English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For April 04/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so
that you may be blameless and innocent
Letter to the Philippians 02/12-19: “Therefore, my beloved, just as you have
always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work
out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in
you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things
without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding
fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not
run in vain or labour in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a libation
over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with
all of you and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me. I hope
in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news
of you.”
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on April 03-04/2025
Anniversary of the Siege of Zahle/Elias Bejjani/April 02/ 2025
Lebanese leaders reach consensus on border demarcation to present to US envoy
Israeli Strikes Target Vehicles and Prefabricated Structures in South Lebanon
Drone strikes injure 3 in South as health center bombed in Naqoura
Morgan Ortagus: The Architect of Historic Change in Lebanon
Report: Paris proposes French forces replace Israelis on 5 occupied hills
Al-Rahi says disarming Hezbollah needs time, timing unsuitable for normalization
Israel says negotiations ongoing over Lebanon border, prisoners
Two men arrested in Britain over suspected links to Hezbollah
Berri says postponing elections 'out of question', south would vote despite
ruins
How the Security Situation Is Reshaping Lebanon’s Real Estate Map/Maroun Chahine/This
is Beirut/April 03/2025
Judges and BDL Governor Take Oath at Baabda Palace
Aoun Visits ISF and GS Directorates to Reinforce Institutional Independence
Finance Minister and Banque de l’Habitat CEO Sign Agreement for Online Property
Hezbollah Struggles with Internal Divisions Amid Economic and Leadership Crises
Power and Abuse/Maroun Chahine/This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
Forbes 2025: Lebanese Figures Stand Out Among the World's Billionaires/Christiane
Tager/This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
The Impact of Israeli Cyber Operations on Hezbollah/Amal Chmouny/Arab Center
Washington DC/April 03/2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on April 03-04/2025
US Tariffs: Trump imposes 10pc levies on GCC countries; Syria, Iraq hit
hard/Dayan Abou Tine/Arab News/April 03, 2025
The US and Iran's Dangerous Dance/Salam El Zaatari/This is Beirut/April 03/2025
Israel says Shares with France 'Common' Goal of Iran Without Nuclear Weapons
US Central Command chief in Israel for security talks
Israel warns Syria amid wave of strikes and deepest ground incursion
UN Accuses Israel of Destabilizing Syria, New Strikes in Damascus
More than 30 US strikes hit rebel-held areas in Yemen
Under US Pressure, Iran May Withdraw from Yemen
Israeli strikes on Gaza overnight leaves more than 50 Palestinians dead
Hungary announces ICC withdrawal as Israel's Netanyahu visits
Israel army says investigating deadly fire on Gaza medics
Netanyahu rocked by new scandal linking his close advisers to Qatar
Rubio Says US Committed to NATO - But Tells Allies to Spend More
Danish PM in "Unity" Greenland Visit After US Takeover Threats
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on April 03-04/2025
A Forgotten Martyrdom and a Call for Human Fraternity/Alberto M.
Fernandez/National Catholic Register/April 03/2025
Jihad Rising in Africa While the West Averts its Eyes/Charles Jacobs and Uzay
Bulut/Gatestone Institute/April 3, 2025
Nothing Is Going Well for the Mullahs/Marc Saikali/This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
Sudan in ruins after two years of war /Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/April 03,
2025
Palestinians need a political reset/Ray Hanania/Arab News/April 03, 2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on April 03-04/2025
Anniversary of the Siege of Zahle
Elias Bejjani/April 02/ 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/04/54025/
A homeland whose people are unwilling to offer themselves as sacrifices on its
altar will perish, and they will be reduced to humiliated slaves.
On April 2, 1981, the brave people of Zahle City, alongside all the free
Lebanese under the banner of the Lebanese Resistance led by the Martyr of the
Cedars, Sheikh Bashir Gemayel, defiantly said "No" to the Syrian occupier. They
refused to bow to its terrorism, crimes, and barbarism.
With unwavering faith, honor, and resilience, they defended Zahle, offering
hundreds of martyrs in a heroic stand that repelled the Syrian Assad Baathist
onslaught.
The Holy Apostle, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, speaks of Christ’s redemptive
death: "He had to taste death by the grace of God for the good of all."
Reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice allows us to embrace and transcend the unjust
causes of death, focusing instead on its noble purpose. Similarly, the martyrs
of Zahle, like Christ, had to taste death for the greater good—so that we, Zahle,
and Lebanon might endure. Like a grain of wheat that must fall to the ground to
bear fruit, their sacrifice did not perish with them; it multiplied in meaning
and purpose.
On the evening of April 2, 1981, Sheikh Bashir Gemayel addressed the fighters of
Zahle, giving them the choice to remain or leave.
He sad to them:"The road is open for only a few hours. If you leave, you will
save your lives, but Zahle will inevitably fall, marking the end of our epic
resistance. If you stay, you will have no water, medicine, food, or ammunition.
Your mission will be to organize internal resistance, preserve the identity of
the Lebanese Bekaa, and give meaning to our six-year struggle."
Then he issued the defining words:"If you decide to stay, know this: heroes die
but do not surrender."
Their response was resolute: "We will stay." And from that moment, a legendary
slogan was born. Zahle remained free, and Lebanon endured.
Lebanese leaders reach consensus on border demarcation to present to US envoy
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/April 03, 2025
BEIRUT: Lebanese leaders have reached a unified position on border demarcation
to present to Morgan Ortagus, the US envoy, who is scheduled to arrive in Beirut
before the end of the week. President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih
Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, agreed that there “will be no
negotiations with the Israeli side regarding (a) prisoner swap or withdrawal
from the Lebanese hills still occupied by the Israeli Army,” a source in the
government told Arab News on Thursday. “However, Lebanon is open to discussing
disputed land border points,” the source added. “Regardless of the US envoy’s
proposals, the Lebanese stance remains unchanged,” said the source, who
clarified that the Lebanese Army “is fulfilling its duties by being deployed
south of the Litani River and confiscating weapons in the border area, as
acknowledged by the US side overseeing the ceasefire monitoring committee and
the UNIFIL forces.”The source said that the military had made significant
progress on the issue, destroying weapons and ammunition seized from Hezbollah
sites.
Aoun told top security officials on Thursday that Lebanon’s interests comes
above anything else. He was speaking during a visit to the leadership of the
Internal Security Forces and the General Security Directorate. “We have a great
opportunity to seize at all levels, and we must show the people that we are
mature enough to build the state and that we will build it,” he said.
The president called on security bodies to “remain unaffiliated with anyone,
serve only Lebanon’s interests, and enforce the law,” noting that “the world is
ready to help us, but we must first help ourselves.”Aoun stated: “Lebanon’s
interest comes above anything else. It is the state that protects Lebanon, not
its sects. Parties and sects prioritize their interests, whereas your duty is to
serve Lebanon.
“You must reject any demands or interference that might harm the nation’s
interests and prompt people to respect the law, keeping in mind that no request
outside the law will be tolerated.”Also on Thursday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara
Al-Rahi, the highest Maronite religious authority in Lebanon, said the time “has
come to unify weapons in Lebanon, as stipulated in the Taif Agreement.”He also
told the Lebanese Editors Syndicate that the military “needs strengthening and
support from other nations, but the solution now is diplomatic, as we are
incapable of engaging in war, and no one can confront Israel. “What has the
resistance achieved with all its weapons against the Israeli war machine,” he
asked, adding “now is not the time for normalization with Israel, as there are
other issues that must be addressed first, such as border demarcation and
disarmament.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not
withdraw from the five positions it controls in Lebanon. He was speaking during
a visit to an Israeli military site in southern Lebanon — one of the five hills
still occupied since the ceasefire declaration in November.
At the site, which is near the Israeli settlement of Margaliot, Katz stated
Israel’s presence at the five locations will be determined not by time but by
the situation on the ground.
“Only if Hezbollah disarms and withdraws from the border can we discuss the
withdrawal of the Israeli Army from these positions, and this matter is being
coordinated with the Americans,” he said. Katz anticipated “an increase in
activity among Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, in Lebanon and
Syria.”He stated: “We are working to prevent the arming of Hezbollah and
Palestinian organizations. The challenge will begin and intensify.”Katz claimed
that Hezbollah “is not a protector of Lebanon.”He added: “The Iranians now
realize that it is no longer capable of defending them.”Elsewhere, an Israeli
drone targeted a vehicle on the main road between Bint Jbeil and Yaroun in the
border area. The drone struck the vehicle from behind, resulting in two
injuries, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said. The Israeli military conducted
airstrikes around Naqoura and one strike in the town’s center, targeting
pre-fabricated homes as replacements for the destroyed houses and facilities.
These pre-fabricated facilities were being used to meet citizens’ needs, serving
as a substitute for the municipal building, destroyed by Israel following the
ceasefire, said Naqoura Mayor Abbas Awada. He highlighted that recent aggression
occurring in proximity to UNIFIL headquarters falls “under the jurisdiction of
the five-member ceasefire monitoring committee and UNIFIL forces.”Hezbollah’s
Islamic Health Authority reported that Israeli strikes destroyed a “newly
established civil defense center and damaged ambulances and firefighting
vehicles.”Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken proactive measures,
with military units removing “engineering obstacles placed by Israeli forces
inside Lebanese territory” near Al-Labouna in the Tyre region. The military also
closed an unauthorized dirt road created by Israeli units in the same area. In
an official statement, the Lebanese Army Command affirmed its ongoing commitment
to “addressing Israeli violations through close coordination with the ceasefire
monitoring mechanism and UNIFIL.”
The Army Command condemned Israel’s “persistent violations of Lebanese
sovereignty and targeting of civilians across multiple regions.”In another
development, UNIFIL Western Sector Commander Gen. Nicola Mandolisi conducted his
first meeting with Khirbet Selem Mayor Mohammed Rahhal. Their joint statement
highlighted “UNIFIL’s commitment to facilitating the safe return of displaced
residents and supporting Lebanese military operations through strategic
partnerships with the Fifth Brigade and the Second and Fifth Rapid Intervention
Regiments, key components in regional stabilization efforts.”
Israeli Strikes Target Vehicles and Prefabricated
Structures in South Lebanon
This is Beirut/April 03/2025
Tensions persisted on Thursday as Israel carried out multiple strikes across
southern Lebanon, targeting vehicles and prefabricated structures. At around 9
PM, Israeli Apache helicopters fired missiles at prefabricated lodgings in
Naqoura, setting off sirens at the nearby UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force
in Lebanon) base. This occurred hours after an Israeli drone attack on a vehicle
in the town of Alma al-Shaab, which injured one person. According to local
reports, the victim was a civilian who worked in aluminum window installation.
Shortly after the strike, Israeli army Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee
declared that the target was a Hezbollah member operating in the area. Earlier
on Thursday, an Israeli drone also targeted a small van traveling between Bint
Jbeil and Yaroun in the Doura region, injuring two people. In a separate
statement on social media, Adraee held Lebanon accountable for the developments
on its soil, stating, “the State of Lebanon bears responsibility for what
happens within its territory, and we will continue to safeguard the security of
Israeli citizens.”The escalation began at dawn, with Israeli airstrikes pounding
Naqoura, shaking the region with multiple raids. A prefabricated house in the
city center was hit, and Civil Defense vehicles were damaged. In response, the
head of the local municipal council called on the ceasefire monitoring committee
and UNIFIL to closely assess the situation.
Drone strikes injure 3 in South as health center bombed in
Naqoura
Naharnet/April 03/2025
Two people were wounded Thursday in an Israeli drone strike on a car on the Bint
Jbeil road in south Lebanon, the Health Ministry said. An Israeli drone later
bombed a car in the southern town of Alma al-Shaab, wounding one person. Earlier
in the day, Israeli warplanes carried out several raids on the area around the
border town of Naqoura and a strike on a prefabricated home in the town’s
center. The strikes also targeted a Hezbollah-affiliated rescue services center
in Naqoura, hitting two ambulances and a firefighting vehicle and destroying a
temporary health center.
Morgan Ortagus: The Architect of Historic Change in Lebanon
This is Beirut/April 03/2025
Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, arrives in
Beirut this Friday with a clear objective: to transform the status quo and usher
in a new era of stability for Lebanon. A true strategist in American diplomacy,
she carries a strong message from Washington aimed at resolving border disputes
with Israel, encouraging the disarmament of Hezbollah, and laying the groundwork
for lasting peace in the region.
A Firm Approach for a Sovereign Lebanon
Ortagus does not come empty-handed. Her plan is structured and pragmatic:
Washington demands a concrete timeline for Hezbollah’s disarmament to ensure
Lebanon’s sovereignty. Her vision is clear: a strong Lebanon can only exist with
a fully operational national army, without militias operating outside state
control. While Lebanese President Joseph Aoun advocates for internal dialogue
leading to gradual disarmament, Ortagus embodies the firm U.S. stance: immediate
action is necessary to prevent further military escalation with Israel. Backed
by Western powers, her mission is to accelerate this process by emphasizing the
critical role of the Lebanese army in stabilizing the country.
Towards a Historic Peace Agreement with Israel?
Morgan Ortagus is not merely negotiating temporary solutions. Her ambition
extends further: to initiate a normalization process between Lebanon and Israel.
She will present a bold proposal—official discussions on a peace agreement.
While this prospect divides Lebanese political circles, it could represent an
unprecedented economic and diplomatic opportunity. A rapprochement with Israel
could pave the way for massive investments, energy cooperation, and a gradual
recovery from Lebanon’s economic collapse. Ortagus focuses on structured
dialogue, emphasizing that resolving border disputes is an essential first step
toward gradual normalization.
A Strong Initiative: Expanding UNIFIL’s Mandate
Ortagus is also pushing a major proposal: extending the mandate of the United
Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to cover the Lebanon-Syria border.
Such a move would dismantle Hezbollah’s justification for maintaining its
weapons due to the Syrian threat. Reinforced control over cross-border arms
smuggling could thus deprive the militia of its main defense leverage. This
approach, supported by Washington, would mark a significant step forward in
stabilizing the country and ensuring a broader international presence to
maintain peace in the region.
