English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For February 03/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel came, and began to praise God and to speak
about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke
02/36-40/:”There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe
of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years
after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left
the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that
moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who
were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything
required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of
Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour
of God was upon him.”
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on February 02-03/2025
The Fool, Buffoon, and Terrorist Naim Qassem Must Be Arrested and Banned from
Media Appearances/Elias Bejjani / February 02/2025
Five New Tweets by Elias Bejjani Addresses the cowardice Of Nawaf Salam & His
Humiliating submission To Corrupted Berri
After the Crimes and Thefts, It’s Time to Raise Our Voices/Father Tony Bou Assaf/February
02/2025
Reports: Salam reaches agreement with 'Duo', seeks to resolve 'Christian and
Sunni hurdles'
Hamadeh: Government to be Formed Within 48 Hours... Jaber Appointed as Finance
Minister
Hezbollah Announces Funeral for Slain Longtime Leader Nasrallah Set for Feb 23
Naim Kassem: The Lebanese State Must End Israeli Violations of the Ceasefire
Israeli army opens fire, nabs fisherman as southerners march to their towns
Lebanon’s Aita al-Shaab Unlivable after Israeli Withdrawal
Residents of south Lebanon's Aitaroun return home to devastation as Lebanese
army completes operations
Southern Residents Return to Some Villages Despite Israeli Warnings
LBCI's team visits Deir Mimas, documenting damage, strategic significance
Khalil Khalil run over in Faraya: Lebanon’s 'lawlessness' exposed as 19-year-old
killed over traffic dispute
Lebanese State Security arrests two individuals linked to Faraya hit-and-run
case
Lebanon: A Surge in Violent Incidents Amid Growing Insecurity
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai Reiterates Aoun's Inauguration Speech as a Call
for Political Reform
Metropolitan Elias Audi Criticizes Compromise and Temporary Fixes
Israel's Netanyahu focuses on Iran in talks with Trump, seeks to 'curb'
influence in Lebanon and Syria
Saudi Arabia’s view of Lebanon’s political process/HASSAN AL-MUSTAFA/Arab
News/February 02, 2025
Four Years After Lokman Slim’s Murder, Justice Feels Further Away Than Ever/Cian
Ward/This Is Beirut/February 02, 2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on February 02-03/2025
Israel’s Netanyahu Heads to US to Discuss ‘Victory over Hamas’,
Countering Iran with Trump
Four Palestinians Wounded in Israeli Strike on a Car in Gaza, Israel Says It
Fired at ‘Suspicious’ Vehicle
Qatar’s prime minister calls on Hamas, Israel to begin immediate talks on Gaza
ceasefire phase two
Turkiye could accept some Palestinians freed by Israel: FM
Criminal Probe Launched into Israel PM's Wife, Says State Attorney's Office
New Saudi Aid Convoys Arrive in Southern Gaza to Support Hospitals
Jordan’s King Abdullah to Meet with Trump on Feb. 11 in Washington
Mohammed bin Salman, Sharaa Meet in Riyadh, Discuss Support to Syria and its
Stability
New Syria leader faces territorial, governance hurdles
EU Slams Trump Tariffs, Says Will 'Respond Firmly' If Targeted
Trump Says Americans Could Feel ‘Some Pain’ from His New Tariffs That Are
Triggering a Trade War
UK’s Starmer seeks strong trade relations with the US in the wake of Trump’s
tariffs
Türkiye Hopes Trump Will End US Cooperation with Syrian Kurdish YPG
Drone attack targets Iraq’s northern Khor Mor gas field, security sources say
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on February 02-03/2025
Trump Must Designate the Muslim Brotherhood a Foreign Terrorist
Organization, Scale Down US Ties to Qatar/Con Coughlin/ Gatestone
Institute/February 02/2025
Is this Beirut, the Mother of Laws, or here Dahiyeh, the sectarian boom?/
Ambassador Dr. Hisham Hamdan/February 02/2025
How Syria’s continuing food insecurity threatens national and regional
stability/ANAN TELLO/Arab News/February 02/2025
Russian energy looms large in EU’s planning/ANDREW HAMMOND/Arab News/February
02, 2025
Humanitarian sector faces new and growing challenges/MAHA AKEEL/Arab
News/February 02, 2025
Explosive remnants of Syrian civil war pose a daunting challenge/ANAN TELLO/Arab
News/February 02, 2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on February 02-03/2025
The Fool, Buffoon, and Terrorist Naim Qassem Must Be Arrested and
Banned from Media Appearances
Elias Bejjani / February 02/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/139774/
Naim Qassem must be silenced and arrested. He & his terrorist Hezbollah are
criminals, fools, delusional who has brought nothing but devastation to Lebanon
and its people. Meanwhile, the neutered Nasserist Nawaf Salam insists on
rewarding Hezbollah and the corrupt Berri by handing them control over the
government. Curse and disgrace upon Salam and Aoun if they kneel and surrender,
betraying all expectations.
Elias
Bejjani/Text & Video: Nawaf Salam... Submission in the Face of the Iranian
Occupation
Elias Bejjani/February 02/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/139758/
Instead of taking a decisive national stance against the Iranian terrorist and
jihadist gang Hezbollah, which dragged Lebanon into a devastating war against
Israel and plunged the country into destruction and ruin, Nawaf Salam, tasked
with forming the new government, continues to adopt a policy of appeasement and
surrender to this militia. He also kneels before Nabih Berri, the Speaker of
Parliament, who has imposed his rule by force, backed by occupying powers, for
the past 30 years.
So far, Salam has wasted valuable time in cowardly negotiations with Berri and
Hezbollah, allowing them to dictate their conditions. Their primary demand:
control over the Finance Ministry—a key tool for obstructing and sabotaging the
government. The new government is supposed to oversee the implementation of the
ceasefire agreement with Israel and enforce international resolutions that
mandate Hezbollah’s military dismantling, its complete disarmament across all
Lebanese territories, and the removal of its affiliated militias. Additionally,
and more importantly it will be tasked for appointing over 600 senior state
officials, including the Army Commander, the Central Bank Governor, the Director
of the General Security Directorate, and heads of various security agencies.
Yet instead of fulfilling his duty to reclaim the state, Salam—well-known for
his leftist, Arab nationalist background, a remnant of Nasserist-era ideology,
and his deep-rooted hostility toward Israel—is bending over backward to appease
Hezbollah and Berri. His actions prove he is politically impotent, weak-willed,
and incapable of making sovereign decisions. He has allowed Hezbollah and Berri
to humiliate him, with Berri outright dismissing him by declaring: “Don’t ask me
for names for the Finance Ministry—I want Yassine Jaber, and I will accept no
one else, period.”
Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to intimidate President Joseph Aoun and Nawaf
Salam, Hezbollah launched barbaric, mob-like invasions into Beirut, deploying
hundreds of armed militants on motorcycles, waving sectarian banners and
chanting inflammatory slogans. Yet Salam remained a mere spectator, too afraid
to confront this terrorist provocation.
The truth is clear: Hezbollah and Amal Movement have suffered a humiliating
defeat. Their era of unchecked dominance is over. They do not represent the
entire Shiite community, and they have no legitimate right to monopolize Shiite
representation in the government. Moreover, the appointment of Joseph Aoun as
president and Nawaf Salam as designated prime minister was not a Lebanese
decision—it was imposed by the United States, Arab states, and Western powers to
break the corrupt political establishment’s submission to Berri and Hezbollah.
The Defeated Must Not Be Rewarded with a Place in Government! If Nawaf Salam is
incapable of forming a sovereign government free from Hezbollah and Berri’s
grip, then he must resign immediately and disappear from Lebanon’s political
scene. This critical phase in the country’s history requires strong, decisive
leaders—not weak bureaucrats who bow to terrorists and criminals.
As long as Hezbollah maintains its stranglehold on Lebanon’s deep state, the
country will inevitably be dragged back into war. Israel will not hesitate to
finish what it started—to completely annihilate the Iranian terrorist Hezbollah
and eradicate its existence once and for all.
Five New Tweets by Elias Bejjani Addresses the cowardice Of Nawaf Salam & His
Humiliating submission To Corrupted Berri
Nawaf Salam Is
Forming a Government for Berri, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Mullahs
Nawaf Salam’s cowardly surrender to Nabih Berri by conceding the
Ministry of Finance proves that he is powerless, a failure, and utterly detached
from sovereignty and national dignity. His betrayal guarantees the survival of
crime, terrorism, and the Iranian occupation of Lebanon. With such a government,
Hezbollah’s grip remains unchallenged, and Lebanon’s sovereignty is buried under
Iranian boots.
Including Sectarian Mafias in
Government Is a Crime
Lebanon has no real political
parties by democratic standards—only Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, Baathist
remnants, jihadist factions like the Islamic Group, and corrupt family-run
businesses masquerading as political entities. Including these factions in
government is an act of treason, stupidity, and a blatant betrayal of Lebanon’s
future.
Don’t Squander the Prestige
of Lebanon’s New Government
The credibility and strength of the
new government will be determined in the first ten days. If it falters,
Hezbollah and Berri’s corruption will extend Lebanon’s suffering for another six
years. Let Lebanon not remain hostage to Iran’s occupation, lawlessness, and
systemic corruption.
Salam Must Stand Firm or Step
Aside—No Submission to Hezbollah and Berri’s Terrorism
Yassin Jaber is Berri’s loyal
puppet, and placing Lebanon’s finances in his hands cements Iran’s control over
the country. If Nawaf Salam lacks the courage to resist Hezbollah’s and Berri’s
dictates, he must step aside and refuse to legitimize a government that serves
Iran’s interests. A true national government must abide by the oath of office,
not bow to the Axis of Evil. Any government that includes Hezbollah and its
allies is doomed to failure and international isolation.
Lebanon’s Rulers Must Enforce
International Resolutions—Netanyahu Must Finish the Job
As long as Hezbollah continues to
deny its defeat, live in delusion, and send drones into Israel, Netanyahu must
persist in dismantling this terrorist menace. Lebanon’s rulers must uphold
international resolutions, end their cowardice, and cease appeasing Iran’s
murderous proxies. Enough hypocrisy—Lebanon must be liberated from Hezbollah’s
tyranny, and the Iranian cancer must be eradicated once and for all.
After the Crimes and
Thefts, It’s Time to Raise Our Voices
Father Tony Bou Assaf/February 02/2025
(Free Translation from Arabic by Elias Bejjani)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/139779/
How are we raising our children?
Are we teaching them violence?
Are we instilling in them the mindset of "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth"?
Are we raising them to always be on guard, fearing for their survival?
Are we encouraging them to step on others without remorse?
Are we even questioning what our schools are teaching?
Is education reduced to mere competition—who comes first, who gets the highest
grades, who pleases their parents the most?
Are we raising children to evade accountability, shielding them from criticism
out of fear of damaging their fragile egos?
Is our curriculum nothing more than empty memorization?
What about our media and social platforms?
Are they promoting positive values, or are they feeding a culture of vengeance,
mindless chatter, and shallow entertainment?
Are they spreading news that fuels violence, hatred, and rejection of others?
And where is the state?
Where is its vigilance over citizens’ safety on the streets?
Where is its oversight on drug and alcohol addiction, on the gangs preying on
our youth?
Sadly, human life has become cheap. People act on primal instincts, and crime,
substance abuse, and murder have been normalized. The nation has been abandoned,
and its citizens have become victims of destruction on every level.
What we are reaping today is the direct result of what we have sown—individually
and collectively.
Enough is enough! The price we are paying is too high. Our children's lives are
at risk.
It’s time to seek real solutions.
#Theology_of_Existence
Reports: Salam reaches
agreement with 'Duo', seeks to resolve 'Christian and Sunni hurdles'
Naharnet/February 02, 2025
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has reached an agreement with the Shiite
Duo over its representation in the new government, following lengthy and
strenuous negotiations, media reports said on Sunday. "Four portfolios will be
given to the Duo, including finance, which will go to former minister and MP
Yassine Jaber, while the fifth Shiite in the cabinet line-up will be named by
the PM-designate and the president in consultation with the Duo," informed
sources told the Progressive Socialist Party's al-Anbaa news portal. The
Lebanese Forces is meanwhile "not satisfied with the mechanism adopted in
forming the government and the allotment of the LF portfolios," the sources
added, noting that the LF is "demanding a sovereign portfolio, specifically
foreign affairs." "The LF is insisting on its stance and is linking its
participation in the presidential term's first government to the fulfillment of
the aforementioned demand and to endorsing a unity of standards in formation,"
the sources added. There are also hurdles related to the representation of the
Free Patriotic Movement and the Sunni forces, media reports said.
