Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on May 02-03/2024
Lebanon urged to conclude working arrangement with EU border agency to prevent illegal migration
EU’s von der Leyen reaffirms strong support for Lebanon, announces a €1 billion package of EU funding
Berri to European Commission President, Cypriot President: Lebanon rejects war, affirms adherence to 1701, calls for engagement with Syrian...
EU Announces 1 Billion Euros in Aid for Lebanon amid a Surge in Irregular Migration
Mikati: We refuse that our country becomes an alternative homeland for the Syrian displaced
Israel reportedly agrees to indirect talks with Lebanon in Paris
Will France succeed in sparing Lebanon a full-scale war?
Berri Highlights Lebanon’s Commitment to 1701
Syrian refugees have 'no place to go' as Lebanon, Cyprus reject them
New US Sanctions Against Five Hezb Financiers
New US Sanctions Against Five Hezb Financiers
Bank Audi: Economic Recession Blamed on the War
Sporadic Fire Exchanges on the Southern Front
Geagea Hosts Boukhari in Maarab
Famous Lebanese TikToker and his gang held for molesting children

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on May 02-03/2024
Hamas Will Send a Delegation to Cairo to Keep Up Ceasefire Talks
Hamas chief says group studying Gaza truce proposal 'in positive spirit'
Gaza destruction on scale unseen since Second World War, will take decades to rebuild, UN says
Palestinian security force kills Islamic Jihad gunman in rare internal clash
Israel says Turkey's Erdogan is breaking agreements by blocking ports for trade
A new Saudi-US deal to reshape the Middle East is taking shape — but Israel can't join while it's still at war
As Hamas considers cease-fire, question hangs: Will Israel end war without the group's destruction?
California Police Flatten Pro-Palestinian Camp at UCLA, Arrest Protesters
Israel builds ‘cyber dome’ against Iran’s hackers
Police begin removing barricades at a pro-Palestinian demonstrators' encampment at UCLA

Titles For The Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on May 02-03/2024
Unable to ‘win’ in Gaza, Israel sets its sights elsewhere/Opinion by Hussein Ibish/CNN/May 02, 2024
The 'Palestinian State': Hamas Plays Westerners for Fools - Again/Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/May 2, 2024
The Biggest Losers Are American Universities/Sawsan al-Abtah/Asharq Al Awsat/May 2, 2024
On the Concept of a ‘Global South’ That Is So Popular Today/Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/May 2, 2024
Empowering healthcare transformation with AI and strategic innovation/Amir Joshan/Arab News/May 02, 2024
EU army may be unlikely but unity on defense a must/Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/May 02, 2024
How the world can challenge and confront terrorism/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/May 02, 2024

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on May 02-03/2024
Lebanon urged to conclude working arrangement with EU border agency to prevent illegal migration
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/May 02, 2024
BEIRUT: The EU has announced an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros ($1.06 billion) to help boost border control and halt the flow of asylum-seekers and migrants from the country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and Italy. It comes against a backdrop of increasing hostility toward Syrian refugees in Lebanon and a major surge in irregular migration of Syrians from Lebanon to Cyprus. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, meanwhile, has decided to reduce healthcare coverage for registered Syrian refugees by 50 percent. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during her visit to Beirut with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides that they hoped Lebanon would conclude a “working arrangement” with Frontex, the EU’s border agency.
Von der Leyen said the aid’s distribution will start this year and continue until 2027. The aid will be dedicated to the most vulnerable people, including refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities. The EU assistance — which is tied to Lebanon’s need to implement the required reforms and control its borders and illegal crossings with Syria — came in the wake of continued hostilities on the southern front between Hezbollah and the Israeli military. The two officials arrived in Beirut following the European Council’s special meeting last month. At the end of the meeting, the council confirmed the EU’s “determination to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, strengthen its support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, and combat human trafficking and smuggling.”It also reaffirmed “the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR.”The visit lasted hours in Lebanon and included a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Following a tripartite meeting and an expanded discussion in which ministers and security officials participated, Mikati commended the EU’s understanding of the Lebanese state’s demand to reconsider some of its policies regarding assistance to Syrian refugees in the country. Mikati said: “Lebanon has borne the greatest burden, but it can no longer endure the current situation, especially since the refugees constitute around one-third of Lebanon’s population, which results in additional difficulties and challenges and exacerbates Lebanon’s economic crisis.”He added: “What is more dangerous is the escalating tension between Syrian refugees and the Lebanese host community due to the crimes that are increasing and threatening national security.”
Mikati emphasized that “Lebanon’s security is security for European countries and vice versa,” adding that “our cooperation on this matter constitutes the real entry point for stability.”He added: “We refuse to let our country become an alternative homeland, and everyone knows that the solution is political excellence.”Mikati called for the EU and international actors to recognize that most Syrian areas have become safe, which would facilitate the refugees’ repatriation and allow them to be supported in their home country. As a first step, those who entered Lebanon in 2016 must go back, as most of them fled for economic reasons and are not considered refugees, said Mikati. He warned against “turning Lebanon into a transit country to Europe,” saying that “the problems occurring on the Cypriot border are a sample of what might happen if the matter was not radically addressed.” Von der Leyen, the first European Commission president to visit Lebanon, affirmed her “understanding of the Lebanese position.”
She said: “We want to contribute to Lebanon’s socio-economic stability by strengthening basic services and investments in, for example, education, social protection, and health for the people of Lebanon. “We will accompany you as you take forward economic, financial, and banking reforms. “These reforms are key to improving the country’s long-term economic situation. This would allow the business environment and the banking sector to regain the international community’s trust and thus enable private sector investment.” The EU official said that the support program for the Lebanese military and other security forces “will mainly focus on providing equipment, training and the necessary infrastructure for border management. “In addition, it would be very helpful for Lebanon to conclude a working arrangement with Frontex, particularly on information exchange and situational awareness.”
She continued: “To help you manage migration, we are committed to maintaining legal pathways open to Europe and resettling refugees from Lebanon to the EU.
“At the same time, we count on your cooperation to prevent illegal migration and combat migrant smuggling.” Von der Leyen said: “We will also look at how we can make the EU’s assistance more effective. This includes exploring how to work on a more structured approach to voluntary returns to Syria, in close cooperation with UNHCR.” She also stressed that the international community should strengthen support for humanitarian and early recovery programs in Syria. Von der Leyen added: “We are deeply concerned about the volatile situation in southern Lebanon, and believe that the security of both Lebanon and Israel cannot be disassociated. “So, we call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
“This needs to be part of a negotiated diplomatic settlement. The Lebanese armed forces are critical here, too, and the EU is ready to work on bolstering their capabilities.”Christodoulides said that European assistance, which also includes “combating smuggling and managing borders and monitoring them,“ would “enhance the Lebanese authorities’ ability to confront various challenges such as monitoring land and sea borders, ensuring the safety of citizens, combating human trafficking, and continuing counterterrorism efforts.”The Cypriot president said the “reverberations of the issues and challenges” that Lebanon was facing directly affected Cyprus and the EU. “We need to work with our partners and UNHCR to discuss the issue of voluntary returns and reconsider the situation of some areas in Syria.” He emphasized that Lebanon must implement the “necessary and deep reforms in line with the International Monetary Fund’s demands and address issues of accountability, and Cyprus will support Lebanon’s efforts to elect a new president, a development that will send a strong political and symbolic message for change and moving forward.”Parliament Speaker Berri told the European official that Lebanon “does not want war, and since the moment the Israeli aggression began, it has remained committed to the rules of engagement, which Israel continues to violate, targeting the depth of Lebanon, not sparing civilians, media personnel, agricultural areas, and ambulances, using internationally banned weapons.”Berri said that Lebanon, “while awaiting the success of international efforts to stop the aggression on the Gaza Strip, which will inevitably reflect on Lebanon and the region, will then be ready to continue the discussion on the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, to which Lebanon was and still is committed and adheres.” Berri urged “the concerned parties to engage with the Syrian government, which now has a presence over most of its territories, in addressing the refugee issue.”

EU’s von der Leyen reaffirms strong support for Lebanon, announces a €1 billion package of EU funding
NNA/May 02/2024
During her visit to Beirut on Thursday European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, discussed the significant domestic and regional challenges faced by Lebanon, and how best the EU could support the country and its people.She announced that the EU will provide a financial assistance package for Lebanon worth €1 billion for 2024 to 2027. This continued EU support will strengthen basic services such as education, social protection and health for the people in Lebanon. It will accompany urgent economic, financial and banking reforms. Furthermore, support will be provided to the Lebanese Armed Forces and other security forces with equipment and training for border management and to fight against smuggling. President von der Leyen said: “My visit today is a strong testimony of the EU's continued support to Lebanon and its people. This was also the clear message of European leaders at our last summit, and are committed to provide strong financial support to the country in view of the significant challenges it faces. The €1 billion until 2027 will provide much needed assistance to the people in Lebanon and contribute to its security and stability.”The visit of President von der Leyen to Lebanon follows the special meeting of the European Council on 17-18 April, where the Council confirmed the EU's determination to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities, as well as strengthening support to Lebanese Armed Forces, combating human trafficking and smuggling. The European Council also reaffirmed the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR.
The EU's support will focus on:
support to basic services such as education, health, social protection and water to the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities;
assisting urgent domestic reforms, in particular those requested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), including in the banking sector, contributing to improved economic situation and business environment;
support for border and migration management, including combating human trafficking and smuggling, strengthened support to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Since 2011, the EU support to Lebanon amounts to more than €3 billion, including €2.6 billion to support Syrian refugees as well as host communities in Lebanon.

Berri to European Commission President, Cypriot President: Lebanon rejects war, affirms adherence to 1701, calls for engagement with Syrian...
NNA/May 02/2024
House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Thursday welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Ain el-Tineh. The meeting was attended by Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Cypriot Ambassador to Lebanon Maria Hadjitheodosiou, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele, Lebanese MP Fadi Alameh, Lebanese Ambassador to Belgium Fadi El Hajj Ali, as well as Berri's media advisor Ali Hamdan. During the approximately hour-long meeting, discussions centered on the general situation in Lebanon and the region in light of Israel's ongoing aggression against Lebanon and Gaza, as well as the Syrian refugee crisis and its repercussions. Berri thanked the Europe for "its contribution and participation within the framework of UNIFIL forces on land and at sea," expressing appreciation to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Christodoulides for their highly significant visit at this crucial stage for Lebanon and the region. "Lebanon does not seek war and has remained committed to the rules of engagement, which Israel continues to violate by targeting Lebanon's depth, its villages, and border towns. Israel has not spared civilians, journalists, agricultural areas, or ambulances, and has used internationally prohibited weapons in its aggression,” Berri said. "Lebanon is awaiting the success of international efforts to stop the aggression in Gaza, which will certainly have repercussions on Lebanon and the region. Lebanon will then be ready to continue discussions on implementing UN Resolution 1701, to which Lebanon has been and remains committed,” the House Speaker added. Berri also highlighted the important role of UNRWA, urging countries that have suspended their funding for the organization to "reconsider their decision due to the importance of the role it plays for Palestinian refugees." Regarding Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Berri considered the meeting "exceptionally practical," proposing "the formation of a committee between Lebanon and the European Union to follow up on the visit and the accompanying meetings." The proposal was welcomed by the President of the European Commission.