A Volatile Context: Ortagus at the Heart of U.S. Strategy
Morgan Ortagus’s visit comes amid escalating tensions between Washington,
Israel, and Iran. As Israeli airstrikes intensify against Hezbollah
infrastructure, the U.S. is strengthening its maximum pressure strategy against
Tehran. A Washington Post report even suggests a possible joint U.S.-Israeli
strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in the coming months. In this context,
Ortagus emerges as a key figure in proactive American diplomacy. Her role is not
just to negotiate but to create the conditions for a true strategic shift. Her
energetic and determined approach could mark a decisive turning point in
Lebanon’s history.
A Historic Opportunity to Seize
Morgan Ortagus arrives in Lebanon with a bold vision and a structured plan. She
offers Lebanese leaders a unique chance to break free from deadlock: disarm
Hezbollah, strengthen the national army, resolve border disputes, and ultimately
consider normalizing relations with Israel. The choice is now in the hands of
Lebanese authorities: to continue enduring successive crises or to embrace a new
chapter of hope and prosperity. One thing is certain: the Ortagus mission will
not go unnoticed.
Report: Paris proposes French forces replace Israelis on 5 occupied hills
Naharnet/April 03/2025
France has proposed a mediation aimed at replacing Israeli forces with
peacekeepers from the French UNIFIL contingent on the five strategic hills
Israel is still occupying in south Lebanon, sources told Al-Arabiya’s Al-Hadath
television. “France backs Lebanon’s inclination to devise a timeframe for the
handover of Hezbollah’s weapons,” the sources added. “France wants the ceasefire
supervision committee in Lebanon to oversee the negotiations over the land
border and the captives,” the sources went on to say. The sources also revealed
that the committee’s work is still ongoing despite the suspension of its
meetings for two weeks now, adding that “France is communicating with Israel and
the U.S. to adopt the diplomatic choice in Lebanon rather than the military.”
Al-Rahi says disarming Hezbollah needs time, timing unsuitable for normalization
Naharnet/April 03/2025
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Thursday that “the time has come for
unifying arms Lebanon,” adding that “this is what was stipulated in the Taif
Agreement.”“The army needs strengthening and world countries must support it,
but the solution now is diplomatic, because we’re incapable of engaging in war
and no one can confront Israel. When it had all its weapons, what did the
resistance manage to do in the face of the Israeli war machine?” al-Rahi added,
in a meeting with a delegation from the Press Editors Syndicate. “It is not easy
to remove (Hezbollah’s) weapons now and this requires time, but we must reach
this goal, seeing as the folks (Hezbollah) are strong and their morale still
exists,” the patriarch said. As for the issue of normalization with Israel, al-Rahi
said: “The time is not right for normalization now and there are many issues
that must be implemented, like border demarcation and the handover of
weapons.”He added: “The situation has now changed and we’re headed for the
better, and there is no fear of a clash between the army and Hezbollah because
the army is acting wisely.”“The Israelis are threatening and carrying out their
threats. Where is the ceasefire which we are no longer sensing? The U.S. is
supporting this course, so we must be vigilant over what the Israelis are
doing,” al-Rahi said. “Why is Israel still retaining the five points until now?
Resolution 1701 does not mean that things would happen instantly and Israel must
be patient,” the patriarch added. Responding to a question, al-Rahi said he does
not fear for Lebanon’s Christians in light of what is happening in Syria.
Israel says negotiations ongoing over Lebanon border,
prisoners
Naharnet/April 03/2025
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Thursday that negotiations are ongoing
over the border dispute with Lebanon and the release of Lebanese prisoners
detained in Israel. After meeting his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot in
Paris, Saar said that Turkey is playing a negative role in Syria and Lebanon,
adding that Israel wants "the stability of Lebanon, the continuation of the
ceasefire, and liberating Lebanon from Iranian occupation." Saar’s statement
came after a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Syria and south Lebanon and a
deeper military incursion into Syria. Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East
Morgan Ortagus will soon arrive in Beirut to discuss the Lebanon-Israel
ceasefire after having said that the U.S. will be "bringing together Lebanon and
Israel for talks aimed at diplomatically resolving several outstanding issues
between the two countries". The sticking points are the release of Lebanese
prisoners, the remaining disputed points along the Blue Line, and the remaining
5 points where Israeli forces are still deployed.
Two men arrested in Britain over suspected links to Hezbollah
Naharnet/April 03/2025
Two men have been arrested in Britain on suspicion of alleged links to
Hezbollah, the BBC has reported. “They were detained at separate addresses in
London as part of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Counter
Terrorism Command into activity both overseas and in the UK of Hezbollah, which
is a proscribed organization under UK counter-terrorism legislation,” the BBC
said. A 39-year-old man was arrested at an address in north-west London on
Tuesday on suspicion of being a member of Hezbollah, police said. A 35-year-old
man was arrested at a separate address in west London on suspicion of the same
offense. The 39-year-old is also suspected of preparing for “acts of terrorism
and involvement in a funding arrangement for the purposes of terrorism,” police
said. The two men were taken to a London police station and later released on
bail until a date in mid-July, the force said. It added that there was not
believed to be any imminent threat to the public.
Berri says postponing elections 'out of question', south would vote despite
ruins
Naharnet/April 03/2025
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said that the municipal elections will not be
postponed despite the devastation caused by more than 13-monthes of war with
Israel. "Postponing the elections is absolutely out of the question," Berri told
al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Thursday. "We insist on holding the
elections in all Lebanese territories, especially in the municipalities of the
south that were destroyed by the Israeli aggression," Berri said, adding that
voting can take place in any building in any nearby town. "We will vote even if
we have to do it on the ruins," he said.
How the Security Situation Is Reshaping Lebanon’s Real
Estate Map
Maroun Chahine/This is Beirut/April 03/2025
Due to the destruction and instability caused by the war between Hezbollah and
Israel, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut, many people have been
forced to flee to safer regions of Lebanon. The cazas (districts) of Baabda,
Metn and Chouf, as well as certain sectors of Beirut, have become refuge areas.
How is the security situation reshaping Lebanon’s real estate landscape?
‘Do Not Sell, the Municipality Will Not Allow It’
Beirut’s southern suburbs, commonly known as Dahieh, are a predominantly Shiite
area and a stronghold of Hezbollah. They include localities such as Ghobeiri,
Burj al-Barajneh, Chiyah, Haret Hreik, Sabra and Chatila. A few kilometers away,
Baabda is a city in Mount Lebanon that remains outside Hezbollah’s control. It
has served as a refuge for displaced people during periods of war. A real estate
agent, speaking anonymously to This is Beirut, stated that “over the past two
years, 90% of buyers have been from the Shiite community.” “During the war,
rental prices quintupled compared to their initial rates,” he noted, adding that
“although prices have now returned to normal, demand remains unchanged.” “In
Baabda, a buyer’s religious affiliation is not a factor; sales depend solely on
the owner. However, in other areas like Bsaba, Kfarchima and Bleibel, property
sales are strictly reserved for Christians. Additionally, Shiites are now
looking to purchase apartments in Metn, Kesrwan and certain parts of Mount
Lebanon.” According to him, in areas where sales to Shiites are permitted, there
is a significant price difference compared to neighboring regions that refuse to
sell to them. In Hadath, a town on the outskirts of Beirut’s southern suburbs, a
long-standing municipal law requires residents to sell exclusively to
Christians. The law is promoted under the slogan: “Do not sell your house or
land; the municipality will not allow it.”
Skyrocketing Real Estate Prices
Metn, a district in Mount Lebanon where many Shiites are choosing to buy or rent
apartments, faces a similar situation to Baabda. Another real estate agent, also
requesting anonymity, noted that “in Metn, some municipalities allow sales to
people of different sects, unlike places like Bikfaya, where such transactions
are seen as a security risk due to tensions with Hezbollah members.”“I can no
longer find apartments to rent; properties for sale are now unaffordable for
people with limited budgets,” he said. “Today, prices exceed $300,000, making
purchases nearly impossible.” According to him, residents fear another, more
aggressive war, prompting them to sell their homes in Beirut’s southern suburbs
and buy properties in Metn or other areas perceived as safer. “They want to live
in peace and ensure their safety. That’s why many families prefer buying rather
than renting.”
Fear of Hezbollah-Targeted Individuals
Joe Kanaan, the owner of a well-known real estate agency in Beirut, told This is
Beirut that “a few months ago, the situation was utterly chaotic. Families and
individuals were desperately searching for shelter across the city because the
war made it impossible for many to stay (in Beirut’s southern suburbs).” “But
many people refused to rent or sell their homes to Shiites, fearing that Israeli
strikes might target individuals associated with Hezbollah,” he explained.
“Today, the situation is calmer. Things have changed, and people who had rented
homes have now returned to their own residences.”Meanwhile, Bassem Nasser, a
real estate agent in Kfarhim (Chouf), told This is Beirut that “the demand for
home purchases has significantly declined after the war, as 98% of displaced
people have returned home.” He added, “Prices have returned to their pre-war
levels.”
Impact on Non-Hezbollah Shiites
Threatened for criticizing Hezbollah’s policies, Mohammad left the country in
2021. The 35-year-old interior architect decided to return to Lebanon during the
war to be close to his family. “When the situation worsened and bombs got
closer, I started looking for an alternative apartment to my family home in
Haret Hreik,” he told This is Beirut. “I contacted many real estate agents, and
the first question was always: ‘Are you Shiite?’ My religion has become a form
of social categorization.”“I searched in Haret Hreik, Ashrafieh, Hazmiyeh,
Baabda, and even Chouf, but either the prices were exorbitant or Shiites were
not welcome in those areas. Eventually, a childhood friend took us in at
Mayrouba, a Christian village about 37 km from the conflict zones.”
Judges and BDL Governor Take Oath at Baabda Palace
This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
Three newly appointed judges and Lebanon’s new Central Bank (BDL) governor took
their oaths of office on Thursday at Baabda Palace before President Joseph Aoun.
Judges
Judge Jamal al-Hajjar, Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation and Vice
President of the Supreme Judicial Council, was sworn in alongside Judge Youssef
al-Jamil, President of the State Council, and Judge Ayman Oueidat, President of
the Judicial Inspection Authority.
Following the ceremony, Aoun met with the judges and Minister of Justice Adel
Nassar. He stressed the need to restore public confidence in the judiciary
through independent and law-based rulings. “Trust in the state is built on trust
in the judiciary,” he affirmed, urging them to combat corruption and uphold
judicial integrity.
BDL Governor
Separately, newly appointed Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid took the oath,
pledging to perform his duties with “sincerity and precision, respecting the law
and honor.”Souhaid’s appointment was confirmed under Decree No. 104 and signed
by President Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Finance Minister Yassine Jaber.
Aoun Visits ISF and GS Directorates to Reinforce Institutional Independence
This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun conducted an inspection tour of the General
Directorates of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and General Security (GS) on
Thursday. Accompanied by Minister of the Interior Ahmad Hajjar, Aoun reaffirmed
the crucial role of security institutions in maintaining national stability and
emphasized the need to safeguard their independence from political and sectarian
influence.
Strengthening the Authority of Security Forces
Addressing commanders, officers and personnel, President Aoun underscored the
imperative of reinforcing the credibility and authority of security
institutions. “It is forbidden to weaken or undermine our security forces. The
people expect you to uphold your duties with integrity and professionalism, free
from any political or sectarian interference,” Aoun declared. He also linked
national security to economic recovery, stating, “Security stability is the key
to economic revival. We must prove to the people that we are prepared to rebuild
the state and seize the opportunities before us.”
Visit to the Internal Security Forces Headquarters
President Aoun’s tour began at the ISF headquarters, where he was welcomed by
General Director Raed Abdallah. During a meeting with unit commanders and
division heads, he reminded them that leadership is not a privilege but a
responsibility to serve the nation.
“You must carry out your duties with pride and discipline, regardless of limited
resources. Nothing is impossible when there is determination,” he emphasized. He
further stressed the importance of strict discipline and impartial law
enforcement, urging officers to resist external pressures and favoritism.
Minister Hajjar praised the president’s stance, emphasizing that security forces
“must meet the people’s expectations, as they deserve our full commitment.”
General Abdallah acknowledged the institution’s challenges and expressed hope
for solutions to improve working conditions.
Meeting with General Security
The visit continued to the General Security headquarters, where Aoun was
received by General Director Hassan Choucair. Addressing department heads, the
president reiterated the need for transparency and strict adherence to the law,
particularly with elections on the horizon. “Your duty is to serve Lebanon with
honor, sacrifice and loyalty. Security institutions must protect the state, not
partisan interests. They must stand as a barrier against any political or
sectarian interference,” Aoun stated. He called for continuous coordination
among security branches to enhance operational effectiveness and emphasized
Lebanon’s responsibility in maintaining the rule of law. “The international
community is ready to support us, but we must first help ourselves. Reject any
external pressure and uphold the rule of law. Lebanon must be a state that
protects all its citizens, not a fragmented entity serving conflicting
interests,” he asserted. General Choucair expressed his gratitude for the
president’s support and reaffirmed General Security’s commitment to
strengthening state institutions and fulfilling its national duties.
Finance Minister and Banque de l’Habitat CEO Sign Agreement for Online Property
This is Beirut/April 03/2025
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and General Manager of the Banque de l'Habitat (BDH)
Antoine Habib signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, launching an
electronic link between the two organizations. This new system allows the bank
to instantly and at no cost access an online certificate of non-ownership for
borrowers, streamlining the housing loan process. The agreement was signed at
the finance minister’s office in the presence of the Director General of
Finance, Georges Maarrawi; the Director General of Land Affairs; Gracie Eid, a
BDH board member; and a delegation from the bank.
Hezbollah Struggles with Internal Divisions Amid Economic
and Leadership Crises
This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
Hezbollah’s silence and inaction in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks have
raised significant questions about the group’s internal stability. Israeli media
have reported mounting challenges in the Iran-backed group, particularly
following the severe damage it sustained during the recent conflict with Israel.
These setbacks have exposed deep fractures within the organization’s structure.
Economic Strain
On the economic front, Hezbollah is grappling with a severe disruption in the
flow of Iranian funds. Land routes for financial transfers have become nearly
impossible due to recent developments at the Lebanon-Syria border, including the
closure of illegal crossings.
The situation has worsened with a ban on Iranian aircraft landing, further
hindering the transfer of resources. As a result, compensation for residents in
war-torn areas—particularly in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s
southern suburbs—has been delayed.
Israeli media reports indicated that 75% of income sources in the south have
disappeared, and nearly 35,000 Shiite residents have fled the Bekaa Valley.