Hamadeh: Government to be
Formed Within 48 Hours... Jaber Appointed as Finance Minister
Al-Markazia/ February 2, 2025
Lebanese MP Marwan Hamadeh predicted on Sunday that the new Lebanese government
will be formed within 48 hours. In an interview with "The Lebanese Scene" on Al-Hurra
channel, Hamadeh confirmed that Yassin Jaber has been officially selected as the
Minister of Finance in the new government. He also dismissed claims that
international aid or support to Lebanon would be withheld if Jaber were to
assume the finance portfolio, calling such assertions baseless.Hamadeh further
revealed the selection of Najy Abou Assi as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Judge
Ahmad Al-Hajjar as Minister of Interior, and Tamara Al-Zein as Minister of
Environment. Additionally, he announced two ministers representing the
Democratic Gathering bloc: Fayez Rasamni for Public Works and Nizar Hani,
Director of the Shouf Cedar Reserve, for Agriculture. He also emphasized that
there will be no obstructing one-third veto power in the upcoming Lebanese
government. As a result, the fifth Shiite minister will be jointly appointed by
the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
Hezbollah Announces Funeral
for Slain Longtime Leader Nasrallah Set for Feb 23
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
The Lebanese Hezbollah group Sunday announced the funeral of its longtime leader
will take place on Feb. 23, months after he was assassinated in a series of
Israeli airstrikes in a southern Beirut suburb. Secretary-General Sheikh Naim
Qassem made the announcement regarding his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah in a
pre-recorded speech. It came days after a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that
ended the war between the Iran-backed group and Israel was extended until Feb
18. Nasrallah was killed on Sept. 27 after a series of Israeli airstrikes struck
several buildings in a southern Beirut suburb. A top security aide said
Nasrallah was inside the group's war operations room when the strikes took
place. Israeli troops are still present in parts of southern Lebanon, where
under the ceasefire agreement they are supposed to gradually withdraw while
Hezbollah fighters withdraw north of the Litani River as Lebanese army soldiers
disperse. Residents of those villages, many waving Hezbollah flags, have been
protesting in those villages and have scuffled with Israeli troops, which Qassem
praised. “The South says that there is no possibility for Israel to remain in
it, there is no possibility for Israel to remain an occupier, and let everyone
know that the sacrifices, no matter how great, will ultimately lead to the
liberation of the land and the exit of Israel,” said Qassem. Earlier on Sunday,
Israeli forces opened fire to disperse protesters in the southern villages of
Yaroun and Kfar Kila. The Lebanese Health Ministry did not announce any
casualties.
Last week, 24 protesters were killed after Israeli troops opened fire on them,
according to the health ministry. Despite its military capabilities largely
destroyed in the war, Israel says it needs to remain in the country longer to
take out Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including its tunnel network. The
funeral procession will also be for Hashem Safieddine another slain senior
Hezbollah official who was seen as Nasrallah’s successor. Nasrallah led
Hezbollah since 1992, and is seen as a transformative leader to the group, which
grew from a local armed group into a regional paramilitary force with an
influential political presence in Lebanese government.
Naim Kassem: The Lebanese State Must End Israeli Violations
of the Ceasefire
This is Beirut/February 02, 2025
In a recorded speech, Sheikh Naim Kassem, the Deputy Secretary-General of
Hezbollah, addressed several issues, including the security situation in
southern Lebanon, Israeli violations of the ceasefire and the details of the
funerals of Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine.
On the security front, Kassem emphasized that "the Lebanese state is responsible
for taking measures to put an end to Israeli violations of the ceasefire."
According to him, Hezbollah has chosen to show “patience” in response to these
violations, allowing the Lebanese state to fully assume its role in maintaining
stability. However, he stressed that "following the extension of the agreement,
it is the responsibility of the Lebanese state to closely monitor the situation
and apply firm pressure on the sponsoring countries to end the Israeli
violations."
January 26 Clashes in the South
Kassem also praised the "resilience" of the people of the South, particularly
during the January 26 clashes, where villagers faced Israeli tanks despite
ongoing bombings and gunfire. He described these events as a "popular
liberation," stressing that "the people, with their resistance and their Army,
are the ones who liberated Lebanon." He added that, while acknowledging the
sacrifices and human losses, Hezbollah does not speak of an "absolute victory."
Funerals of Nasrallah and Safieddine
Kassem then announced that the funerals of Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem
Safieddine would take place on February 23. He specified that "Nasrallah will be
buried between the two airport roads in the southern suburb of Beirut, and
Safieddine in his hometown in the South." He added that these funerals would be
"solemn and popular," expressing a desire to "maintain respect and dignity" by
urging people not to "fire guns in the air, neither during the funerals nor on
any other occasion."
Reactions to Motorcycle Processions in Beirut
Finally, Kassem responded to the recent motorcycle processions that paraded
through several neighborhoods of Beirut last Sunday, denying Hezbollah's
involvement in these events. He urged security forces to intervene and take the
necessary measures to prevent such demonstrations.
Israeli Threats
This speech came just hours after threatening statements from Israeli Defense
Minister Israel Katz, who warned Hezbollah regarding the situation in Lebanon.
Katz cautioned Naim Kassem, stating, "I warn Nasrallah’s successor not to
underestimate Israel’s determination, or he will pay the price, just like his
predecessors." He added, "If drone attacks from Lebanon continue, Hezbollah will
cease to exist." Katz reiterated Israel’s position, asserting that the Jewish
state would not allow "a return to the situation of October 7" and would respond
to any threats with "full force."
Israeli army opens fire, nabs fisherman as southerners
march to their towns
Naharnet/February 02, 2025
Residents of southern border villages have organized so-called return marches
for the second consecutive Sunday, flocking since early morning to the western
entrance of Mays al-Jabal and Houla and demanding to enter them accompanied by
the Lebanese Army. No casualties were reported although the Israeli army opened
fire at returnees in Yaroun as a drone dropped a stun grenade. Israeli attacks
against returning residents and supporters had killed 24 people and wounded 134
others last Sunday. Residents of Kfar Kila also flocked to the passage
separating it from Deir Mimas to demand its liberation and entry into it,
despite the fact that the Israeli army carried out a large detonation in the
town of more than 10 houses. Aitaroun was meanwhile liberated as the Israeli
army withdrew from it and the Lebanese Army entered it, followed by residents,
although Israeli forces were still on its outskirts. The marches also reached
Maroun al-Ras defying the Israeli army and participants raised flags on trees,
which prompted the Israeli army to shoot in the air. A number of Adaisseh
residents meanwhile gathered at the entrance of the town despite gunfire from
the Israeli forces. A Lebanese fisherman from the Jahir family was meanwhile
arrested by an Israeli enemy boat at the Ras al-Naqoura point, where he and his
brother were fishing. His brother was eventually freed.
Lebanon’s Aita al-Shaab
Unlivable after Israeli Withdrawal
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
Asharq Al-Awsat assessed the massive destruction caused by Israel in the
southern Lebanese border town of Aita al-Shaab in wake of the war with
Hezbollah. Even after a ceasefire took effect in November, Israel continued to
shell the town and systematically destroy its buildings. Israeli forces withdrew
from the town last week, leaving devastation and rubble in their wake. The
Lebanese army and United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have since
deployed there. Returning residents and visiting reporters were able to witness
firsthand the destruction of Aita al-Shaab where over 90 percent of homes have
been destroyed. Remaining buildings and structures were heavily damaged. The
town is completely unrecognizable and unlivable after 14 months of war. Entire
residential blocks have been reduced to rubble, while electricity and water
infrastructure have been destroyed. Aita al-Shaab lies in the central sector,
southwest of Bint Jbeil city. On the other side of the border lie the large
Israeli settlements of Shtula, al-Raheb, Netua and Tal Shaar. Aita al-Shaab had
witnessed constant Israeli attacks since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah opened
its “support front” with Hamas in Gaza. Aita al-Shaab was also where Hezbollah
had abducted two Israeli soldiers in 2006, sparking a 33-day war with Israel.
Residents have acknowledged that the town is now unlivable. They inspected what
remains of their homes after the Israeli withdrawal and decided to head back to
their temporary residences where they were staying during the latest war. They
vowed to return to Aita al-Shaab when the conditions are right so that they can
rebuild. The town is home to some 14,000 people, the majority of whom lived
there all year long before the eruption of the war. They mostly work in
agriculture, such as growing tobacco and olives. Israel did not spare the crops,
destroying the majority of the fields. Israeli forces continue to be deployed in
nine Lebanese towns. The Lebanese army is readying to enter the town of Aitaroun
after Israel withdraws.The Aitaroun municipality urged residents against heading
home before the deployment of the army.
Residents of south Lebanon's Aitaroun return home to
devastation as Lebanese army completes operations
LBCI/February 02/2025
A woman stands just meters from her home in Aitaroun, gazing at it as she waits
for the moment she can return permanently. Residents of Aitaroun looked at their
town’s neighborhoods and homes from behind a barrier, waiting for the Lebanese
army to complete its operations in the area. By midday, relief came as Aitaroun
was reopened, allowing residents to enter after the Lebanese army. Amid the
town’s ruins, residents spread out, inspecting what remained of their homes.
They sat in front of them, struggling to believe what they were seeing. One
woman held a pine cone—the last remnant of her once-thriving trees. While
Aitaroun was reopened, residents of Yaroun continued their struggle to reclaim
the remaining half of their town. Meanwhile, an Israeli drone dropped stun
grenades near a gathering. Some exploded, while others landed between the army
and the crowd. Yaroun's residents also set up tents at the town’s entrance,
vowing to stay until they achieve full return and liberation. In Houla, where
large parts remain under occupation, residents gathered in the olive fields and
along the roads, standing behind the army and counting the days until they could
return. Despite a smaller crowd, the scene mirrored that of Maroun El Ras, where
just meters and a warning sign separate the Lebanese army and residents from
Israeli forces and their snipers—much like in the occupied areas of Meiss El
Jabal.
Southern Residents Return to Some Villages Despite Israeli Warnings
This is Beirut/February 02, 2025
On Sunday evening, a powerful explosion rocked the southern outskirts of Mays
el-Jabal around 6:30 p.m., following an Israeli airstrike. A few minutes later,
gunfire was heard in Blida, coinciding with a speech by Hezbollah's
Secretary-General, Naim Qassem. On the ground, Civil Defense teams recovered the
bodies of eight victims, including human remains, in the towns of Khiam and Deir
Saryan.
Earlier in the afternoon, after the Israeli forces withdrew, residents of
Aitaroun were able to return to their village. The Lebanese army launched a
cleanup operation, clearing away the remnants of the conflict. At noon, the
Lebanese army also opened the first fence at the Deir Mimas border to allow
residents to enter Kfar Kila. Large numbers of residents also crossed the Wadi
Al-Hujair. Earlier, earthen barriers at the entrance of Aitaroun toward Bint
Jbeil were also removed. In the morning, the people of southern Lebanon gathered
at the entrance of Kfar Kila as they prepared to enter their villages.
Meanwhile, Israeli army forces opened fire on residents returning to the town of
Yaroun, Odaisseh and Hula, where an Israeli Merkava tank was stationed behind
the earthen barrier at the entrance of the western neighborhood, in an attempt
to prevent them from going back. The Israeli army also continued to carry out
explosions in Rab al-Thalathin. Israeli soldiers kidnapped two fishermen, M.J.
and A.J., in the Ras el-Abiad area off the town of Naqoura. The latter was
released, while the former remains in custody. In this context, Israeli army
spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an “urgent” announcement on Sunday morning,
addressing the people of Lebanon, particularly those in the south, warning that
anyone moving southward would be putting themselves in danger. In a post on X,
he stated that the Israeli army “does not intend to harm you. For your safety,
you are prohibited from returning to your homes in the concerned areas until
further notice. The implementation period of the agreement has been extended,
and the army remains deployed in the field, making movement southward
forbidden.” Later, Adraee issued a second warning, stating, “As you know, the
Israeli army has recently repositioned itself in various locations in southern
Lebanon in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. This move aims to enable the
gradual deployment of the Lebanese army and the dismantling and removal of
Hezbollah's personnel and infrastructure from southern Lebanon. I remind you
that the agreement period has been extended, and Israeli forces remain deployed
on the ground. The deployment process is occurring gradually, and in some
sectors, it is delayed and requires more time to ensure Hezbollah cannot
reestablish its presence on the ground.” He added, “In the near future, we will
continue this approach and will inform you about the areas where you can return.
Until then, we ask you to wait and not allow Hezbollah to exploit you in an
attempt to cover up the devastating consequences of its irresponsible decisions
at the expense of Lebanon’s security. Until further notice, all previously
issued instructions remain in effect.”
LBCI's team visits Deir Mimas, documenting damage, strategic
significance
LBCI/February 02/2025
Approximately one kilometer away, residents of Kfarkela walked toward the
Lebanese army's last position in Deir Mimas, which leads to their village.
There, they stopped, with an earthen barrier and snipers positioned between them
and Israeli forces, preventing their passage into Kfarkela.
However, the residents aimed to make the move peacefully, not crossing the
Lebanese army's line. As resident Abou Shadi says, "We have had enough
martyrs."At the Deir Mimas intersection, the scene had changed from the previous
week. Residents of Kfarkela raised Lebanese flags and images of the president on
tents they had set up a few days earlier, asserting that their movement was not
political but a symbolic individual action and that they were under the
protection of the state. LBCI's team entered the center of Deir Mimas, which was
occupied by Israeli forces during the war, specifically the Saint Mama
Monastery, which the Israeli occupation had used because it is located on the
banks of the Litani River, a strategic area for Hezbollah. Cars not belonging to
the residents of Deir Mimas remained parked near the monastery, while nearby
homes showed visible damage from relentless Israeli shelling. The olive trees
cut down stand as evidence of one of the most intense raids witnessed by the
people of Deir Mimas in an open area. On Sunday, Israeli forces retreated but
remained stationed on the village's edges and at the Aaziyyeh hill, which
connects it to Kfarkela. Those who stayed during the war were trapped in their
homes, but today, many have returned, taking advantage of the ceasefire to pray
in the village's churches, as between Deir Mimas and Kfarkela, there is
neighborly solidarity, a shared fate, and a collective will for freedom.
Khalil Khalil run over in Faraya: Lebanon’s 'lawlessness'
exposed as 19-year-old killed over traffic dispute
LBCI/February 02/2025
A shocking murder in Lebanon has reignited concerns over lawlessness and
impunity, as 19-year-old Khalil Khalil was deliberately run over by 25-year-old
Jonathan Chamoun following what appears to have been a traffic dispute.
