have saved for years to come and enjoy the Olympics? Is it acceptable to put at risk the performance of athletes who have made sacrifices for years? My simple answer is no. French unions should not hold the international community hostage in their fight against the government. These 16 days should be the time to show France’s excellence and hospitality.
The rights of workers during these 16 days are important, but are they not already covered? Is there really a need for additional confrontation for this event? There is more to it than just the Olympics and France’s history of strikes — it is a true sign that Europe is at a turning point. This inability to plan for large-scale events or host great events can also be interpreted as the end of European dominance. Just as Europe has been the birthplace of all large international events, we are slowly but surely seeing them migrate south and east. This should be taken as a premonitory warning. A warning of the end of an era.
This inability to plan for large-scale events or host great events can also be interpreted as the end of European dominance
This is not the only risk the Olympics are facing. The primary threat to the Olympic Games is the persistent risk of terrorism, as emphasized by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin during a Senate session. Darmanin revealed the extensive security plan, which includes conducting 1 million security investigations before the start of the Games.
According to Darmanin’s timeline, the security measures will be in place from May 8, the arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille, until Sept. 8, the closing of the Paralympic Games. Darmanin acknowledged the considerable logistical and security challenges faced by the Ministry of the Interior during this period. The security services have been urged to adopt a cautious approach, considering all possible scenarios, as highlighted by a source at Place Beauvau. Additionally, Darmanin provided details on the capacity for the opening ceremony, which will take place along a 6-km stretch of the river Seine in Paris. The number allowed to attend will be about half of the initially intended audience of 600,000 — a measure taken to ensure both security and the smooth flow of the event.
Images of overcrowding on the Parisian metro lines and leaks on the security of the event are pushing a bleak view of France’s capacity to organize big events. This is creating an image of complete chaos and a disorganized country. Moreover, the measures taken by the government to ensure a smooth Olympics, including security closures and an increase in transport prices, have made the event a symbol of all the grievances against the government, particularly that it does not care about the people. It is, as the French saying goes, “the drop of water that makes the vase overflow.”
Large events, which have long been a tool for Western countries to project soft power, are now becoming impossible to organize. This is a clear sign that something has changed and that globalization has not taken the path the West expected. Yet, for now, there should be unity and a focus on making the 2024 Summer Olympics a success for France and above any outrage against the government.
• Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is the chief executive of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.

How Britain stood up to be counted on Ukraine
Luke Coffey/Arab News/March 08, 2024
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps visited Kyiv last week to meet President Volodymr Zelensky and Ukrainian defense officials. It was his third visit since he became defense secretary last August. On this trip, Shapps said the UK would commit $450 million to provide Ukraine with 10,000 advanced drones.
Such a commitment from London should not come as a surprise. There have been many geopolitical changes in Europe since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Longstanding neutral countries such as Sweden and Finland have joined NATO, the world’s leading military alliance. Before 2022 this would have been unthinkable. Russia is now reliant on weapons from North Korea and Iran. Moscow is even manufacturing Iranian-designed Shahed drones inside Russia for use against Ukraine. Again, this is something that would have been unimaginable before 2022. But one of the most important geopolitical shifts is the re-emergence of Britain as a major actor in Europe.
Immediately after the Brexit vote in 2016, many policymakers and commentators were wondering what the UK’s future role in Europe would be. Throughout the tense Brexit negotiations with the EU in the years after 2016, it seemed to some that Britain’s influence across Europe was waning. On the contrary, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it is clear that British influence across the continent is on the ascendancy.
This is because the UK stepped up to lead at a time when many other European countries, and the US too, were dithering. British leadership matters because the war in Ukraine is of vital importance to the West. Russia’s invasion has changed the geopolitical landscape in Europe in a way not seen since the 1940s. For the first time in the 21st century, one country used military force to annex part of another. The last time this was done anywhere in the world was in 1990 when Iraq, under the rule of Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait. So the stakes are high for European security. And far from shying away from its European responsibilities, Britain has led the way in supporting Ukraine at almost every turn.
The UK has repeatedly rallied its European neighbors to support Ukraine. For example, in early 2022 during the lead up to Russia’s invasion, when many European countries were in denial that such a military operation would take place, the Royal Air Force was already airlifting much-needed weapons to Ukraine. These included the very capable anti-tank weapons that proved to be crucial in the defense of the capital Kyiv in the opening days of the conflict.
The UK stepped up to lead at a time when many other European countries, and the US too, were dithering.
By the early summer of 2022, the UK started a program to train 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers a year at locations across Britain. This happened months before any other country publicly committed to training Ukrainian soldiers. In fact, the UK training mission was started months before the EU started its training mission for Ukrainian soldiers in the autumn of 2022.
After the first major wave of airstrikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure in October 2022, Britain was among the first countries to say that advanced air defense systems would be sent to Ukraine. Weeks later, the British were also the first European country to commit to sending main battle tanks to Ukraine. The UK was also the first country to commit to training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets.
Perhaps the boldest expression of support to Ukraine has been the UK's delivery of Storm Shadow missiles last summer. With a range of 250km, the Storm Shadow was the first long-range weapon to be provided to Ukraine by the West. Soon after the Brits provided Storm Shadow, the French followed by providing their version of the same missile. Since its first use last summer, the Storm Shadow has played the leading role in enabling the Ukrainians to strike the Russian Navy. The missile’s long range has pushed the Russian Navy far enough away from Ukrainian waters to allow grain exports to continue to the Global South. In addition, last December the UK launched a program to help Ukraine improve its naval capabilities.
British support for Ukraine is just the latest example of Britain’s important role in European affairs. For hundreds of years, England, and then later the UK, has played a major role in Europe. This will continue to be the case for hundreds more years into the future. Britain’s relationship with the EU is hardly a determining factor.
British support for Ukraine is made easier by the fact that issue has not become politicized in the way that it has in the US. There is strong support for Ukraine throughout the chamber in the House of Commons. As the UK heads into a general election this year, it is unlikely that there would be any significant change in Britain’s leadership role on Ukraine if the Labour Party won power.
Of course, there was a lot of post-Brexit anxiety across Europe. But the UK’s steadfast and consistent displays of commitment to European security are undeniable: so much so that some members of the European Parliament have called for an EU-UK defense treaty.
The war in Ukraine, and the UK’s response to it, should once and for all relieve any anxieties some may have had about Britain’s role in Europe after Brexit. Geographically, the UK is a European country. Geopolitically, it is a European power. It always has been and always will be.
• Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. X: @LukeDCoffey