Leadership Struggles
Internally, Hezbollah’s leadership appears increasingly divided. Allegedly and
according to Israeli media, on one hand, Secretary-General Naim Qassem is facing
growing criticism for his moderate stance and desire to adhere to a ceasefire
despite ongoing Israeli attacks. On the other hand, Wafic Safa, a prominent
figure and former liaison chief, has reportedly challenged Qassem’s leadership,
criticizing his decisions publicly. Safa, brother-in-law to former Hezbollah
leader Hassan Nasrallah—who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut in
September 2024—was said to have sparked the motorcycle protests in Beirut
following the Lebanese government’s decision to forbid the landing of Iranian
flights to Lebanon. Meanwhile, Mohammad Raad, a Hezbollah MP and Qassem’s
deputy, is attempting to mediate between the factions, though the situation
remains tense.
Military Power Shifts
According to Lebanese sources cited by several Israeli media outlets, three
senior Hezbollah officials have recently taken control of the organization's
military operations, particularly in southern Lebanon. Khalil Harb, a key figure
in the group’s military apparatus, is considered a central player in the current
power struggle. Known as “Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff” by some, Harb manages
military forces and has extensive ties to Iranian military units, including Unit
3900. In contrast, Haitham Tabatabai, a former commander of the Radwan force and
special units, is reported to be acting more independently. After serving
alongside Iran’s Qods Force in Syria, Tabatabai now controls battalions in
southern Lebanon, often operating without the direction of Harb and Hezbollah’s
political leadership. Some analysts suggest this dynamic could lead to the
formation of a dissident faction within the organization. Mohammad Haidar,
another influential figure and close advisor to Nasrallah, commands forces in
southern Lebanon, but answers to Harb, not Qassem. This may suggest that Qassem
is being increasingly sidelined. If these divisions persist, Hezbollah could
face internal fragmentation, similar to the rise of rebel factions in Gaza. This
growing instability, according to Israeli media, could complicate Israel’s
strategy against the Lebanese Shiite movement.
Power and Abuse
Maroun Chahine/This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
Ali Ibrahim Nassar, a 49-year-old General Security officer, was arrested by his
agency on the orders of Mount Lebanon’s public prosecutor, Judge Fadi Malkoun,
for harassing a six-year-old Syrian girl in the presence of other children. He
remains in custody as the investigation continues. Nassar has been denied
communication and the right to confront witnesses and will be referred to the
Moral Protection Bureau for further legal proceedings. Like him, many abuse
their influence and authority to manipulate children, crossing moral and ethical
boundaries, inflicting deep harm and leaving lasting psychological and physical
scars — especially on the most vulnerable. Roula Lebbos, a social worker,
consultant and juvenile protection specialist, explains that “power isn’t
limited to those with professional or union ties, such as lawyers, judges and
doctors, or to those with political backing, like economists, politicians and
public sector officials. It also extends to religious figures.”She shares with
This is Beirut the case of a 12-year-old orphan who lived in a religious
boarding facility. Every weekend, he would visit his aunt, who caught him having
sexual acts with his 5-year-old sister. The child explained that it was an act
of love, shaped by the behavior of a religious figure toward him and his peers,"
says the social worker. "Following the complaint and investigation, multiple
victims — some now adults — came forward, sharing their experiences with the
same perpetrator," she adds. Such abuse cases often go unnoticed, particularly
when individuals in positions of power are involved. Lebbos highlights the
pedophilic TikTok influencer scandal that surfaced in late April 2024, in which
one of the offenders was a lawyer. "The Bar Association took swift disciplinary
action, as any professional body should in such cases," she explains. "However,
the problem persists within religious institutions, where penalties remain
inadequate."Randa Barrage, a doctor in psychology and psychopathology and a
member of the CPRM clinic, explains that “there is no specific link between
individuals in positions of power and the psychological disorders associated
with sexual abuse of minors, also known as pedophilia, which is characterized by
a sexual attraction to children or minors.” However, she notes that “many of
them are narcissistic, psychopathic or exhibit other forms of perversity.”
"Such an individual can be an abuser without experiencing any sense of guilt,"
the specialist adds, before explaining that "for minors, anyone older is viewed
as an authority figure, as they often feel physically powerless in comparison."
The Signs
It is essential for parents to be able to recognize signs that may indicate a
child has been a victim of abuse. These symptoms can manifest in various ways.
Barrage sheds light on this: "Insomnia, other sleep disturbances and recurring
nightmares are often the first signs of anxiety in children." However, this also
depends on the child's personality. "Some become hyperactive, while others
remain very calm and withdrawn.""Many children also develop urinary
incontinence, as the abuser has awakened sexual desires in them," the specialist
continues, noting that "they also tend to use very abstract language when
discussing the experience.""If a child exhibits such signs, it is crucial for
parents to handle the situation with sensitivity and ensure a safe, supportive
environment that allows the child to express themselves freely," she emphasizes.
Unseen Realities Behind the Statistics
While there are no precise statistics on abuses committed by individuals in
positions of control or power, 2,203 cases of abuse were reported to the
association Himaya in 2024 alone. These cases are categorized as follows: 13%
sexual abuse, 33% physical violence, 15% psychological abuse, 14% exploitation,
23% neglect and 2% psychological distress. These figures account for just one
organization. In reality, many children suffer in silence, with their pain often
going unnoticed. Moreover, some parents choose not to report the abuse, making
it even more difficult to fully understand the scale of the issue.
The Importance of Reporting
Many victims feel ashamed or fear they won't be able to assert their rights,
especially when the perpetrator is in a position of power. Perpetrators often
use tactics such as offering financial compensation or other benefits to silence
their victims. Despite these pressures, reporting the abuse remains essential.
Roula Lebbos stresses the importance of seeking a forensic examination as soon
as any physical signs are noticed on a child. She also emphasizes the critical
importance of reporting the abuse. "Under Law 422, complaints can be filed with
the juvenile court judge, the public prosecutor, police stations or even with a
trusted individual such as a social worker or an NGO specializing in children's
rights," she explains. The process is straightforward, and the current laws are
more effective. "Society has evolved, and reporting such abuse is now
mandatory," Lebbos notes. Additionally, "reporting has a positive impact on the
child's mental health and is often the first step toward their healing,"
concludes Dr. Barrage.
Forbes 2025: Lebanese Figures Stand Out Among the World's Billionaires
Christiane Tager/This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
The latest Forbes Billionaires ranking for 2025 was released in early April,
setting new records with a total of $16.1 trillion—$2 trillion more than the
previous year. No longer just a compilation of names and figures, it now serves
as a map of the global economic elite, where market surges, major acquisitions,
and breakthrough innovations can propel entrepreneurs into the ranks of the
world’s wealthiest. Elon Musk remains the world’s richest person, maintaining
his position with a fortune of $342 billion. The Tesla and SpaceX founder
continues to dominate the ranking, further consolidating his technological and
aerospace empire. Competition, however, remains intense. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of
Meta, holds second place with $216 billion, followed closely by Amazon founder
Jeff Bezos at $215 billion. The ranking also includes some of the most
influential figures in global business. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison stands
at $192 billion, while Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH, holds $178 billion.
Legendary investor Warren Buffett has seen his fortune climb to $166 billion.
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin follow with $161 billion and $153
billion, respectively. Rounding out the top tier, Zara founder Amancio Ortega is
worth $124 billion, while former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stands at $118
billion. In March 2025, the world’s ten wealthiest figures saw their collective
fortune drop by $157 billion, driven by a decline in US stock prices, concerns
over new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, and fears of a recession.
Despite the setback, their combined wealth remains substantial, standing at
$1.73 trillion, according to Forbes.
Where Do the Lebanese Stand in the Global Billionaire Rankings?
No Lebanese figures rank in the top ten, but they are present on Forbes'
billionaire lists. According to the latest ranking, Lebanon has six citizens
among the world’s wealthiest, with a combined fortune of $12.48 billion.
Who leads the Lebanese contingent in Forbes’ 2025 edition? Telecom moguls Taha
and Najib Mikati rank at the top, each with a net worth of $3.14 billion,
placing them 1,123rd globally. As heads of the M1 Group, they have built a
dominant presence in the telecommunications sector. Next is Baha’a Hariri, a
dominant figure in real estate, with a fortune of $2.01 billion, placing him
1,700th globally. The heir to a powerful legacy, he built his own empire through
Horizon Group, a company that has transformed concrete into wealth.
Close behind, Robert Mouawad, a towering name in high-end jewelry, holds a net
worth of $1.55 billion, ranking 2,097th. Renowned for redefining luxury with his
eponymous brand, he remains a key figure in the world of fine jewelry. Next is
Ayman Hariri, who has skillfully merged social media and construction. As
co-founder of Vero—a social media platform gaining momentum—he has expanded his
investments, building a fortune of $1.4 billion, ranking 2,274th globally.
Finally, Fahed Hariri, the youngest of the Hariri brothers, has likewise
established himself. With a net worth of $1.24 billion, placing him 2,479th, he
has built a strong presence in real estate, shaping each project with his
distinctive vision. The data, based on Forbes' assessments and calculated using
stock prices and exchange rates as of March 8, 2025, underscores the significant
influence these figures wield in the business world. Forbes' billionaire ranking
is more than just a snapshot of those who have built vast fortunes. It serves as
a barometer of global economic trends, highlighting the sectors driving the
economy and the countries fostering investment across generations. More than
that, it offers valuable insight for entrepreneurs, investors, and even
observers seeking to understand the true forces shaping the global economy.
While no Lebanese billionaire has yet broken into the top ten, Lebanon still
holds significant potential. A boost in innovation and economic growth could be
enough to propel prominent figures into the highest ranks in the years ahead.
Until then, this ranking is worth keeping an eye on—after all, a Lebanese name
could one day claim a spot among the world’s wealthiest.
The Impact of Israeli Cyber Operations on Hezbollah
Amal Chmouny/Arab Center Washington DC/April 03/2025
https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-impact-of-israeli-cyber-operations-on-hezbollah/
Alongside its war on Gaza, Israel has executed an array of cyber-attacks against
Hezbollah that have disrupted the group’s communication systems, carried out
cyber espionage, and launched malware attacks. The attacks have killed or
wounded thousands of Hezbollah operatives and decimated the group’s leadership.
The international community, including the United States, European nations, and
Arab states, have failed to oppose these actions, and their relative silence has
provided Israel with a significant opportunity. The landscape of the
Israel-Hezbollah conflict has been transformed by Israel’s sophisticated use of
cyber warfare, with tremendous implications for the future of warfare. The
November 27, 2024, ceasefire between the two was supposed to end the current
round of fighting. But mainly because of Israel’s violations, especially its
failure to withdraw fully from southern Lebanon, the agreement is fragile, which
does not augur well for long-term stability along the border. Meanwhile, Israel
continues to conduct cyber operations against Hezbollah combatants.
Summer Escalation
The ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began the day after Hamas’s
October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when Hezbollah launched rockets at northern
Israel in solidarity with Gaza. From October 2023 through August 18, 2024,
violent incidents related to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict ranged from 150 to
250 each week. A major escalation point came on July 27, 2024, when a rocket
tragically struck a soccer field in Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights,
killing 12 children. This incident, which Israel blamed on Hezbollah, ignited
intense discussions within the Israeli government and prompted a shift toward
more aggressive targeting of Hezbollah’s leadership through cyber operations.
Shift to Cyber Warfare
On September 17 and 18, 2024, Israel’s Mossad detonated pager and radio devices
used by Hezbollah across Lebanon. The operation, which Israel dubbed “Operation
Grim Beeper,” targeted thousands of Hezbollah members, resulting in tens of
deaths and some 3,000 injuries. The victims included Iran’s ambassador to
Lebanon, Mojtaba Amini, who lost an eye. This operation was a prelude to the
assassination on September 27 of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah
and several high-ranking officials, including Ali Karaki, the commander of the
group’s southern front. His killing, which Israel executed through cyber
penetration of Hezbollah’s communications, was followed by the devastation of
the group’s leadership. By the end of September 2024, Israel had assassinated at
least seven of Hezbollah’s most senior officers.
By the end of September 2024, Israel had assassinated at least seven of
Hezbollah’s most senior officers. Israel’s infiltration of Hezbollah’s
communication systems left the group struggling to make secure and strategic
decisions, leading to disarray within its leadership structure. The attacks
prompted Hezbollah to divert resources to safeguard its communications, a shift
that jeopardized its operational effectiveness and left its militants vulnerable
to Israeli maneuvers. Israel’s strategic and tactical innovation through cyber
warfare has not only significantly diminished Hezbollah’s operational capacity
and reshaped its immediate conflict with the Zionist state. By severely
weakening Hezbollah, Israel has also set the stage for a dramatically altered
power dynamic in the region.
Hezbollah’s Failures and Vulnerabilities
Strategic missteps during the war have highlighted the vulnerabilities that
resulted from Hezbollah’s overconfidence and reliance on outdated military
strategies. Indeed, the group’s strategic errors turned out to be severe. One
major error was that, prior to the Majdal Shams incident, instead of responding
to Israel’s attacks with a major offensive, Nasrallah opted for a more
restrained approach and chose to strengthen the group’s rocket and drone
capabilities. His strategy sought to redefine the rules of engagement, ensuring
that the group was prepared for future confrontations while observing Israel’s
tactics and avoiding a direct escalation for the time being. But the group’s
excessive confidence in its military posture led it to wrongly believe that
Israel would avoid significant military actions against it. Hezbollah’s lack of
military adaptability exposed it to Israeli intelligence operations that
successfully penetrated the organization. By exploiting the group’s
participation in the Syrian civil war and other activities outside of Lebanon,
Israel was able to enlist informants who provided essential intelligence. Israel
managed to enlist individuals to install listening devices in Hezbollah bunkers,
to maintain nearly continuous oversight of the movements of the militia group’s
leaders, which allowed it to, for instance, monitor encounters between a senior
commander and his four mistresses. Combining human intelligence with advanced
surveillance techniques greatly enhanced Israel’s targeting precision, allowing
it to monitor Hezbollah leaders and militants closely and gain a significant
intelligence advantage. This capability enabled Tel Aviv to conduct coordinated
strikes that disrupted Hezbollah’s organizational structure, creating a sense of
vulnerability within the group. Such events dismantled Hezbollah’s long-held
“invincibility” narrative and exposed glaring internal security lapses.