According to preliminary information and surveillance footage, Khalil had just
entered his home in Faraya when Chamoun, driving an SUV in the wrong direction,
followed him into the parking area. His friend was in the passenger seat, and
another car carrying a group of young men followed closely behind. Chamoun
reportedly ran over Khalil three times before fleeing the scene. The murder,
which unfolded within two minutes, has sparked outrage. The Lebanese army
intelligence later arrested Chamoun and R.S. and is continuing its search for
all those involved. Meanwhile, the Lebanese State Security arrested T.S.,
putting an end to any attempts at a cover-up. Amid growing outrage over Khalil
Khalil’s killing, demands for an independent investigation are escalating, with
calls for justice and an end to impunity.
Lebanese State Security arrests two individuals linked to
Faraya hit-and-run case
LBCI/February 02/2025
Lebanese State Security forces in Mount Lebanon have successfully apprehended
two individuals connected to a recent hit-and-run incident in Faraya. The first
arrest was of T.S., who was reportedly with J.C., the suspect responsible for
running over K.K. in Faraya. In a separate operation, State Security forces
tracked down and arrested J.H., the mother of the accused, who had been hiding
at a relative’s home in Keserwan.
Lebanon: A Surge in Violent Incidents Amid Growing
Insecurity
This is Beirut/February 02, 2025
Over the past weekend, Lebanon has witnessed a worrying increase in violent
incidents, adding to a pattern of escalating security issues in recent weeks.
From attempted murders to killings over trivial disputes and a wave of
robberies, these incidents are stoking an atmosphere of fear and tension across
the country.
Attempted Murder of Priest Elie Joseph Bachaalani. On Sunday morning, gunshots
were fired at the vehicle of Father Elie Joseph Bachaalani as he was returning
to his home in Mreijat, Beqaa, from Beirut. In his statement to the Chtaura
police, the priest reported that a black Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows and
an unknown license plate had been following him all the way to his home. After
arriving at around 6:20 AM, the vehicle fled, but an hour later, it returned. A
man got out and opened fire on the priest’s car, hitting both the vehicle and a
nearby building. Later that evening, Jihad al-Qattan, a Syrian national, was
arrested by the Interior Security Forces' Intelligence Directorate. He is
accused of firing an automatic weapon at the priest’s home. Both the car and the
weapon were seized, and an investigation was launched under the supervision of
the Beqaa Public Prosecutor.
Murder in Faraya Over a Road Rage Dispute
On the same morning, the town of Faraya was rocked by a tragic incident in which
18-year-old Khalil Khalil lost his life following a dispute over right-of-way on
the road. Reports indicate that after a confrontation over driving, Jonathan
Chamoun pursued Khalil to the hotel where his family was staying in Faraya. When
Khalil’s sister noticed a suspicious vehicle outside, she was horrified to find
her brother’s body lying on the ground. Chamoun reportedly told her, "That'll
teach him not to cut me off."Outraged by the crime, local residents blocked the
Faraya road by setting tires on fire, demanding the extradition of the
murderers. The Lebanese Army and security forces quickly intervened and secured
the area. On Sunday evening, the Lebanese Army announced the arrest of two
individuals, identified as (J. Ch.) and (R. S.), in Aiyat, Akkar. They are
accused, along with others, of being involved in the fatal assault on Khalil
Khalil in Faraya on the night of February 1-2. The investigation is ongoing, and
further suspects are being interrogated under the supervision of the relevant
prosecutor.
Assassination of Archimandrite Anania Kojanian
These incidents come on the heels of the assassination of Archimandrite Anania
Kojanian, the Episcopal Vicar of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon.
Kojanian, 40, was found dead in his home in Bsalim, Metn, and it is believed to
have been a targeted killing.
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai Reiterates Aoun's
Inauguration Speech as a Call for Political Reform
This is Beirut/February 02/2025
In his Sunday sermon in Bkerke, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai urged Lebanon’s
leaders to break free from personal interests and political deadlock, referring
to the formation of the government. He called for a return to the principles
outlined in the Constitution and National Pact (Taif Agreement). He stressed
that Lebanon’s governance crisis stems from a failure to uphold these national
agreements, warning that continued violations have led to chaos and dysfunction.
Rai directed his criticism at those obstructing government formation, accusing
them of prioritizing “hateful quotas that have nothing to do with the charter
and the constitution, but are the opposite of them.” He urged them to return to
the commitments made in president Joseph Aoun's inauguration speech, which he
described as central to addressing Lebanon’s governance crisis, “This is a
crisis of governance and rulers and the non-application or misapplication,
interpretation and formulation of regulations. We are in a crisis of governance
that is supposed to change political performance in our vision for maintaining
our security and borders, in our economic policies, in our planning to take care
of our social affairs, in the concept of democracy, in majority rule and
minority rights, in Lebanon’s image abroad and our relations with the diaspora,
in the philosophy of accountability and oversight, in the centralization of the
state and unbalanced development, in fighting unemployment and in combating
poverty.”
Rai emphasized that personal and factional interests disrupt Lebanon’s unique
political system, which is rooted in coexistence and structured by the
Constitution, the National Pact and the Taif Agreement of 1989. “Because this
document was not fully implemented at the time, political life began to falter
and regress, and it continues to do so to this day,” he said, lamenting the
ongoing disregard for constitutional principles.
Metropolitan Elias Audi Criticizes Compromise and Temporary
Fixes
This is Beirut/February 02/2025
In his Sunday sermon at St. George Cathedral, Metropolitan Elias Audi, Greek
Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut, called for national unity and strong governance,
urging Lebanon’s leaders to put the country’s interests above personal
ambitions. He lamented the divisions caused by political rivalries and warned
that the state cannot be rebuilt through compromises and temporary fixes. He
questioned whether it was too much for Lebanese citizens to dream of a unified
homeland, governed by a strong and just authority that upholds the rule of law.
“Is it not time for us to have a homeland that unites us and is not torn apart
by the differences of leaders and self-appointed leaders, their whims and
interests, and their lust for power or domination?”In a direct challenge to
Lebanon’s political class, Audi emphasized that only true statesmen – those who
act impartially and prioritize the country over personal gain – can lead Lebanon
out of its current crisis. He dismissed half-measures and political bargaining
as ineffective, stating, “Compromises and tinkering do not build a state. Only
statesmen work impartially, make difficult decisions that put the interest of
the country above all interests, strive to change the mentality and approach
that led the country to collapse and disintegration, and do not succumb to any
pressure, blackmail or threats.”Audi stressed that Lebanon’s salvation lies in
genuine reform and transparency, rather than clinging to traditions that
contradict the Constitution. “Only through determination, courage, reform and
transparency, not by clinging to norms that are alien to the spirit and letter
of the constitution, will the state regain its role, the trust of its citizens
and the respect of the outside world,” he declared, adding that only then would
Lebanon be able to rise from the destruction caused by conflict and
mismanagement. As Lebanon continues to grapple with political and economic
turmoil, Audi urged leaders to listen to their conscience and prioritize the
suffering of the people, especially those displaced by war and hardship. With
Lebanon in dire need of action, he warned that time is running out, “Time is
precious, and Lebanon needs a lot of hard work and effort. Our hope is that it
will not be long.”
Israel's Netanyahu focuses on Iran in talks with Trump,
seeks to 'curb' influence in Lebanon and Syria
LBCI/February 02/2025
In a message before his flight to Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu threatened to continue confronting Iran and its proxies wherever they
are to prevent the imminent threat to Israel. He said the Iranian axis is one of
the central issues in his meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, where they
will discuss ways to prevent Iran's influence in Lebanon and Syria.Netanyahu's
focus on Iran and its allies at the top of his agenda for meetings in Washington
is no coincidence. He believes convincing the U.S. president of the importance
of addressing the Iranian axis serves the interests of everyone, including Saudi
Arabia. Raising this issue will also give Netanyahu some time to delay resolving
the Gaza and Palestinian issues amid internal Israeli disputes over a
hostage-prisoner exchange deal that threatens the fate of his government.
Security and military officials believe Netanyahu is seeking achievements in
Washington but doubt the success of his efforts, given Trump's insistence on
ending the war in Gaza and addressing other ongoing conflicts. Security experts
have recommended that Netanyahu change his strategy to ensure the implementation
of the second phase of the hostage-prisoner exchange deal and to preserve the
military's achievements. While all eyes are on Washington and the expected
outcomes of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting, concerns have been raised about
potential instability in Israel and the region following the unveiling of a new
plan for Syria, which aims to strengthen the Israeli military presence there.
There is also anticipation regarding what Israel may achieve in its security
demands along its border with Lebanon, particularly in efforts to undermine
Hezbollah's capabilities. Until the fate of the Israeli military's withdrawal
from Lebanon on February 18 becomes clear, which will ensure its continued
presence at advanced positions in the north to protect towns, the Israeli army
is intensifying its intelligence activities in southern Lebanon to uncover what
it claims are attempts to reposition Hezbollah in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s view of Lebanon’s political process
HASSAN AL-MUSTAFA/Arab News/February 02, 2025
When the then-commander of the Lebanese army, Joseph Aoun, visited Saudi Arabia
last December and was received by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, it
was no ordinary visit. It was an indication that Riyadh had actively resumed a
positive role regarding Lebanon’s security and stability — especially given the
devastating Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon. With its political and economic
capabilities, Saudi Arabia engaged in diplomatic efforts to stop the war and
support the affected Arab countries.
Later, in the lead-up to Aoun’s election as president of Lebanon in January, the
Saudi presence on the Lebanese political scene was significant. The name of
Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan, adviser to the Saudi foreign
minister on Lebanese affairs, emerged. Meanwhile, all eyes were on Saudi
Ambassador to Beirut Walid Bukhari during his attendance at the parliamentary
session where Aoun was elected president. Riyadh understands that there is a
political vacuum in Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic, particularly as the
so-called Axis of Resistance has seen its influence wane following the collapse
of Bashar Assad’s regime and the heavy losses suffered by Hamas in Gaza and
Hezbollah in Lebanon. If no strong and active force works to organize and fill
this vacuum with effective political engagement, it will negatively impact
Middle Eastern security and stability. This could lead to chaos, the spread of
armed militias and Israel’s continued killings, occupation and territorial
expansion in the surrounding countries, through de facto policies. Against this
backdrop, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited the Lebanese
capital on Jan. 23. He met with President Aoun, parliament speaker Nabih Berri,
caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam.
By meeting with all key figures in the Lebanese state, Prince Faisal signaled
that Saudi Arabia maintains an equal distance from all components and supports
national partnership based on the Lebanese constitution and the Taif Agreement.
In a brief statement, Prince Faisal deliberately conveyed positive but measured
messages. He emphasized the Saudi leadership’s commitment to restoring Lebanon
as a beacon in the region and a model of coexistence and prosperity. He praised
President Aoun’s leadership and his inaugural speech, which set the right
course. He stressed that “the Kingdom will stand by Lebanon and follow its new
path step by step, working with its partners in this direction.”
If leveraged correctly, this support from Riyadh could serve as a prelude to
broader Arab backing.
The Saudi foreign minister revealed that “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is
open to proposals that will lead Lebanon toward a prosperous future,” adding
that the Saudi leadership looks forward to an upcoming meeting with President
Aoun to lay the foundations for bilateral cooperation. He stated: “Despite the
shared challenges facing us in the region, the Kingdom is optimistic about
Lebanon’s future in light of the reformist approach outlined in the president’s
inaugural speech. Implementing these reforms will strengthen Lebanon’s
credibility with its partners and pave the way for restoring its rightful place
in the Arab and international spheres.”The key themes in Prince Faisal’s remarks
were “reforms” and the “inaugural speech.” Saudi Arabia is keen on seeing real
change in Lebanon — politically, economically and in terms of security — through
serious, actionable programs that revitalize the economy, develop state
institutions and prevent security turmoil or political confrontations, both
internally and with Arab nations. After a 15-year absence, the Saudi visit
presents an opportunity for Lebanon to capitalize on. If leveraged correctly,
this support from Riyadh could serve as a prelude to broader Arab backing.
Therefore, the policies of the soon-to-be-formed government and the cooperation
of Lebanese parties and leaders with it will determine the extent of the Arab
support for Beirut. Several pressing issues need addressing, such as solidifying
the ceasefire agreement and halting Israeli violations, ensuring the return of
displaced persons, and reconstruction. While these are priorities, they depend
on how Lebanese politicians address the country’s internal problems to establish
genuine stability that fosters economic growth — free from financial corruption
and sectarian quotas.
Lebanese internal dialogue, a clear roadmap for nationwide army deployment,
exclusive state control over weapons, stopping drug trafficking, and preventing
Lebanon from becoming a hub for groups and rhetoric inciting violence against
Gulf states are all crucial matters. Additionally, Hezbollah’s future
positioning — whether it remains aligned with regional axes as before or
integrates into Lebanon’s domestic political process, while ceasing external
support and training — remains a key issue. Addressing these security and
political files will help build trust and send a clear message that real change
is happening, warranting support from Riyadh and other influential regional
capitals.
*Hassan Al-Mustafa is a Saudi writer and researcher interested in Islamic
movements, the development of religious discourse and the relationship between
the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Iran. X: @Halmustafa
Four Years After Lokman
Slim’s Murder, Justice Feels Further Away Than Ever
Cian Ward/This Is Beirut/February 02, 2025
This Sunday, on the fourth anniversary of his assassination, Lokman Slim—a
notable Shiite intellectual and free speech advocate—was commemorated in Beirut
by his family, friends, and colleagues. This came just days after it emerged
that investigative judge Bilal Halawi had decided to "close the file" on the
case until "new elements emerge."An unsurprising development in a country whose
history is paved with blatant political assassinations and the eternally
floundering "investigations" that accompany them—more than a dozen since 2005
alone: Mohamed Chatah, Gibran Tueni, Samir Kassir. All stalled. The
investigation into the port explosion. Stalled. Now, it seems, Lokman Slim will
be the latest to join this grim group.