EU Announces 1 Billion Euros in Aid for Lebanon amid a Surge in Irregular Migration
Asharq Al Awsat//May 02/2024
The European Union announced on Thursday an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros — about $1.06 billion — that will mostly go to strengthening border control to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants from the small, crisis-wracked country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and Italy.
The deal follows other recent deals by the EU to provide funds to countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and Mauritania to fortify their borders. It comes against a backdrop of increasing hostility toward Syrian refugees in Lebanon and a major surge in irregular migration of Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Cyprus.
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the aid, which will be distributed between this year and 2027, during a visit to Beirut alongside Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. Von der Leyen said the EU will also be “exploring how to work on a more structured approach to voluntary return to Syria in close cooperation with” the UN refugee agency, or UNHCR, and called for more international support for humanitarian and early recovery projects in Syria. Europe will also continue to maintain “legal pathways” for resettlement of refugees in Europe, she said.
Lebanon's Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati praised the aid package, saying that "Lebanon’s security is security for European countries and vice versa.”“Any blowup related to the issue of displaced persons will not be limited to Lebanon but will extend to Europe to become a regional and international crisis,” he said. Lebanon, which has been in the throes of a severe financial crisis since 2019, hosts nearly 785,000 registered Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands more who are unregistered, the highest population of refugees per capita in the world. Lebanese political officials have been calling for years for the international community to either resettle the refugees in other countries or assist in returning them to Syria — voluntarily or not. Lebanese security forces have stepped up deportations of Syrians over the past year. Tensions around the presence of refugees have further flared since an official with the Christian nationalist Lebanese Forces party, Pascal Suleiman, was killed last month in what military officials said was a botched carjacking by a Syrian gang. The incident prompted outbreaks of anti-Syrian violence by vigilante groups. Meanwhile, Cypriot authorities have been complaining that their country has been overwhelmed by a wave of irregular migration of Syrian asylum seekers, many of them coming on boats from Lebanon. The Lebanon office of the UNHCR said it had verified 59 “actual or attempted” departures by boats carrying a total of 3,191 passengers from Lebanon between January and mid-April, compared to three documented boat movements carrying 54 passengers in the same period last year. Usually, few boats attempt the crossing in the winter, when the passage becomes more dangerous. In total, UNHCR recorded 65 boat departures carrying 3,927 passengers in all of 2023.
Cyprus has taken increasingly aggressive tactics to halt the flow of migrants. Last month, it suspended processing of Syrian asylum applications, and human rights groups accused the Cypriot coast guard of forcibly pushing back five boats carrying about 500 asylum seekers coming from Lebanon.
Christodoulides hailed Thursday's visit as a “historic day” and praised the EU decision, calling for European officials to go farther and declare some areas of Syria safe for return. “The current situation is not sustainable for Lebanon. It is not sustainable for Cyprus, it is not sustainable for the European Union,” he said. The new funding announcement comes ahead of the annual fundraising conference for the Syrian crisis in Brussels later this month. After 13 years of civil war in Syria, donor fatigue has set in while the world’s attention is occupied by the humanitarian fallout of more recent conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Mikati: We refuse that our country becomes an alternative homeland for the Syrian displaced
NNANNA/May 02/2024
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday stressed rejection that Lebanon turns into an "alternative homeland" for the Syrian displaced, urging the European Union to find an immediate and radical solution to this predicament. "We refuse that our country becomes an alternative homeland, and we call our friends in the European Union to preserve Lebanon's value and carry on with solving this issue radically and swiftly," Mikati told a news conference following talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, at the Grand Serail. Mikati indicated that the meeting was "fruitful," and that it touched on the bilateral relations between Lebanon and the EU states, namely Cyprus, in addition to the situation in the region and Gaza, and the Israeli aggressions. "I renewed calls upon the EU and the world to pressure Israel to halt its continuous aggression against the Palestinian people, and to endeavor to establish a final, comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian Cause," he said. "We also renewed calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to cease its persistent aggression against south Lebanon," he added. "We devoted the largest part of our meeting to the file of the Syrian displaced present on the Lebanese territory as well as to the cooperation between Lebanon, Cyprus, and the EU to address this issue and its direct and indirect repercussions," he continued. Mikati warned that the "reverberations of the displaced file’s fireball will not be restricted to Lebanon, but they will also reach Europe." "We believe that Lebanon's security is also that of Europe and vice versa," he said. "Our serious and constructive cooperation to resolve this file constitutes the real stepping stone to stability," he underlined. Mikati also called the EU to offer aid to the displaced in their country to encourage them to return to their homeland.

Israel reportedly agrees to indirect talks with Lebanon in Paris
Naharnet/May 02/2024
France has proposed to Israel and Lebanon that they hold indirect negotiations in Paris in a bid to find a diplomatic settlement for the border conflict, Israel’s Channel 13 said. According to the report, Paris said it would sponsor the meeting and that Israeli and Lebanese representatives would meet in the French capital in an attempt to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and allow displaced residents on both sides of the border to return to their homes. The channel said Israel has agreed to the proposal, as a senior French official told the Israeli media outlet that Paris is determined to continue its mediation efforts, including through sponsoring indirect talks. Israel’s Kan TV meanwhile said that Israel is willing to discuss “border adjustments” in the border conflict with Lebanon as part of “the agreements that are crystallizing to prevent a war with Hezbollah.” Al-Arabiya’s Al-Hadath channel for its part said that “in its contacts with the French and the Americans, Israel has agreed to Hezbollah’s pullback to 10 instead of 20 kilometers” from the border.

Will France succeed in sparing Lebanon a full-scale war?
Naharnet/May 02/2024
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said "a potential truce in Gaza must be accompanied by a similar truce in Lebanon," as he visited Cairo.
During his visit Wednesday, Sejourne exchanged with Egypt's top diplomat Sameh Shoukry assessments on the ongoing truce negotiations between Hamas and Israel", according to the Egyptian foreign ministry. Sejourne's regional tour, which has taken him to Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Israel in recent days, comes as Gaza's Hamas rulers weigh the latest plan for a truce with Israel proposed in Cairo talks with U.S., Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The Palestinian armed faction is considering a plan for a 40-day ceasefire and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, nearly seven months into the devastating war. Senior Hamas official Suhail al-Hindi told AFP Wednesday that the group will "deliver its response clearly within a very short period". An Israeli official had told AFP the government "will wait for answers until Wednesday night", before deciding whether to send envoys to Cairo to nail down a deal. Sejourne also shared with Shoukry "the results of his recent visit to Lebanon", where months of cross-border violence between Israel and Hezbollah have killed at least 385 people, mostly fighters but also including 73 civilians, according to an AFP tally. Israel says 11 soldiers and nine civilians have been killed on its side of the border. Following a series of meetings in Lebanon on Sunday, Séjourné told journalists that France “is refusing to accept the worst-case scenario” of a full-scale war in Lebanon. “In southern Lebanon, the war is already here, even if it’s not called by that name, and it’s the civilian population who’s paying the price,” he said. Before heading to Israel, Sejourne submitted to Lebanese officials an amendment to a proposal Paris had previously presented to Lebanon for a diplomatic resolution to the border conflict. "A number of proposals that we made to the Lebanese side have been shared (with you)," Sejourne said ahead of a meeting with Foreign Minister Israel Katz in Jerusalem. "We have a relationship with Lebanon, 20,000 citizens there, and the war in 2006 was particularly dramatic for them."

Berri Highlights Lebanon’s Commitment to 1701
This Is Beirut/May 02/2024
The Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, stated on Thursday that “Lebanon does not seek war,” emphasizing the country’s commitment to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. During discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides at Ain el-Tineh, Berri condemned Israel’s actions in southern Lebanon. He criticized Israel’s use of internationally prohibited weapons, targeting civilians, the media, agricultural areas, and ambulances. Berri expressed Lebanon’s willingness to pursue discussions on the implementation of Council Resolution 1701 once a ceasefire truce in Gaza is reached. He also emphasized the pivotal role of UNRWA in supporting Palestinian refugees and urged countries to reconsider their decision to halt funding. As a reminder, several countries froze their aid to UNRWA after Israel accused a dozen of the agency’s employees of participating in the October 7 attack carried out by Hamas. Some countries have recently announced resuming their contributions. Regarding the issue of the Syrian displaced, Berri proposed the formation of a joint commission between Lebanon and the European Union, tasked with monitoring the developments of the visit and meetings held on Thursday between von der Leyen, Christodoulides, and Lebanese authorities. The president of the European Commission welcomed the proposal.

Syrian refugees have 'no place to go' as Lebanon, Cyprus reject them
Associated Press/May 02/2024
The European Union announced Thursday an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros — about $1.06 billion — that will mostly go to boost border control to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants from the small, crisis-wracked country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and Italy.
The deal comes against a backdrop of increasing hostility toward Syrian refugees in Lebanon and a major surge in irregular migration of Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Cyprus. Lebanon, which has been in the throes of a severe financial crisis since 2019, hosts nearly 780,000 registered Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands more who are unregistered, the world's highest refugee population per capita. Lebanese political officials have for years urged the international community to resettle the refugees in other countries or assist their return to Syria — voluntarily or not. Lebanese security forces have stepped up deportations of Syrians over the past year. The UNHCR in Lebanon said it had verified 59 “actual or attempted” departures by boats carrying a total of 3,191 passengers from Lebanon between January and mid-April, compared to three documented boat movements carrying 54 passengers in the same period last year. Usually, few boats attempt the much more dangerous crossing in the winter. In all of 2023, UNHCR recorded 65 boat departures carrying 3,927 passengers.
Cyprus has taken a new approach to halting the flow of migrants. Last month, it suspended processing of Syrian asylum applications, and human rights groups accused the Cypriot coast guard of forcibly turning back five boats carrying about 500 asylum seekers coming from Lebanon. Cypriot officials have denied this. Bassel al-Shayoukh, a Syrian refugee from Idlib living in Lebanon since 2014, said his brother and several cousins and nephews were on one of the boats turned back. Now he wants to make the journey himself. “In the beginning I thought that in a year or two the war would be over in Syria,” he said, but it dragged on, while in Lebanon “every year ... the situation began to get worse.”Shayoukh said he fears being beaten by vigilantes or deported to Syria after Lebanese authorities declined to renew his residency permit. His 17-year-old nephew, who declined to give his name fearing for his safety, said the Cypriot coast guard started making waves to push the boat he was on away. “I was terrified... I don’t know how to swim,” he said. “I thought we were going to die.”The people on the boats “stayed three days without food or water” before turning back to Lebanon, the teen added. Back in Lebanon, they were detained by the army; those registered with UNHCR were released and the others deported. Mohammed Sablouh, a Lebanese human rights lawyer who works on refugee and migrant cases, says Lebanese authorities are deliberately “turning a blind eye" to the surge in migration to "pressure the international community.”
The Lebanese army did not respond to a request for comment on their measures to combat smuggling. Thursday's aid announcement comes ahead of the annual fundraising conference for Syria in Brussels later this month. After 13 years of civil war, donor fatigue has set in while the world’s attention is occupied by the humanitarian fallout of more recent conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Lebanese Forces party head Samir Geagea urged for Syrians to be sent back to either government or opposition-held areas of the neighboring country. But Shayoukh says he has nowhere to go.
The Damascus government wants him for opposing Syrian President Bashar Assad, he said, while the Islamist group that now controls his hometown behaves "the same way as the regime’s intelligence services” in crushing dissidents.

New US Sanctions Against Five Hezb Financiers
This Is Beirut /May 02/2024
On Thursday, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against five people involved in financing Hezbollah. Adnan Mahmoud Youssef, Mazen Hassan al-Zein, Andriyah Samir Mushantaf, Bashir Ibrahim Mansur, and Firas Hasan Moukalled were designated for helping US-designated Hezbollah money exchanger Hassan Moukalled and his company, CTEX Exchange, “evade sanctions and facilitate illicit activities in support of Hezbollah.”“These individuals, including two co-founders of CTEX Exchange and two of Moukalled’s sons, operate two companies in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that are being concurrently designated,” reads an OFAC press release. “Hezbollah continues to rely on seemingly legitimate business investments and key facilitators to generate revenue for the group’s operations, including its destabilizing attacks across Israel’s northern border,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States remains focused on relentlessly pursuing Hezbollah’s key revenue sources and constraining its ability to further destabilize the region,” he added. According to the text, this action is based on the sanctions imposed by OFAC on January 24, 2023, on Hassan Moukalled, his companies (CTEX Exchange, the Lebanese Company for Information and Studies SARL (LCIS), and the Lebanese Company for Publishing, Media, and Research), as well as on his sons, Rayyan and Rani. “Moukalled continues to serve as a financial advisor to Hezbollah and works closely with senior Hezbollah finance officials, including US-designated Muhammad Kassir,” who has been under sanctions since May 15, 2019, “to represent Hezbollah’s business interests throughout the Middle East,” OFAC says. The press release points out that “Mokalled, jointly with Hezbollah senior officials Muhammad Qasir and Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal, established CTEX Exchange as a financial facilitation front company for Hezbollah.”
Hassan Mokalled’s Network
Adnan Mahmoud Youssef is “an employee of CTEX Exchange and has, as of mid-2023, sought investors to set up companies in the UAE on behalf of Moukalled in circumvention of the sanctions imposed on Moukalled in early 2023 by the government of the UAE.”
Additionally, Youssef has “engaged in business transactions with and received over a million dollars from US-designated Hezbollah financier Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi.”Mazen Hassan al-Zein is a UAE-based business consultant for Moukalled. “Since mid-2023, al-Zein has been a business partner with Moukalled and Youssef on various projects in the UAE,” read the statement. “Moukalled appointed al-Zein as his representative to coordinate with Moukalled’s associates on his behalf, particularly on business deals with potential investors to secure millions of dollars worth of funds.” Al-Zein is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of The Crystal Group, a Lebanon and UAE-based hospitality company. Andriyah Samir Mushantaf and Bashir Ibrahim Mansur, “jointly with Moukallad, contributed capital towards founding CTEX Exchange.” Mushantaf and Mansur continue to be minority shareholders in CTEX Exchange alongside Moukalled, according to the OFAC statement. Firas Hasan Moukalled, one of Moukalled’s sons, “is also involved in Moukalled’s business dealings through US-designated LCIS, where Firas works.” Lebanon-based Teleport Company SAL is jointly owned and operated by Mushantaf and two of Moukalled’s sons, Firas and Rayyan. As a result of this action, “all property and interests in property of the designated persons” and “any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly” (…) are blocked and subject to US sanctions.