AI and Unit 8200
Israel has for years made substantial investments in technology, recognizing
that modern warfare heavily relies on advanced tools. Experts emphasize that
Israel’s new focus on artificial intelligence (AI) in its cyber operations
offers both asymmetrical advantage and cost-effectiveness. In contrast,
Hezbollah, a non-state actor, employs unconventional tactics, which Israel has
used AI to target and disrupt. AI also assists Israel in identifying potential
breaches in its digital security, thereby safeguarding sensitive communications
and operations.
Attacks such as “Operation Grim Beeper” exemplify a new level of secrecy,
precision, and efficiency for Israel over its traditional military engagements,
and have had a major psychological impact on Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s morale has suffered due to these cyber operations and increased its
members’ distrust in their communication systems.
In December 2024, for example, Israeli forces used an advanced AI tool named
“Habsora” to maintain a “target bank” that catalogues Hezbollah operatives along
with their respective locations and routines. The swift and precise execution
enabled by such tools allows Israel to carry out previously unattainable
operations, with significant repercussions for Hezbollah. Israel managed to
disrupt Hezbollah’s operational capabilities within Lebanon and revealed its
vulnerabilities across other networks in the broader Middle East, especially in
Syria. Hezbollah’s morale has reportedly suffered due to these cyber operations
and increased its members’ distrust in their communication systems. Nasrallah
himself had warned in a February 2024 speech against using cell phones, saying
that “the cell phone is a tapping device.” As we now know, Nasrallah’s decision
to make pagers the group’s main communications technology ultimately enabled
Israel to carry out “Operation Grim Beeper” with horrifying results.
Another fundamental element of Israel’s cyber warfare strategy is Unit 8200,
renowned for its advanced technological capabilities. This unit specializes in
signal intelligence and monitors Hezbollah’s communications (as well as those of
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza). The unit intercepts communications to
track Hezbollah’s movements and strategies, facilitating effective intelligence
gathering. The strength of Unit 8200 illustrates the integration of conventional
intelligence practices with modern technological innovations.
Israel’s use of AI in its cyber operations against Hezbollah highlights the
importance of technological superiority, cost-effectiveness, and efficient
responses in unconventional warfare. As the conflict evolves, all regional
actors will be required to leverage AI. The AI concept sets significant
precedents for future military engagements in the Middle East and globally.
Israeli cyber operations targeting Hezbollah mark the beginning of a new era in
conflict, where technology and warfare are increasingly intertwined in
transformative ways. As Hezbollah continues to grapple with both internal and
external challenges stemming from these operations, its future as an influential
political and military force in Lebanon and the broader region hangs in the
balance.
The views expressed in this publication are the author’s own and do not
necessarily reflect the position of Arab Center Washington DC, its staff, or its
Board of Directors.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on April 03-04/2025
US Tariffs: Trump imposes 10pc levies on GCC countries; Syria,
Iraq hit hard
Dayan Abou Tine/Arab News/April 03, 2025
RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council nations will face a 10 percent US tariff under
Donald Trump’s new trade policy, aimed at addressing what he called
long-standing unfair practices. While the GCC was spared the steepest penalties,
other Arab nations were hit harder — with Syria and Iraq facing tariffs of 41
percent and 39 percent, respectively, followed by Libya at 31 percent, Algeria
at 30 percent, Tunisia at 28 percent, and Jordan at 20 percent. Egypt, Morocco,
Lebanon, and Sudan received the same 10 percent baseline as the GCC, reflecting
their relatively stable trade ties with the US, particularly in oil and
petrochemical exports. Hamza Dweik, head of trading at Saxo Bank, told Arab
News: “Non-energy sectors in the GCC that are most vulnerable to the new tariffs
include electronics, automobiles, construction, retail, and consumer goods.”He
added: “These industries rely heavily on imported goods, and the increased costs
from tariffs could lead to higher prices for consumers and reduced
competitiveness in the market.”Dweik also cautioned that the region’s financial
services sector may face challenges, as heightened global uncertainty could
disrupt investment flows and impact regional financial markets. Concerns have
been raised that even a baseline tariff could have ripple effects across GCC
supply chains, especially in metals, chemicals, and industrial sectors. Dweik
said that global retaliation or trade spillovers are a possibility and could
indirectly affect the Gulf economies. “The uncertainty in policy and potential
for rapid changes weigh heavily on global markets, including those in the GCC.
The region’s focus should be on diversifying trade relationships and
strengthening ties with unaffected regions to mitigate potential losses,” he
added.
Oil exempt from tariffs
In a notable relief for Gulf exporters, the White House has confirmed that oil
and gas imports will be exempt from the new tariffs. The decision — which also
applies to energy imports from Canada, Mexico, and Europe — is intended to avoid
disrupting US energy markets and driving up fuel prices. For the GCC, this
exemption protects the region’s most critical export sector, as oil and gas
account for over 60 percent of Saudi Arabia’s exports to the US and remain a key
pillar of Gulf-US trade. “Given the GCC’s reliance on oil exports, any global
economic slowdown caused by trade tensions has the potential to negatively
impact oil prices, putting extra strain on their economies,” said Dweik, adding:
“The exemption helps mitigate some of these impacts, ensuring that the primary
revenue stream for these countries remains relatively stable despite the broader
trade disruptions.” Tariffs have long been a cornerstone of Donald Trump’s
economic strategy, rooted in his “America First” agenda to protect domestic
industries and reduce trade deficits. The president reignited this approach with
sweeping new import duties, arguing that unfair trade practices have
disadvantaged US workers for decades. Countries hit hardest by the tariff hikes
— including China, the EU, Australia, and Japan — have sharply criticized the
move, with several already imposing retaliatory duties on US goods. The sweeping
measures have raised alarms globally, fueling concerns over rising
protectionism, supply chain disruptions, and the risk of a broader trade war.
While the GCC countries are not among the hardest hit, analysts have warned that
the region’s exporters may still face rising costs, supply chain disruptions,
and increased trade friction — particularly in sectors such as aluminum,
petrochemicals, and industrial goods.
GCC indirect risk from US tariffs
According to a February analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence, countries
including Saudi Arabia and the UAE — which maintain fixed exchange rates to the
US dollar — are particularly vulnerable to tighter monetary conditions, as the
US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated to contain inflationary
pressures stemming from trade disruptions. A stronger dollar could erode export
competitiveness and weaken trade balances in these pegged economies. The report
warns that sustained high US interest rates could also reduce portfolio inflows
into emerging market debt, potentially triggering capital outflows and liquidity
pressures — particularly in debt-stressed countries such as Egypt and Tunisia.
Although Egypt’s position has improved through Gulf investments and an
International Monetary Fund program, a prolonged US rate tightening cycle could
undermine this recovery. Moreover, if oil prices fall amid global economic
slowdowns, GCC oil exporters may be compelled to delay infrastructure spending,
putting pressure on large-scale diversification programs. Shipping giant Maersk
has warned of the global ripple effects of the new US tariffs, cautioning that
escalating trade tensions could disrupt supply chains and raise shipping costs
worldwide. For the GCC region, which relies heavily on maritime trade for both
oil and non-oil exports, such disruptions pose a notable risk. While Gulf oil
exports to the US remain exempt, sectors like aluminum, petrochemicals, and
industrial goods could be indirectly impacted by slower global demand and rising
freight costs. Dweik noted that the GCC could potentially benefit from shifting
global trade patterns — particularly if US tariffs remain focused on competitors
in other regions.
Reaction of GCC equity market
Regional equity markets in the GCC largely declined following the tariffs
announcement, according to data from Bloomberg. Saudi Arabia’s main index,
the Tadawul All-Share Index, fell by 72.78 points or 0.61 percent, while the
parallel Nomu market dropped 0.77 percent at 12:20 p.m. Saudi time. The UAE saw
the steepest declines, with the Abu Dhabi index sliding 2.86 percent and Dubai’s
DFM index dropping 2.64 percent. Oman’s Muscat Stock Exchange MSX 30 Index
lost 0.76 percent, Bahrain Bourse All Share Index fell 0.50 percent, and
Jordan’s Amman Stock Exchange General Index declined by 1.70 percent. In
contrast, Qatar emerged as an outlier, with all major indices showing positive
movement. The Qatar Stock Exchange gained 0.46 percent, possibly reflecting
investor confidence in the country’s diversified economic positioning and lower
direct exposure to US trade policy risks. While oil exports from the region
remain exempt from the new tariffs, market sentiment appears to have been
weighed down by concerns over indirect impacts on key sectors such as metals,
manufacturing, and industrial goods. The reaction underscores growing investor
sensitivity to escalating global trade tensions and their potential spillover
effects on regional economies.
GCC actions to mitigate US tariff risks
Although the latest US tariffs primarily target China, Mexico, and Canada, GCC
exporters cannot afford to remain passive. With the US explicitly tying its
trade policy to national security and reviewing all global trade deals under a
“Fair and Reciprocal Plan,” Gulf-based businesses face increased exposure.
According to PwC’s March trade advisory report, newly announced tariffs on
aluminum and steel will apply across all countries — including the UAE, Bahrain,
and Oman — overriding existing free trade agreements. The report also warns that
duty drawbacks will no longer apply to these commodities, raising costs for GCC
exporters and affecting competitiveness in the US market. PwC recommended that
GCC companies urgently evaluate their exposure by modeling cost impacts,
revisiting trade classifications, and leveraging tools like free trade zones and
customs optimization strategies. Businesses should also strengthen trade
compliance, invest in digital supply chain solutions, and explore market
diversification to reduce US dependency. As the global trade environment shifts
toward more protectionist policies, the report concludes that a “wait-and-see”
approach is no longer viable for the region.
The US and Iran's Dangerous Dance
Salam El Zaatari/This is Beirut/April
03/2025
The US and Iran are now locked in a decisive showdown—one that will either lead
to a historic breakthrough or ignite a conflict that redraws the map of the
Middle East. The Pentagon’s recent deployment of additional warplanes to the
Middle East, notably the stationing of up to six B-2 stealth bombers at Diego
Garcia, is a stark indicator of escalating tensions. These aircraft, renowned
for their stealth capabilities and capacity to deliver precision strikes,
including the formidable GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator designed for
subterranean targets, position the US to address perceived threats from Iran’s
nuclear infrastructure. This strategic move follows a series of US airstrikes
targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, a group with established ties to Tehran. The
intensification of military actions in Yemen, resulting in significant
casualties, underscores the broader US strategy to counter Iranian influence in
the region. In response, Iran has adopted a defiant stance. Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with key military figures, has issued stern
warnings against US actions, signaling Tehran’s readiness to retaliate if
provoked. The entanglement of Iranian-backed groups in regional conflicts,
notably the Houthi rebels’ assaults on maritime vessels in the Red Sea, further
complicates the geopolitical landscape. The international community watches with
bated breath. For instance, France convened a rare defense cabinet meeting to
deliberate on the escalating situation, reflecting European apprehensions about
potential US or Israeli military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. European
powers are actively seeking to re-engage Iran in negotiations to establish new
limits on its nuclear activities and lift sanctions before the 2015 accord’s
expiration in October 2025. Simultaneously, diplomatic channels remain active.
Russian and Iranian deputy foreign ministers have engaged in discussions aimed
at stabilizing the situation, emphasizing the perils of military escalation and
advocating for renewed negotiations concerning Tehran’s nuclear program.
The current trajectory suggests a precarious path forward. The US’ bolstered
military presence, coupled with Iran’s unwavering rhetoric, sets the stage for
potential confrontations. The deployment of B-2 bombers, capable of penetrating
fortified underground facilities, underscores the seriousness with which the US
views Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Conversely, Iran’s regional alliances and
proxy networks present a multifaceted challenge to US interests, with the
potential to ignite conflicts that could engulf the broader Middle East. As the
US and Iran engage in this high-stakes diplomatic and military dance, the
imperative for de-escalation cannot be overstated. The international community’s
role in facilitating dialogue, promoting mutual understanding and averting
conflict is paramount. The coming weeks are critical, and the choices made by
Washington and Tehran will indelibly shape the geopolitical landscape of the
Middle East for years to come.
Israel says Shares with France 'Common' Goal of Iran Without Nuclear
Weapons
AFP/April 03/2025
Israel and France share a "common" goal of preventing Iran from acquiring
nuclear weapons, the Israeli foreign minister said in Paris on Thursday. Western
countries including the United States have long accused Iran of pursuing a
nuclear weapon, which Tehran has denied, insisting its enrichment activities
were solely for peaceful purposes. "The most extremist regime in the world
shouldn't possess the most dangerous weapon in the world," Israel's Foreign
Minister Gideon Saar told reporters. "This objective to prevent Iran from
achieving nuclear weapon is a common objective of France and Israel." Israel is
the region's sole, if undeclared, nuclear-armed state. It has long made
preventing any rival from matching this capability its top defense priority.
Saar, who met France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot earlier Thursday,
stressed that Iran was a threat to the entire region and not just to Israel,
adding Israel was in talks with France, Britain and the United States. "We don't
exclude a diplomatic path with Iran," he added. Concern is mounting as talks
with Iran appear to have reached an impasse, while the window for negotiating a
new treaty with Tehran is set to close in the fall. Key aspects of the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal that Iran signed with
world powers in 2015, are due to expire in October. US President Donald Trump
already took the US out of the deal during his last mandate. Saar said he had
invited France's top diplomat to visit Israel. "I have a continuous dialogue, an
ongoing dialogue, with the French foreign minister," he said. On Wednesday,
Barrot warned that a military confrontation with Iran would be "almost
inevitable" if talks over Tehran's nuclear programme failed. Trump said in early
March he had written to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to call
for nuclear negotiations and warn of possible military action if Tehran refused.
He has threatened that Iran will be bombed if it persists in developing nuclear
weapons. Khamenei has promised to hit back.
US Central Command
chief in Israel for security talks
Agence France Presse/April
03/2025
The head of the U.S. Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, visited Israel
this week for talks with Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on
regional security issues, the military said on Thursday. Kurilla arrived in
Israel on Tuesday and held a joint meeting with Zamir and other Israeli military
commanders "during which they discussed strategic security issues across the
region," the military said in a statement.