An Advocate for History
Born in 1962 in Haret Hreik, Slim dedicated his life to challenging Lebanon’s
“willful amnesia” culture—its refusal to fully acknowledge its past and the
perpetual impunity that this denial enables. He was an advocate for history,
believing that a shared understanding of the past was essential to defining the
present and building a common future. In 2000, alongside his sister Rasha Al
Ameer, he founded Dar Al-Jadeed, a publishing house committed to releasing works
free from ideological and partisan censorship—often those that had been
deliberately marginalized. Four years later, he and his wife, Monika Borgmann,
established Umam Documentation and Research, a center dedicated to preserving
Lebanon’s historical records, particularly those relating to the civil war. Slim
saw this work as a means of confronting the country’s past in order to build a
foundation for justice. Known for his secular, anti-sectarian stance, he
launched Haya Bina in 2005, following the end of Syria’s occupation. The civil
society organization sought to encourage electoral participation to reform
Lebanon’s confessional political system. Slim envisioned a modern, secular state
built on a shared Lebanese identity—one that could challenge the country’s
kleptocratic za‘im (Lebanon’s ruling dynasties) and the sectarian parties that
sustain them. Yet, like so many before him who sought to change Lebanon’s
trajectory, he met with opposition, intimidation, and ultimately murder. Slim
was an outspoken critic of Hezbollah, particularly for its support of the Assad
regime during Syria’s war. As a result, he was regularly targeted by Hezbollah
and its supporters, who branded him a "Shiite of the embassies," alleging that
he was a puppet of Washington.
In 2020, a group of Hezbollah supporters surrounded his home in Haret Hreik,
vandalized it, and plastered its walls with posters accusing him of treason.
The Private Murder of a Public Intellectual
On the morning of February 3, 2021, Lokman Slim set off to visit a friend for
lunch in the southern Lebanese village of Niha. As he passed through Khaldeh, a
town on Beirut’s southern outskirts, surveillance footage later obtained by
investigators showed three vehicles—each fitted with false number plates—begin
to follow him. After spending the day with his friend, he left for home that
evening at around 8:30 PM, according to local media outlets. He would never make
it back. Roughly 400 meters from his house, his car was blocked by two vehicles,
forcing him to stop. Slim was seized, placed in a separate car, and driven 36
kilometers to an isolated country road near Addousieh. His body was found the
next morning. A coroner’s report revealed he had been shot five times in the
head. Following the killing, Hezbollah condemned the act in a statement that
read, "We ask the judicial and security authorities concerned to work quickly to
expose the culprits and punish them."We do not know who murdered Lokman Slim.
Only a judicial investigation could provide a definitive answer. Yet, it is
increasingly clear that, once again, the judiciary will fail to do so. However,
some signs point to Hezbollah. Following his assassination, Ali Al-Amine,
another Shiite critic of the group, told The New York Times that, given Slim’s
well-publicized politics, his past confrontations with Hezbollah, and the
location where his body was found, their involvement was likely. But that is all
we will ever get—vague allusions and probabilities of culpability, never mind
real justice and accountability. There exists a monster within Lebanon’s
inability to define the truth. There is no true history upon which to build
accountability or identity, no true understanding of the present upon which to
foster cooperation between distrustful partisans, and no true vision of the
future upon which the country can set its course. Slim dedicated his life to
fighting this monster, but in the end, it consumed him. He is now just another
name on Lebanon’s long list of the murdered-without-murderers—those who die when
five bullets are spontaneously fired into their head or when their car
spontaneously explodes. Lokman Slim gave his life for the truth, and now his
death is defined by its absence.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on February 02-03/2025
Israel’s
Netanyahu Heads to US to Discuss ‘Victory over Hamas’, Countering Iran with
Trump
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he will discuss "victory
over Hamas” and countering Iran in his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Tuesday's meeting at the White House will be Trump's first with a foreign leader
since returning to office. It comes as US and Arab mediators begin the daunting
work of brokering the next phase of an agreement to wind down the war in the
Gaza Strip and release dozens of Hamas-held hostages. Hamas, which has quickly
reasserted its control over Gaza since the ceasefire took hold last month, has
said it will not release the hostages slated to go free in the second phase
without an end to the war and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces. Netanyahu,
who is under mounting pressure from far-right governing partners to resume the
war after the first phase ends in early March, has said Israel is still
committed to victory over Hamas and the return of all the hostages captured in
the militants' Oct. 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. It's unclear where
Trump stands in all this. He has been a staunch supporter of Israel, but has
also pledged to end wars in the Middle East and took credit for helping to
broker the ceasefire agreement. The deal has halted the fighting and led to the
release of 18 hostages who had been held for over 15 months, as well as hundreds
of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
‘Peace through strength’
In a statement released ahead of his departure on Sunday, Netanyahu said they
would discuss “victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages and
dealing with the Iranian terror axis in all its components,” referring to Iran's
alliance of militant groups across the region, including Hamas. He said that by
working together, they could "strengthen security, broaden the circle of peace
and achieve a remarkable era of peace through strength.” The war began when
thousands of Hamas-led fighters stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023,
killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. Over
100 hostages were freed during a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023, eight have
been rescued alive and dozens of bodies have been recovered by Israeli forces.
Israel's air and ground war has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, more than half
of them women and children, according to local health authorities who do not say
how many of the dead were fighters. The war has left large parts of several
cities in ruins and displaced around 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million
people. Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas is to release a
total of 33 hostages, eight of whom Hamas says are dead, in exchange for nearly
2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces have pulled back from most areas and
allowed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to devastated northern
Gaza. Negotiations on the second phase, in which the war would end and the
remaining 60 or so hostages would be returned, are set to begin Monday. If the
United States, Qatar and Egypt are unable to broker an agreement between Israel
and Hamas, the war could resume in early March. Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff,
joined the yearlong ceasefire negotiations in their final weeks last month and
helped push the agreement over the finish line. He met with Netanyahu in Israel
last week and the two were expected to formally begin talks on the second phase
in Washington on Monday.
Four Palestinians Wounded in Israeli Strike on a Car in
Gaza, Israel Says It Fired at ‘Suspicious’ Vehicle
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
At least four Palestinians were wounded in an Israeli strike on Sunday on a
vehicle on the coastal road west of the Nuseirat camp in the central part of the
Gaza Strip, medics told Reuters. Medics first announced that a young boy had
been killed in the strike, but later said they had managed to resuscitate him.
The Israeli military said an Israeli aircraft fired on what the military
described as a suspicious vehicle moving towards northern Gaza outside the
inspection route laid down by the ceasefire agreement. "The IDF (Israeli
military) is prepared for any scenario and will continue to take any necessary
actions to thwart any immediate threat to IDF soldiers," it said, giving no
details on the impact of the strike or any casualties. Several Palestinians have
been reported killed by Israeli fire since a ceasefire agreement between Israel
and Hamas took effect on Jan. 19. Israel said its forces have opened fire in
incidents where "suspicious" figures, sometimes armed, posed a risk to Israeli
forces deployed at some areas of Gaza as stipulated by the phased deal. Hamas
has described these incidents as violations of the truce. During the first phase
of the ceasefire, 33 children, women and older male hostages as well as sick and
injured, were due to be released. Of these, 18 have been freed so far. More than
60 male hostages of military age will remain captive until a second phase is
negotiated. Negotiations are due to start by Tuesday on agreements for the
release of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza
in a second phase of the deal, which is intended to lead to a final end of the
war in Gaza. Later on Sunday, Hamas accused Israel of stalling over the
implementation of the humanitarian part of the deal, saying Israel has yet to
permit the entry of the needed medical, relief, fuel, and reconstruction
supplies as per the agreement.
"We urge the mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to compel the
occupation (Israel) to allow the entry of relief materials according to the
agreement, most urgently needed are tents, fuel, food materials, and heavy
machinery," said the group's spokesperson, Hazem Qassem. There was no immediate
Israeli comment on Hamas' remarks.
Qatar’s prime minister calls on Hamas, Israel to begin
immediate talks on Gaza ceasefire phase two
REUTERS/February 02, 2025
DOHA: Qatar’s prime minister on Sunday called on Israel and Hamas to immediately
begin negotiating phase two of the Gaza ceasefire, adding that there is no clear
plan for when talks will begin. “We demand (Hamas and Israel) to engage
immediately as stipulated in the agreement,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al
Thani said at a press conference held jointly with Turkiye’s foreign minister in
the Qatari capital Doha on Sunday. According to the ceasefire agreement,
negotiations on implementing the second phase of the deal should begin before
the 16th day of phase one of the ceasefire, which is Monday. Israel and Hamas
last month reached a complex three-phase accord that has halted the fighting in
Gaza. Hamas has so far released 18 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing
hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. There are more than 70
hostages still held in Gaza.
The second stage of the accord is expected to include Hamas releasing all
remaining hostages held in Gaza, a permanent end to hostilities and the complete
withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave. “There is nothing yet clear about
where the delegations will come and when it’s going to take place,” Sheikh
Mohammed said. Mediators have engaged with Hamas and Israel over the phone and
Qatar has set an agenda for the next phase of negotiations, he said. “We hope
that we start to see some movement in the next few days. It’s critical that we
get things rolling from now in order to get to an agreement before day 42.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he would begin
negotiations on phase two of the agreement on Monday in Washington, when he is
set to meet US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff. During
his meeting with Witkoff, Netanyahu will discuss Israel’s positions in respect
to the ceasefire, the prime minister’s office said. Witkoff will then speak with
officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have mediated between Israel and Hamas over
the past 15 months with backing from Washington.
Turkiye could accept some Palestinians freed by Israel: FM
AFP/February 02, 2025
DOHA: Turkiye could take in some Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel under the
terms of its ceasefire deal with Hamas, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during
a visit to Qatar on Sunday. “Our president has declared that we are ready to
take in some freed Palestinians... in order to support the agreement,” Fidan
said at a press conference in Doha. “Turkiye, along with other countries, will
do its part in this regard so the ceasefire agreement can remain in force.”The
first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza centers on the release of 33 Israeli
hostages held by Hamas in return for the freeing of around 1,900 prisoners,
mostly Palestinians, being held in Israeli jails. Many of those prisoners,
however, are to be permanently exiled upon their release. Of the 183 prisoners
freed during the latest exchange on Saturday, seven Palestinians and one
Egyptian were deported.
Speaking at the same press conference on Sunday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said he and Fidan had mainly
discussed “developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and Syria”
during their closed-door meeting. Qatar was one of the principal negotiators of
the Gaza truce, alongside Egypt and the United States. The Qatari premier called
on “all parties to respect all the provisions of the agreement and to begin the
second phase,” which is meant to hammer out a more permanent end to the
fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will begin discussing the
second phase of the deal when he meets US President Donald Trump’s Middle East
envoy in Washington on Monday, his office has said. A date for formal talks
involving mediators and delegations from Hamas and Israel has not been set, with
the 42-day first phase due to end next month.
Criminal Probe Launched into Israel PM's Wife, Says State
Attorney's Office
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
Israeli police are conducting a criminal investigation into Sara Netanyahu, the
wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the office of the state
attorney said in a letter made public on Sunday. "A criminal investigation was
opened" into suspected criminal offences, the office said in a letter to an
Israeli opposition lawmaker who had accused Sara Netanyahu of tampering in her
husband's corruption trial after the broadcast in December of a television news
investigation. Naama Lazimi, Knesset member for the Democrats, shared the letter
on X on Sunday confirming the criminal investigation was launched on December
26, adding that her office had contacted the state attorney following the
investigation by Israeli Channel 12's Uvda news program. The show alleged that
Sara Netanyahu had tried to intimidate a key witness in her husband's ongoing
corruption trial. She also organized demonstrations to harass the Attorney
General, his deputy and other individuals deemed hostile to her husband,
according to the program. The state attorney's office added the investigation
was being "conducted by the Israel Police accompanied by the cyber department of
the state attorney's office".
In December, Benjamin Netanyahu testified in the corruption trial in which he
faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust in three separate
cases, calling the charges against him "ridiculous". The trial, which had been
delayed many times since it first began in May 2020, is scheduled to last for
months, with an appeals process that could further prolong matters. Netanyahu,
who filed multiple requests to delay the proceedings based on the wars in Gaza
and Lebanon, has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. In the first case, Netanyahu
and his wife are accused of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods
such as cigars and jewellery and from billionaires in exchange for political
favors. He is the first sitting premier to face criminal trial in the country.
New Saudi Aid Convoys Arrive in Southern Gaza to Support
Hospitals
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
New Saudi convoys, loaded with medical supplies provided by the King Salman
Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), arrived in southern Gaza to
support hospitals and health centers, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.
The assistance is part of a campaign to aid the Palestinian people in the
coastal enclave. The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief's executive
partner in Gaza, received the supplies and has started distributing them in
coordination with relevant authorities. The center aims to ensure that the aid
reaches hospitals and health centers facing acute shortages amid the current
circumstances. The convoys continue a series of Saudi aid shipments to Gaza,
reflecting intense humanitarian efforts to provide relief and support to
affected individuals. The initiative is part of the humanitarian and relief
programs carried out by Saudi Arabia to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian
people during their times of crisis and hardship.