New US Sanctions Against Five Hezb Financiers
This Is Beirut/May 02/2024
On Thursday, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against five people involved in financing Hezbollah. Adnan Mahmoud Youssef, Mazen Hassan al-Zein, Andriyah Samir Mushantaf, Bashir Ibrahim Mansur, and Firas Hasan Moukalled were designated for helping US-designated Hezbollah money exchanger Hassan Moukalled and his company, CTEX Exchange, “evade sanctions and facilitate illicit activities in support of Hezbollah.”“These individuals, including two co-founders of CTEX Exchange and two of Moukalled’s sons, operate two companies in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that are being concurrently designated,” reads an OFAC press release. “Hezbollah continues to rely on seemingly legitimate business investments and key facilitators to generate revenue for the group’s operations, including its destabilizing attacks across Israel’s northern border,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States remains focused on relentlessly pursuing Hezbollah’s key revenue sources and constraining its ability to further destabilize the region,” he added. According to the text, this action is based on the sanctions imposed by OFAC on January 24, 2023, on Hassan Moukalled, his companies (CTEX Exchange, the Lebanese Company for Information and Studies SARL (LCIS), and the Lebanese Company for Publishing, Media, and Research), as well as on his sons, Rayyan and Rani. “Moukalled continues to serve as a financial advisor to Hezbollah and works closely with senior Hezbollah finance officials, including US-designated Muhammad Kassir,” who has been under sanctions since May 15, 2019, “to represent Hezbollah’s business interests throughout the Middle East,” OFAC says. The press release points out that “Mokalled, jointly with Hezbollah senior officials Muhammad Qasir and Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal, established CTEX Exchange as a financial facilitation front company for Hezbollah.”
Hassan Mokalled’s Network
Adnan Mahmoud Youssef is “an employee of CTEX Exchange and has, as of mid-2023, sought investors to set up companies in the UAE on behalf of Moukalled in circumvention of the sanctions imposed on Moukalled in early 2023 by the government of the UAE.”Additionally, Youssef has “engaged in business transactions with and received over a million dollars from US-designated Hezbollah financier Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi.”Mazen Hassan al-Zein is a UAE-based business consultant for Moukalled. “Since mid-2023, al-Zein has been a business partner with Moukalled and Youssef on various projects in the UAE,” read the statement. “Moukalled appointed al-Zein as his representative to coordinate with Moukalled’s associates on his behalf, particularly on business deals with potential investors to secure millions of dollars worth of funds.”Al-Zein is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of The Crystal Group, a Lebanon and UAE-based hospitality company. Andriyah Samir Mushantaf and Bashir Ibrahim Mansur, “jointly with Moukallad, contributed capital towards founding CTEX Exchange.” Mushantaf and Mansur continue to be minority shareholders in CTEX Exchange alongside Moukalled, according to the OFAC statement. Firas Hasan Moukalled, one of Moukalled’s sons, “is also involved in Moukalled’s business dealings through US-designated LCIS, where Firas works.” Lebanon-based Teleport Company SAL is jointly owned and operated by Mushantaf and two of Moukalled’s sons, Firas and Rayyan. As a result of this action, “all property and interests in property of the designated persons” and “any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly” (…) are blocked and subject to US sanctions.

Bank Audi: Economic Recession Blamed on the War
This Is Beirut/May 02/2024
Bank Audi has published its economic report for the first quarter of 2024, highlighting that economic and monetary conditions indicate a recession in the real economy, attributed to the repercussions of the war on Lebanon’s southern border. However, the LBP has remained stable against the dollar, offering a degree of monetary stability despite the negative impacts of the war and the increase in civil servants’ salaries. The study highlights that the contraction observed in various real sector indicators over the past six months, since the beginning of the war, reinforces the theory of economic stagnation. Among these indicators, the Bank Audi report mentions a 14% decrease in building permits. Additionally, airport activity has also been affected, with an 11% decrease in the number of passengers, a 13% decrease in exports via Beirut airport, and a 24% decline in tourist arrivals. Regarding the monetary situation, the report highlights that the Lebanese pound has remained stable against the dollar over the past twelve months, while the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) has continued to increase its foreign currency reserves, which grew by $283 million throughout the year. In the same context, it is important to mention that annual inflation, which had soared to 366% in March 2023, plummeted to 36% by March 2024. Despite the exchange rate remaining relatively stable over the past year, the inflation of the Lebanese pound has been mirrored by a comparable inflation of the dollar during the same period, thus generating considerable strain on the social and economic conditions of families. As for the banking sector, it has been reported that the first two months of the current year saw a decrease in foreign currency deposits totaling $909 million, bringing the total to approximately $90.371 billion. Concerning Eurobond prices, they remained stable at 6.500 cents per dollar across the entire yield curve. It is worth noting that they had surged to 7.875 cents per dollar just before the onset of the war in the Gaza Strip.

Sporadic Fire Exchanges on the Southern Front
This Is Beirut/May 02/2024
Thursday was marked by sporadic exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon. The Israeli air force raided a house under construction in Markaba in Marjayoun, while artillery shells fell on the outskirts of Alma al-Shaab and the Labbouneh region, south of Naqoura. The Israeli Army also published a video on the X platform showing an air strike against Hezbollah infrastructure in the Shebaa region. A military complex belonging to the pro-Iranian group in Markaba, where the Israeli Army identified a Hezbollah fighter, was reportedly targeted. For its part, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on the Israeli positions of Zebdine (Shebaa Farms) and Sammaka (Kfarchouba Hills).

Geagea Hosts Boukhari in Maarab
This Is Beirut/May 02/2024
The political developments in Lebanon and the region were at the heart of discussions held on Thursday in Maarab between the leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF), Samir Geagea, and the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Walid Boukhari. Throughout the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour and a half, significant attention was given to the presidential vacuum, along with the results of recent discussions conducted by the Quintet ambassadors with diverse Lebanese factions, aiming to address this concern. Geagea also highlighted the importance of fully adhering to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, while also discussing the status quo in southern Lebanon and the urgency of border management. Present at the meeting were LF MP Melhem Riachi and Joseph Jbeily, a member of the party’s executive committee.

Famous Lebanese TikToker and his gang held for molesting children
Agence France Presse/May 02/2024
A drug and child molestation gang led by a famous Lebanese TikToker has been busted by Lebanese security forces, in a case that has shocked the country.
The well-known TikToker, Georges Moubayed, is a barber whose shop lies in the Metn neighborhood of Sabtyieh near Beirut, media reports said.At least eight other suspects, including minors who are also famous TikTokers, have been arrested according to the reports. MTV reported that Moubayed was exposed by another famous TikToker who had been arrested hours earlier. According to reports, the gang comprises 30 members while 30 children have been molested, with the parents of only eight of them filing complaints “A lawyer filed a complaint against the gang’s leader a month ago, which prompted the head of the (Internal Security Forces’) cybercrime combating bureau and the Union for the Protection of Juveniles in Lebanon to identify the children who had been molested,” MTV reported. “Ten members of the gang would pick the children on social networking websites, while another part of the gang would choose a place for committing the crime, after which members of the gang would molest the children,” the TV network added. The reports said the famous TikToker took advantage of his social media fame to lure kids to his barbershop, telling them that they would appear in social media videos while having their hair cut by him. “After the filming of the scenes at his barbershop, the TikToker used to invite his victims to ‘a party at a chalet’ where he would carry out the sexual assault,” the reports said. Judicial sources said Lebanese and Syrian children were lured to the seaside chalet with the use of “simple gifts, including T-shirts.”An official Internal Security Forces statement meanwhile said that the children were also “forced to consume drugs at several hotels.”“After investigations and information gathering for around a month, six people of Lebanese, Syrian and Turkish nationalities were arrested in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and the North, including three minors who are famous on the TikTok application,” the ISF statement said. A judicial official meanwhile told AFP that minors who are famous on TikTok were used to lure other minors who were allegedly "drugged, raped and blackmailed into promoting drugs."
Six individuals arrested so far are suspected of being part of a wider group of 28 people identified in connection with the case, the official said. The arrests came after children complained to the public prosecution about being "sexually assaulted and photographed by members of an organized gang, and forced to use drugs in hotels," the Internal Security Forces said Wednesday. The judicial official said the gang had recruited teenagers outside Lebanon "to lure children on TikTok."A security official familiar with the investigation told AFP that six victims "not older than 16 years of age" had testified so far.
They were lured through a "clothing shop account offering deals or promises of being featured in advertisements, or through a hair salon or fake social media accounts," the security official said. Suspects "raped them, filmed the rapes and then made them watch the videos, and blackmailed them, threatening to post the footage (online) if they spoke out," he added. "The investigation is ongoing... and work is underway to arrest all of the gang members," the police said.

Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on May 02-03/2024
Hamas Will Send a Delegation to Cairo to Keep Up Ceasefire Talks
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 02/2024
Hamas said Thursday it will send a delegation to Cairo as soon as possible to keep working on ceasefire talks, in response to Egypt's latest proposal. In a statement, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said he spoke Egypt’s intelligence chief and “stressed the positive spirit of the movement in studying the ceasefire proposal.”The statement did not say when the delegation would travel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was back in the Middle East this week in a renewed push for a ceasefire deal. The proposed truce would free hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a halt to the fighting and the delivery of much needed food, medicine and water into Gaza. Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be released as part of the deal. If the Israel-Hamas war stopped today, it would still take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed in nearly seven months of Israel’s bombardment and ground offensives in the besieged territory, according to United Nations estimates released Thursday. The war has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes, caused vast destruction in several towns and cities, and pushed northern Gaza to the brink of famine. The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people, according to local health officials, and the territory's entire population has been driven into a humanitarian catastrophe. The war started on Oct. 7 when Palestinian fighters launched an unprecedented attack into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting around 250 hostages. Israel says fighters still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

Hamas chief says group studying Gaza truce proposal 'in positive spirit'
Agence France Presse/May 02/2024
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said on Thursday the Palestinian militant group was studying a proposal for a truce in the nearly seven-month war raging in Gaza with a "positive spirit."In a call to Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, Haniyeh said he "appreciated the role played by Egypt, and stressed the positive spirit of the movement in studying the ceasefire proposal," according to a statement on Hamas' official website.

Gaza destruction on scale unseen since Second World War, will take decades to rebuild, UN says
EPHREM KOSSAIFY/Arab News/May 02, 2024
NEW YORK CITY: The war on Gaza has depleted much of the physical and human capital in the enclave and severely affected the rest of the occupied territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to a newly published UN report. It warns that in addition to the thousands of lives already lost, and the many people injured or maimed for life, the risk of “future lost generations is real.”The report by the UN Development Program, titled “War in Gaza: Expected Socioeconomic Impacts on the State of Palestine,” highlights the widespread damage caused by the conflict, including: the destruction of about 80,000 homes, resulting in significant, and possibly longlasting, displacement and homelessness among the population; the depletion and pollution of natural resources; and the destruction of infrastructure such as water and sanitation systems, educational institutions and health care facilities. It said human development in Gaza has been set back to the extent it could take 20 years to return to prewar levels, and recovery seems unlikely in the absence of a functioning economy, adequate institutional capacities, and the ability to trade. “We haven’t seen anything like this since 1945, since the Second World War, that intensity in such a short time, that massive scale of destruction,” Abdallah Al-Dardari, the assistant administrator and director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States, told Arab News. “With 37 million tons of debris, compared to 2.4 million tons of debris in the 2014 war, and 72 percent of all housing in Gaza destroyed, and 90 percent of commercial and all other buildings destroyed, this is unprecedented.” The report analyzes the devastating effects the ongoing war in Gaza has had on the Palestinian people, their economy and human development in the territory, and predicts the possible consequences based on scenarios that assume a further one to three months of conflict.
Based on official figures, by April 12 this year, at least 33,207 Palestinians had been killed in Gaza, an estimated 7,000 were missing, and 80,683 had been injured. About 70 percent of the dead were women and children. Many of the injured are likely to suffer long-term consequences, including disabilities. These figures reveal that at least 5 percent of the population of Gaza has been killed, maimed or injured. In addition, about 500 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the beginning of the war. “No other armed conflict in the 21st century has caused such a devastating impact on a population in such a short time frame,” the report notes. It states the number of people in Gaza living in poverty has risen to 1.67 million in the six months since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October last year. The report warns that the number of Gazans living in poverty will rise to 1.74 million if the duration of the war reaches seven months, and 1.86 million if it reaches nine months.
The report estimates the unemployment rate in the Occupied Palestinian Territories rose to 46.1 percent after six months of war and could reach 47.8 percent by the end of a ninth month of fighting. It estimates that six months of war set human development back 17 years, and by the ninth month this will have increased to a loss of 20 years of progress. The analysis further reveals that the Palestinian economy lost an estimated 8.7 percent of its real gross domestic product in 2023, and will lose an estimated 25.8 percent in 2024. If the conflict continues for another three months, the loss this year could increase to 29 percent, equivalent to about $7.6 billion. All economic sectors in Gaza have been severely affected by the war, the report found, with the construction sector experiencing the most substantial decline, of 75.2 percent. “The local economy has been eviscerated by the current war,” it states. “The devastating Gaza war will leave future generations with aggravated economic and social costs that will impede postwar recovery and development across the occupied Palestinian territory.” Under even the most optimistic scenarios for the speed of reconstruction, the report states, it will take until 2040, and probably longer, to repair or replace the homes that have been destroyed. Revitalizing the economy will be another enormous challenge, the report warns, given that the productive basis of the economy has been destroyed. “The required investments in infrastructure, education, public health, food security and other basic social services which are essential for accelerating economic recovery are simply massive,” it said. The analysis underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire agreement, together with sustained efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and rebuild the Palestinian economy and its infrastructure. Every possible effort must be made to end the war, the report said, and reach a “lasting agreement between Israel and the State of Palestine and sincerely adhere to it.”It added: “Until such time comes, saving lives is an immediate priority and, in parallel, the provision of adequate and timely humanitarian aid, especially for essential items such as food, medicine, clean water and fuel. “Additional measures should be taken to avoid the destruction of the remaining civilian infrastructure and disruption of services, while setting in motion the recovery of the economy and acceleration of growth, and the creation of decent employment.”