Israel warns Syria amid
wave of strikes and deepest ground incursion
Agence France Presse/April
03/2025
Syria accused Israel on Thursday of mounting a deadly destabilization campaign
after a wave of strikes hit military targets, including an airport, and ground
incursions left 13 people dead. Israel said it responded to fire from gunmen
during an operation in southern Syria and warned interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa
that he would face severe consequences if its security was threatened. Israel
has carried out an extensive bombing campaign against Syrian military assets
since Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in
November. It has also carried out ground incursions into southern Syria in a bid
to keep the forces of the new government back from the border. Authorities in
the southern province of Daraa said nine civilians were killed and several
wounded in Israeli shelling near the city of Nawa. The provincial government
said the bombardment came amid Israel's deepest ground incursion into southern
Syria so far. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead were local
gunmen who were killed "while attempting to confront Israeli forces, following
calls by the mosques in the area for jihad against the Israeli
incursion".According to the Israeli military, its forces were conducting
operations in the Tasil area, near Nawa, "seizing weapons and destroying
terrorist infrastructure" when "several gunmen fired at our forces".They
"responded by firing at them and eliminated several armed terrorists from the
ground and from the air", a spokesperson said. There were no Israeli casualties.
"The IDF (military) will not allow the existence of a military threat in Syria
and will act against it," the spokesperson added. Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu demanded in February that southern Syria be completely
demilitarized and said his government would not accept the presence of the
forces of the new Islamist-led government near Israeli territory. In December,
Netanyahu ordered troops to enter the UN-patrolled buffer zone that separated
Israeli and Syrian forces along the 1974 armistice line on the Golan Heights.
'Unjustified escalation' -
On Wednesday, Israel hit targets across Syria including in the Damascus area.The
Syrian foreign ministry said the strikes resulted in the "near-total
destruction" of a military airport in the central province of Hama and wounded
dozens of civilians and soldiers. "This unjustified escalation is a deliberate
attempt to destabilize Syria and exacerbate the suffering of its people," it
said in a statement on Telegram. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz hit back
with a warning to Sharaa in which he pointedly referred to the president by the
nom de guerre he used as an Islamist rebel commander. "I warn Syrian leader
Jolani: If you allow hostile forces to enter Syria and threaten Israeli security
interests, you will pay a heavy price," he said. "The air force's activity
yesterday near the airports in T4, Hama and the Damascus area sends a clear
message and serves as a warning for the future," he added..The Israeli military
said its forces "struck military capabilities that remained at the Syrian bases
of Hama and T4, along with additional remaining military infrastructure sites in
the area of Damascus". Israel has said it wants to prevent advanced weapons from
falling into the hands of the new authorities, whom it considers jihadists.
Sharaa fought for Al-Qaeda in Iraq after the US-led invasion of 2003 and later
set up a Syrian branch of the jihadist network before breaking off all ties. The
Syrian ministry said the Israeli strikes came as the country was trying to
rebuild after 14 years of war, calling it a strategy to "normalize violence
within the country". During a visit to Jerusalem last month, EU foreign policy
chief Kaja Kallas said that Israeli strikes on Syria were "unnecessary" and
risked worsening the situation.
UN Accuses Israel
of Destabilizing Syria, New Strikes in Damascus
AFP/April 03/2025
The United Nations on Thursday accused Israel of destabilizing Syria after a
wave of strikes on military targets, including an airport, and a ground
incursion killed 13 people. A war monitor later reported another two Israeli air
attacks. Since Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in
December, Israel has launched an extensive bombing campaign against Syrian
military assets and conducted ground incursions into southern Syria to repel the
new government's forces from the border. UN envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen
decried "the repeated and intensifying military escalations by Israel in Syria,
including air strikes that have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties."
"Such actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and
the region and destabilize Syria at a sensitive time," he said in a statement.
Authorities in the southern province of Daraa said nine civilians were killed
and several wounded in Israeli shelling overnight near the town of Nawa. The
provincial government said the bombardment came amid Israel's deepest ground
incursion into southern Syria so far. Israel said it responded to fire from
gunmen during an operation in southern Syria and warned interim President Ahmed
al-Sharaa he would face severe consequences if its security was threatened. The
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the dead were gunmen killed
"while attempting to confront Israeli forces, following calls by the mosques in
the area for jihad against the Israeli incursion". Later Thursday, the
Observatory reported another two strikes against military targets near Damascus,
with no immediate reports of casualties.
“Military threat”
An angry crowd gathered on Thursday for the funeral of those killed in Daraa.
"This is an agricultural area... where no one threatens Israeli forces. We want
to live in peace, but we do not accept attacks," said one, 48-year-old Khaled
al-Awdat. Israel's military said its forces had been conducting operations in
the Tasil area near Nawa, "seizing weapons and destroying terrorist
infrastructure," when "several gunmen fired at our forces". They responded "and
eliminated several armed terrorists from the ground and from the air", a
spokesperson said. There were no Israeli casualties. Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu demanded in February that southern Syria be completely
demilitarized and said his government would not accept the presence of the
forces of the new Islamist-led government near Israeli territory. In December,
Netanyahu ordered troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone along the 1974
armistice line on the Golan Heights. On Wednesday, Israel hit targets across
Syria, including in the Damascus area. Syria's foreign ministry said the strikes
resulted in the "near-total destruction" of a military airport in the central
province of Hama and wounded dozens of civilians and soldiers. "This unjustified
escalation is a deliberate attempt to destabilize Syria and exacerbate the
suffering of its people," it said on Telegram. Israeli Defence Minister Israel
Katz hit back, pointedly referring to Sharaa by the nom de guerre he used as an
Islamist rebel commander.
"I warn Syrian leader Jolani: If you allow hostile forces to enter Syria and
threaten Israeli security interests, you will pay a heavy price," he said.
“Normalize violence”
"The air force's activity yesterday near the airports in T4, Hama, and the
Damascus area sends a clear message and serves as a warning for the future,"
Katz added. A Syrian source told AFP the T4 airbase was coveted by the new
government's main foreign backer, Turkey.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Turkey of playing a "negative role
in Syria." "We don't think Syria should be a Turkish protectorate," he said.
Israel has said it wants to prevent advanced weapons from falling into the hands
of the new authorities, whom it considers jihadists. Sharaa fought for Al-Qaeda
in Iraq after the US-led invasion of 2003 and later set up a Syrian branch of
the jihadist network before breaking off all ties. Neighboring Jordan called
Israel's repeated attacks on Syria a clear breach of the 1974 disengagement
agreement between the two countries and a "flagrant violation of international
law". Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Thursday also condemned the Israeli attacks.
More than 30 US strikes hit rebel-held areas in Yemen
Agence France Presse/April 03/2025
Yemen's Houthis said a strike they blamed on the United States killed a guard at
a communications tower on Thursday, among more than 30 strikes on rebel-held
parts of the country. There was no immediate statement from Washington, which
has carried out a wave of strikes against Houthi targets in recent weeks after
President Donald Trump vowed to pummel the rebels until they stop attacking
commercial shipping in solidarity with Palestinian militant group Hamas. "An
American aggression targeted the communications network in... Ibb governorate,
leading to the martyrdom of Abdulwasim Abdulwahab Zahir, the communications
tower guard," Houthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi said on social
media. Earlier, the Houthis' Al-Masirah television said more than 20 strikes had
hit Saada province, the rebels' stronghold in the northern mountains. It said
Washington had carried out two strikes on vehicles, one south of the rebel-held
capital Sanaa and another in Saada province. In a video statement, Houthi
military spokesman Yahya Saree said the United States had launched "over the
past few hours more than 36 air strikes" in different parts of the country.
Saree said the group had targeted U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in
response. He also claimed the group had shot down an "American MQ-9 drone" as it
was "carrying out hostile missions" in Hodeida province on the Red Sea coast. On
Wednesday, the rebels said five people were killed in two waves of strikes on
Hodeida province. The Houthis claimed a Wednesday strike killed one person in
the Red Sea port of Ras Issa. However, maritime security firm Ambrey said
Thursday it had "received a reliable report" the United States did not target
the port city and the "Houthi claim of the air strike was false"."No damage to
port infrastructure or merchant vessels had been reported," the company said.
Rebel-held areas of Yemen have seen near-daily strikes blamed on the United
States since Washington launched an air campaign against the Houthis on March
15.
Washington has since said it is sending a second aircraft carrier group to
Middle East waters to bolster its campaign to "deter aggression and protect the
free flow of commerce".The Houthis had halted their attacks on shipping during a
six-week ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year, but they announced they were
resuming them after Israel cut off aid to the Palestinian territory before
returning to fighting. Since then, the Houthis have launched drone and missile
attacks on both US warships and Israel. The rebels form part of the so-called
Axis of Resistance, an Iran-backed alliance of Middle East groups opposed to
Israel and the United States. Their campaign of attacks on merchant vessels over
the past two years has prompted many shipping firms to avoid the route through
the Red Sea and Suez Canal that normally carries about 12 percent of world
maritime traffic.The costs of the resulting detour around the tip of southern
Africa have been a factor in pushing up world prices.
Under US
Pressure, Iran May Withdraw from Yemen
AFP/April 03/2025
According to information reported by British media outlet The Telegraph on
Thursday, Iran has ordered its military forces in Yemen to withdraw from the
country due to the intensification of US airstrikes on its Houthi allies. A
senior Iranian official stated that the decision aimed to avoid a direct
confrontation with the United States if an Iranian soldier were killed. The
official also said that Iran was scaling back its strategy of supporting its
regional proxies to focus on direct threats from the US. According to the
source, Tehran’s main concern is US President Donald Trump and how to respond to
his actions. For his part, during a phone call with the Saudi crown prince, the
Iranian president said he did not want war “with anyone, but we will not
hesitate to defend ourselves.”
Israeli strikes on Gaza overnight leaves
more than 50 Palestinians dead
Associated Press/April
03/2025
Overnight strikes by Israel killed at least 55 people across the Gaza Strip,
hospital officials said Thursday, a day after senior government officials said
Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and establish a new security corridor
across the Palestinian territory. Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly
18-month war with Hamas until the militant group returns dozens of remaining
hostages, disarms and leaves the territory. Israel has imposed a month-long halt
on all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid that has left civilians facing
acute shortages as supplies dwindle. Officials in Khan Younis, in the southern
part of the strip, said the bodies of 14 people had been taken to Nasser
Hospital – nine of them from the same family. The dead included five children
and four women. The bodies of another 19 people, including five children aged
between 1 and 7 years and a pregnant woman, were taken to the European hospital
near Khan Younis, hospital officials said. In Gaza City, 21 bodies were taken to
Ahli hospital, including those of seven children. The Israeli military ordered
the residents of several areas -- Shujaiya, Jadida, Turkomen and eastern Zeytoun
-- to evacuate on Thursday, adding that the army "will work with extreme force
in your area." It said people should move to shelters west of Gaza City. On
Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel was establishing a
new security corridor across the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas, suggesting it
would cut off the southern city of Rafah, which Israel has ordered evacuated,
from the rest of the Palestinian territory. Netanyahu referred to the new axis
as the Morag corridor, using the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood
between Rafah and Khan Younis, suggesting it would run between the two southern
cities. He said it would be "a second Philadelphi corridor " referring to the
Gaza side of the border with Egypt further south, which has been under Israeli
control since last May. Israel has reasserted control over the Netzarim
corridor, also named for a former settlement, that cuts off the northern third
of Gaza, including Gaza City, from the rest of the narrow coastal strip. Both of
the existing corridors run from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea. "We
are cutting up the strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so
that they will give us our hostages," Netanyahu said. The Western-backed
Palestinian Authority, led by rivals of Hamas, expressed its "complete
rejection" of the planned corridor. Its statement also called for Hamas to give
up power in Gaza, where the militant group has faced rare protests recently.
Netanyahu's announcement came after the defense minister, Israel Katz, said
Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and add them to its so-called security
zones, apparently referring to an existing buffer zone along Gaza's entire
perimeter. He called on Gaza residents to "expel Hamas and return all the
hostages," saying "this is the only way to end the war."Hamas has said it will
only release the remaining 59 hostages — 24 of whom are believed to be alive —
in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire
and an Israeli pullout. The group has rejected demands that it lay down its arms
or leave the territory.
Violate international law
On Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel plans to maintain overall security control of
Gaza after the war and implement U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to
resettle much of its population elsewhere through what the Israeli leader
referred to as "voluntary emigration."
Palestinians have rejected the plan, viewing it as expulsion from their homeland
after Israel's offensive left much of it uninhabitable, and human rights experts
say implementing the plan would likely violate international law. The war began
when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing
around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, most of whom
have since been released in ceasefire agreements and other deals. Israel rescued
eight living hostages and has recovered dozens of bodies. Israel's offensive has
killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which
doesn't say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has
killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has left
vast areas of Gaza in ruins and at its height displaced around 90% of the
population.
Israeli strikes on Syria
Separately, Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in southwestern Syria,
Syrian state media reported Thursday. SANA said the nine were civilians, without
giving details. Britain-based war monitor The Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights said they were local gunmen from the Daraa province, frustrated with
Israeli military encroachment and attacks in recent months. Israel has seized
parts of southwestern Syria and created a buffer-zone there, which it says is to
secure Israel's safety from armed groups. But critics say the military operation
has created tensions in Syria and prevents any long-term stability and
reconstruction for the war-torn country.Israel also struck five cities in Syria
late Wednesday, including over a dozen strikes near a strategic airbase in the
city of Hama.
Hungary announces ICC withdrawal as Israel's Netanyahu visits
Associated Press/April
03/2025
Hungary on Thursday said it will quit the International Criminal Court, just as
Prime Minister Viktor Orban hosted his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu welcomed Hungary's decision as he visited Budapest despite an ICC
arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. "You have just taken
a bold and principled position on the ICC and I thank you Viktor... It's
important for all democracies. It's important to stand up to this corrupt
organization," Netanyahu said at a press conference with his Hungarian
counterpart Viktor Orban. The Palestinian Authority meanwhile urged Hungary to
arrest Netanyahu. "The ministry calls on the Hungarian government... to comply
with the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant by immediately handing
Netanyahu over to bring him to justice", the Ramallah-based PA's foreign affairs
ministry said in a statement hours after Hungary announced it would withdraw
from the ICC.