Jordan’s King Abdullah to Meet with Trump on Feb. 11 in
Washington
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
Jordan's King Abdullah II will meet with US President Donald Trump on Feb. 11 at
the White House, the Jordanian state news agency reported on Sunday, following
Trump's call for the transfer of Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt. Last week,
Trump said that Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza, which he
called a "demolition site" following 15 months of Israeli bombardments that have
rendered most of its 2.3 million people homeless. Critics have called his
suggestion tantamount to ethnic cleansing. Jordan appeared to reject Trump's
suggestion, with its Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi telling reporters on Jan. 26
that the country's stance against any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza
remains "firm and unwavering". Jordan is already home to several million
Palestinians, while tens of thousands live in Egypt. Both countries and other
Arab nations reject the idea of Palestinians in Gaza being moved to their
countries. Gaza is land that Palestinians would want as part of a future
Palestinian state.
Mohammed bin Salman, Sharaa Meet in Riyadh, Discuss Support
to Syria and its Stability
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held talks in
Riyadh on Sunday Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the latest
developments in his country and means to support its security and stability.
Sharaa had arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Sunday on his first official visit
abroad since he assumed his post. He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad
al-Shibani. Crown Prince Mohammed and Sharaa discussed bilateral ties between
Riyadh and Damascus and opportunities to bolster them in various fields,
reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). They also tackled regional development
and efforts exerted towards them. “We sensed and heard a real desire to support
Syria and build its future, and a keenness on supporting the will of the Syrian
people and the unity and safety of their territories,” Sharaa was quoted as
saying by Syria’s state news agency SANA. In a written statement, he said he had
discussed humanitarian and economic cooperation with Crown Prince Mohammed, as
well as “extensive future plans in the fields of energy, technology, education
and health to reach real partnership together aimed at maintaining peace and
stability throughout the region and improve the economic situation of the Syrian
people.” He said the political and diplomatic cooperation will continue to
bolster Syria’s role towards Arab and world issues, especially in wake of the
discussions that were held in Riyadh last month. Saudi Arabia has been leading
diplomatic efforts to lift sanctions off Syria as soon as possible to revive its
economy and allow its people to live a dignified life.
New Syria leader faces territorial, governance hurdles
AFP/February 03, 2025
DAMASCUS: The ousting of Bashar Assad ended decades of iron-fisted rule, but
despite power now resting in Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s hands, Syria faces a fragile
transition amid territorial and governance challenges. Military commanders
appointed Sharaa interim president weeks after Islamist-led rebel forces overran
Damascus. His nomination has been welcomed by key regional players Egypt, Qatar,
Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. Syrians are “now fully dependant” on the intentions of
the new authorities over the future of their country, said Damascus-based lawyer
Ezzedine Al-Rayeq. “Will they really take the country toward democracy, human
rights?” he asked. Sharaa led the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham group, which
spearheaded the rebel offensive that toppled Assad on December 8. The group and
other factions have been dissolved, with fighters set to be integrated into a
future national force.
Sharaa has now traded his fatigues for a suit and a tie.
In his first address as president Thursday, he vowed to “form a broad
transitional government, representative of Syria’s diversity” that will “build
the institutions of a new Syria” and work toward “free and transparent
elections.”
Sharaa had already been acting as the country’s leader before Wednesday’s
appointment, which followed a closed-door meeting with faction leaders who
backed the overthrow of Assad. Rayeq said he wished the presidential nomination
had been made “in a more democratic, participatory way.”
Authorities have pledged to hold a national dialogue conference involving all
Syrians, but have yet to set a date. “We thought that the national conference
would see the creation of (new) authorities and allow the election of a
president — perhaps Sharaa, or someone else,” Rayeq said. “But if we are
realistic and pragmatic, (appointing Sharaa) was perhaps the only way forward,”
said Rayeq, who since Assad’s fall has helped found an initiative on human
rights and political participation. Authorities have suspended the constitution
and dissolved parliament, while the army and security services collapsed after
decades of Baath party rule. Ziad Majed, a Syria expert and author on the Assad
family’s rule, said Sharaa’s appointment “could have been negotiated
differently.”“It’s as if the heads” of the different armed groups chose Sharaa,
Majed said, while noting the leader was effectively “already acting as a
transitional president.”
Sharaa said his appointment followed “intense consultations” with legal
advisers, promising a “constitutional declaration” and a “limited legislative
council.”Majed said most armed groups “recognize Sharaa’s leadership,” but noted
unresolved tensions with fighters in the south and northeast.
Armed groups in the southern province of Sweida, including from the Druze
minority, have been cautious about the new authorities, though two groups said
last month they were ready to join a national army. In the north and northeast,
the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces from a semi-autonomous Kurdish
administration have been battling pro-Turkiye fighters. Syria’s new rulers, also
backed by Ankara, have urged the SDF to hand over its weapons, rejecting any
Kurdish self-rule. Majed said he expected “Sharaa and those close to him” to
seek to “consolidate territorial control and control over armed groups,” but
that other priorities would include reviving the war-battered economy. He also
cited sectarian challenges and the need for efforts to avoid “acts of revenge,”
particularly against members of the Alawite community, from which the Assads
hail. Lawyer Rayeq said he supported grouping Syria’s ideologically diverse
armed groups “under a single authority, whatever it is.”If such a move were
successful, “we will have put the civil war behind us,” he said. Assad’s
toppling has finally allowed Syrians to speak without fear, after years of
repression, but concerns remain. Dozens of Syrian writers, artists and academics
have signed a petition urging “the restoration of fundamental public freedoms,
foremost among them the freedoms of assembly, protest, expression and belief.”
The petition also called for the right to form independent political parties and
said the state must not “interfere in people’s customs,” amid fears Islamic law
could be imposed. Spare car parts seller Majd, 35, said the authorities’ recent
announcements were “positive,” but expressed concern about the economy. “Prices
have gone down, but people don’t have money,” he told AFP from a Damascus park
with his family, noting hundreds of thousands of civil servants had been
suspended from work since Assad’s overthrow. Near the capital’s famous Ummayad
square, vendors were selling Syrian flags, some bearing Sharaa’s image. “It’s
too early to judge the new leadership,” Majd said, giving only his first name.
He said he preferred to wait to see the “results on the ground.”
EU Slams Trump Tariffs, Says Will 'Respond Firmly' If
Targeted
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
The European Union on Sunday blasted US President Donald Trump's sweeping
tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, and said the 27-nation bloc would hit back
"firmly" if targeted. Brussels had until now indicated it hoped to avoid a trade
conflict with Trump through negotiation. But on Friday the US leader doubled
down by saying he "absolutely" planned to target the EU in future, as he slapped
levies on his north American neighbors and China. "The European Union regrets
the US decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China," said a
spokesman for the European Commission. "Tariffs create unnecessary economic
disruption and drive inflation. They are hurtful to all sides."The spokesman
said "the EU would respond firmly to any trading partner that unfairly or
arbitrarily imposes tariffs on EU goods". "At this time, we are not aware of any
additional tariffs being imposed on EU products," he added. He said the
27-nation EU remained committed to low tariffs as a way to "drive growth and
economic stability within a strong, rules-based trading system". And he
reiterated the EU's commitment to its trade and investment relationship with the
United States -- "the biggest in the world". "There is a lot at stake," said the
spokesman. "We should both be looking at strengthening this relationship."
Trump Says Americans Could Feel ‘Some Pain’ from His New
Tariffs That Are Triggering a Trade War
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
President Donald Trump said Sunday that Americans could feel “some pain” from
the emerging trade war triggered by his tariffs against Canada, Mexico and
China, and claimed that Canada would “cease to exist” without its trade surplus
with the United States. The trade penalties that Trump signed Saturday at his
Florida resort caused a mix of panic, anger and uncertainty, and threatened to
rupture a decades-old partnership on trade in North America while further
straining relations with China. But by following through on a campaign pledge,
Trump may have simultaneously broken his promise to voters in last year's
election that his administration could quickly reduce inflation.
“WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!),” Trump said in a social
media post. “BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE
PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
His administration has not said how high that price could be or what
improvements would need to be seen in stopping illegal immigration and the
smuggling of fentanyl to merit the removal of the tariffs that Trump imposed
under the legal justification of an economic emergency. The tariffs are set to
launch Tuesday. In his Truth Social post, Trump took particular aim at Canada,
which responded with retaliatory measures. Trump is placing a 25% tariff on
Canadian goods, with a 10% tax on oil, natural gas and electricity. Canada is
imposing 25% tariffs on more than $155 billion on US products. Trump railed
against Canada's trade surplus with the United States: “We don’t need anything
they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more
Lumber than we can ever use.”
Despite Trump’s claim that the USdoes not need Canada, one-quarter of the oil
that the America consumes per day is from its ally to the north. Trump contended
that without that surplus, "Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh
but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower
taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO
TARIFFS!”Canada’s ambassador to Washington has said the US had a $75 billion
trade deficit with Canada last year, but noted that one-third of what Canada
sells into the US is energy exports and that there is a deficit when oil prices
are high. About 60% of US crude oil imports are from Canada.Canadian Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau is encouraging Canadians to buy more Canadian goods, and
says Trump's moves will only cause pain across North America. More than 75% of
Canada's exports go to the US.
“It is going to have real consequences for people, for workers on both sides of
our border," Trudeau said Saturday night. “We don’t want to be here. We didn’t
ask for this but we will not back down in standing up both for Canadians and for
the incredible successful relationship between Canada and the United
States.”Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, also announced new tariffs and
suggested the US should do more within its own borders to address drug
addiction. The Chinese government said it would take steps to defend its
economic interests and intends to file a lawsuit with the World Trade
Organization.
For Trump, the open question is whether inflation could be a political pressure
point that would cause him to back down. As a candidate, Trump repeatedly
hammered Democrats over the inflation under President Joe Biden that resulted
from supply chain issues during the coronavirus pandemic, the Biden
administration’s own spending to spur the recovery and Russia's invasion of
Ukraine. Trump said his previous four years as president had low inflation, so
the public should expect the same if he came back to the White House. But he
also said specifically that higher inflation would stagger the US as a nation, a
position from which he now appears to be retreating with the tariffs. “Inflation
is a disaster,” he said at a Philadelphia campaign rally. “It’s a
country-buster. It’s a total country-buster.”Outside analyses make clear that
Trump's tariffs would hurt the voters that he intended to help, meaning that he
might ultimately need to find a resolution. An analysis by the Budget Lab at
Yale shows, if the tariffs were to continue, an average US household would lose
roughly $1,245 in income this year, in what would be the overall equivalent of a
more than $1.4 trillion tax increase over the next 10 years. Goldman Sachs, in a
Sunday analyst note, stressed that the tariffs go into effect on Tuesday, which
means they're likely to proceed “though a last-minute compromise cannot be
completely ruled out.” The investment bank concluded that because of the
possible economic damage and possible conditions for removal that “we think it
is more likely that the tariffs will be temporary but the outlook is unclear.”
UK’s Starmer seeks strong trade relations with the US in
the wake of Trump’s tariffs
AP/February 03, 2025
The UK left the EU in 2020, following a referendum in 2016. Trump, who supported
the Leave side in the Brexit vote, has not yet said whether he plans to target
the UK with tariffs. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday that he
would seek a strong trade relationship with the US after President Donald Trump
suggested he would slap Europe with tariffs after he hit America’s biggest
trading partners — Canada, Mexico and China — with import taxes. Starmer spoke
to reporters while hosting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at his country estate
on the eve of a mission to improve relations with the European Union. “In the
discussions that I have had with President Trump, that is what we have centered
on, a strong trading relationship,” he said. “So it is very early days.” Canada
and Mexico ordered retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s announcement that
the US on Tuesday will stick a 25 percent levy on imports from Canada and Mexico
and 10 percent on goods from China. Trump said he “absolutely” plans to impose
tariffs on the EU. The UK left the EU in 2020, following a referendum in 2016.
Trump, who supported the Leave side in the Brexit vote, has not yet said whether
he plans to target the UK with tariffs.
The tit-for-tat tariffs have triggered fears of a global trade war. “Tariff
increases really right across the world can have a really damaging impact on
global growth and trade, so I don’t think it’s what anybody wants to see,”
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC.
Starmer is heading to Belgium to meet with EU chiefs Monday, where the UK leader
is aiming for a relationship “reset”.While ruling out rejoining the EU trade
bloc five years after Brexit, Starmer said he wants to forge a closer
relationship on defense, energy and trade. “I think that is certainly in the
UK’s best interest, I do believe it’s in the EU’s best interest, and already I
hope that in the last seven months there’s been a manifest difference in
approach, tone and relationship,” he said.
Starmer hosted Scholz at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence in
Buckinghamshire 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of London, where the two
leaders discussed Ukraine and the Middle East, according to a Starmer
spokesperson. The prime minister spoke of their common approach to “key issues
and challenges,” including their shared commitment to Kyiv as the war with
Russia enters its fourth year this month.The two agreed that Russia’s invasion
had emphasized the need to beef up and coordinate defense production across
Ukraine, according to a readout of the meeting from a Starmer spokesperson. The
UK and Germany signed a defense pact in October, described by officials as the
first of its kind between two NATO member countries, to boost European security
amid rising Russian aggression. The British government’s strategic defense
review later this year will include lessons learned in Ukraine and the need to
outmaneuver Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hostile acts across the
continent, Starmer said. Starmer thanked Scholz for visiting in the middle of a
difficult re-election campaign. Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats are
lagging in the polls behind the center-right Christian Democratic Union and the
far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, with three weeks to go before the
Feb. 23 vote. “When I started as prime minister seven months ago now, I was
determined to strengthen the relationship between our two countries — already
very good, but I thought it could be stronger on a number of fronts,” said
Starmer, leader of the center-left Labour Party. “And thanks to your leadership,
I think we’ve made real progress.”Scholz said the visit that included a walk
around the grounds of the estate and a lunch was a “good sign of the very good
relations between our two countries, and indeed between the two of us.”