Palestinian security force kills Islamic Jihad gunman in rare internal clash
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters)/May 2, 2024
Palestinian security officers killed a gunman in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, a rare intra-Palestinian clash whose circumstances were disputed and which the fighter's faction described as an Israeli-style "assassination".
Palestinian Authority security services spokesperson Talak Dweikat said a force sent to patrol Tulkarm overnight came under fire and shot back, hitting the gunman. He died from his wounds in hospital. Videos circulated online, and which Reuters was not immediately able to confirm, showed a car being hit by gunfire. A local armed group, the Tulkarm and Nour Shams Camp Brigades, claimed the dead man, Ahmed Abu al-Foul, as its member with affiliation to the largely militant group Islamic Jihad. Al-Foul was "treacherously ... targeted in his car" without provocation, the brigades said in a statement. "This crime is just like any assassination by Israeli special forces." President Mahmoud Abbas' PA wields limited self-rule in the West Bank, and sometimes coordinates security with Israel. Parts of the territory have drifted into chaos and poverty, with the PA and Israel trading blame, especially since ties have been further strained by Israel's offensive in Gaza. Hamas, an Islamic Jihad ally which rules the Gaza Strip and has chafed at Abbas' strategy of seeking diplomatic accommodation with Israel, denounced "the attacks by the PA’s security forces on our people and our resistance fighters". Palestinian security forces and gunmen have exchanged gunfire several times in the last year, but deaths are rare.

Israel says Turkey's Erdogan is breaking agreements by blocking ports for trade
Reuters/May 2, 2024
Israel's foreign minister said on Thursday that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was breaking agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports. "This is how a dictator behaves, disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements," Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on X. Katz said he instructed the foreign ministry to work to create alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries. Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Turkey had stopped all exports and imports to and from Israel, citing two Turkish officials. The Turkish presidency, foreign and trade ministries were not immediately available for comment. The two countries had a trade volume of $6.8 billion in 2023. Turkey last month imposed trade restrictions on Israel over what it said was Israel's refusal to allow Ankara to take part in aid air-drop operations for Gaza and its offensive on the enclave. Asked about Turkey's ongoing trade with Israel despite the harsh rhetoric from Ankara, President Tayyip Erdogan said last month that Turkey no longer continued "intense trade" with Israel, adding "that is done". He did not indicate Ankara had cut off all trade with Israel, however. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Toby Chopra)

A new Saudi-US deal to reshape the Middle East is taking shape — but Israel can't join while it's still at war
Tom Porter/Business Insider/May 2, 2024
A new Saudi-US security deal is being negotiated, reports said. It resembles the deal that was forming before it was derailed on October 7 by the Hamas terror attacks. A deal dubbed "plan B" Israel is, for now, excluded because of its war on Gaza. The US and Saudi Arabia are said to be drawing closer to a historic deal that could reshape the Middle East — by sidestepping the vexed issue of Israel's war in Gaza. According to Bloomberg, the deal would involve the US providing security guarantees to Saudi Arabia and sharing key technology in areas like AI, nuclear energy and quantum computing. The deal would allow the US to counter growing Chinese influence in the region and provide the Saudis with a bulwark against Iran. The surprise part of the deal is that, for now, it would exclude Israel. The proposed new deal closely resembles an earlier deal, under which Saudi Arabia would've agreed to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for security and technology guarantees. But the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, and Israel's retaliatory war on Gaza, derailed that process. Some analysts believe this was exactly the plan: that Hamas wanted to ruin any chances of Israel-Arab normalization.Saudi Arabia afterward said it would only agree to normalize relations with Israel if it brought its attacks on Gaza to an end and agreed to the creation of a Palestinian state. That appears to be a big roadblock. Israel would likely reject the Saudi demand for a Palestinian state, and its Gaza campaign shows no signs of winding down. So for now, The Guardian reported, the Saudis are proposing a "plan B" containing many of the benefits of the original deal but leaving out Israel. According to the report, Israel will be invited to join the pact, but if it refuses, it could be agreed upon anyway. Under the deal, the Saudis would agree to exclude China from key technology, reported Bloomberg. Last year, Business Insider reported on deals between the kingdom's ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, and China for surveillance technology as Beijing seeks to supplant the US as a regional economic and political powerbroker. China outflanked the US in 2023 by negotiating a deal to restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, who are longtime regional rivals. The US has, in recent weeks, been pressing Israel to negotiate a cease-fire to its Gaza campaign amid rising domestic and international opposition to the war. According to Gazan health authorities, the conflict claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives there. The US has held out the prospect of normalization with Saudi Arabia as an incentive to Israel. But skeptics say that a US-Saudi deal that excludes Israel is unlikely to be approved by Congress, which has long seen Israel as its most important regional ally.

As Hamas considers cease-fire, question hangs: Will Israel end war without the group's destruction?
BASSEM MROUE and LEE KEATH/ May 2, 2024
Hamas on Thursday was considering the latest proposal for a cease-fire with Israel that the United States and other mediators hope will avert an Israeli attack on the Gaza town of Rafah. But chances for the deal are entangled with the question of whether Israel can accept an end to the war without reaching its stated goal of destroying Hamas. The stakes in the cease-fire negotiations were made clear in a new U.N. report that said if the war in Gaza stops today, it will still take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed by nearly seven months of Israeli bombardment and ground offensives in the territory. It warned that the impact of the damage to the economy will set back development for generations and will only get worse with every month fighting continues. Hamas has insisted it won’t sign onto the deal without assurances that, if it eventually releases all its hostages, Israel will end its onslaught in Gaza and pull its troops out of the territory.
The proposal that U.S. and Egyptian mediators have put to Hamas -– apparently with Israel’s acceptance — sets out a three-stage process that will bring an immediate six-week cease-fire and partial hostage release but also negotiations over a “permanent calm” that includes some sort of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, according to an Egyptian official. If Israel does agree to end the war in return for a full hostage release, it would be a major turnaround. Since Hamas’ bloody Oct. 7 attack stunned Israel, its leaders have vowed not to stop their bombardment and ground offensives until the militant group is destroyed. They also say Israel must keep a military presence in Gaza and security control after the war to ensure Hamas doesn’t rebuild. Publicly at least, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that is the only acceptable endgame. He has vowed that even if a cease-fire is reached, Israel will eventually attack Rafah, which he says is Hamas’ last stronghold in Gaza. He repeated his determination to do so in talks Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Israel on a regional tour to push the deal through. The deal's immediate fate hinges on whether Hamas will accept uncertainty over the final phases to bring the initial six-week pause in fighting — and at least postpone what it is feared would be a devastating assault on Rafah, Gaza's southernmost town where some 1.4 million Palestinians have taken refuge.
Egypt has been privately assuring Hamas that the deal will mean a total end to the war. But the Egyptian official said Hamas says the text’s language is too vague and wants it to specify a complete Israeli pullout from all of Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about the internal deliberations.
The group is still studying the offer, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said in a message Thursday to The Associated Press. He did not confirm whether it would formally give an answer later in the day. On Wednesday evening, Hamdan expressed skepticism, saying the group’s initial position was “negative.” Speaking to Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV, he said talks were still ongoing but would stop if Israel invades Rafah. Blinken hiked up pressure on Hamas to accept, saying Israel had made “very important” compromises. “There’s no time for further haggling. The deal is there,” Blinken said Wednesday before leaving for the U.S. Hanging over the negotiations is the threat of an Israeli attack on Rafah, which the U.S. and U.N. have warned could be catastrophic for Palestinian civilians. After fleeing Israel's assault elsewhere in Gaza, more than half the territory's population has crowded into tent camps and other shelters in and around Rafah.
The United States, which has staunchly supported Israel throughout the war, has said it should not move on Rafah and has grown increasingly critical of the staggering toll borne by Palestinian civilians. American officials say they oppose a major offensive in Rafah but that if Israel conducts one, it must first evacuate civilians. Israel has said it is developing plans for a mass evacuation of civilians. The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Hamas is believed to still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. Since then, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. It has wreaked vast destruction and brought a humanitarian disaster, with several hundred thousand Palestinians in northern Gaza facing imminent famine, according to the U.N. More than 80% of the population has been driven from their homes.
The “productive basis of the economy has been destroyed" and poverty is rising sharply among Palestinians, according to the report released Thursday by the United Nations Development Program and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. It said that in 2024, the entire Palestinian economy -– including both Gaza and the West Bank -– has so far contracted 25.8%. If the war continues, the loss will reach a “staggering” 29% by July, it said. The West Bank economy has been hit by Israel's decision to cancel the work permits for tens of thousands of laborers who depended on jobs inside Israel. “Every additional day that this war continues is exacting huge and compounding costs to Gazans and all Palestinians. … These new figures warn that the suffering in Gaza will not end when the war does,” said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner. He warned of a “serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come.”The report said at least 370,000 housing units in Gaza have been damaged, including 79,000 destroyed completely. After previous Israel-Hamas conflicts, housing was rebuilt at a rate of 992 units year. Even if Israel allows a five-fold increase of construction material to enter Gaza, it would take until 2040 to rebuild the destroyed houses without repairing the damaged ones, it said. During his visit, Blinken said new steps by Israel, including the opening of another border crossing and an offshore pier set to open in the coming week, are helping to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Israel. But he said such efforts must be sustained.

California Police Flatten Pro-Palestinian Camp at UCLA, Arrest Protesters
Asharq Al Awsat/May 2, 2024
Hundreds of helmeted police swarmed the site of a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of California at Los Angeles early on Thursday, firing flash bangs, arresting defiant demonstrators and dismantling their encampment. The pre-dawn police crackdown at UCLA marked the latest flashpoint in mounting tensions on US college campuses, where protests over Israel's war in Gaza have led to student clashes with each other and with law enforcement. "I'm a student here. I'm an English major," one student said to television cameras, as police dragged him away. "Please don't fail us. Don't fail us."Prior to moving in, police urged demonstrators in repeated announcements to clear the protest zone, which occupied a central plaza about the size of a football field. After massing for hours, officers eventually moved through the area in lines holding batons as protesters - some in white helmets - linked arms, attempting to block their advance. Live TV footage showed officers taking down tents, tearing apart barricades and removing the encampment, while arrested protesters sat with their hands restrained behind their backs with zip-ties. Students have rallied or set up tents at dozens of schools in recent days, calling on President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel's right to defend itself, to do more to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and demanding schools divest from companies that support Israel's government. Many of the schools, including Columbia University in New York City, have called in police to quell the protests. In New Hampshire, police arrested approximately 100 protesters in separate incidents at Dartmouth University and the University of New Hampshire overnight, breaking up encampments. In Portland, Oregon, police entered the Portland State University library on Thursday morning and began arresting protesters who had barricaded themselves inside since Monday. Biden broke his silence on the demonstrations on Thursday, saying Americans have the right to protest but not to unleash violence. "Destroying property is not a peaceful protest," he said at the White House. "It's against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancelling of classes and graduations - none of this is a peaceful protest." But Biden also rejected the idea of deploying the National Guard to campuses. Biden, who is seeking re-election in November against Republican former President Donald Trump, has walked a careful line as he confronts criticism from both the right and the left over his Israel policy.
CAMPUS CLASHES
At UCLA, dozens of loud explosions were heard during the clash from flash bangs, or stun grenades, fired by police as they moved into the camp. Demonstrators, some carrying makeshift shields and umbrellas, chanted "push them back" and flashed bright lights in officers' eyes. Local television station KABC-TV estimated 300 to 500 protesters had been hunkered down inside the camp, many wearing the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, while around 2,000 more had gathered outside the barricades in support. Some of the protesters had been seen donning hard hats, goggles and respirator masks in anticipation of the siege a day after the university declared the encampment unlawful. By sunrise, the plaza was strewn with detritus from the destroyed encampment: tents, blankets, food containers, a Palestinian flag, an upturned helmet. A line of officers carrying batons stood at the plaza's edge, while a small group of remaining protesters shouted chants at them nearby. The protests follow the deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas fighters from the Gaza Strip, which killed 1,200 people and saw dozens taken hostage, and an ensuing Israeli offensive that has killed about 34,000 and created a humanitarian crisis. The campus demonstrations have been met with counter-protesters accusing them of fomenting anti-Jewish hatred. The pro-Palestinian side, including some Jews opposed to Israeli actions in Gaza, say they are being unfairly branded as antisemitic for criticizing Israel's government and expressing support for human rights.
UCLA CRACKDOWN CAME DAY AFTER VIOLENT CLASH
UCLA had canceled classes for the day on Wednesday following a violent clash between the encampment's occupants and a group of masked counter-demonstrators who mounted a surprise assault late Tuesday night on the tent city. The occupants of the camp, set up last week, had remained mostly peaceful before the melee, in which both sides traded blows and doused each other with pepper spray. The confrontation went on for two or three hours into early Wednesday morning before police restored order. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, later criticized the "limited and delayed campus law enforcement response" to the unrest as "unacceptable". Taylor Gee, a 30-year-old pro-Palestinian protester and UCLA law student, said the police operation on Thursday felt "especially galling" to many protesters given the slow police response a night earlier. "For them to come out the next night to remove us from the encampment, it doesn't make any sense, but it also makes all the sense in the world," he said. UCLA officials said the campus, with nearly 52,000 students, would remain shuttered except for limited operations on Thursday and Friday.
The police action at UCLA came after police in New York City on Tuesday arrested pro-Palestinian activists who occupied a building at Columbia University and removed a tent city from the campus of the Ivy League school.