Israel army says investigating deadly fire on Gaza medics
Agence France Presse/April
03/2025
The Israeli military said Thursday it was investigating an incident in which its
troops opened fire on ambulances, claiming to have targeted "terrorists," while
the U.N. reported that 15 medics and humanitarian workers were killed. "The
incident from March 23, 2025, in which IDF (military) forces opened fire
targeting terrorists advancing in ambulances, has been transferred to the
General Staff's fact-finding and assessment mechanism for investigation,"
military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said in a statement. The
Palestinian Red Crescent said on Sunday it had recovered the bodies of 15
rescuers after Israeli forces targeted the ambulances in the southern Gaza Strip
last month. Bodies of eight medics from the Red Crescent, six members of Gaza's
civil defense agency and one employee of a U.N. agency were retrieved, the Red
Crescent said in a statement. The U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA) said Tuesday
that a team of first responders was killed by Israeli forces on March 23, and
that other emergency and aid teams were hit one after another over several hours
while searching for their missing colleagues. "The (Israeli military) places
utmost importance on maintaining communication with international organizations
operating in Gaza and engages with them regularly," Shoshani said on Thursday.
U.N. aid official Jonathan Whittall said Wednesday that a mass grave in Rafah
where the bodies of the 15 medics were found illustrated the "war without
limits" that Israel is leading in Gaza. An Israeli military official said the
army "contacted the organizations multiple times to coordinate the evacuation of
the bodies, in accordance with the operational constraints." "Understanding that
the process might take time, the bodies were covered with sand and cloth sheets
so that they wouldn't get damaged," the official said. The military has not
formally responded to claims that the bodies were dumped in a mass grave.
Speaking after a mission to Gaza uncovered the mass grave, Whittall, the head of
OCHA in the Palestinian territories, said "it was shocking" to see medical
workers "still in their uniforms, still wearing gloves, killed while trying to
save lives". U.N. chief Antonio Guterres too expressed shock at the killings.
"The secretary-general is shocked by the attacks of the Israeli army on a
medical and emergency convoy on March 23 resulting in the killings of 15 medical
personnel and humanitarian workers in Gaza," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a
briefing Wednesday.
Netanyahu rocked by new scandal linking his close advisers to Qatar
Associated Press/April 03/2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is once again ensnared in scandal
after police arrested two of his close associates this week on suspicion of
accepting money from Qatar to promote a positive image of the Gulf Arab state in
Israel. The affair has gripped Israelis because Qatar, a country that many view
as a patron of Hamas, and which has no formal diplomatic ties to Israel, appears
to have penetrated the highest corridors of power. Qatar, which is a key
mediator for Hamas in its ceasefire negotiations with Israel, denies backing the
militant group. Netanyahu has given a statement to police on the matter but is
not a suspect in the case, which he says is baseless and meant to topple his
rule. The investigation is just the latest scandal to roil Netanyahu, who is the
subject of a long-running corruption trial and regularly rails against a "deep
state" that is out to get him. Critics say Netanyahu, the country's
longest-serving prime minister, has worked in recent years to undermine Israel's
state institutions, including its judiciary. Most recently, they point to his
attempt to dismiss the head of Israel's domestic security agency, which is also
investigating his office's alleged links to Qatar.
Netanyahu advisers allegedly promoted Qatari interests
Dubbed "Qatargate" by Israeli media, the investigation centers on accusations
that two close advisers to Netanyahu — longtime media consultant Jonatan Urich,
and former spokesman Eli Feldstein — were hired to run a public-relations
campaign to improve Qatar's image among Israelis while it was negotiating on
behalf of Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza. Payments were allegedly funneled
through an American lobbyist. According to a court document, the American
lobbyist and Urich struck a "business connection" to positively promote Qatar
and spread negative messages about Egypt, another important mediator in the
Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations. Feldstein was allegedly paid to pass on
those messages to journalists. He and Urich could face charges of contact with a
foreign agent, money laundering, bribery, fraud and breach of trust, according
to Israeli media. Other than financial gain, any other possible motives are
unclear. One Israeli journalist questioned in the case is Zvika Klein, the
editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, an English-language daily. According to a
report this week in the Post, Klein visited Qatar at the invitation of its
government last year and subsequently wrote a series of articles about his
impressions, one of which laid out Qatar's case against Israeli claims that it
backs the militant group. The newspaper said Klein, who could not be reached for
comment, is currently barred from speaking to journalists.
Lawyers for Urich and Feldstein did not respond to requests for comment.
Netanyahu has slammed the probe as a political witch hunt and accused police of
holding his advisers as "hostages" — wording that angered many in Israel because
Hamas is still holding dozens captive inside Gaza after its Oct. 7, 2023, attack
that ignited the war. A judge on Tuesday extended the detentions of Urich and
Feldstein, who has been indicted in a separate case involving the leak of
classified information to a German tabloid. If the new allegations are
substantiated, "it's an abuse of the office," said Tomer Naor, of the Movement
of Quality Government in Israel. What's particularly worrying, he said, is how
easily outside actors appear to have gained access to the prime minister's inner
circle — and that the advisers allegedly promoted Qatari talking points to
journalists while giving the impression that the messaging was coming from the
prime minister's office.
Qatar is a key mediator on Gaza with ties to Hamas
The nearly 18-monthlong war in Gaza rages on after last month's collapse of a
42-day ceasefire that Qatar played a key role in helping secure. Among Israelis,
the gas-rich emirate is best known for sending money to Gaza beginning in 2018 —
an effort meant to help poor families. But analysts and former officials say
some of the money dispatched with Netanyahu's blessing made its way to Hamas'
military wing and helped it prepare for the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Israelis are
also suspicious of Qatar's intentions because it is the homebase for Hamas'
political leaders, and its broadcaster Al Jazeera is seen by Israel as a
mouthpiece for Hamas, allegations the network denies. Qatar says it provided
humanitarian aid to Gaza in full coordination with the Israeli government. When
reached by the AP, a Qatari government official did not directly respond to the
alleged links to Netanyahu's advisers. He said mediation efforts on Gaza would
continue. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Once the
target of a regional blockade over its alleged ties to Islamist extremist groups
and Iran, Qatar has long sought to be seen as an influential regional player and
as a trusted conflict mediator. But throughout the war in Gaza, many in Israel,
including Netanyahu, have expressed anger that Qatar wasn't doing enough to
pressure Hamas to meet Israel's terms for a ceasefire.
Qatar's aim in the alleged public-relations campaign in Israel may have been to
quell those accusations and make sure they didn't influence the U.S., with whom
it has close security ties, said Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the
Institute for National Security Studies, a Tel Aviv think tank. He said any
effort to besmirch Egypt, a longtime mediator between Israel and the
Palestinians, may have been a way to improve Qatar's own regional standing.
Qatar "brings up a lot of emotions" in Israel because it is viewed as having
played a key role in bolstering Hamas ahead of its Oct. 7 attack, Guzansky said.
Before the war, Netanyahu had approved the transfer of funds from Qatar to Gaza
as part of a strategy to contain Hamas, he explained. "Qatar is contemptible.
But we should check ourselves first," he said. "We not only allowed, we
encouraged Qatar to invest in Gaza."The affair is the latest scandal to dog
Netanyahu. It's not clear what, if anything, Netanyahu knew about his advisers'
alleged wrongdoing. Previous aides who got into trouble with the law have turned
state witness against Netanyahu in his corruption trial. Netanyahu's testimony
in that trial was halted after Urich and Feldstein's arrest this week; he was
summoned to give police a statement about the case. Netanyahu is under immense
public pressure to accept responsibility for his role in failing to prevent the
Oct. 7 attack, including allowing the transfer of Qatari cash to Gaza. Mass
protests erupted in recent weeks over Netanyahu's decision to end the Gaza
ceasefire that had facilitated the release of dozens of hostages, and over his
moves to fire the head of the country's domestic security agency and its
attorney general. The attempt to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar came as the
agency was running its own probe into the Qatar links. That prompted accusations
that Netanyahu was trying to snuff out the investigation. Netanyahu has
suggested, with little evidence, that the probe was a result of collusion
between Bar and the attorney general as a way to thwart the domestic security
chief's dismissal. A court froze Bar's dismissal pending further hearings. That
hasn't stopped Netanyahu from trying to appoint his replacement.
Rubio Says US Committed to NATO - But
Tells Allies to Spend More
Max Delany/AFP/April
03/2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told nervous NATO members on Thursday that
Washington remained committed to the alliance, but said they must agree to
massively ramp up their spending targets for defense. President Donald Trump has
rattled Europe by casting doubt on his willingness to defend all allies, and by
reaching out to Russia over the war in Ukraine - before further raising tensions
with his latest trade tariffs. "Some of this hysteria and hyperbole that I see
in the global media and some domestic media in the United States about NATO is
unwarranted," Rubio said on his first visit to meet his NATO counterparts in
Brussels. "President Trump's made clear he supports NATO. We're going to remain
in NATO," he said. Ahead of NATO's June summit in The Hague, Trump has demanded
that the alliance more than double its current spending target to five percent
of GDP - more than any, including Washington, spend now. "We do want to leave
here with an understanding that we are on a pathway, a realistic pathway to
every single one of the members committing and fulfilling a promise to reach up
to five percent spending, and that includes the United States," Rubio said. "No
one expects you're gonna be able to do this in one year or two. But the pathway
has to be real," he stated. He insisted that Trump was "not against NATO. He is
against a NATO that does not have the capabilities that it needs to fulfil the
obligations."The words of reassurance will provide succor to allies, who are
rushing in the meantime to show Washington they are stepping up. A string of
European countries have announced steep increases in military budgets, with
economic powerhouse Germany opening the way for a major splurge. "Great things
are happening. Over the last couple of months, we literally see hundreds of
billions of euros rolling in," NATO chief Mark Rutte said. "So this is probably
the biggest increase in defence spending here on the European side of NATO since
the end of the Cold War," he said. "But we still need more."
No 'sudden' withdrawal
As Europe grapples with the threat from Russia, Trump's administration has set
the continent on edge by raising the prospect it could shift forces away to
focus on other challenges like China. Officials have said that if Washington is
planning a major shift away it needs to agree a clear timeline over years for
Europe to fill the gaps left behind. "There are no plans for them to all of a
sudden draw down their presence here in Europe," Rutte said. "But we know that
for America, being the superpower they are, they have to attend to more theaters
than one. It's only logical that you have that debate." Europe is nervously
eyeing Trump's outreach to its number one nemesis Russia as he sidelines allies
to press for a deal with Moscow to end the Ukraine war. Allies are pleading with
Trump to stand strong against Moscow as he pushes for a partial ceasefire
despite the warring sides trading accusations of ongoing strikes. He has cheered
allies by menacing Putin with sanctions for dragging his feet, but there are
fears Trump may ultimately want to draw close to a country viewed as NATO's main
foe. "We have to admit that there is only one aggressor in this situation. This
is Russia," Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said. "Russia is a
long-term, direct military threat to all NATO and to Ukraine, and for Ukraine,
we need a just and long-lasting peace," he stated. Meanwhile, Britain and France
are spearheading talks on sending troops to Ukraine to shore up any deal Trump
might strike.
Sidestepping tariff row?
Beyond NATO and Ukraine, Trump has also rocked allies by making territorial
threats against Canada and Denmark, insisting that he will take over Greenland.
Rubio was set to meet his Danish counterpart after tensions soared between the
two sides following a visit by Vice President JD Vance to the territory. Foreign
ministers largely looked to skirt the issue of a looming trade war after Trump's
hefty tariffs on allies, in particular the European Union. But some warned that
economic disputes risked jeopardising NATO's unity and its ability to strengthen
itself. "It's important to understand that we grow faster and better together,
that if we want to build resources for a stronger defence, we need to have
economic growth," Norway's Espen Barth Eide said. "Protectionism will not do us
any good."
Danish PM in "Unity" Greenland Visit After US Takeover Threats
Camille Bas-Wohlert/AFP/April
03/2025
Denmark's prime minister said on Thursday that Copenhagen would not give up
Greenland, as she visited the resource-rich autonomous Danish region that US
President Donald Trump has vowed to take over. Speaking in English and
addressing the US, Mette Frederiksen said "you cannot annex another country."
Tensions between the United States and Denmark have soared after Trump
repeatedly said he wanted to take control of the resource-rich Arctic island for
security reasons. Frederiksen arrived in Greenland on Wednesday for a three-day
visit, aiming to show support and unity in the face of US threats. She rode
around the capital, Nuuk, in a Danish navy patrol boat, alongside Greenland's
new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and his predecessor, Mute Egede.
Danish public broadcaster DR said many people cheered at seeing Frederiksen,
with one resident shouting from a window: "Hey Mette! Thanks for being here."
"It is clear that with the pressure put on Greenland by the Americans, in terms
of sovereignty, borders, and the future, we need to stay united," Frederiksen
said after arriving on the island on Wednesday. Her visit comes on the heels of
a trip by US Vice President JD Vance last week that both Nuuk and Copenhagen
viewed as a provocation. It also follows the formation of a new Greenland
coalition government led by the center-right Democrats party, which won a
general election in March. Observers say her visit will reassure the island of
57,000 people, the vast majority of whom, polls show, want to become independent
from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the United States. "I think it's
very, very important, and it's very reassuring for Greenlanders to see a Danish
head of government," Mikaela Engell, an expert on the Arctic territory who
previously served as Denmark's High Commissioner to Greenland, told AFP. Earlier
this year, "the Danish government was almost invisible," she said, describing
Copenhagen's efforts as tip-toeing, trying to accommodate US interests and not
antagonize Trump. But after the general election and Vance's visit, the "gloves
have come off," Engell said. Marc Jacobsen, a researcher at the Royal Danish
Defence College, told AFP that the visit would give Copenhagen an opportunity
"to show coherence, to show support, to talk about what they can do more
concretely, both in terms of how to respond to the United States but also in
terms of concrete cooperation investments."
“Strong” ties
Frederiksen is also expected to maintain the position laid out earlier by
Denmark's foreign minister "that it is possible to enhance US military presence"
under a 1951 defense agreement. During his visit last week to the Pituffik
military base, Vance castigated Denmark for not having "done a good job by the
people of Greenland" by allegedly underinvesting in security. Foreign Minister
Lars Lokke Rasmussen responded in a post on social media that "We are open to
criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in
which it's being delivered."Meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit in
Brussels on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured Rasmussen of
the "strong" ties between the countries. According to The Washington Post, the
White House is currently estimating the cost for the US federal government to
control Greenland and the potential revenues it could derive from exploiting its
largely untapped natural resources.