Türkiye Hopes Trump Will End US Cooperation with Syrian
Kurdish YPG
Asharq Al Awsat/February 02/2025
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday he hoped President Donald
Trump would end US cooperation with the Syrian Kurdish YPG, as Türkiye continued
its military campaign against the group, killing 23 of its fighters.
The Turkish Defense Ministry said the 23 militants killed by Türkiye’s armed
forces in northern Syria belonged to the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Türkiye regards the PKK and YPG as
identical, while the United States views them as separate groups, having banned
the PKK as terrorists but recruited the YPG as its main ally in Syria in the
campaign against ISIS. "We hope that Mr. Trump will make a decision that will
put an end to this ongoing mistake in the region," Fidan told a press conference
in Doha with his Qatari counterpart. He said the YPG was incapable of fighting
ISIS and only played a role in keeping the group's prisoners in jail, adding
that Türkiye, Iraq, Syria and Jordan had held preliminary talks on fighting
ISIS. Türkiye has long called on Washington to withdraw support for the YPG, and
Turkish forces and their allies in Syria have repeatedly fought with Kurdish
militants there since the toppling of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in
December. Türkiye has said the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF - a US-backed
umbrella group that includes the Kurdish YPG - must disarm or face military
intervention. Under the administration of former US President Joe Biden, the
United States had 2,000 troops in Syria fighting alongside the SDF and YPG.
Drone attack targets Iraq’s northern Khor Mor gas field, security sources say
REUTERS/February 02, 2025
BAGHDAD: A drone attack targeted the Khor Mor gas field in Iraq’s Kurdistan
region on Sunday, two security sources told Reuters. There was no damage to the
field or Dana Gas company and production is normal, the Kurdish Regional
Government’s Ministry of Natural Resources reported.
The Pearl Consortium, United Arab Emirates energy firm Dana Gas (DANA.AD), and
its affiliate, Crescent Petroleum, have the rights to exploit Khor Mor. No group
has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on February 02-03/2025
Trump Must Designate the Muslim Brotherhood a
Foreign Terrorist Organization, Scale Down US Ties to Qatar
Con Coughlin/ Gatestone Institute/February 02/2025
For Trump to make genuine progress in bringing peace and stability to the region
in his second term, though, his administration must first focus on the root
cause of much of the unrest blighting the region.
In response to the Muslim Brotherhood's violent ideology, a number of
pro-Western Arab regimes, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab
Emirates, have designated the organisation as a terrorist entity.
The need for the world's major Western democracies to take firm action against
the Muslim Brotherhood has become even more urgent following the October 7
attacks, with militant groups inspired by the Brotherhood's ideology said to be
responsible for provoking anti-Jewish riots on American university campuses and
staging weekly hate marches in many European capitals, such as London.
[Ed] Husain, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, is among a
number of Middle East experts arguing in favour of the incoming Trump
administration designating the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. He
argues that such a move would "force Europe to reconsider the financial, media
and mosque networks used by Iran and the Brotherhood in their own countries to
project power back into the Middle East."
At the same time Trump should confront the Gulf state of Qatar over its blatant
double standards in supporting terror groups such as Hamas, whose leaders have
drawn heavily on the Muslim Brotherhood's dogma, while at the same time
pretending to be an ally of the West.
[Qatar's state-owned media] described the worst terrorist attack in Israel's
history as a "heroic operation," a "miracle" and a "historic turning point" that
restored the honour of the Muslim nation, while placing the Palestinian cause
back on the world's agenda.
Qatar played a similar role during the Afghan conflict, when its willingness to
provide Taliban negotiators with a base in Doha ultimately resulted in the
Taliban regaining power in Kabul, re-establishing its uncompromising Islamist
rule over the Afghan people.
While the Qataris maintain that their mediation efforts on the Gaza conflict are
aimed at ending the bloodshed, their real motive is to ensure that Hamas, the
group whose terrorist infrastructure they have helped to finance, survives the
conflict, enabling it to maintain its threatening presence on Israel's southern
border. This mission of Qatar's is a goal about which President Trump's envoy,
Steve Witkoff, and even President Trump himself, might not be aware.
Given Qatar's overt sympathy for the Hamas cause, at the very least the Trump
administration should undertake a serious review of its dealings with Doha, and
consider relocating the US military's Al Udeid Air Base from Qatar to a more
friendly location in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates.
If US President Donald Trump is really serious about making a positive impact on
the Middle East, a good place for him to start would be to designate the
Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement as a terrorist organisation and scale down
Washington's ties with the Gulf state of Qatar.
Since he won re-election, there has been much speculation that Trump, architect
of the ground-breaking Abraham Accords, intends to use his second term in office
to negotiate a wide-ranging peace deal aimed at bringing lasting stability to
the Middle East.
Before he had even taken office, Trump was credited with helping to finalise the
Gaza ceasefire deal, after he threatened that "all hell will break out" if Hamas
did not release the remaining Israeli hostages held in captivity.
More recently, he has called on Egypt and Jordan to accommodate displaced
Palestinians in Gaza in order to "clean out" the enclave after significant areas
of the territory have been reduced to rubble following 15 months of intense
fighting between Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists and Israel.
For Trump to make genuine progress in bringing peace and stability to the region
in his second term, though, his administration must first focus on the root
cause of much of the unrest blighting the region.
In this context, the US should target the Muslim Brotherhood, widely regarded as
inspiring a range of Islamist terrorist groups from Hamas to al-Qaeda, and the
Gulf state of Qatar, which has a long history of sponsoring Islamist causes.
Founded in Egypt by the Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna in
1928, the Muslim Brotherhood has been accused of supporting acts of violence to
achieve its political objectives.
According to Sir John Jenkins, a retired British diplomat and respected expert
on the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Banna supported the political utility of violence,
and the Brotherhood conducted attacks, including assassinations and attacks
against Egyptian state targets and both Western and Jewish interests during his
lifetime.
More recently, the Muslim Brotherhood's disastrous spell in power in Egypt
during the Arab Spring is remembered for the mass attacks that were carried out
against the country's Coptic Christian community, as well as the close ties that
Egypt, ruled by President Mohamed Morsi (a Muslim Brotherhood member)
established with Iran. The organisation's violent Islamist ideology has also
played a role in the formation of numerous terrorist groups in the Middle East,
such as the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorist group responsible for carrying out
the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel, in which around 1,200 Israelis were
murdered and another 250 taken hostage.
In response to the Muslim Brotherhood's violent ideology, a number of
pro-Western Arab regimes, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab
Emirates, have designated the organisation as a terrorist entity.
Now, as Trump commences his second term in the White House, he should follow
suit and designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a
move that many believe could help to improve the prospects for peace in the
Middle East.
The need for the major Western democracies to take firm action against the
Muslim Brotherhood has become even more urgent following the October 7 attacks,
with militant groups inspired by the Brotherhood's ideology said to be
responsible for provoking anti-Jewish riots on American university campuses and
staging weekly hate marches in many European capitals, such as London.
Ed Husain, a respected expert on the Muslim Brotherhood's violent ideology,
recently described the organisation as "a destabilising, anti-American,
anti-Israeli poison" that was "polluting the air of the Middle East and the
wider Muslim world".
Husain, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, is among a number
of Middle East experts arguing in favour of the incoming Trump administration
designating the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. He argues that such a
move would "force Europe to reconsider the financial, media and mosque networks
used by Iran and the Brotherhood in their own countries to project power back
into the Middle East."
Trump previously considered designating the organisation as a terrorist entity
during his first term of office following talks with Egyptian President
Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, a fierce critic of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Following his triumphant return to the White House, Trump should revisit the
whole problematic issue of the Muslim Brotherhood, and subject it to the same
classification and sanctions regime that has been imposed against other such
organisations.
At the same time, Trump should confront the Gulf state of Qatar over its blatant
double standards in supporting terror groups such as Hamas, whose leaders have
drawn heavily on the Muslim Brotherhood's dogma, while at the same time
pretending to be an ally of the West.
Qatar, whose funding of Hamas enabled the group to construct the terrorist
infrastructure behind the October 7 attacks, has recently hosted negotiations
aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza.
Qatar played a similar role during the Afghanistan conflict, when its
willingness to provide Taliban negotiators with a base in Doha ultimately
resulted in the Taliban regaining power in Kabul, re-establishing its
uncompromising Islamist rule over the Afghan people.
Apart from actively supporting terror groups such as Hamas and the Taliban,
Qatar is also responsible for creating and funding the Al-Jazeera television
network, which has been accused of acting as the propaganda mouthpiece for
terrorist organisations such as Hamas.
While the Qataris maintain that their mediation efforts on the Gaza conflict are
aimed at ending the bloodshed, their real motive is to ensure that Hamas, the
group whose terrorist infrastructure they have helped to finance, survives the
conflict, enabling it to maintain its threatening presence on Israel's border.
This goal of Qatar's is something about which Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and
even Trump himself, might not be aware.
A telling insight into the Qataris' thinking was provided on the first
anniversary of the October 7 attacks last year, when its state-owned media
published a series of articles glorifying the Hamas atrocity.
The articles described the worst terrorist attack in Israel's history as a
"heroic operation," a "miracle" and a "historic turning point" that restored the
honour of the Muslim nation, while placing the Palestinian cause back on the
world's agenda.
Given Qatar's overt sympathy for the Hamas cause, at the very least the Trump
administration should undertake a serious review of its dealings with Doha, and
consider relocating the US military from Al Udeid Air Base from Qatar to a more
friendly location in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates.
If Trump is really serious about bringing lasting peace to the Middle East
during his second term, he must first neutralise the malign influence of
Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and their financial backers in
Qatar.
*Con Coughlin is the Telegraph's Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor and a
Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
© 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/21369/trump-muslim-brotherhood-terrorists
Is this Beirut, the Mother of Laws, or here Dahiyeh, the
sectarian boom?
By Ambassador Dr. Hisham Hamdan/February 02/2025
A video titled "Here the Dahiyeh" has gone viral on social media, in which
dozens of Hezbollah motorcycles and the Amal movement are seen roaming the
streets of Dahiyeh. This spectacle reached even other areas outside of Dahiyeh
with a provocative political appearance. In addition, it was part of a symbolic
display of power in the context of the return of the displaced south, following
the expiration of the two-month deadline agreed on the ceasefire.
No one stopped criticizing this spectacle, as it was actually a provocative
political act intended to restore the lost authority of the alliance of both
parties on the domestic stage, and not simply a democratic expression of opinion
on a public matter. Israel responded by warning the population of the danger of
being dragged into this chaotic display. Soon, Israel hit the partisan alliance
with reality, welcoming the displaced with gunfire, resulting in dead and
wounded. Once again, our people, blinded by sectarian frenzy, paid the price for
the ideological anarchy of Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon and the Amal movement.
We stand with our people in the south. We sincerely want you to return to your
homes today before tomorrow. But we know that reality is not a matter of wishes,
rambunctious speeches or courteous phrases here and there, but a precise
calculation that needs statesmen and opinion leaders who speak frankly and
without ambiguity. We have been bothered and saddened by the position of the
authorities, who remain stagnant in the past. It was necessary for them to take
control of the situation, not only to reaffirm their sovereignty over the
international agencies that watch closely, but also to protect the national
unity and the citizen of the South itself, who is the victim of sectarian chaos
and authoritarian domination of the leaders of the Hezbollah and Amal.
The Speaker of Parliament's current measures and positions do not contribute to
transforming the ideological fervor of the Hezbollah base, which follows the
principles of "Wilayat al-Faqih" and "religious mandate," into a national
political movement. All they managed was to turn their ideological enthusiasm
into a sectarian frenzy, which in turn was reflected in the basis of the Amal
movement, which calls itself "the movement of the dispossessed". This was
evident in the provocative display at the Dahiyeh, with the chants of "Chiitas,
chiitas! ". Previously, it was said "Here Beirut, the mother of laws," but after
these demonstrations, it will be said "Here the Dahiyeh, the cradle of sectarian
frenzy."
President Nabih Berri knows there is no going back to the past, but he still
seeks to lay a foundation for the future based on sectarian power sharing. The
spectacle was a tool to strengthen his sectarian dominance, as well as other
leaders of the country, who maintain the principle of denominational division in
governance. However, the transformation of this demonstration into a provocative
act against the Christian community, especially within the surroundings of the
Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb, brought the country to the brink of civil war.
This raised concern among regional and international actors. Berri stepped back
and the Amal movement quickly warned its members against participating in such
demonstrations.
This provocative movement of the alliance of both parties demands a clear and
firm position on the part of those who desire change, reform and implementation
of the Constitution. There is a real conflict between those who want to build a
country for the future and the traditionalists who want to perpetuate the rules
of the past. Numerous writers and thinkers have expressed that there is no room
for intermediate solutions: a civil state cannot be built according to the
Constitution if the sectarian distribution structure is maintained. Building the
Lebanon of tomorrow is not a walk, but a struggle through a minefield. But
President Jose Aoun and the Prime Minister must understand that all these
obstacles are mere air bubbles against the reality of the power they have,
either because of their great popular support or because of the firm regional
and international support towards reform.
On the other hand, this exhibition shows the Hezbollah-Amal alliance’s deep
contempt for the principle of accountability within the Lebanese system. We are
used to politicians not being held accountable for their actions. In Lebanon,
there is no punishment for those who make mistakes. Lack of accountability not
only applies to politicians financial corruption, but also to their political
corruption. This contradicts a fundamental principle of democracy. However, the
lack of accountability in Lebanon is not due to a failure in the democratic
constitutional system, but to the sectarian factor’s dominance over any attempt
to do justice.