Israel builds ‘cyber dome’ against Iran’s hackers
AFP/May 03, 2024
TEL AVIV: Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has long shielded it from incoming rockets. Now it is building a “cyber dome” to defend against online attacks, especially from arch foe Iran. “It is a silent war, one which is not visible,” said Aviram Atzaba, the Israeli National Cyber Directorate’s head of international cooperation. While Israel has fought Hamas in Gaza since the October 7 attack, it has also faced a significant increase in cyberattacks from Iran and its allies, Atzaba said. “They are trying to hack everything they can,” he told AFP, pointing to Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement but adding that so far “they have not succeeded in causing any real damage.” He said around 800 significant attacks had been thwarted since the war erupted. Among the targets were government organizations, the military and civil infrastructure. Some attacks could not be foiled, including against hospitals in the cities of Haifa and Safed in which patient data was stolen. While Israel already has cyber defenses, they long consisted of “local efforts that were not connected,” Atzaba said. So, for the past two years, the directorate has been working to build a centralized, real-time system that works proactively to protect all of Israeli cyberspace.
Based in Tel Aviv, the directorate works under the authority of the prime minister. It does not reveal figures on its staff, budget or computing resources. Israel collaborates closely with multiple allies, including the United States, said Atzaba, because “all states face cyber terrorism.”
“It takes a network to fight a network,” he said. Israel’s arch foe Iran is “an impressive enemy” in the online wars, said Chuck Freilich, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, which is affiliated with Tel Aviv University.
“Its attacks aim to sabotage and destroy infrastructure, but also to collect data for intelligence and spread false information for propaganda purposes,” he said. Iran has welcomed Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 34,596 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. Regional tensions have soared, particularly after Iran for the first time fired hundreds of missiles directly at Israel last month in retaliation for a deadly Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
It was the most dramatic escalation yet after a years-long shadow war of killings and sabotage attacks between Israel and Iran. Freilich argued in a study published in February that Iran was relatively slow to invest in cyberwarfare, until two key events triggered a change.
First, its leaders took note of how anti-government protesters used the Internet as a tool to mobilize support for a 2009 post-election uprising. In the bloody crackdown that crushed the movement, Iran’s authorities cut access to social media and websites covering the protests.
Then, in September 2010, a sophisticated cyberattack using the Stuxnet virus, blamed by Iran on Israel and the United States, caused physical damage to Tehran’s nuclear program. Freilich said the attack “demonstrated Iran’s extreme vulnerability and led to a severe national shock.”
Since then, Iran has gained substantial expertise to become “one of the most active countries in cyberspace,” he said While Israel is considered a major cyber power, Iran was only likely to improve, said Freilich. He pointed to assistance from Russia and China, as well as its much larger population and an emphasis on cyber training for students and soldiers alike, adding that the trend was “concerning for the future.”Atzaba insisted that the quantity of hackers is secondary to the quality of technology and the use it is put to. “For the past two years, we have been developing a cyber dome against cyberattacks, which functions like the Iron Dome against rockets,” he said. “With cyber dome, all sources are fed into a large data pool that enables a view of the big picture and to invoke a national response in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.”The Israeli system has various scanners that continuously “monitor Israeli cyberspace for vulnerabilities and informs the stakeholders of the means to mitigate them,” he said. Israel’s cyber strength relied on close cooperation between the public, private and academic sectors, as well as Israel’s “white hat” hackers who help identify weaknesses.
“We work hand in hand,” he said.

Police begin removing barricades at a pro-Palestinian demonstrators' encampment at UCLA
LOS ANGELES (AP)/Thu, May 2, 2024
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters Thursday remained behind barricades on the UCLA campus despite police orders to leave as officers were poised to move in on their fortified encampment that was ringed by an even larger crowd, including supporters who locked arms and curious onlookers.
Shortly before 2 a.m., police briefly made their way into the perimeter of the encampment only to retreat after being outnumbered by scores of protesters who yelled “shame on you!” Some in the crowd tossed water bottles and other objects as dozens of officers ran back.
Later the crowd chanted “we're not leaving. You don't scare us.”Armed with batons and in full riot gear, California Highway Patrol officers returned about an hour later and stood within feet of scores of protesters, who threw objects and yelled. More than 100 protesters moved from the stairs leading down from the encampment to block a side entrance to the encampment where police were advancing. Law enforcement made a massive display, sending in columns of officers who were closing in on all sides of the encampment. Members of the crowd flashed lights in the officers faces and screamed insults at them.
The huge numbers of police began arriving late in the afternoon Wednesday and issued the dispersal order. Empty buses were parked near the University of California, Los Angeles, to take away protesters who don't comply with the order.
Tent encampments of protesters calling on universities to stop doing business with Israel or companies they say support the war in Gaza have spread across campuses nationwide in a student movement unlike any other this century. The ensuing police crackdowns echoed actions decades ago against a much larger protest movement protesting the Vietnam War. The tense standoff at UCLA came one night after violence instigated by counter-protesters erupted in the same place. The law enforcement presence and continued warnings stood in contrast to the scene that unfolded the night before, when counter-demonstrators attacked the pro-Palestinian encampment, throwing traffic cones, releasing pepper spray and tearing down barriers. Fighting continued for several hours before police stepped in, though no arrests were made. At least 15 protesters suffered injuries, and the tepid response by authorities drew criticism from political leaders as well as Muslim students and advocacy groups. By Wednesday afternoon a small city sprang up inside the reenforced encampment, now full of hundreds of people and tents on the campus quad. Some protesters said Muslim prayers as the sun set over the campus, while others chanted “we’re not leaving” or passed out goggles and surgical masks. They wore helmets and headscarves, and discussed the best ways to handle pepper spray or tear gas as someone sang over a megaphone. A few constructed homemade shields out of plywood in case they clashed with police forming skirmish lines elsewhere on the campus. “For rubber bullets, who wants a shield?" a protester called out. Outside the encampment, a crowd of students, alumni and neighbors gathered on campus steps, joining in pro-Palestinian chants. A group of students holding signs and wearing T-shirts in support of Israel and Jewish people demonstrated nearby. The crowd continued to grow as the night wore on as more and more officers poured onto campus. Ray Wiliani, who lives nearby, said he came to UCLA on Wednesday evening to support the pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
“We need to take a stand for it,” he said. “Enough is enough.”
Elsewhere, police in New Hampshire said they made 90 arrests and took down tents at Dartmouth College and officers in Oregon came onto the campus at Portland State University as school officials sought to end the occupation of the library that started Monday. The chaotic scenes at UCLA came after New York police burst into a building occupied by anti-war protesters at Columbia University on Tuesday night, breaking up a demonstration that had paralyzed the school. An Associated Press tally counted at least 38 times since April 18 where arrests were made at campus protests across the U.S. More than 1,600 people have been arrested at 30 schools. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in a statement that “a group of instigators” perpetrated the previous night's attack, but he did not provide details about the crowd or why the administration and school police did not act sooner. “However one feels about the encampment, this attack on our students, faculty and community members was utterly unacceptable,” he said. “It has shaken our campus to its core.”Block promised a review of the night's events after California Gov. Gavin Newsom denounced the delays.The head of the University of California system, Michael Drake, ordered an “independent review of the university’s planning, its actions and the response by law enforcement.”
“The community needs to feel the police are protecting them, not enabling others to harm them,” Rebecca Husaini, chief of staff for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said in a news conference on the Los Angeles campus Wednesday. Speakers disputed the university’s account that 15 people were injured and one hospitalized, saying the number of people taken to the hospital was higher. One student described needing to go to the hospital after being hit in the head by an object wielded by counter-protesters. Several students who spoke during the news conference said they had to rely on each other, not the police, for support as they were attacked, and that many in the pro-Palestinian encampment remained peaceful and did not engage with counter-protesters. UCLA canceled classes Wednesday. In Madison, a scrum broke out early Wednesday after police with shields removed all but one tent and shoved protesters. Four officers were injured, including a state trooper who was hit in the head with a skateboard, authorities said. Four were charged with battering law enforcement.
This is all playing out in an election year in the U.S., raising questions about whether young voters — who are critical for Democrats — will back President Joe Biden's reelection effort, given his staunch support of Israel. In rare instances, university officials and protest leaders struck agreements to restrict the disruption to campus life and upcoming commencement ceremonies. At Brown University in Rhode Island, administrators agreed to consider a vote to divest from Israel in October — apparently the first U.S. college to agree to such a demand. The nationwide campus demonstrations began at Columbia on April 17 to protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which followed Hamas launching a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. Militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages. Vowing to stamp out Hamas, Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry there. Israel and its supporters have branded the university protests antisemitic, while Israel’s critics say it uses those allegations to silence opposition. Although some protesters have been caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, organizers of the protests, some of whom are Jewish, say it is a peaceful movement aimed at defending Palestinian rights and protesting the war. Meanwhile, protest encampments elsewhere were cleared by the police, resulting in arrests, or closed up voluntarily at schools across the U.S., including The City College of New York, Fordham University in New York, Portland State in Oregon, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona and Tulane University in New Orleans.

Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on May 02-03/2024
Opinion: Unable to ‘win’ in Gaza, Israel sets its sights elsewhere
Opinion by Hussein Ibish/CNN/May 02, 2024
An eerie relative calm has descended on the Middle East — Gaza obviously excluded — since a highly alarming exchange of missile, rocket and drone attacks by Israel and Iran in recent weeks. Fears of an imminent regional war have subsided, with both sides suggesting that, for now at any rate, they believe they have restored deterrence strategically and bolstered national morale enough to offset criticism from hawks and hardliners.
For the meanwhile, it appears that neither Israel nor Iran wants a direct war with each other, and both appear ready to consider the recent exchange of attacks, although not their underlying causes, resolved. It certainly helps that no one appears to have been killed in either country, and that was undoubtedly intentional, since both sides have the clear ability to inflict far more destruction and deaths in each other’s territories if that was what they wanted.
But that doesn’t mean the confrontation is over by any means. To the contrary, just as the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel from Gaza sparked the tensions that ultimately led to the first-ever direct Iranian attacks against Israel and Israel’s retaliation against Iran, the struggle between the two powers appears set to move to the next stage and, more ominously still, the next level.
All eyes on Lebanon
The clock may be ticking for Lebanon, with a possible Israeli offensive looming in the coming weeks that would cause massive destruction in both countries and devastation to the Biden administration’s policy of conflict containment in the Middle East.
Israel was already threatening, and appeared to be preparing for, a major offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon later this spring or in the early summer, according to American administration and intelligence officials. Now, the recent exchange of direct military attacks with Iran might have sealed Lebanon’s fate, unless team Biden can restrain Israel.
It’s important here to recall how the recent Israeli–Iranian exchange of fire originated. On April 1, Israel struck an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, killing a number of senior Iranian officials including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi; his deputy, Gen. Haji Rahimi; and, perhaps most significantly, Brig. Gen. Hossein Amirollah, chief of staff in Syria and Lebanon for Iran’s expeditionary Quds Force.
The Israelis insisted that these senior commanders were directing efforts by Iran’s extensive network of militia groups and armed gangs in the Arab world, led by Hezbollah, in helping Hamas fend off Israel in Gaza and the group Hezbollah to prepare for the long-threatened Israeli offensive in Lebanon.
That the accusation is almost certainly correct only underscores why Tehran felt deeply wounded by the attack on its consulate in Damascus, which it considered to be on part of its own territory, given international conventions and norms regarding extraterritorial jurisdiction in diplomatic facilities in other countries.
Laying the groundwork
Washington’s overriding prime directive regarding the post-October 7 crises has been conflict containment, preventing major fighting from spreading beyond Gaza, particularly into Lebanon.
The fear is that such an expansion could easily drag in the United States and/or Iran, leading to the first regional war in modern Middle Eastern history and potential direct conflict between Washington and Tehran. There are, of course, numerous hardliners in Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have long sought US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and who might be tempted to escalate simply in hopes of finally realizing that perennially frustrated aspiration.
But that wouldn’t be the main reason for an Israeli offensive in Lebanon, which wouldn’t guarantee any such eventuality. Instead, October 7 led many Israeli hardliners into a new and much more uncompromising attitude towards national security, especially regarding Iranian-sponsored groups directly on Israel’s borders.
As early as a few days after October 7, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was pressing for a major preemptive strike against Hezbollah because the Lebanese militia constitutes Israel’s most potent immediate threat. The Biden administration made American opposition crystal clear, at least postponing any such operation.
As Israel’s forces moved south through Gaza, obliterating Hamas brigades with relative ease, its thinking relatively quickly turned north again. Hezbollah’s major threat against Israel is its massive arsenal of over 150,000 missiles and rockets, many with precision guidance, that are capable of striking anywhere in Israel and possibly overwhelming Iron Dome and other Israeli antimissile defense systems.
Acting on its post-October 7 sensitivity to border-area threats — including Hezbollah rocket attacks that have persisted since then​ — Israel evacuated about 80,000 citizens from its northern communities (a similar number of Lebanese relocated themselves from southern towns and villages), and the government began insisting that they could not return to their homes in safety and security unless Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force commandos were permanently relocated approximately 18 miles north of the border area.
However, the Radwan force, in my assessment, does not appear to be prepared for or capable of launching a meaningful, large-scale ground invasion of northern Israel, regardless of what Hezbollah says about the force. While it’s understandable for Israel to be concerned about the potential for a dangerous incursion by Radwan, the main purpose of the force is to justify Hezbollah’s maintenance of its private army — and therefore its own foreign policy — by claiming it is defending southern Lebanon and the border area from Israel. Therefore, we should be skeptical about Israel’s motivations.
Even though Hezbollah has made it clear in both word and deed since October 7 that, with Iran’s backing, it does not want a broader war with Israel under current circumstances, despite ongoing tit-for-tat attacks, the Lebanese group would not simply capitulate to a major concession of withdrawing its elite fighters from the southern regions in which the group was formed and that are its heartland.
Israel’s war hawks’ real target in Lebanon is Hezbollah’s missile, rocket and drone arsenal, which it would hope to damage and degrade while inflicting a humiliating blow against its most potent immediate foe.
Israeli leaders would also undoubtedly hope that another potential war in Lebanon would finally provide Israelis with a major victory, the “win” that has never been available in Gaza under any scenario. Hezbollah is much more of a conventional force than Hamas. Damage to its military and other capabilities would be readily quantifiable and, if the cost were tolerable, likely warmly applauded in Israel — and the country would not face the problem of any prolonged reoccupation of additional Arab territory.
In the process, Iran’s regional trump card would be severely degraded, Israeli leaders would hope. However, each time Israel has engaged Hezbollah anew, it has found the group’s capabilities far exceed its expectations, and Israelis may come to regret another avoidable adventure in Lebanon.
Biden’s worst nightmare
For the Biden administration, however, this scenario is a nightmare. One of the main purposes of the bear-hug of support from Washington to Israel in Gaza was to position the US to restrain friends as well as contain foes in the battle to prevent a catastrophic regional conflict. After the recent exchange of bombardments with Iran, it may be down to the administration and even President Joe Biden personally to restrain the Israelis from moving forward with the threatened major offensive in Lebanon. If this happens, a primary US goal regarding the Gaza war — conflict containment — would be shattered not by Washington’s adversaries, but ironically by its closest regional partner.
**Editor’s Note: Hussein Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. His most recent book is “What’s Wrong With the One-State Agenda? Why Ending the Occupation and Peace With Israel is Still the Palestinian National Goal.” The views expressed in this commentary are his own.

The 'Palestinian State': Hamas Plays Westerners for Fools - Again
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/May 2, 2024
[T]he Iran-backed Hamas terror group is again trying to dupe gullible Westerners, including the Biden administration and the European Union, into believing that it has accepted the "two-state solution."
The Hamas official would not have dared to utter similar nonsense to an Arab media outlet. He knows that here his lies are directed at English-speaking audiences, who tend to swallow whole the baloney spouted by Israel's enemies.
The Hamas official wants everyone to believe that his group is ready to stop killing Jews for a period of five years "or more" if it gets the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. He just forgot to mention that there was an official truce between Israel and Hamas until October 7, when the terror group Hamas initiated the current war.
The Hamas official also forgot to mention that Hamas has repeatedly violated several truces and ceasefire agreements reached with Israel over the past 17 years. The truces and ceasefires were always used by Hamas to regroup and rearm in preparation for the next round of attacking Israel.
Hamas will never abandon its weapons or dismantle its armed group, especially after the establishment of a Palestinian state
The mere talk about a Palestinian state these days is regarded as a reward for Hamas's genocidal assault on Israel. It sends the message to Hamas that after you murdered so many Jews, the international community will reward you by giving you a state. It reaffirms that terrorism works. Where do we sign up?
The secret that the AP and the US administration do not want you to know is that Hamas does not actually want the Gaza Strip or the West Bank or east Jerusalem. Hamas wants to eliminate Israel and replace it with an Iran-backed Islamist terror state.
If Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are given a state next to Israel, they will absolutely continue to pursue their goal of killing Jews and obliterating Israel. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad has clearly said that the terror group will repeat the October 7 attack, time and again, until Israel is annihilated.
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has repeatedly clarified that his group's acceptance of a Palestinian state does not mean that it will abandon its goal of destroying Israel. "The lines below are for the next person who comes to me with 'Hamas agreed to two state solution.' It DID NOT! Hamas outlines this scenario fully in its Charter as amended in 2017.... Hamas will likely then stock as much rockets and drones possible for the next round of war to destroy Israel.... Prophet Muhammad is said to have entered into a 10-year truce with the infidels. He conquered them a few years into the truce. Hamas imagines a similar scenario with Israel." — Hussain Abdul-Hussain, X, April 25, 2024.
Hamas is well aware of the credulity of the international community. It knows that it can engage in all forms of propaganda and win friends in the West. It also knows that the best vehicle to advance its goal of killing Jews and destroying Israel is a "two-state solution."
If Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are given a state next to Israel, they will absolutely continue to pursue their goal of killing Jews and obliterating Israel. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad has clearly said that the terror group will repeat the October 7 attack, time and again, until Israel is annihilated.
After slaughtering 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 240 others on October 7, 2023, the Iran-backed Hamas terror group is again trying to dupe gullible Westerners, including the Biden administration and the European Union, into believing that it has accepted the "two-state solution." The solution envisages the creation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state next to Israel, on the entire lands of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.
The latest Hamas deception came in the form of statements made by Khalil al-Hayya, a senior official of the group, in an interview with Associated Press (AP).
"A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders," AP reported on April 25, 2024.
The Hamas official would not have dared to utter similar nonsense to an Arab media outlet. He knows that here his lies are directed at English-speaking audiences, who tend to swallow whole the baloney spouted by Israel's enemies.
The Hamas official wants everyone to believe that his group is ready to stop killing Jews for a period of five years "or more" if it gets the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. He just forgot to mention that there was an official truce between Israel and Hamas until October 7, when the terror group Hamas initiated the current war. The Hamas official also forgot to mention that Hamas has repeatedly violated several truces and ceasefire agreements reached with Israel over the past 17 years. The truces and ceasefires were always used by Hamas to regroup and rearm in preparation for the next round of attacking Israel.
The claim that Hamas will convert into a political party is also laughable. Hamas will never abandon its weapons or dismantle its armed group, especially after the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Hamas will not lay down its weapons; it is committed to continuing the Jihad (holy war) against Israel, regardless of whether Israel ever withdraws from the West Bank and east Jerusalem or not.
The political leadership of Hamas is also undoubtedly aware that without its weapons, other rival factions such as Fatah would instantly seize the opportunity to get rid of Hamas. Al-Hayya said that Hamas would accept "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions." If that happens, he said, the group's military wing would dissolve. Hamas, he added, will then turn into a political party.
The "return of Palestinian refugees" means flooding Israel with more than five million Arabs, most of whom are currently living in "refugee camps" run by the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA). This would turn the Jews living in Israel, which already has two million Arab citizens into a minority in their own country. Israel, in other words, will cease to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people. What Hamas is actually saying is that it wants two Palestinian states – one inside Israel, and the second in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.
The AP, which had been housed in the same building in Gaza as Hamas's military intelligence unit and which still helps Hamas spread its disinformation, smoothly described the suggestion that Hamas would disarm as "a significant concession by the militant group officially committed to Israel's destruction." The news agency then took a swipe at Israel by remarking:
"But it's unlikely Israel would consider such a scenario. It (Israel) has vowed to crush Hamas following the deadly Oct. 7 attacks, and its current leadership is adamantly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state on lands Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war."
For the AP, apparently, Hamas is making a credible statement when it claims that if given control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and east Jerusalem, the terrorist group would dissolve its armed wing and lay down its weapons. Hamas, regrettably, when it comes to trust, has a rather poor track record. Before the official ceasefire that came to an end on October 7, Israel believed that if it eased security restrictions, allowed thousands of Palestinian laborers to come and work in Israel and improved the economic situation in the Gaza Strip, then Hamas would not attack Israel. So much for the trustworthiness of Hamas, and presumably other terrorist groups (see here , here and here) .
The Associated Press does not seem to comprehend why, after the atrocities committed on October 7 -- which included murder, rape, beheading, mutilation and burning people alive -- Israel might feel obligated for its national security to "crush" Hamas. Why on Earth would Israel want to destroy a terrorist organization that still seeks to destroy it and that committed the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Unfathomable! Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that: "October 7 massacre was equivalent to 29 9/11s in one day and the equivalent of 50,000 Americans slaughtered — burned, maimed, raped, beheaded — and 10,000 Americans taken hostage, including mothers and children."
The AP additionally does not seem to understand why Israel's current leadership is "adamantly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state" at Israel's doorstep. After what happened on October 7, it would be hard to find many Israelis who support the idea of creating a Palestinian state next to their villages and homes. The mere talk about a Palestinian state these days is regarded as a reward for Hamas's genocidal assault on Israel. It sends the message to Hamas that after you murdered so many Jews, the international community will reward you by giving you a state. It reaffirms that terrorism works. Where do we sign up?
It is high time to remind AP and the rest of the world that Hamas had full and exclusive control of the Gaza Strip –as well as a blue-chip ceasefire -- when thousands of its members invaded Israel seven months ago. There were no Jews inside the Gaza Strip: Israel had totally pulled out of the coastal enclave in 2005. The Gaza Strip, where two million Palestinians live, was, in fact, an independent and sovereign Palestinian state -- with a judiciary system, security and police forces, and a government and parliament.
Hamas even had exclusive control over a border with the outside world – the one between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. All that still did not stop Hamas from launching its October 7 massacre against Israelis. The secret that the AP and the US administration do not want you to know is that Hamas does not actually want the Gaza Strip or the West Bank or east Jerusalem. Hamas wants to eliminate Israel and replace it with an Iran-backed Islamist terror state.
The same al-Hayya who is now pretending to be moderate and pragmatic recently boasted in an interview with The New York Times:
"Hamas' goal is not to run Gaza and to bring it water and electricity and such. This battle [the October 7 atrocities] was not because we wanted fuel or laborers. It did not seek to improve the situation in Gaza. This battle is to completely overthrow the situation."
In the eyes of Hamas leaders, "overthrowing the situation" means inflicting as much pain and suffering on the Israelis as possible by initiating a multi-front war to kill Jews and replace Israel. If Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are given a state next to Israel, they will absolutely continue to pursue their goal of killing Jews and obliterating Israel. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad has clearly said that the terror group will repeat the October 7 attack, time and again, until Israel is annihilated. He added that Palestinians are willing to pay the price and "proud to sacrifice martyrs." "Israel is a country that has no place on our land. We must remove that country, because it constitutes a security, military, and political catastrophe to the Arab and Islamic nation, and must be finished. We are not ashamed to say this, with full force...
"The Al-Aqsa Flood is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth, because we have the determination, the resolve, and the capabilities to fight. Will we have to pay a price? Yes, and we are ready to pay it. We are called a nation of martyrs, and we are proud to sacrifice martyrs."
The AP's failure in comprehension is not the first time that Westerners have fallen for Hamas deceit. In 2017, Hamas also published a "policy document," falsely described by some Western analysts and reporters as a big concession and sign of moderation from the terror group.
The Guardian promoted the proposal back then:
"[S]ome influential diplomatic figures will seek to persuade Trump's Middle East advisers that the document at least shows there is the potential for a peace settlement based on the recent regional push led by Egypt. It may also open the way for international investors to start rebuilding basic services in Gaza, and end the blockade. "In the biggest concession, the new document states that Hamas 'considers the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital along the lines of 4 June 1967, with the return of the refugees and the displaced to their homes from which they were expelled, to be a formula of national consensus'".
The assumption, again, was that Hamas has finally recognized Israel's right to exist by accepting the "two-state solution." A careful read of the 2017 Hamas "policy document," however, revealed the group's real intention: to eliminate Israel.
Article 2 of the Hamas document, titled "The Land of Palestine," states:
"Palestine, which extends from the [Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean [Sea] in the west, and from Ras al-Naqurah in the north to Umm al-Rashrash in the south, is an integral territorial unit. It is the land and the home of the Palestinian people."
Article 3 goes on to state: "Palestine is an Arab Islamic land. It is a blessed sacred land that has a special place in the heart of every Arab and every Muslim."
Finally, articles 19 and 20 of the document make it clear that Hamas will never recognize Israel's right to exist, even if it is given a Palestinian state next to Israel:
"There shall be no recognition of the legitimacy of the Zionist entity. Hamas believes that no part of the land of Palestine shall be compromised or conceded, irrespective of the causes, the circumstances and the pressures and no matter how long the occupation lasts. Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea."
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has repeatedly clarified that his group's acceptance of a Palestinian state does not mean that it will abandon its goal of destroying Israel.
Earlier this year, Mashaal said:
"I would like to say two things about the two-state solution. First, we have nothing to do with the two-state solution. We reject this notion, because it means you would get a promise for a [Palestinian] state, yet you are required to recognize the legitimacy of the other state, which is the Zionist entity. This is unacceptable. We demand to be liberated, to get rid of the occupation, and to have our independence, and our state. [Israel] is my enemy. It is not my concern...
"Obviously, the position of Hamas, and the position of the vast majority of the Palestinian people, especially following October 7, I believe that the dream and the hope for Palestine from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea, and from the north to the south, has been renewed...
"Hamas agreed to a completely independent [Palestinian] state, with the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, with the right of Return included – without recognizing the legitimacy of the Zionist entity."
Commenting on the false assumption that Hamas had agreed to a "two-state solution," Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow with The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, wrote:
"The lines below are for the next person who comes to me with "Hamas agreed to two state solution." It DID NOT!
"Hamas outlines this scenario fully in its Charter as amended in 2017. Israel hands over all of West Bank, East Jerusalem and West Bank (1967 land) to Palestinians and agrees to return of 5.9 million Palestinians to Israel (1948 land). A sovereign independent Palestinian state is declared, with a national unity cabinet (Hamas + PLO) and a platform for the liberation of the rest of Palestine. Since 1948 is still under occupation, the Palestinian state cannot recognize Israel.
"The Hamas militia then becomes "resistance" that enjoys national Palestinian consensus. i.e. Hamas in 1967 Palestine becomes like Hezbollah in Lebanon, its own statelet with its own army dominating a much weaker state. Hamas will likely then stock as much rockets and drones possible for the next round of war to destroy Israel, maybe after the truce with Israel (10 years) is over.
"Prophet Muhammad is said to have entered into a 10 year truce with the infidels. He conquered them a few years into the truce. Hamas imagines a similar scenario with Israel.
"Even better, with return of 6 million Palestinians to Israel, add 2 million Arabs to them, 8 million Arabs will eventually outnumber 8 million Jews. Palestinians in Israel can then take over Israel through elections. Jews become a minority. The two Palestines are unified as one. Israel is annihilated, Zionism is over, and "From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free.""
Hamas is well aware of the credulity of the international community. It knows that it can engage in all forms of propaganda and win friends in the West. It also knows that the best vehicle to advance its goal of killing Jews and destroying Israel is a "two-state solution."
**Bassam Tawil is an Arab Muslim 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.