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on April 03-04/2025
A Forgotten Martyrdom and a Call for Human
Fraternity
Alberto M. Fernandez/National Catholic Register/April 03/2025
https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/a-forgotten-martyrdom-and-a-call-for-human-fraternity
COMMENTARY: This Easter, let us recall the 30 Ethiopian Orthodox martyrs and the
tenuous, painful and yet real progress made against the ideological underpinning
of anti-Christian hate.
Ten years ago, during Eastertide, 30 Christians were murdered on video and used
in a propaganda production to argue that Christianity was both false and needed
to be persecuted. Half of the victims were shot, while the rest were beheaded.
The date was April 19, 2015, and the 29-minute video was a new production of the
so-called “Islamic State” or ISIS.
The on-camera killing in Libya of 30 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, desperate
migrants trying to get into Europe, received considerable coverage. Easter that
year fell on April 5 in the Catholic Church and on April 12 among the Eastern
Orthodox Churches, including the Ethiopians. It followed the massacre of 20
Coptic Christians in Libya by ISIS in February 2015 and, in the latter half of
2014, much larger ISIS massacres of Shiite Muslims and Yazidis in Iraq.
Ethiopia declared three days of mourning. Pope Francis sent a message to the
patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, saying that “the blood of
our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out to be heard by
everyone who can still distinguish between good and evil. All the more this cry
must be heard by those who have the destiny of peoples in their hands.”
There was global media outrage, which fleetingly appeared and then moved on to
the next passing outrage.
The video was in Arabic, and so it was not surprising that Westerners focused on
the slaughter rather than the argument. Titled “Until There Came to Them Clear
Evidence” (a quote taken from the Quranic Surat al-Bayyinah), it was an
ambitious, polished propaganda product, including sections filmed in Syria and
Libya, opening with a restating of traditional Islamic criticism of the basic
tenets of Christianity.
That was followed by a skewed, hostile telling of Christian history (using
extensive footage culled from Hollywood movies, including Kingdom of Heaven and
The Passion of the Christ). Catholics, Orthodox (including Copts, Ethiopians,
Armenians, Greeks and Russians, all mentioned by name) and Protestants were
derided as “a nation that deviated from the benevolent religion of monotheism.”
The video then segued to its “star,” a Saudi ISIS cleric and military commander
named Abu Malik Anas Al-Nashwan. A graduate of the hardcore Imam Mohammad Ibn
Saud Islamic University, Al-Nashwan was on a Saudi wanted list for his
extremism, after having fought in Afghanistan and then made it to Syria, where
he swore allegiance to the Islamic State. He made five appearances in the video,
focusing on how Christians should be treated when “real” Muslims rule. Relying
heavily on noted Islamic scholars from the 14th century — students of Ibn
Taymiyya, the intellectual precursor of Salafi Islam — he explained that
Christians living under true Islamic rule have only three choices: conversion;
pay the jizya tax and be protected as long as they fulfill certain conditions,
or be killed. The stated goal of jizya was not only to take money but to “to
subdue, disgrace and humiliate” the unbelievers.
The propaganda then, for those who are not convinced fanatics, seemed to falter.
The next segment featured brief interviews with actual Christians then living
under ISIS rule in Raqqa. These were scared, nervous people, mostly old men, who
were made to say that Christians should return to ISIS-ruled Syria. But there
were no smiles, no normal images of Christian life in Raqqa and, not
surprisingly, no images of Christian worship, given that the city’s few churches
had been seized by the terror group.
Al-Nashwan returned to castigate the Christians of Mosul, who fled in 2014 with
the clothes on their backs, in contrast to the tiny number of Raqqa Christians
who remained. Unintentionally, the video made it seem that the Mosul Christians
who fled made the far better decision.
Ironically, the Saudi star of the video, clearly being groomed for greater
things, died in battle at Al-Sukhnah only a week after the video was posted
online by ISIS supporters.
Today, the video remains as one of the most comprehensive assaults on
Christianity ever produced by the Islamic State (matched only by written
propaganda produced in English by the late American ISIS devotee John Georgelas).
The aim was to move the terms of the debate even more harshly and uniformly
against Christians in the Muslim world.
Thankfully, that effort failed, even though Christians, especially in the Middle
East and Africa, paid a tremendous price in suffering at the hands of Jihadists
a decade ago and continue to do so today. The extreme Saudi Arabia that nurtured
Al-Nashwan has been mostly dismantled by the reformist leadership in Riyadh.
In Syria, the new Islamist government in power is criticized by ISIS for being
too accommodating and tolerant of non-Muslims. ISIS in Libya was defeated.
But it was the horrific world conjured by this video and its acolytes that
prompted efforts that would lead, less than four years after the slaughter of
the Ethiopians, to the Abu Dhabi declaration signed by Pope Francis in 2019.
While derided by some Francis critics in the West as some sort of concession,
the document set a clear goal of creating much-needed space and breathing room
for the Christians of the East.
In the text, terrorism is due to “an accumulation of incorrect interpretations
of religious texts and to policies linked to hunger, poverty, injustice,
oppression and pride.” Minorities are not to be described as such, engendering
“feelings of isolation and inferiority,” but rather the call is for “full
citizenship” based on “equality of rights and duties, under which all enjoy
justice.” These are direct rebukes to the Islamist supremacy agenda.
This Easter, as we remember the Ethiopian Martyrs (less well known in the West
than their Coptic brethren) and the martyrs of today, let us also recall the
tenuous, painful and yet real progress made against the ideological underpinning
of anti-Christian hate — a struggle that continues.
**Alberto M. Fernandez Alberto M. Fernandez is a former U.S. diplomat and a
contributor at EWTN News.
Jihad Rising in Africa While the West Averts its Eyes
Charles Jacobs and Uzay Bulut/Gatestone Institute/April 3, 2025
Jihadists are murdering, raping, torturing, kidnapping, enslaving, and, in some
instances, burning people alive — across Africa, and now in Syria.
Local jihadist organizations go by different names, but the ideology that drives
them is the same: Every one of them deeply believes that Allah wants him to wipe
the world clean of the kuffar (infidels).
More than 16.2 million Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa have been driven from
their homes by jihadi violence and conflict, reports the human rights
organization Open Doors.
Women and girls are abducted, forced into "marriage," forced to convert to
Islam, raped, and subjected to forced labor. Several girls have been forced to
act as suicide bombers or human shields at the hands of jihadis.
In Sudan, a current genocide includes race-based slaughter of indigenous
Africans by Arab jihadists... with the RSF forces targeting ethnic African
minorities for extermination... According to the organization "Operation Broken
Silence," more than 150,000 civilians are estimated to have already perished
from violence and hunger.
In Libya, slavery, forced labor and human trafficking are still widespread, as
seen in video evidence of an auction of sub-Saharan Africans in the country.
In Somalia, no area is safe for Christians... [al-Shabaab] maintains a
commitment to eradicating Christianity from Somalia and often murders Christians
on the spot.
Nigeria has seen a dramatic increase in the abduction of Catholic priests,
seminarians and religious women — for ransom, as Vatican News noted.
All decent people.... need urgently to address this question: Why does the
liberal West turn a blind eye when Islamic jihadists abduct, abuse, rape,
enslave, forcibly convert or murder millions of darker-skinned people in Africa
and the Middle East? A refusal to address such lethal moral blindness signifies
that the West has chosen a path to its own demise, and will be abandoning
countless innocents as it goes.
In Mozambique, a majority-Christian country, the rise of Islamist extremism in
the north, especially in regions such as Cabo Delgado, has made life
increasingly perilous for Christian communities. Islamists there unleashed a
wave of violence, targeting Christian places of worship, abducting pastors and
murdering many Christians.
Jihadists are murdering, raping, torturing, kidnapping, enslaving, and, in some
instances, burning people alive — across Africa, and now in Syria. Recent videos
posted on X show that Syrian Islamists are doing to Alawites what Hamas did to
Jews living near Gaza. Christians, Druze and Yazidis in Syria — like their
non-Muslim or non-Arabized counterparts in Africa— fear they may be next.
The al-Qaeda-affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorists, led by Ahmed
Hussein al Sharaa, who conquered Damascus in December 2024, are going from door
to door in western Syria and massacring religious minorities in cruel, sadistic
ways. Social media posts show Alawite men, women and children shot at close
range. According to Greek Member of European Parliament Nikolas Farantouris, who
recently visited Syria, "Reliable data indicate 7,000 massacres of Christians
and Alawites and unprecedented atrocities against civilians." The death toll is
still rising.
Syria is just the most recent country targeted by Islamic jihadists. For years
now, in at least 12 countries in Africa, jihad has been spreading. Local
jihadist organizations go by different names, but the ideology that drives them
is the same: Every one of them deeply believes that Allah wants him to wipe the
world clean of the kuffar (infidels). In Nigeria, Sudan, the Democratic Republic
of Congo, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Niger, Somalia,
Mozambique and Libya, among others, Islamic militants massacre civilians, the
vast majority of whom are Christians, leading to widespread terror, insecurity
and displacement.
More than 16.2 million Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa have been driven from
their homes by jihadi violence and conflict, reports the human rights
organization Open Doors. Such violence includes murder, physical injury, rape,
abduction, theft of property and destruction of homes and farmland. Christians
are being dispossessed of their land and means of livelihood. Millions of them
now live in displaced-persons camps. Women and girls are abducted, forced into
"marriage," forced to convert to Islam, raped, and subjected to forced labor.
Several girls have been forced to act as suicide bombers or human shields at the
hands of jihadis.
On February 13, seventy Christians were beheaded by jihadists in the Congo, now
one of the most dangerous countries for non-Muslims due to escalating jihadist
violence. Church leaders are targeted, abducted, tortured and murdered.
Christian villages have been burned down, and pastors, priests and lay
Christians abducted by the Islamist "Allied Democratic Forces" and other armed
factions. Churches, convents and Christian schools have been vandalized and
looted by militiamen. From January to June of 2024, Islamic militants murdered
639 Christians in various incidents, including beheadings and shootings,
according to a report released by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
In Sudan, a current genocide includes race-based slaughter of indigenous
Africans by Arab jihadists. The war in Sudan is between two Muslim forces — the
Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), the country's official military, and the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF), a regional paramilitary group created by a previous military
regime. Arab supremacy against the indigenous, non-Arabized Sudanese people
drives both sides, with the RSF forces targeting ethnic African minorities for
extermination. They are responsible for committing sexual violence on a large
scale in areas under their control, including the gang rape, abduction and
detention of victims in conditions that amount to sexual slavery, as the UN
Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan documented in a
detailed report. Most of the victims are non-Arabs, particularly the Masalit
people.
Innocent civilians have been murdered for their race in Sudan. Towns and
villages are being destroyed. According to the organization "Operation Broken
Silence," more than 150,000 civilians are estimated to have already perished
from violence and hunger. Nearly 25 million Sudanese — half of the country's
population — are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Roughly 15 million
people have been forced to flee their homes or have left Sudan as refugees. That
is nearly one in three of all Sudanese. Nearly 80% of the country's healthcare
system is not functioning. Roughly 90% of schools are closed.
In Libya, slavery, forced labor and human trafficking are still widespread, as
seen in video evidence of an auction of sub-Saharan Africans in the country.
Today, Sharia law is strictly upheld: for a Muslim to convert to Christianity is
a crime punishable by death. In one reported case, a Christian convert from a
Muslim background received a death sentence in September 2022 and remains
imprisoned while his case is pending with the Supreme Court. If a Libyan woman
is suspected of being interested in Christianity, she faces house arrest, sexual
assault, forced marriage or even death. Foreign Christians, especially those
from sub-Saharan Africa, are also targeted by Islamist militant and criminal
groups in Libya. These groups kidnap and sometimes brutally murder Christians.
Even if they avoid such a fate, sub-Saharan African Christians face harassment
and threats from radical Muslims in Libya.
In Cameroon's Far North region, Islamic terrorists — specifically Boko Haram and
the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) — regularly attack, trying to
carve out an Islamic caliphate in Cameroon's most volatile region. Christians
who live in these areas are targeted for violence, abduction and murder.
Churches have been set on fire and church leaders and seminary students
kidnapped, as corroborated by reports from the US State Department. Armed groups
often occupy churches, turning sacred spaces into arenas of conflict.
In Somalia, no area is safe for Christians. However, Christians are most at risk
in areas under the control of radical Islamic militants such as al-Shabaab. A
violent Islamist terrorist group, al-Shabaab controls large swaths of the
country, where it enforces a strict form of Sharia (Islamic law). It maintains a
commitment to eradicating Christianity from Somalia and often murders Christians
on the spot. In March 2024, for instance, al-Shabaab militants reportedly
murdered six Christian men.
In Burkina Faso, the rise of Islamic radicalism has forced Christians to flee.
Cities that used to be safe are now at risk of attack. In areas where militant
groups are active, Christians risk being kidnapped, displaced or murdered and
their churches destroyed. For fear of jihadists, hundreds of churches have been
closed. In August 2024, at least 500 people in the central part of Burkina Faso
were murdered when jihadists opened fire on civilians.
Jihadist violence continues to escalate in Nigeria. Raids by Muslim Fulani
militants, multiple groups of armed bandits, and terror groups such as Boko
Haram and ISWAP have devastated Christian communities in the country. In
shockingly brutal attacks, these terrorists also destroy the homes, churches and
livelihoods of non-Muslims. Tens of thousands of Christians have been murdered
and thousands of women and girls have been abducted and subjected to sexual
violence. In addition to being forcibly "married," girls abducted by terrorists
have reportedly been used as human shields or as leveraged commodities in
negotiations.
Church leaders are specific targets of Islamists. Vatican News, the news portal
of the Holy See, reported on recent cases of abductions and murders of Catholics
in Nigeria. Speaking on behalf of Nigeria's Bishop Gabriel Dunia, of Auchi
Diocese, the diocesan spokesman Fr. Peter Egielewa said 21-year-old Major
Seminarian Andrew Peter "was gruesomely murdered by the abductors." On March 5,
Ash Wednesday, Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu of Kafanchan Diocese was also murdered by
kidnappers. In the last two months, Nigeria has seen a dramatic increase in the
abduction of Catholic priests, seminarians and religious women — for ransom, as
Vatican News noted.