Berri talks about the need to rebuild what Israel destroyed. This is a political
issue, not just a developmental issue. While development in the South, the
Dahiyeh and the Bekaa Valley should be addressed from an equitable national
project perspective, without being subject to war considerations, it is
essential that those who carried out what they called "support war" without
national consensus assume the responsibility for your actions. We will not
accept to mortgage the Lebanese economy and political will by borrowing to
rebuild what was destroyed by adventurous political decisions in the name of
"resistance". It is critical to hold those who led that war accountable. They
are the ones who must compensate the people and the country.
We reiterate our demand that Iran be brought to the International Court of
Justice and obliged to pay compensation to the population of the south and
Lebanon for losses suffered due to its continued aggression against Lebanese
sovereignty and illegal interference in its internal affairs.
While former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is in prison for corruption,
officials in Lebanon enjoy billions of dollars plundered from the public
account, obtained through domestic and international bribery and tax evasion,
without facing justice. We will not allow any maneuver to evade accountability.
Let's hope that a government led by someone who held a post in the International
Court of Justice will not allow impunity.. It is necessary to establish a
government authority that restores confidence in the Lebanese administration,
judicial system and national justice.
A specialized tribunal should be initiated to judge the corrupt, starting with
poles ex-presidents of the Republic, prime ministers, speakers of Parliament,
ministers and all those who have held public office, based on the principle of
"where did you get this from?" ".
How Syria’s continuing food insecurity threatens national
and regional stability
ANAN TELLO/Arab News/February 02/2025
LONDON: More than half of Syria’s population faces food insecurity as the
country grapples with the aftermath of 13 years of civil war, the abrupt
collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime, and a surge of returnees. Inadequate funding
for aid organizations during this political transition risks deepening and
prolonging the crisis. A recent report by the Food Security Cluster, a UN-led
coordination group, revealed that 14.5 million people in Syria are food
insecure, including 9.1 million facing acute food insecurity and 5.4 million at
risk of hunger.
The report, published on Jan. 25, emphasized that Syria’s sudden power shift and
ongoing political transition have increased pressure on its fragile food
systems, reshaping humanitarian needs. Rola Dashti, executive secretary of the
UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, described the current phase
in Syria as a “critical juncture,” stressing that the country must either move
toward reconstruction and reconciliation or risk falling into deeper chaos. “The
stakes for the country, and for the region, could not be higher,” she said in a
January statement.
“Food insecurity is rampant, healthcare systems are crumbling, and entire
communities have been uprooted. This is one of the world’s most protracted
humanitarian crises, and our findings make clear it could get worse if immediate
steps are not taken.”On Dec. 8, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hayat
Tahrir Al-Sham seized control of Syria’s capital Damascus, following a sweeping
12-day offensive that toppled Assad. And although Assad’s ouster provided some
relief to Syrians, it also plunged the country into fresh political and economic
uncertainty, with the country deeply fractured and up to 1 million refugees
expected to return by June, according to UN figures. Recent clashes have sparked
a new wave of displacement, with some 1.1 million people newly displaced, mainly
in Idlib, Aleppo, Homs, and Hama.
The surge in violence since late November has been a major driver of food
insecurity, according to the Food Security Cluster’s report. Warehouses and
public services have been looted, while damage to agricultural infrastructure
has disrupted the planting season.
This lawlessness, especially in northeastern and southern Syria, has created
logistical challenges, blocked roads, and restricted aid access, severely
disrupting food security. Some 90 percent of Syrians currently live below the
poverty line and some 16.7 million need humanitarian assistance, according to
the UN.
Without bold reforms and swift international support, these needs are expected
to grow, ESCWA warns. The Food Security Cluster said $560 million is needed to
fund a three-month emergency response providing food assistance and livelihood
support during Syria’s political transition and uncertainty. However, funding
for aid remains insufficient. Cindy McCain, director of the World Food Programme,
has said that some governments are reluctant to increase support for urgent
humanitarian needs in Syria under the country’s new interim rulers. And although
the new leadership in Damascus has pledged a radical overhaul of the struggling
economy, including privatization and public sector job cuts, it faces enormous
challenges.
Western sanctions and more than a decade of conflict have left Syria’s economy
in tatters. The country’s gross domestic product has contracted by 64 percent
since the beginning of the war in 2011, according to a recent ESCWA report.
The report, released in late January, noted that Syria’s currency lost nearly
two-thirds of its value against the US dollar in 2023 alone, driving consumer
inflation to an estimated 40.2 percent in 2024.
Syria’s currency lost nearly two-thirds of its value against the US dollar in
2023 alone, driving consumer inflation to an estimated 40.2 percent in 2024. (AFP)
Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University
of Oklahoma, believes the collapse of the Assad regime is largely tied to the
failure of Syria’s economy. “Government pay for officers in the army was $30 a
month, and only $10 for enlisted men, which gives one a sense of the terrible
need,” he told Arab News. “The HTS government has increased those government
wages by 400 percent, thanks to the largesse of Qatar, but wages remain
extremely low.”
In mid-December, Syria’s interim government announced plans to dramatically
increase the salaries of public servants. However, this plan involves laying off
a third of the state workforce, Reuters reported. The first wave of layoffs came
just weeks after Assad’s ouster. Ministers in the interim government told
Reuters that removing “ghost employees” — those who received salaries for doing
little or nothing — was part of a crackdown on waste and corruption.
Landis says the layoffs are likely to worsen the hunger crisis for certain
groups.
“Employees of the old regime are quickly being purged, as new employees whose
ambitions and loyalties are better aligned with the new government are recruited
by HTS,” he said. “This means that hunger and insecurity is being redistributed
to those Syrians who used to be favored by the Assad regime.”Residents of
Damascus and its hinterlands say that while the capital has seen an influx of
foreign goods and a drop in prices since Assad’s departure, purchasing power
remains low, especially as public servants and many private sector workers have
not been paid in two months.
“We have a saying in Syria: a camel costs only one pound, but we don’t have that
pound,” Umm Samir, a 55-year-old housekeeper from Al-Hajar Al-Aswad, Rif Dimashq,
told Arab News. “Prices of food have certainly dropped, and there are no
shortages,” she said. “But in our area, many have not brought a pound home for
almost two months.” She added: “For example, a bottle of olive oil cost 100,000
Syrian pounds before Dec. 8; now it’s sold for 75,000. A kilogram of sugar was
20,000; now it’s 9,000.”
The drop in prices is partly due to a strengthening of the Syrian pound against
the US dollar. On Friday, the dollar traded at 9,900 Syrian pounds, down from
about 15,000 Syrian pounds before Dec. 8. Syria expert Landis noted that while
“food prices went down a bit once HTS took Damascus, because Turkish and foreign
goods began to move freely into Syria without tariffs, bread prices went up.”
He added: “Bread is a major part of the Syrian diet, particularly for the 50
percent of Syrians facing food insecurity.”Damascus residents told Arab News
that a bundle of subsidized bread, which once cost 500 Syrian pounds, has seen
its price jump to 4,000 Syrian pounds following Assad’s fall from power. When
many cannot afford this essential food item, the influx of Turkish and Western
goods — much more expensive than local products — makes little difference. If
anything, it serves as a stark reminder of the struggle many families face to
meet their basic needs. Yusra, a 33-year-old computer engineer from Muhajreen,
an upscale neighborhood in central Damascus, said that although three members of
her household of six are breadwinners, they still could not afford many food
items, such as meat, fruit, and sweets. “It doesn’t matter that we now have
Snickers bars, Ulker cookies, or brie cheese in local supermarkets when most
people can’t afford basic things like sugar or apples,” she told Arab News.
“In my family, whenever we have an occasion, be it a birthday or Eid, we have to
cut corners to buy cake or meat. “My brother works for a private marketing
company but has not received his salary for January as the business is
struggling.”
But the problem goes beyond families’ inability to meet basic needs. WFP chief
McCain called Syria’s hunger crisis a national and regional security issue,
particularly during this critical transition period. “What’s at stake here is
not just hunger — and hunger is big enough. But it’s about the future of this
country and how it moves forward into this next phase,” she told the Associated
Press during her first visit to Syria in mid-January. On the national level,
Syria expert Landis warns that if the interim government led by President Ahmad
Al-Sharaa fails to implement economic and political reforms, it will likely face
growing opposition. “Syrians are expecting the new government to jump start the
economy, get the US and Western governments to lift sanctions, and to unite the
country once again, which will mean that Syria’s oil and gas wells will once
again be used by the Damascus government and not the Qamishli government,” he
said, referring to the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East
Syria. “It should be remembered that before 2011, oil and gas revenue provided
50 percent of the government budget. If President Al-Sharaa cannot get the
economy back on its feet quickly, he is likely to face growing opposition and
Syria is likely to remain turbulent and unstable.”Since early December, protests
have erupted across the country, with demands ranging from justice for
disappeared activists to calls for improved public services and greater
representation for various Syrian sects.
On the regional level, “a poor and hungry Syria will continue to pump out
refugees,” Landis said. “All of Syria’s neighbors are counting on Syrian
stability and economic growth to entice refugees to return home.” He added: “If
Syria stumbles, the reverberations will be felt throughout the region. The
country will remain divided among foreign militaries and a battleground that
could easily destabilize its neighbors.”
Caption
The UN warns that unless Syria achieves a stable transition, the hunger crisis
will worsen, and reliance on aid will persist. The transition must establish
inclusive governance, credible transitional justice, and stronger institutions
to build public trust, according to ESCWA’s January report. The report also
states that the country’s stability and recovery depend on regional and
international support, including sanctions relief and economic cooperation.
Without political and economic reforms in collaboration with regional and
international partners, ESCWA believes Syria risks prolonged instability,
further fragmentation, and becoming a haven for cross-border crime.
Russian energy looms large in EU’s planning
ANDREW HAMMOND/Arab News/February 02, 2025
Since the start of the Ukraine war, the EU has sharply increased its focus on
energy security, reaching many new gas deals, particularly with the US and
Middle Eastern countries. However, as EU leaders prepare for any potential deal
between Moscow and Kyiv, whether that comes in 2025 or beyond, the thorny
question of the future role of cheaper Russian gas in the European energy mix is
arising once again. New EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen has pledged to end
the bloc’s energy ties with Russia by 2027. But there is a debate underway in
Brussels on whether Russian gas pipeline sales to Europe should be restarted as
part of any Ukraine war settlement with Moscow. The proponents of such a move
assert that it could help boost the continent’s economic competitiveness, as gas
prices in Europe are often three to four times higher than in the US.
However, such discussions have already prompted fury from some of the staunchest
opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin. These include the Baltic states,
Poland and Slovenia.
For as long as Putin remains in power, Moscow will be seen by much of Europe as
a pariah state. For sure, some EU countries, including Hungary, Slovakia and
Bulgaria, may significantly increase their energy reliance on Moscow. However,
it is likely that many current European leaders will resist.
Even if the Ukraine war ends in 2025, some EU sanctions against Russia will
likely remain for as long as Putin is in power. Before Russia invaded Ukraine,
Western sanctions were already in place as a result of the country’s violations
of international law, including the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
The backstory for this intense debate is the 27 EU members’ huge pivot away from
Russian energy since 2022, even though liquefied natural gas imports from Russia
to Europe remain stubbornly high. Within a year of Moscow’s invasion, the EU’s
energy consumption changed so rapidly that Russia was no longer the bloc’s main
gas supplier — a remarkable change.
Correspondingly, the EU member states have more aggressively taken on the
challenge of diversifying to new energy sources. The RePowerEU strategy is being
delivered — in part — by scaling up the use of clean energy and reducing overall
energy consumption. This has helped the EU generate, at times, more electricity
from wind and solar sources than from gas. There is a debate underway on whether
Russian gas sales to Europe should be restarted as part of any Ukraine war
settlement.
However, while the EU is eager to expand its clean energy production, the
current volumes fall far short of meeting the continent’s needs entirely.
To reduce its reliance on Russian energy, the EU has worked hard to secure many
new deals since February 2022. The European Council on Foreign Relations Energy
Deals Tracker shows that the bloc’s members have mostly focused on securing new
supplies of gas as a transitional energy source amid the long-term movement
toward clean energy. About 45 percent of the approximately 180 deals that the EU
and its member states have struck since 2022 concern gas, including LNG.
The tracker also shows that the EU country that has struck the most deals is
Germany on 43, which is more than double the tallies of Italy (21) and Hungary
(20). This is unsurprising, given that Germany is the bloc’s largest economy and
was the biggest importer of Russian gas before the Ukraine war. Other countries
in double digits in terms of the number of new energy deals include France,
Bulgaria and Greece, each of which are on 10.
The leading counterparties are the US (35) and the UAE (24). The fact that the
US tops this list is reflected in the significantly increased share of the EU’s
LNG the country now provides. This comes in the context of new US President
Donald Trump urging Europe to buy even more US gas to ward off any potential new
tariffs under his administration.
In this context, it is questionable if it would make sense for Trump to push
hard for Russian gas imports in any Moscow-Kyiv peace deal, as it would go
against America’s LNG export interests. With the US having taken over as
Europe’s top LNG supplier, letting more Russian gas back in would hurt its
market share and weaken its influence. One other factor to note in this key
policy debate is that Europe’s intensive energy diplomacy of recent years has
gone a long way toward helping deliver energy security for the bloc. However, it
is complicating the EU’s energy transition pathway, which is key given the
bloc’s ambition to become the first net-zero region by 2050. In part, this is
because the new gas infrastructure that has been invested in will require a
medium-to-long-term horizon to secure value for money. Correspondingly, EU
nations will need to do much more to invest in clean energy infrastructure if
they are to fully deliver on sustainably decarbonizing their economies in the
crucial years to come.