The Biggest Losers Are American Universities
Sawsan al-Abtah/Asharq Al Awsat/May 2, 2024
The plan to suppress students at American universities and paint them as "anti-Semitic" had been almost fully developed before they began protesting against the Gaza massacres. Israel has been preparing this plan for a long time, and it never lost sight of these crucial sites that cultivate opinion and decision makers and shape the future of governance in the United States.
Despite past efforts to garner the sympathies of students, thirty US student groups added their names to a statement that held Israel responsible for what happened due to its oppressive and colonial policies immediately after October 7th. Israel lost its mind, and Netanyahu's government realized that the hundreds of millions it had spent to tame American educational institutions could go to waste if it didn't act quickly to retain control.
We remember the protest movements in American universities at the beginning of the war and after the first massacres committed in Gaza. Students were threatened with being doxed and having a list of their names sent to corporations so that they would fail to find employment after graduating.
These demonic punitive measures were not conceived by university administrators, they are a result of direct Israeli actions toward US bodies.
In cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and under the supervision of Minister Eli Cohen and the Ministry of Diaspora, a task force of prominent figures, including lawyers, was formed. Its role was to reach out to influential Jews, as well as US officials, unions, and civil institutions, and demand that the pressure, intimidate, and defame students, professors, and even staff who expressed sympathy for the Palestinians. The coordination began then, and preparations for the ongoing confrontation with the universities and their students were made.
The first campaign to repress dissent succeeded in quelling the flames of students’ fury, and we stopped hearing of these protests until over thirty thousand had died and $26 billion in additional aid for Israel was passed in Congress to help it keep massacring Palestinians.
The sit-ins and demonstrations have returned. They have been particularly powerful in Columbia University, which has begun to inspire students across the globe. The plan was published by "Yedioth Ahronoth'' on November 26, 2023, and the steps laid out under the headline "Shaming and Pressuring Donors: Israel's Strategy Against Anti Semitism On US Campuses” are being implemented to the letter.
The plan includes an economic dimension, with students threatened with high costs in terms of employment opportunities Unions have already been contacted to join the effort to push back against the protesters. Israel also pressures Jewish and other donors to withdraw investments from the universities that do not comply with its demands. It has also sought to influence the federal government, pushing it to deprive universities accused of "anti-Semitism" of funding.
Apparently, university presidents are being contacted and threatened as well, and this is also part of the plan. We first saw this when the presidents of elite universities were questioned before Congress in late 2023, which compelled the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, and Harvard, Claudine Gay, to resign. As for Columbia University Nemat Shafik, who is of Egyptian origin, she is facing pressure to resign despite having tried to appease the Jewish lobby by allowing the police to enter the campus, arrest, persecute, and beat her students- an extremely reprehensible thing to do.
Another element of this plan developed in advance was to engage with the US Department of Justice to discuss legal weapons that could be used to punish protesters, file lawsuits against them, and drag them to court. Lawsuits filed against the universities themselves were also discussed.
The plan emphasizes the need to avoid directly linking any of these actions to Israel and to make the same charge of everyone who is punished, "anti-Semitism."
As for the task of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is to launch social media campaigns and send influential figures to universities in the United States to support pro-Israel marches and promote a narrative that stresses the need to respect diversity and human rights.
This demonic and comprehensive plan seeks to clamp down on innocent students and academics who want nothing more than peace, an end to the killing, and to dissociate from a criminal project. They are being bullied financially, punished through the manipulation of the judiciary, intimidated, and threatened.
These are the same people who had protested against corruption, racial discrimination, the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer, and for action to curb climate change and to protect women. Back then, they were given the opportunity to protest peacefully, but there has not been as much tolerance for their opposition to the killing of Palestinians. This time, Israeli ministries intervened as if they were addressing a domestic matter.
Although these scenes are reminiscent of totalitarian and oppressive countries’ practices, it should not come as a surprise that American students are being treated viciously for holding sit-ins on their university campuses. Beatings, inspections, incrimination, imprisonment, trials, and expulsions are punishments worthy of gangs and bandits, not students, researchers, and professors.
It should not surprise us given the stakes and the intertwined interests of various actors. Indeed, the elections will be held soon, and the Republicans exploit anger and division. When Benjamin Netanyahu calls what happens in American universities "horrific"- claiming that “antisemitic mobs have taken over leading universities," and that "the response of some university presidents has been shameful," and asks officials to "do more"- his intervention was not seen as a provocation by a great power or its officials. His assertions did not stir anger because the coordination regarding university students continues, as do the discussions. The biggest losers in all of this are American universities; they are losing their credibility and independence, which were once revered globally and made them dream destinations for top achievers. Today, to serve Israeli interests, these prominent universities are portraying themselves as corner stores and institutions beholden to lobbies and corrupt groups. Indeed, the students' battle is significant, fierce, and long, and it might take years for these institutions to regain some of the credibility and prestige they have lost.

On the Concept of a ‘Global South’ That Is So Popular Today
Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/May 2, 2024
The concept of "Global South" (as opposed to the "Global North") gained another boost in popularity with the war on Gaza. Language often tries its best to keep up with the split that divides our world.
Initially, it was said that we are split into East and West, a binary that remained in usage for generations in both the "East" and the "West," and it still is. Both sides were ascribed particular traits, some derogatory and others laudatory, depending on who was ascribing them. Later on, other terms were developed in an attempt to make the terminology more precise or definitive, but they hardly shifted away from the essentialism that preceded them.
In 1952, for example, the French historian and demographer Alfred Sauvy coined the term "Third World" to refer to countries that had been gaining independence from Western colonialism without adopting a communist system of governance. Indeed, not long after, we saw the emergence of the "Non-Aligned Movement and Positive Neutrality" bloc, which aligned itself with the "East" at critical junctures. As for the "Second World," that was referred to as the "Socialist Camp", it was also described, in equal measure, as the "Eastern Bloc," after the founder of the Soviet Union had called on the "peoples of the East" to stand up to "imperialism."
The universe was also split into the "under-developed” or "backward" and "developed” worlds. The former encompassed countries located not in the East geographically, and it had great similarity with the concept of "center and periphery." Nonetheless, the original connotations remained the same. The split was attributed to economics at times and culture at others, but always to vitalism and dynamism. Labeling half of the world underdeveloped or backward does not negate that this same half was nevertheless the focal point of the revolution that would ignite the world and from which enlightenment would beam.
Meanwhile, Marxist, and especially Maoist, literature facilitated this task through two successive processes: the working class of the West had "betrayed" its interests and supposed consciousness when it supported the First World War, and it subsequently doubled down on its betrayal by becoming, through its social democratic parties, part of parliamentary way of life. As for the "dependent" countries, they have no chance of seeing the emergence of a bourgeoisie that transcends servitude to the imperial metropolis. As a result of these two processes, one side was deprived of proletarian virtue, entrenching it in its Western ignobility, and another side was sparred bourgeois aberrations, rooting its untainted Eastern essence.
In a similar vein, the late Houari Boumediene championed a "new global economic order" before he left this world with his country gripped by a vicious civil war, which unfolded after Frantz Fanon had reassured us that Algerian violence had found its outlet in the country’s confrontation with French colonialism and that there would be none left for Algerians to use among themselves after gaining independence.
Inspired by many Islamic currents that had preceded it, Iranian Khomeinism pushed further in this direction. Although it claimed to be "neither Eastern nor Western," in practice, it glorified the backwardness that is usually tied to the "East'' and presented it as authenticity and uniqueness that contrast with its caricatures of the "sick" progress that the "West" claims for itself.
After Edward Said pasted Aeschylus on Dante and stacked Marx on Bernard Lewis, describing them all as "Western Orientalists," successive caravans of Arab intellectuals began voicing their dissatisfaction with both progress and enlightenment, which they believed weighed heavily on our region! Thus, the translation movement in the region became engrossed in an effort to translate every Western author disgruntled by the West, especially those opposed to everything modern and enlightened about it. With the collapse of the Soviet bloc and the "Second World" becoming a thing of the past, what remained of class consciousness waned in favor of authentic identities, and new highways were paved for these myths.
As for the "Global South," it was invigorated by the birth of the BRICS in 2009, before it was followed by US-Chinese commercial and non-commercial competition, and then the Russian invasion of Ukraine, all of which are seen as signs on the road toward the decline and demise of the West.
What is true about all of this is that many countries are faced with growing debts, poverty, hunger, and their extremely limited options for dealing with climate change. However, the attribution of all of their misery to the West is not at all convincing, especially given this insatiable appetite for critiquing Western policies, Western history, culture, and democracy, to pave the way for announcing the death of this very West.
This is all happening without any consideration being paid for the impossibility of arriving at a theoretical definition of the "Global South" that is more coherent than those of the past. This "South" is home to a variety of political systems, and lumping together countries like Malaysia (where the per capita income exceeds $28,000) and Zambia (where it is less than $4) is a farce. That is to say nothing about the disregard for phenomena that operate in various directions and cannot be reduced to a nutshell, such as globalization, migration, displacement, China's current position in the world, and the fact that criticism of the "North" is still issued from and practiced in the "North" alone.
With all of that, the mother of all scandals remains the boisterous celebration in this "South" of tyrannical and corrupt regimes, and militias immersed in crime and smuggling, and portraying it as an unequivocally blessed world void of contradiction. Thus, it is only fair for such a world to pride itself on its myths of identitarian authenticity, which are "suppressed" by the North and entrusted with leading us to a bright future. The only contradiction creeping over the ground is what we share with the cursed North. We all march to fight it under the shadow of Khamenei sitting in his chair high above us, or one of the pious men sitting under his feet. As for the "clash of civilizations," only that damned Samuel Huntington spoke of it.