Mali is another African nation ravaged by a jihadist insurgency. The Islamic
insurgency that devastated the north of Mali in 2012 continues to have massive
repercussions for the country. Islamists instituted a strict Sharia regime in
the north, demolishing churches and assaulting Christians, Open Doors reports.
As a result, many Christians have lost their homes and been forced to flee the
region. Islamist persecution has rendered many regions in the country
uninhabitable for Christians. Those living in areas controlled by Islamic
militants have been denied access to water and land to grow crops. The jihadist
violence is spreading southward, and the country's institutions are rapidly
collapsing, further playing into the hands of jihadist groups.
In Mozambique, a majority-Christian country, the rise of Islamist extremism in
the north, especially in regions such as Cabo Delgado, has made life
increasingly perilous for Christian communities. Islamists there unleashed a
wave of violence, targeting Christian places of worship, abducting pastors and
murdering many Christians. The objective of these groups is to establish a
strict Islamic state, making Christians a specific and vulnerable target. In
2024, there were numerous reports of abductions across areas of the country
where jihadists and their gunmen exert influence. Christian homes and businesses
were frequently targeted and set on fire, contributing to the ongoing
displacement and economic destabilization of the region.
Over two weeks in January of 2024, for instance, Islamic State-affiliated
terrorists attacked several villages in the Mocímboa da Praia district. The
attacks began on January 3 in the village of Ntotoe, where three Christians were
murdered, and more than 60 homes and a church burned down. Subsequent attacks in
Chimbanga and another village resulted in the murder of six more Christians and
the destruction of over 110 homes.
A near continent-wide jihad has set Africa aflame, yet the West averts its eyes.
Its "human rights" movements and mainstream media mostly avoid noticing victims
— especially black victims whom it had historically and instinctively
championed. The willful blindness to black suffering — imposed very often by
non-blacks — has been called hypocritical, but this strange behavior needs a
deeper, more serious analysis.
All decent people — including especially those who are partisans, even
activists, in "human rights" movements — need urgently to address this question:
Why does the liberal West turn a blind eye when Islamic jihadists abduct, abuse,
rape, enslave, forcibly convert or murder millions of darker-skinned people in
Africa and the Middle East? A refusal to address such lethal moral blindness
signifies that the West has chosen a path to its own demise, and will be
abandoning countless innocents as it goes.
*Dr. Charles Jacobs is President of the African Jewish Alliance.
Uzay Bulut, a Turkish journalist, is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone
Institute and a senior researcher at the African Jewish Alliance
© 2025 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.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21526/jihad-in-africa
Nothing Is Going Well for the Mullahs…
Marc Saikali/This Is Beirut/April 03/2025
By playing Russian roulette for too long, one eventually gets shot. This is the
situation Iran's leaders are now facing. Since 1979, Khomeini and his successors
have tried to export their so-called Islamic Revolution throughout the region.
Without any success, but with plenty of blood, wars and tears. First in Iraq,
then in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Gaza. The only tangible and common result in
all these countries is that Iran has managed to plunge them into desolation,
ruin and poverty. Until the fatal mistake: their supposedly solid support for
Hamas in Gaza, with the “victories” we all know.
Today, Iran faces a crucial choice. There are only two options: either a
voluntary retreat from their nuclear program, wrapped in whatever dignity
remains, or annihilation. Donald Trump has been clear on this matter.
For now, the mullahs continue to engage in their favorite game—raising the
stakes without having much to bet on. They threaten that if the Americans or
Israelis attack, they will build a nuclear bomb and strike the entire region.
Oh, really? With what? How? Using what resources? As usual, locked away in their
palaces and blinded by their own certainties, they fail to see the blow coming.
Yet, it is about to hit them if they continue pretending not to understand that
their time is up. At best, they might finish destroying Lebanon and Yemen by
ordering their local proxies to retaliate on their behalf, or they might try to
exert pre-negotiation pressure with their remaining weapons—an effort that has
no chance of succeeding. But without a doubt, pro-Iranian militias would rush,
obediently, into a collective suicide that their own people do not want—just as
the Iranian people themselves have had enough of living in a medieval era far
removed from their true historical culture.
So, What Will Happen Next?
In parallel to negotiations between the Americans and Iranians—mediated by the
Sultanate of Oman—the Israelis will intensify their military pressure on the
crumbling Persian empire’s flanks: Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza. For example, it is
likely that bombings in Beirut’s southern suburbs will become routine.
Hezbollah’s leadership may call on the Lebanese state to “take responsibility”
and retaliate, but everyone remembers that this is the same party that dragged
the country into a war no one wanted. It is certainly not the Lebanese army’s
role to pay the price for Tehran’s reckless decisions.
Inside Iran, it is not impossible that the people—82 million individuals turned
into global pariahs by their leaders—will finally take to the streets and
overthrow a regime that survives only through terror and executions. In any
scenario, it will be very difficult for the mullahs to “bounce back.” If they
give in to American demands, they will be exposed and forced to explain to their
population why they have been starving for decades due to wars and sanctions. If
they opt for confrontation, they are certain to be crushed. Either way, a regime
change in Iran is looming on the horizon. Until then, the Lebanese people will
have to wait, yet again, before they can rebuild. George Orwell once said, “All
propaganda has an expiration date.” The Iranian regime’s time is running out.
Sudan in ruins after two years of war
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/April 03, 2025
The second anniversary of the outbreak of civil war in Sudan falls this month.
What began as a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support
Forces has turned into one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history.
The war has left Sudan in ruins, devastating its infrastructure, economy and
healthcare system, while causing immense human suffering. Millions have been
displaced, famine looms and neighboring countries are struggling to cope with
the influx of refugees. The international community must acknowledge the depth
of this catastrophe and take immediate action to prevent further destruction. A
ceasefire must be reached, humanitarian corridors must be established and
diplomatic efforts must be intensified to end this senseless war. The war has
reduced Sudan’s infrastructure to rubble, leaving behind a country that is
barely functional. In Khartoum, Omdurman and other major cities, essential
services such as water, electricity and telecommunications have been severely
disrupted. Schools and universities have been destroyed or turned into makeshift
military outposts, depriving an entire generation of Sudanese children of an
education. Roads and bridges have been bombed or blocked, isolating entire
communities. The banking system has collapsed, with many businesses either
shutting down or moving their operations abroad.
Economically, Sudan is in freefall. The destruction of key industries, including
agriculture and manufacturing, has left millions without an income. Farmers have
been forced to abandon their land due to violence, further exacerbating food
shortages. Inflation has skyrocketed, making even basic necessities
unaffordable.
The UN estimates that more than 60 percent of Sudanese citizens are now living
below the poverty line, with no clear path to recovery unless the war ends. The
collapse of Sudan’s economy is not just a national issue — it poses a direct
threat to regional stability, as economic desperation often fuels violence,
crime and instability. Sudan’s healthcare system, already fragile before the
war, is now in total disarray. Hospitals and medical facilities have been
bombed, ransacked or turned into military bases. In Khartoum alone, nearly half
of the hospitals have been damaged, leaving millions without access to emergency
care. Medical supplies are running out and doctors are being forced to perform
operations without anesthesia or proper sterilization. The shortage of medicine
has led to a surge in preventable deaths, particularly among children, pregnant
women and the elderly.
Diseases such as cholera, malaria and dengue fever are spreading rapidly due to
poor sanitation and the collapse of water infrastructure. Malnutrition is also
taking a devastating toll on Sudan’s population, with millions of children
facing starvation. Aid organizations have repeatedly warned that, without
immediate intervention, Sudan could face one of the worst health crises of the
21st century. However, humanitarian groups face severe challenges in reaching
those in need due to ongoing violence and bureaucratic restrictions imposed by
the warring factions. Without immediate intervention, Sudan could face one of
the worst health crises of the 21st century
The scale of the human suffering in Sudan is staggering. More than 26 million
people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with at least 12 million
internally displaced. Entire families have been forced to flee their homes,
often with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Many are living in
overcrowded camps with no access to food, clean water or medical care. The World
Food Programme has reported that Sudan is on the brink of famine, with millions
at risk of starvation in the coming months. Sudan’s war has also triggered one
of the largest refugee crises in recent history. Nearly 1 million Sudanese have
fled to neighboring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt and
the Central African Republic. These nations, many of which were already
struggling with economic hardship and internal instability, are struggling to
accommodate the influx of displaced people. Refugee camps are overcrowded,
underfunded and lack basic necessities such as food, water and medical care.
In Chad, the refugee crisis has put immense pressure on local resources, leading
to tensions. Without significant international support, Sudan’s refugee crisis
could destabilize the entire region, leading to further conflict and
displacement.
The Sudanese conflict is yet another reminder of the devastating consequences of
civil war. There are no winners — only death, destruction and suffering. The
Sudanese people, who once had hope for a better future, are now trapped in an
endless cycle of violence and despair. History has shown that civil wars rarely
lead to sustainable political solutions. Instead, they create deep wounds that
take generations to heal. The longer the war continues, the harder it will be to
rebuild Sudan. The world must recognize that allowing this conflict to persist
will only lead to greater instability, more deaths and more suffering.
The global community cannot afford to remain silent. The first and most
immediate step must be a ceasefire to halt the violence and open humanitarian
corridors. Both warring parties must be pressured into negotiations, with
regional and global powers playing a key role in mediating the conflict. At the
same time, the international community must step up its financial and logistical
support for humanitarian efforts. The UN, the African Union and donor nations
must ensure that promised aid actually reaches those in need. Many pledges made
remain unfulfilled, leaving millions without food, water or medical care. The
longer the delays in the delivery of aid, the more lives will be lost.
To achieve lasting peace, the international community must work closely with the
African Union and Sudan’s neighbors. African-led peace initiatives, if properly
supported, could provide a framework for long-term stability. The Jeddah
Declaration, which has previously served as a negotiation platform for Sudanese
factions, should be revived and expanded. Diplomacy must be prioritized over
military action.
In conclusion, two years of war have left Sudan in ruins. Millions have been
displaced, thousands have been killed and an entire nation has been pushed to
the brink of collapse. The suffering of the Sudanese people cannot be ignored
any longer. The international community must step up, not just with words but
with concrete action. A ceasefire must be reached, humanitarian aid must flow
and diplomatic efforts must be intensified to end this brutal conflict.
Sudan cannot afford another year of war. It is time for world leaders, aid
organizations and regional powers to prioritize peace and human dignity for the
Sudanese people.
• Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political
scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh
Palestinians need a political reset
Ray Hanania//Arab News/April 03, 2025
There is absolutely no doubt that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
exploited the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorism to advance his long-term agenda to destroy
any chances of peace with the Palestinians. His war on the Gaza Strip has
resulted in the worst massacre of Palestinians since the Nakba of 1948.
Netanyahu and his extremist predecessors, such as the late Ariel Sharon, have
continued the terrorism that was started in Palestine in the 1920s by Jewish
extremists under the banner of Zionism. But instead of being smart by pursuing a
strategic response to defeat these Zionist extremists and their racist violence,
Palestinians have too often allowed their emotions to control their actions.
This has exposed the just Palestinian cause to Western animosity, driven by
media bias.One journalist who contributed to this narrative was the American
Freda Kirchwey, the editor of The Nation magazine from 1933 to 1955. During her
editorship, The Nation falsely portrayed Arabs and Muslims as the drivers of
violence in Palestine, while closing its eyes to the Jewish attacks of the
1940s.
The Arab world had very little influence over the Western media, which dominated
public information. The racist portrayal of the Arab world to disguise the
violence of the new state of Israel was broadened into all aspects of
communications, including the publishing world.
This was a strategic, unemotional plan that was embraced by Israelis, Jews and
Christian Americans, who viewed the Palestine conflict as a modern-day revival
of the Christian-led Crusades against the Muslim “hordes.” Such Islamophobia in
the West continues to this day, although now it is veiled by more diplomatic
expressions and less confrontational rhetoric.
Instead of understanding this historical dynamic, the Arab and Islamic worlds
and pro-Palestinian activists tend to embrace a policy of anger and outrage.
This has resulted in several wars that have only weakened the image of the just
cause of the Palestinians.
The Arab and Islamic worlds and pro-Palestinian activists tend to embrace a
policy of anger and outrage
Anger also led to the rise of an evil hatred embodied by the violence of Hamas,
which in 1994 launched a campaign of suicide bombings against Israeli targets,
both military and civilian. This wave of suicide bombings undermined confidence
in the Oslo I Accord signed the year before by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. As hopes of peace deteriorated, a
disciple of Likud’s rising star at the time, Netanyahu, assassinated Rabin and
threw the entire process into cardiac arrest.
I attended the White House ceremony at which Rabin and Arafat signed the Oslo I
Accord. But it was just too much for the extremists in Israel and the pro-Israel
movement to accept. Hamas walked right into the hands of the Sharon and
Netanyahu fanatics, giving them exactly what they needed to tear the Oslo
Accords to pieces and advance the absorption of the lands occupied in the 1967
war.
However, despite the damage caused by the pro-Israel manipulation of the truth,
Palestinians can reverse this decimation of their image.
Palestinians need to accept that Israel is and will always be more powerful
militarily. It can also better disguise its violence by using distortions of
international law and media bias. The proper response is to reject all forms of
violence, contain one’s anger and pursue legal challenges to Israel’s violations
of international law. Mahatma Gandhi, the anti-colonialist peace activist, did
that when confronting widespread British oppression in India. He turned the
other cheek in the face of British violence and resisted any desire for revenge
attacks. Palestinians need to make a clean break from Hamas and define a new
leadership, even in the face of Israel’s brutal violence
Palestinians need to make a clean break from Hamas and define a new leadership,
even in the face of Israel’s brutal violence. They cannot wait until Israel’s
carnage is concluded, because it will not be concluded any time soon.
They need to commit to an entirely nonviolent response to Israel and the growing
anti-Palestine movement in America. The horrible Gaza genocide naturally fuels
pain, suffering and anger, but these emotions need to be contained in order to
effectively neutralize Israel’s fanaticism and its increasing violence. An
eye-for-an-eye response will not work amid today’s trauma. Palestinians need to
show the strength of their compassion for all human beings — Christians, Muslims
and Jews alike — in every expression and in every action. To do otherwise only
gives Israel a platform to ratchet up its violent oppression.
**Ray Hanania is an award-winning former Chicago City Hall political reporter
and columnist. He can be reached on his personal website at www.Hanania.com. X:
@RayHanania