**Andrew Hammond is an Associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.
Humanitarian sector faces new and growing challenges
MAHA AKEEL/Arab News/February 02, 2025
The humanitarian conditions are dire in several places around the world, but the
situations in Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Gaza are the worst. Wars,
environmental and natural crises and hunger are causing millions of people to
live in unbearable conditions. Yet they survive, barely, waiting for assistance
and support to help them live, rebuild and recover. Among all this suffering
comes the message from the US, the largest foreign aid contributor and most
powerful country, that it seemingly does not care. In addition, Europe and
almost all regions of the world have poor economic prospects. Meanwhile, the UN
and its agencies are facing some existential threats. The next few years will be
very challenging to humanitarian work politically, economically and socially.
Sudan, despite being called the world’s greatest humanitarian crisis, mostly
dropped from the world’s attention last year as the Gaza war escalated. But
attention should now return to Sudan, where the humanitarian situation has
reached catastrophic levels. As a result of the civil war ongoing since 2023,
more than 12 million people have been displaced from their homes, the healthcare
infrastructure has collapsed, with 80 percent of hospitals in conflict areas
nonfunctional, more than 750,000 people are on the brink of famine and 8.5
million people have reached emergency levels of hunger, while child mortality
rates are high. Accessing people with the needed supplies and services is
crucial.
The Syrian Arab Republic, with its 14 years of conflict now finally at end, is
utterly bruised and battered. Slowly trying to get back to normality, there is
an urgent need for the provision of essential services like water, sanitation,
education, child protection, health and nutrition, and social protection. More
than 7.2 million Syrians remain internally displaced and nearly 13.6 million
people require improved water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Nearly 40 percent of the country’s health infrastructure is partly or completely
nonfunctional, with only about 20,000 doctors remaining in the country. At least
2.4 million children are out of school and more than 1 million are at risk of
dropping out due to ongoing insecurity and a lack of resources. The conflict
pushed more than 85 percent of families into poverty. Immense coordination
efforts are needed at the national and international levels to provide all these
services. Not addressing these urgent humanitarian needs will prolong the
suffering and could lead to instability and insecurity, not only in the Syrian
Arab Republic but throughout the region. Gaza is crushed, leveled to the ground,
after enduring 15 months of brutal indiscriminate Israeli force that left
nothing standing. But its people refuse to give up and abandon their homes,
despite returning to nothing but rubble. The aftermath involves catastrophic
levels of hunger and a risk of famine caused by insufficient entry of aid,
collapsed health services — as almost all hospitals were deliberately destroyed
— and overcrowded shelters with no fuel or electricity. Gaza will need decades
to rebuild and recover.
Convoy trucks carrying essential shelter material, water, sanitation and hygiene
supplies, food and medicine started to trickle into Gaza last month after the
ceasefire came into effect. Yet, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA,
which is the main provider of healthcare, education, food and humanitarian
relief for Palestinians, is now banned by Israel. Although the UN has said that
UNRWA will continue working in all Palestinian territories, the ban will most
likely affect the level of services provided. The next few years will be very
challenging to humanitarian work politically, economically and socially. With
President Donald Trump in the White House, the situation for UNRWA is unlikely
to improve. Trump did not waste any time following his inauguration before
announcing the withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organization and the
Paris Agreement on climate change. This sent shock waves across the world,
although it was expected.
The other shock was Trump’s executive order to stop all foreign aid immediately,
which brought scores of programs — from global health to emergency shelter and
countertrafficking operations — to a halt. The freeze on foreign aid stopped
work orders on existing efforts, suspended the disbursement of funds and put a
hold on future projects until a 90-day review is completed. A temporary waiver
was issued on existing lifesaving humanitarian assistance programs that include
“core lifesaving medicine, medical services, food, shelter and subsistence
assistance, as well as supplies and reasonable administrative costs.”
This decision has caused US officials and thousands of contractors in the aid
sector to lose their jobs and has impacted the work of many international
humanitarian organizations, including UN agencies. The US has provided loans,
technical assistance and direct budget support, particularly to developing
countries, to advance its interests for several decades. Like many countries, it
has used foreign aid as a foreign policy tool. This kind of sudden disruption
will diminish America’s reliability, credibility and leadership. The void is
unlikely to be filled by Europe. The member states of the EU are planning to
slash funding to the world’s least-developed countries by about 35 percent over
the next three years. Already, Sweden has halved its overseas aid budget, the
Netherlands cut its by a third and Germany slashed €1 billion ($1.04 billion)
from both its development and humanitarian funding. With these countries’ high
deficits, aging populations, increased defense spending and potential trade
wars, it is not surprising that foreign aid is being targeted. All these
developments and challenges for humanitarian work call for a different approach
to increase the resilience and self-reliance of local communities, as well as to
build the capacity of donor countries and regional organizations to ensure more
efficient and faster interventions. Greater collaboration among agencies for the
better use of resources is needed, along with pressure on the warring parties to
prioritize humanitarian access.
Meanwhile, multilateral development banks and development finance institutions
are playing a bigger role in funding. Philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and
local organizations are stepping up their efforts and initiatives as well,
especially in terms of using technology and innovative methods to respond and
deliver.
The Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum will this month take place under the
theme of “Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response.” Organized by the
Saudi aid agency KSrelief, in partnership with UN humanitarian agencies, the
forum will explore topics such as the role of humanitarian diplomacy in
addressing conflicts and disasters, which is important for mitigating
humanitarian consequences, having access and delivering aid and supplies, and
supporting local efforts. The forum will also address displacement, a growing
long-term concern amid the rise of conflicts and natural disasters.
Saudi Arabia, particularly through its humanitarian arm KSrelief, has been
playing a leading role in addressing crises and supporting vulnerable
communities around the world and is scaling up its humanitarian efforts.
*Maha Akeel is a Saudi expert in communications, social development and
international relations. She is a member of the UN’s Senior Women Talent
Pipeline. X: @MahaAkeel1
Explosive remnants of Syrian civil war pose a daunting
challenge
ANAN TELLO/Arab News/February 02, 2025
LONDON: The sudden fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in early December prompted
around 200,000 Syrians to return to their war-ravaged homeland, despite the
widespread devastation. But the land they have come to reclaim harbors a deadly
threat. Almost 14 years of civil war contaminated swathes of the Syrian Arab
Republic with roughly 324,600 unexploded rockets and bombs and thousands of
landmines, according to a 2023 estimate by the US-based Carter Center.
In the last four years alone, the Syrian Arab Republic has recorded more
casualties resulting from unexploded ordnance than any other country, yet no
nationwide survey of minefields or former battlefields has been conducted,
according to The HALO Trust. Those explosives have maimed or killed at least 350
civilians across the Syrian Arab Republic since the Assad regime fell on Dec. 8,
Paul McCann, a spokesperson for the Scotland-based landmine awareness and
clearance charity, told Arab News.
The actual toll, however, is likely much higher. “We think that’s an undercount
because large areas of the country have no access or monitoring, particularly in
the east,” he added. Children bear the brunt of these hidden killers.
Ted Chaiban, deputy executive director for humanitarian action and supply
operations at the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, warned that explosive debris is
the leading cause of child casualties in Syria, killing or injuring at least 116
in December alone.According to McCann, the bulk of the documented incidents
involving landmines and unexploded ordnance took place in Idlib province, north
of Aleppo, and Deir Ezzor, where intense battles between regime forces and
opposition groups had occurred. “There is a long frontline — maybe several
hundred kilometers — running through parts of Latakia, Idlib, and up to north of
Aleppo, where the government was on one side, and they built large earthen
barriers,” he said. “They used bulldozers to push up big walls and dig trenches,
and in front of their military positions they put a lot of minefields.”
McCann said the exact number of landmines, across the Syrian Arab Republic and
in the northwest specifically, remains unknown. “We don’t know exactly how many,
because there hasn’t been a national survey,” he said.
After the regime’s forces withdrew from these areas, locals discovered maps
detailing the location of dozens of minefields. Although it will take time and
resources to clear these explosives, such maps make containment far easier.
“There was a battalion command post, and when the troops left, local residents
went in and found some maps of local minefields,” McCann said. “So, for that one
area, we’ve discovered there were 40 minefields, but this could be repeated up
and down this line for all the different military positions.” Landmines planted
systemically by warring parties are not the only threat. HALO reported “huge
amounts of explosive contamination anywhere that there might have been a battle
or been any kind of fighting.” One such area is Saraqib, east of Idlib. The
northwestern city endured a major battle in 2013, fell to rebel forces, was
recaptured by the Syrian Army in 2020, and was then seized during the Hayat
Tahrir Al-Sham-led offensive on Nov. 30.
“The city was fought over by the government and multiple different opposition
groups, who sometimes fought each other,” McCann said. “And in a big spread
south of there, there are dozens of villages that we’ve been through which are
contaminated with explosives.”
The Carter Center warned in a report published in February 2024 that the “scale
of the problem is so large that there is no way any single actor can address
it.”
Since Assad’s ouster, HALO has seen a 10-fold surge in calls to its emergency
hotline in areas near the Turkish border where it operates.
“Every time our teams dispose of a piece of ordnance… people hear the explosion
and they come running to say, ‘I found something in my house’ or ‘I found
something on my land, can you come and have a look? Can you come and take care
of that?” McCann said. “We are hoping to be able to increase the size of the
program as quickly as possible to deal with the demand.”
As the only mine clearance operator in northwest Syria, HALO is struggling to
keep up with surging demand. With funding for only 40 deminers, the organization
is desperately understaffed, HALO’s Syrian Arab Republic program manager Damian
O’Brien said in a statement.
HALO urgently needs emergency funding “to help bring the Syrian people home to
safety,” he said. “Clearing the debris of war is fundamental to getting the
country back on its feet,” he added. The urgency of clearing unexploded ordnance
in Syria has grown as displaced communities, often unaware of those hidden
dangers, rush to return home and rebuild their lives. “One of the problems we’re
finding is the people are coming back now,” McCann said. “They want to plant the
land for spring. They want to start getting the land ready because they’re going
to need the income to rebuild.
“Millions of homes have been either destroyed by fighting, or they’ve been
destroyed by the regime that stripped out the windows and the doors and the
roofs and the copper pipes and the wiring to sell for scrap.”The war in the
Syrian Arab Republic created one of the largest displacement crises in the
world, with more than 13 million forcibly displaced, according to UN figures.
With Assad’s fall, hundreds of thousands returned from internal displacement and
neighboring countries. And as host countries, including Turkiye, Lebanon and
Jordan, push to repatriate Syrian refugees, UNICEF’s Chaiban warned in January
that “safe return cannot be achieved without intensified humanitarian demining
efforts.”
HALO’s O’Brien warned in December that “returning Syrians simply don’t know
where the landmines are lying in wait. They are scattered across fields,
villages and towns, so people are horribly vulnerable.”
He added: “I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Tens of thousands of people
are passing through heavily mined areas on a daily basis, causing unnecessary
fatal accidents.” Unless addressed, these hidden killers will impact multiple
generations of Syrians, causing the loss of countless lives and limbs long after
the conflict has ended, the Carter Center warned. Economic development will also
be disrupted, particularly in urban reconstruction and agriculture.
Environmental degradation is another concern. As munitions break down, they
leach chemicals into the soil and groundwater.
But safely demining an area is costly and securing adequate funding has been a
challenge. Mouiad Alnofaly, HALO’s senior operations officer in the Syrian Arab
Republic, said disposal operations could cost $40 million per year.
Faced with these limitations, locals eager to cultivate their farmland are
turning to unofficial solutions, hiring amateurs who are not trained to
international standards, resulting in more casualties, McCann warned. “People
are returning and trying to plant, and so we’re hearing reports that they’re
hiring ex-military personnel with metal detectors to do some sort of clearance
of their land, but it’s not systematic or professional,” he said. “I met a man a
few days ago who said his neighbor had hired an ex-soldier with a metal detector
to find the mines on his land. The man (ex-soldier) was killed straight away,
and the neighbor was injured.”
McCann emphasized that a field cannot be considered safe until every piece of
explosive debris and every landmine has been removed.
“If there are 50 mines in a field, and somebody finds 49 of them, the field
still cannot be used,” he said. “You can only hand back land when you are 100
percent confident that every single mine is gone. “So, even in places where some
people are removing mines, we don’t know if all of them have been cleared, and
we’ll have to do clearance again in the future.” Although the northwest of the
Syrian Arab Republic is riddled with unexploded ordnance, locals remain resolute
in their determination to stay and rebuild their lives — a decision that is
likely to lead to an increase in accidents. “We think the number of accidents
will increase because a lot of people don’t want to leave their displaced
communities in Idlib in the winter,” McCann said. “They’re waiting for the
weather to improve.”
In the village of Lof near Saraqib, one resident HALO encountered returned to
work on his land just hours after the charity’s team had neutralized an
unexploded 220mm Uragan rocket. Had it detonated, it would have devastated the
village.
“We took the rocket, dug a big hole, and evacuated the whole village,” McCann
said. “We used an armored front loader to take it to this demolition site in the
countryside. “By the time we came back to the village, the landowner had started
to rebuild his house where the rocket had been. He couldn’t touch it (before),
and the rocket had been there probably since 2021. “But within three or four
hours of us removing the rocket, he had started to rebuild.”
Among the most common unexploded ordnance found in the northwest Syrian Arab
Republic are TM-62 Russian anti-tank mines and ShOAB-0.5 cluster bombs.
Despite HALO’s 35 years of work in safely clearing explosive remnants of war,
the scale of the problem, compounded by a lack of adequate resources, remains a
significant challenge. “To cover the whole country, there will have to be
thousands of Syrians trained and employed by HALO over many years,” said program
manager O’Brien. And until international and local efforts are effectively
coordinated to neutralize this deadly threat, the lives of countless civilians,
particularly children, will continue to be at risk.