Empowering healthcare transformation with AI and strategic innovation
Amir Joshan/Arab News/May 02, 2024
The healthcare landscape in the Middle East is transforming, driven by ambitious government initiatives such as futuristic visions for personalized healthcare, the urge for high standards of care delivery and significant investments in digital innovation.
At the heart of this transformation is the application of artificial intelligence, revolutionizing healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, privatization, and administrative efficiency.
Recent shifts in public policy across the Middle East have significantly fueled the rapid growth of the health tech sector, underlining a deep-rooted commitment to personalizing and preventive care.
Visionary undertakings, such as Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and the Dubai Health Authority’s Genome Program, have marked the region’s ambitious move toward embracing AI in healthcare.
Supported by predictive analytics and big data, these initiatives are steering healthcare towards models that are increasingly predictive, preventive and personalized, ushering in a new era of patient-centric care.
Complementing these efforts, strategic policy frameworks such as the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 are pivotal in propelling the region towards becoming a leader in AI integration.
These strategies aim to bolster the use of AI in enhancing predictive healthcare and personalized medicine, showcasing government support for innovation. It also sets a clear direction for the integration of advanced technologies in healthcare infrastructure, development and implementation.
Together, these policy shifts and visionary projects are essential enablers, setting the stage for a transformative leap in healthcare delivery across the region.
The integration of AI technologies, including predictive healthcare analytics and personalized medicine, is revolutionizing patient care standards across the Middle East. For example, AppliedAI’s innovations (a company with its regional HQ in Abu Dhabi), such as DeepDoc and Nash, are at the forefront of enhancing administrative efficiency while significantly refining patient diagnostics and treatment processes. DeepDoc, an Intelligent Document Processor, organizes and summarizes medical documents, enhancing the focus on patient care and professional development. Nash optimises medical coding and revenue, adapting claims to reduce document deficiencies and engage physicians for necessary information.
These AI-powered tools not only address major operational challenges but also improve billing processes, minimize revenue loss, and enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare administration.
The integration of AI technologies, including predictive healthcare analytics and personalized medicine, is revolutionizing patient care standards across the Middle East. By harnessing the power of AI for in-depth data analysis, healthcare professionals can devise customized treatment plans, mitigate the risk of adverse reactions, and markedly improve chronic condition prognoses.
This shift toward AI-driven healthcare is further exemplified by initiatives like the Qatar Genome Program, which highlights the crucial role of genomics and AI in sculpting the future of precision medicine.
Such initiatives underscore the potential to dramatically lower healthcare costs through timely interventions and focused treatment strategies. This is particularly critical in areas where specialized services are scarce. The evolution signifies a leap in healthcare delivery, improving patient outcomes and service quality.
AI and innovation have improved patient outcomes in the Middle East. Predictive analytics help identify high-risk patients, reducing hospital readmission rates. AI has also improved diagnostic accuracy and facilitated more effective treatment plans. AI-powered apps and telehealth services have enhanced patient engagement and chronic disease management.
These technological and strategic advancements collectively usher in new patient care standards, showcasing the profound impact of healthcare’s digital transformation.
Lexica’s strategic healthcare planning and advisory services are essential for realizing ambitious healthcare transformation projects complementing technological advancements.
Its collaboration with Hamad Medical Corp. on the Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City project in Qatar highlights how strategic planning coupled with digital innovation can create a sustainable and efficient healthcare system geared for the future. Lexica’s efforts in developing the Design Standards Framework for HMC underline the importance of evidence-based design and operational efficiency in healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that new developments align with the highest patient care standards and sustainability.
The synergy between AI-driven technological solutions and strategic healthcare planning is crucial to navigating the digital healthcare revolution in the Middle East. This collaborative approach enhances operational efficiency and significantly boosts patient outcomes, providing a roadmap for other regions aiming to leverage technology in healthcare.
As the Middle East continues to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation, the focused integration of AI and strategic planning is setting new benchmarks for patient care and system efficiency in emerging markets.
The ongoing digital transformation in Middle Eastern healthcare, backed by supportive public policies and strategic initiatives, is a testament to the region’s commitment to pioneering a future where healthcare is more accessible, personalized and efficient.
By embracing AI and strategic innovation, the Middle East is not just improving healthcare outcomes for its population but also showcasing a model for the world on harnessing technology to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.
• Amir Joshan, region director for Middle East business development, Lexica.

EU army may be unlikely but unity on defense a must
Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/May 02, 2024
An exhibition of Western military equipment captured from Ukrainian forces by Russia opened in Moscow on Wednesday. The month-long exhibition will feature some 30 tanks, armored vehicles and other weapons, said to have been donated to Ukraine by various countries. As news from the front has become more positive for Russia in recent months, the discussions around a common European defense have once again resurfaced. President Emmanuel Macron has taken the lead, seeing an opportunity to anchor France as the main driving force of this initiative. In response, analysts from mainly Anglo-Saxon think tanks have declared that the idea of a unique European army does not make sense for various reasons.
I would agree with them at this stage. The emergence of a single army remains challenging as long as the EU does not function as a confederation of states. A single common foreign policy and security vision that supersedes national ones is needed first. Politics comes before defense. And for this to happen, there are steps required that would cause major uproars domestically, especially on the question of the sovereignty of each country. In a time of economic fragility and high political polarization, this would be an inconceivable endeavor for any leader. The vehement reactions across Europe to the declarations made so far by Macron confirm this.
However, this does not mean that the EU should not try to make its defense stronger and more united. This also does not mean that all projects of mutualization should be cast aside. Quite the opposite, it is time to rise to the challenge.
A clear urgent step should be in the building of a stronger common industrial military capacity
A clear urgent step should be in the building of a stronger common industrial military capacity. The 27 EU states together spent €270 billion ($289 billion) on defense in 2023, on par with China. Yet, on a purchasing power parity comparison, China’s spending dwarfs the EU’s. The EU’s budget is also significantly lower than the US’ $905 billion. Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland account for more than 70 percent of defense spending within the EU. These comparisons highlight the disparities in military spending within the EU and underscore the bloc’s position relative to the global military powers.
Europeans are taking positive steps, such as the creation of a European defense industrial strategy. As part of this, the EU aims to acquire at least 40 percent of its defense equipment internally by 2030 — a move intended to reduce its reliance on imports and enhance security autonomy. One important element is EU artillery shell production capacity. Thierry Breton, the bloc’s internal market commissioner, in March estimated that European industry would have the capacity to produce between 1.5 million and 1.7 million shells by the end of the year and would reach the milestone of 2 million during 2025. Moreover, the EU’s first community financial tool created in the defense sector, the European Defence Fund, was established in 2017. It is endowed with an €8 billion budget for 2021-27, with a focus on innovation.
There is an urgent need to empower the European Defence Agency and develop a real European alliance. One might say that this creates useless layers of bureaucracy that should be avoided, especially as NATO already serves this purpose. Yet, in reality, this is not contradictory but complementary, simply because this European defense project should be anchored within the transatlantic alliance. This is the best way for Europe to carry its burden with the support of a historical ally such as the US.
There is an urgent need to empower the European Defence Agency and develop a real European alliance
The EU is indeed working to improve member-state cooperation and defense autonomy, as seen by projects like the 5,000-strong fast-reaction force. Since Macron’s bold promises in 2017, there has been progress despite the many obstacles, including fragmented finance and the need for stronger unity. Notable developments have occurred in collaborative military initiatives and research projects.
Furthermore, the issue of nuclear deterrence has taken center stage, particularly following the UK’s departure from the EU, leaving France as the sole nuclear power within the bloc. Macron’s call for a strategic dialogue on French nuclear capabilities underscores the evolving security landscape and the imperative for cohesive defense strategies. However, debates surrounding nuclear policy remain contentious, both domestically and within the EU, reflecting broader concerns about European vulnerabilities and the need to address emerging threats effectively.
Beyond hardware, one must also think of spirits. Renowned French military figure Gen. Francois Lecointre, esteemed for his tenure as chief of the defense staff and his current role as grand chancellor of the Order of the Legion of Honor, explained the realities of combat in his new autobiography, “Entre Guerres” (Between Wars). Within its pages, he advocates for a deeper societal understanding of military engagement, urging recognition of the sacrifices and complexities experienced by soldiers and their families. Lecointre also criticizes the substantial reduction of the French army’s capabilities and emphasizes the moral disarmament of Europe. This reminds us that a strong defense is also about a united and strong-willed population.
I would add to this list the necessity for great political acumen by European leaders in dealing with the current geopolitical crises; understanding when and how to diffuse conflicts when possible or when not ready for escalation. Moreover, with the EU’s inability to have a real unified political voice and a single army, which can only take place within a confederation of states, leaders should be cautious of the risks of loss and the decisions of war and peace that can be created by a multitude of voices reacting first and thinking second.
*Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.

How the world can challenge and confront terrorism
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/May 02, 2024
It was considered a momentous occasion when news broke 13 years ago this week that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, had been killed. Many around the world hoped this would be a turning point in the fight against terrorism; a decisive blow that would bring an end to the scourge of extremist violence. However, terrorism still persists as a global threat today, as evidenced by the tragic events of March 22, when a horrific terrorist attack shook the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
This attack, orchestrated by Daesh, claimed the lives of 145 innocent individuals, with hundreds more sustaining injuries, both physical and psychological. The aftermath of such atrocities leaves communities shattered, while instilling fear and insecurity in the hearts of people worldwide. In the face of such brutality, the question arises: how can we confront terrorism effectively? While there is no single solution to this complex problem, there are several strategies that can be employed to mitigate the threat and work toward a safer world.
First of all, it is important to point out that, in the interconnected world we live in, terrorism knows no boundaries. Therefore, our response to it must transcend national borders. Robust international cooperation, facilitated by intelligence sharing agreements and joint task forces, is paramount. By pooling resources, expertise and intelligence, nations can effectively track and dismantle terrorist networks before they can carry out their plans. This collaborative approach not only enhances the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts, but it also fosters trust and solidarity among nations in the face of a common threat.
Secondly, because terrorism often takes root in environments marked by poverty, political instability and social injustice, we must address these underlying root causes. This necessitates promoting economic development, fostering political stability and advancing social justice. In addition, by investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure and job creation, we can create opportunities for marginalized communities, thereby reducing their susceptibility to extremist ideologies.
There are several strategies that can be employed to mitigate the threat and work toward a safer world
More fundamentally, extremist groups exploit modern communication channels, including social media and online platforms, to disseminate their toxic ideologies and recruit followers. To counter this propaganda effectively, governments, tech companies and civil society organizations must work in concert to disrupt extremist narratives and promote messages of tolerance, moderation and peace. This entails developing counternarratives that challenge extremist propaganda, leveraging digital technologies to monitor and counter online radicalization and engaging with communities vulnerable to extremist recruitment.
This means that building trust and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and local communities is essential in preventing terrorism and countering violent extremism. Community engagement initiatives, such as outreach programs, dialogue forums and partnership-building activities, can foster mutual understanding and cooperation between authorities and community members. In other words, by involving communities in the design and implementation of counterterrorism strategies, governments can gain valuable insights, build resilience and mobilize local resources to address security challenges effectively.
Fourth, global terrorism thrives on funding, so disrupting terror groups’ financial networks is essential to undermining their operational capabilities. Financial institutions, international organizations and states ought to work together to identify, track and disrupt the flow of funds to terrorist organizations. This requires robust financial intelligence gathering, enhanced regulatory frameworks and coordinated action to freeze terrorists’ assets and prosecute financial facilitators. Additionally, cooperation with the private sector, including banks, money transfer services and online payment platforms, is crucial in detecting and preventing illicit financial transactions.
Fifth, education is one of the most powerful tools we have in preventing terrorism and promoting peace and tolerance. This requires investing in education systems that promote critical thinking, tolerance and respect for diversity. For example, curricula can include modules on conflict resolution, human rights and civic education, empowering students to become informed and engaged citizens who reject violence and extremism. Additionally, awareness campaigns and community outreach programs can educate the public about the dangers of radicalization and provide resources for intervention and support.
Building trust and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and local communities is essential
Strengthening societal resilience to terrorist attacks requires proactive measures to enhance emergency response capabilities, bolster infrastructure security and provide support services for victims and their families. States can increase investments in training programs and resources for first responders, healthcare professionals and crisis management teams to ensure an effective and coordinated response to terrorist incidents.
Critical infrastructure, such as transport hubs, public venues and communication networks, should also be protected against potential threats through improved security measures and contingency planning. Additionally, comprehensive support services, including trauma counseling, financial assistance and social welfare programs, should be made available to victims and their families to aid their recovery and rehabilitation.
Furthermore, in this era of global mobility, the securing of borders is crucial to prevent the movement of terrorists and illicit materials across international boundaries. But this requires a comprehensive approach that combines advanced technology, intelligence-driven screening procedures and enhanced cooperation between countries. By deploying state-of-the-art surveillance systems, implementing rigorous border checks and collaborating with neighboring nations, governments can stem the flow of terrorists, weapons and contraband. Additionally, investments in border infrastructure and personnel training can bolster the effectiveness of border security measures, safeguarding against potential threats.
Finally, in regions plagued by conflict and sectarian tensions, efforts to promote reconciliation and peace-building are essential in addressing the root causes of terrorism. Diplomatic initiatives, dialogue processes and confidence-building measures can help build trust and cooperation among conflicting parties, laying the foundation for lasting peace. Additionally, addressing grievances, promoting inclusive governance and ensuring equitable access to resources can help alleviate the underlying tensions that fuel extremism.
In summary, confronting terrorism requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of extremism, strengthens security measures, empowers communities and upholds fundamental human rights. By adopting strategies such as international cooperation, addressing the root causes, countering extremist propaganda and investing in education and community engagement, the international community can work toward a safer world.
*Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh