English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For April 18/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the
lccc Site
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2026/english.april18.26.htm
News Bulletin Achieves Since
2006
Click Here to enter the LCCC Arabic/English news bulletins Achieves since 2006
Click On
The Below Link To Join Elias Bejjaninews whatsapp group
https://chat.whatsapp.com/FPF0N7lE5S484LNaSm0MjW
اضغط
على الرابط في
أعلى للإنضمام
لكروب
Eliasbejjaninews whatsapp group
Elias Bejjani/Click on
the below link to subscribe to my youtube channel
الياس
بجاني/اضغط
على الرابط في
أسفل للإشتراك في
موقعي ع اليوتيوب
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOOSioLh1GE3C1hp63Camw
Bible Quotations For today
Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet
Saint Matthew 22/41-46/:”While the Pharisees
were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of
the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to
them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, “The Lord
said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your
feet’ “? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be
his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone
dare to ask him any more questions.”
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related
News & Editorials published
on April 17-18/2026
Patriarch Rai's Statement Attacking President Trump is a Mistake and a
Sin, Reflecting Ignorance, Stupidity, Lack of Vision, and Blatant
Sycophancy/Elias Bejjani/April 15, 2026
US Department Of State/Ten Day Cessation of Hostilities to Enable Peace
Negotiations Between Israel and Lebanon
Video-Link from DWS News/Interview with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack at
Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Video -Link from Israel 24 English TV/Interview with Hanin Ghadar addressing the
Cease Fire In Lebanon
Video-Link from the FDD–NewsNation/Interview with Enia Krivine addressing the
U.S. blockade, Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, and Iran conflict
Aoun Says Future Deal Will Not Cede Lebanese Territory, Country No Longer ‘Arena
for Anyone’s Wars’
Hezbollah Tallies Its Dead from Israel War, Estimates Exceed 1,000
Israel says troops will remain in buffer zone extending 10 km from border
Israeli strike kills one in south Lebanon despite truce
Aoun says working on 'permanent agreements' after Israel ceasefire
Aoun says ceasefire gateway for 'crucial' talks with Israel
Russia says welcomes Lebanon ceasefire, hopes for long-term deal
Flurry of diplomacy led up to Lebanon ceasefire
Netanyahu says Israel has 'not yet finished the job' against Hezbollah
Iran informed Hezbollah leadership about truce hours before Trump calls, MP says
UN peacekeepers in Lebanon say strikes halted but no withdrawal
Berri says national unity and civil peace are red lines
'Enough is enough': Trump says Israel 'prohibited' by US from bombing Lebanon
13 killed in Israeli strike on Tyre just before Lebanon truce
US envoy Barrack says ceasefire with Hezbollah is 'beginning of a road'
Al-Rahi: True hero not one who wages wars, but one who builds peace
Berri says national unity and civil peace are red lines
Hezbollah Tallies Its Dead from Israel War, Estimates Exceed 1,000
Links to several important news websites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on April 17-18/2026
Trump say Iran blockade continues despite
Hormuz reopening
Trump says 'no sticking points' left for Iran deal
Top US general says his forces ‘have eyes on every Iranian port’
Trump signals Iran deal near, hails ‘brilliant day for world’
State Dept. says Trump prohibition of Israeli attacks in Lebanon doesn't apply
to self-defense
Prince Faisal and Rubio discuss Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon ceasefire
Iran says its enriched uranium ‘not going to be transferred’
Secret Israeli Ministerial Talks under US Pressure Discuss Vision of ‘New Gaza’
Strikes Kill 3 Iranian Kurds in Northern Iraq, Says Opposition Group
Kosovo Lawmakers Approve Proposed Gaza Troop Deployment
Links to several important news websites
on April 17-18/2026
Why Does the European Commission Support
the Muslim Brotherhood?/Robert Williams/Gatestone Institute/April 17/2026
What The State Should and Should Not Do/Tawfiq Alsaif/Asharq Al-Awsat/April
17/2026
Iran: Heading for Another Ceasefire?/Amir Taheri/Asharq Al-Awsat/April 17/2026
Question: What does the Bible say about tattoos?/GotQuestions.org/April 17/2026
Trump and the first American Pope/Abdullah F. Alrebh/Al Arabiya English/17
April/2026
Selected Face Book & X tweets for April 17/2026
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese
Related News & Editorials published
on April 17-18/2026
Patriarch Rai's Statement
Attacking President Trump is a Mistake and a Sin, Reflecting Ignorance,
Stupidity, Lack of Vision, and Blatant Sycophancy
Elias Bejjani/April 15, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/04/153648/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JJgrnAhAn8
The statement issued yesterday by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, in which he
attacked U.S. President Donald Trump under the guise of defending the sanctity
of Pope Leo, is both a mistake and a sin. It is misplaced politically and
contextually; rather, it once again reveals a deep crisis in credibility and
vision.
The most dangerous aspect of this statement is not just its content, but the
motive behind it. According to reports circulating in well-informed Lebanese
circles, it appears to be an attempt at flattery and a plea for favor from the
Vatican and the Pope. This comes amid increasing talk of dissatisfaction within
high ecclesiastical circles regarding Rai's performance, and even reports that
he was asked to resign and the banning of secretary, lawyer Walid Ghayyad from
any public appearance during the Pope’s recent visit to Lebanon. This places the
statement within a personal and sycophantic framework that has nothing to do
with faith, principles, or ethics.
Regarding his track record, since his election in 2011, Rai has not provided a
model of a clear sovereignist patriarch. In his first week, he visited Sheikh
Mohammad Yazbek in Baalbek, the then-representative of the Iranian Supreme
Leader in Lebanon. From there, he attacked the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL)
investigating the assassination of PM, Rafik Hariri, in a move that constituted
flagrant political bias.
Later, he visited the criminal head of the Syrian regime, Bashar al-Assad,
without achieving any tangible results, particularly regarding the file of
Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons. Driven by jealousy and envy of the
achievements of the late Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Sfeir, he then attempted to
create a political framework similar to "Qornet Shehwan" by gathering political
and religious figures affiliated with the Syrian regime and Hezbollah; failure
was inevitable. Additionally, in his early days as Patriarch, he dispatched
Father Abdo Abou Kasam to participate on his behalf in "Quds Day" in Iran.
During his European, American, and Canadian tours, he did not hesitate to
shamelessly and foolishly promote Bashar al-Assad's regime under the slogan of
"protecting Christians," ignoring the bloody facts known to everyone.
Internally, his performance has been no better. Serious suspicions have been
raised regarding the management of church properties, specifically the
allocation of church lands. A prominent example is the circulating reports that
he granted a piece of church land near Bkerke to his secretary, Walid Ghayyad,
who built a palace on it in clear violation of ecclesiastical laws, sparking
widespread resentment within church circles and the community.
Politically, his positions have been characterized by appeasement from the
start, especially toward Hezbollah. Clear sovereignist stances have been absent,
replaced by a "gray" rhetoric that does not align with the historical role of
Bkerke.
In light of all this, his latest statement merely reinforces the same approach:
biased, flowery rhetoric that oversteps the spiritual role for the sake of
political posturing, attacking an elected president while ignoring the
priorities of Lebanon and its people.
This statement adds nothing to the value of defending the Pope. On the contrary,
it harms the cause because the person issuing it suffers from a clear crisis of
trust, and his positions are surrounded by much doubt.
Conclusion: Patriarch Rai's statement is nothing more than a weak political
stance driven by personal calculations and attempts at flattery. It lacks
credibility and vision and, therefore, holds no actual value on a national or
moral level.
US Department Of State/Ten Day
Cessation of Hostilities to Enable Peace Negotiations Between Israel and Lebanon
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
April 16, 2026
The text of the following statement was agreed to by the Government of Israel
and Government of Lebanon:
Following productive direct talks on April 14 between the governments of the
Republic of Lebanon (hereinafter “Lebanon”) and the State of Israel (hereinafter
“Israel”), brokered by the United States of America, Lebanon and Israel have
reached an understanding in which both nations will work to create conditions
conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each
other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security
along their shared border, while preserving Israel’s inherent right to
self-defense.
Both countries recognize the significant challenges faced by the Lebanese state
from non-state armed groups, which undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and threaten
regional stability. Both countries understand that those groups’ activities must
be curtailed, such that the only forces authorized to bear arms in Lebanon will
be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Internal Security Forces, Directorate of
General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs and
Municipal Police (hereinafter “Lebanon’s security forces”).
Israel and Lebanon affirm that the two countries are not at war and commit to
engaging in good-faith direct negotiations, facilitated by the United States,
with the objective of achieving a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting
security, stability, and peace between the two countries.
To that end, the United States understands the following:
Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities beginning on April
16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, for an initial period of ten days, as a gesture of
goodwill by the Government of Israel, intended to enable good-faith negotiations
toward a permanent security and peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
This initial period may be extended by mutual agreement between Lebanon and
Israel if progress is demonstrated in the negotiations and as Lebanon
effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty.
Israel shall preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense,
at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. This shall not be
impeded by the cessation of hostilities. Besides this, it will not carry out any
offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian,
military, and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, and
sea.
From April 16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, forward, with international support, the
Government of Lebanon will take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all
other rogue non-state armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out
any attacks, operations, or hostile activities against Israeli targets.
All parties recognize Lebanon’s security forces as having exclusive
responsibility for Lebanon’s sovereignty and national defense; no other country
or group has claim to be the guarantor of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Israel and Lebanon request that the United States facilitate further direct
negotiations between the two countries with the objective of resolving all
remaining issues, including demarcation of the international land boundary, with
a view to concluding a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security,
stability, and peace between the two countries.
The United States understands that the above commitments will be accepted by
Israel and Lebanon concurrently with this announcement. These commitments are
designed to create the conditions necessary for good-faith negotiations toward
enduring peace and security. The United States further intends to lead
international efforts to support Lebanon as a component of its broader efforts
to advance stability and prosperity in the region.
Video-Link from DWS News/Interview with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack at
Antalya Diplomacy Forum
DWS News/April 17/2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap64N47bbmY
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, delivers key
remarks at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. In this speech, he addresses
important regional and diplomatic topics, highlighting U.S. perspectives on
Turkey, Syria, and broader Middle East relations.
Watch the full highlights of this major diplomatic appearance and stay updated
with the latest international political developments.
Event: Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Location: Antalya, Turkey
Video -Link from Israel 24 English TV/Interview
with Hanin Ghadar addressing the Cease Fire In Lebanon
What does the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire really mean for the
region?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8x4qg1K72g
April 17/2026
Video Link To an interview with Exiled Lebanese
activist Nadine Barakat with
roi kais • روعي كايس • רועי קייס
https://x.com/i/status/2045028700979171541
April 17/2026
Translated from Hebrew
More from yesterday's program "In Our Neighborhood," an interesting interview we
conducted with the exiled Lebanese activist, Nadine Berakat, @nadinebarakatlb
on the direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and why, in her opinion,
the Lebanese state cannot deliver the goods.
Video-Link from the
FDD–NewsNation/Interview with Enia Krivine addressing the U.S. blockade,
Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, and Iran conflict
Enia joins NewsNation to discuss the the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire and Iran
conflict as the U.S. now holds a much stronger position against the regime's
economy in the Strait of Hormuz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grK4PzMop94
April 17/2026
Aoun Says Future Deal Will
Not Cede Lebanese Territory, Country No Longer ‘Arena for Anyone’s Wars’
Asharq Al Awsat/April 17/2026
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that any future deal reached by
the government would not cede any territory or undermine Lebanon's national
rights, without saying whether he was referring to prospective talks with
Israel. The televised address was his first speech
since the US brokered a ceasefire to end fighting between Israel and
Iran-backed Hezbollah on Thursday. The text of the deal says Israel and
Lebanon would hold direct talks to produce a "peace between the two countries".
Aoun said Lebanon was on the verge of a "new phase" of "permanent
agreements.""Now, we all stand before a new phase," he added, stressing "it is
the phase of transition from working on a ceasefire to working on permanent
agreements that preserve the rights of our people, the unity of our land, and
the sovereignty of our nation." He added that direct talks with Israel were "not
a sign of weakness nor a concession... negotiations do not mean, and will never
mean, giving up any right, conceding any principle, or compromising the
sovereignty of this nation."Moreover, Aoun stressed that Lebanon was no longer
an "arena" for anyone's wars. "We are confident that we will save Lebanon... we
have reclaimed Lebanon and Lebanon's decision-making power for the first time in
nearly half a century," he declared, adding that "today, we negotiate for
ourselves... we are no longer a pawn in anyone's game, nor an arena for anyone's
wars, and we never will be again.""I hereby affirm... that there will be no
agreement that infringes upon our national rights, diminishes the dignity of our
steadfast people, or relinquishes an iota of this nation's soil."
Hezbollah Tallies Its Dead from Israel War, Estimates Exceed 1,000
Beirut: Paula Astih/Asharq Al Awsat/April 17/2026
Hezbollah said its fighters would “keep their fingers on the trigger” hours
after a ceasefire took effect between Lebanon and Israel, warning it would not
stay silent over any Israeli violations and would not repeat its past restraint
under the October 2024 ceasefire, when Israel continued attacks and
assassinations against its members and commanders. In
recent hours, the Iran-backed party focused on helping large numbers of
displaced people return to their homes, while tracking Israeli movements in
occupied areas and preparing for a possible new confrontation at any moment.
Death toll unclear
People closely following Hezbollah said it was still counting its dead, with no
final toll yet, as many fighters remain under rubble in villages and towns that
saw fierce clashes, including the southern towns of Khiam and Bint Jbeil, where
Israeli forces are deployed, complicating search efforts.Some bodies are
difficult to identify, while others have been taken captive.Sources said
Hezbollah would not, for now or in the near future, announce casualty figures,
as it did in the previous war. It stopped issuing official death notices after
the toll passed 500 and is maintaining that approach, they said, with estimates
suggesting the number is high and may exceed 1,000, particularly after heavy
fighting in Khiam and Bint Jbeil.
Hezbollah statement
In a statement after the ceasefire, Hezbollah said it carried out 2,184 military
operations during the 45-day battle from March 2 to April 16. It said its drones
and rocket fire struck Israeli settlements and cities from the Lebanese border
to beyond Tel Aviv, up to 160 km deep. It said its fighters conducted about 49
operations a day, adding: “The hands of these fighters will remain on the
trigger, on guard against the enemy’s treachery and any violation of its
commitments.”Hezbollah lawmakers on Friday accompanied displaced residents
returning to their towns and villages in the south, Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s
southern suburbs. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah
said the group would accept no surrender or submission. “This issue is settled
for us. If the Americans want to give the Israeli enemy freedom of movement, and
if some Lebanese officials submit and make concessions, that will have no
application on the ground,” he said, warning that the ceasefire “must not become
a tool for the enemy to blackmail the authorities.”He added: “The Lebanese
authorities must withdraw from direct negotiations that will only lead to
submission to Israeli dictates. This threatens Lebanon’s future and fate.”
‘A major defeat’
While Hezbollah and its supporters frame the outcome as a victory, security and
defense analyst Riad Kahwaji told Asharq al Awsat the battlefield suggests
otherwise. “When the war began, the Israelis were in five points, while
Hezbollah fighters were active along axes such as Naqoura, Kfar Kila, and Aita
al-Shaab. Today, Israeli forces are deeper inside Lebanese territory,” he said.
“Israeli control has reached 10 km, compared with around 2 or 3 km before.
Hezbollah lost territory, was forced to retreat, its death toll is in the
hundreds, its number of captives has risen, and the scale of destruction in the
south, the southern suburbs and the Bekaa is many times greater,” Kahwaji added.
He said tens of thousands have been displaced after their homes were destroyed.
“This is defeat, in every sense of the word.”Kahwaji said that even if Israeli
soldiers were killed, their numbers were not comparable to Hezbollah’s losses,
and that the scale of damage in Lebanon versus Israel underscored the
imbalance.“Hezbollah considers its survival and ability to fire rockets a
victory, even though it has again shown it acts as an Iranian tool and entered
the war in support of Iran,” he stressed.
Ready for another round
Political writer Qassem Kassir, who is closely familiar with Hezbollah’s
position, offered a sharply different view, saying the group had emerged
stronger than after the 2024 war.
“If we do not say it won, what is certain is that Israel failed to achieve its
military and security goals. Tel Aviv was unable to target Hezbollah’s
leadership. Although some commanders were killed, the number is very small
compared with the previous war,” he said.
Kassir said Hezbollah had “managed the battle with precision and success” and
was preparing for a possible new confrontation, unless comprehensive solutions
are reached, including a full Israeli withdrawal, the return of captives, an end
to attacks and launch of reconstruction.
Israel says troops will remain in buffer zone extending 10
km from border
Agence France Presse/Associated Press/April 17/2026
Israel's defense minister said on Friday that the campaign against the militant
group Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came
into force in Lebanon. "The ground maneuver into
Lebanon and the strikes on Hezbollah have achieved many gains, but they are
still not complete," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a broadcast statement.
Katz warned that thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians returning home
could once again face evacuation from the war-torn south if fighting resumed.
"If the fighting resumes, those residents who return to the security zone will
have to be evacuated to allow completion of the mission," Katz said, warning
that the military had not yet completed its operations against Hezbollah. Katz
said Israeli forces would continue to hold all the places they are currently
stationed, including a buffer zone extending 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the
border with Israel into southern Lebanon. He added that many homes in the area
would be destroyed and no Lebanese residents could return to the area. Katz said
the rest of Lebanon south of the Litani River must also be cleared of
Hezbollah’s presence, either through diplomatic means or continued Israeli
military operation. “Disarming Hezbollah by military or diplomatic means was and
remains the goal of the campaign to which we are committed –- with significant
political leverage now also due to the direct involvement of the U.S. president
and his commitment to this goal -– while applying pressure to the Lebanese
government,” Katz said. Israel occupied a similar area in southern Lebanon
between 1982 to 2000. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts
with Lebanon, but also said Israeli troops would not withdraw.
Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the
border area as they pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have
called a “security zone.”“That is where we are, and we are not leaving,” he
said. Hezbollah has said that Lebanese people have “the right to resist” Israeli
occupation of their land and that their actions “will be determined based on how
developments unfold.”The U.S. State Department said that according to the
agreement, Israel reserves the right to defend itself “at any time, against
planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.” But otherwise, Israel “will not carry out
any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian,
military, and other state targets.”Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire
between Israel and Lebanon, but a Hezbollah official said the ceasefire was a
result of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. The official spoke on
condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Israel and Hezbollah have fought several wars and have been fighting on
and off since the day after the start of the Gaza war. Israel and Lebanon
reached a deal to end that war in November 2024, but Israel has kept up
near-daily strikes in what it says is an effort to prevent the Iran-backed
militant group from regrouping. That escalated into another invasion after
Hezbollah again began firing missiles at Israel in response to its war on Iran.
Israeli strike kills one in south Lebanon despite truce
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
Lebanese state media said an Israeli strike on a motorcycle in the south killed
one person on Friday, despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire in the
Israel-Hezbollah war.
The truce, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, went into force at midnight
(Thursday 2100 GMT), seeking to end more than six weeks of war that have killed
nearly 2,300 people in Lebanon and displaced more than a million. "A
motorcyclist was killed in the town of Kounine, in the Bint Jbeil district,
after being targeted by an enemy drone," Lebanon's state-run National News
Agency reported. Under the terms of the truce, Israel reserves the right to
continue targeting Hezbollah to prevent "planned, imminent or ongoing
attacks".Israel also said it will maintain a 10-kilometer (six-mile) security
zone along the border in southern Lebanon. The ceasefire agreement makes no
mention of an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel
Katz said the area between this security zone and the Litani River, located
around 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Israel, had not yet been "cleared of
terrorists and weapons", and that if diplomatic pressure did not achieve that
goal, then military action could resume. However, Trump said on his Truth Social
network that "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED
from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!" After a November 2024 ceasefire
that sought to end the previous war between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter
continued to bomb Lebanon, usually saying it was targeting Hezbollah.
Aoun says working on 'permanent agreements' after Israel
ceasefire
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that Lebanon is on the verge of a "new
phase" of "permanent agreements," after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah
war went into force. "Now, we all stand before a new
phase," Aoun said in his first speech to the nation since the truce, adding that
"it is the phase of transition from working on a ceasefire to working on
permanent agreements that preserve the rights of our people, the unity of our
land, and the sovereignty of our nation."Aoun added that direct talks with
Israel were "not a sign of weakness nor a concession... negotiations do not
mean, and will never mean, giving up any right, conceding any principle, or
compromising the sovereignty of this nation".The president stressed that Lebanon
is no longer an "arena" for anyone's wars. "We are
confident that we will save Lebanon... we have reclaimed Lebanon and Lebanon's
decision-making power for the first time in nearly half a century," Aoun said,
adding that "today, we negotiate for ourselves... we are no longer a pawn in
anyone's game, nor an arena for anyone's wars, and we never will be again." "I
hereby affirm... that there will be no agreement that infringes upon our
national rights, diminishes the dignity of our steadfast people, or relinquishes
an iota of this nation's soil," he emphasized. Aoun also noted that the
ceasefire is "the outcome of everyone's efforts.""Between suicide and
prosperity, my people and I choose prosperity against suicide," the president
added. "To those gambling with the fate of Lebanon and the lives of the
Lebanese, I say enough! Only a state-building project in Lebanon is the
strongest, most enduring, and most secure option for everyone," he said,
apparently addressing Hezbollah. "Our goal is clear: to stop the Israeli
aggression against our land and our people, to achieve Israeli withdrawal, to
extend the authority of the state over all its territory by its own forces
exclusively, and to ensure the return of the prisoners and the return of our
people to their homes and villages," he added.
Aoun says ceasefire gateway for 'crucial' talks with Israel
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that direct negotiations with Israel were
crucial, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between
Lebanon and Israel and an upcoming meeting between their leaders. "Direct
negotiations are crucial... and a ceasefire is the gateway to proceeding with
negotiations," Aoun said in a statement shared by the presidency, reiterating
that Beirut's goal was to "consolidate a ceasefire, secure the withdrawal of
Israeli forces from the occupied southern territories, recover prisoners, and
address outstanding border disputes".Details of the truce agreement shared by
the U.S. State Department did not mention the withdrawal of Israeli forces from
Lebanon. "The ceasefire is the gateway to proceeding
with negotiations. It's an option supported both locally and internationally,
most notably by U.S. President Donald Trump who voiced in yesterday's phone call
his support for Lebanon, its sovereignty, independence, and territorial
integrity," Aoun said. "The United States is also standing by the Lebanese
people to end their suffering, restore their well-being, and reactivate the
economy, which was negatively impacted by the recent war." Aoun said the
Lebanese Army will play a fundamental role following the withdrawal of Israeli
forces, deploying across the entirety of Lebanon's internationally recognized
southern borders. "This aims to reassure Southerners, upon their return to their
villages and towns, that there will be no armed forces other than the Army and
legitimate security forces." He added that the Lebanese, "who have endured much
in recent years, now face a new reality backed by the international community
and Arab countries. This is an opportunity we must not waste, as it may not
happen again."
Russia says welcomes Lebanon ceasefire, hopes for long-term
deal
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
Moscow on Friday backed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and
said it hoped the pause in fighting could pave the way for a longer-term
agreement, as the fragile 10-day truce took hold. "We certainly welcome the
decision on a truce and hope that in these few days it will indeed be possible
to reach agreements that will prevent a repeat of the military clashes," Kremlin
spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, in response to a question by AFP.
Flurry of diplomacy led up to Lebanon ceasefire
Associated Press/April 17/2026
A 10-day ceasefire agreement came after a meeting between Israel's and Lebanon’s
ambassadors in Washington and a flurry of subsequent phone calls from Trump and
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a White House official. They were
the first direct diplomatic talks between the two countries in decades.
Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel. Trump spoke
Wednesday evening with Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire with certain terms,
according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke
on condition of anonymity. Rubio then called Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun,
who got on board. Trump then spoke with Aoun, and again with Netanyahu. The
State Department worked with both governments to formulate a memorandum of
understanding for the truce.
Netanyahu says Israel has 'not yet finished the job'
against Hezbollah
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
Israel has not yet finished dealing with Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday, vowing to press on with the Lebanese militant
group's "dismantling" just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into effect.
"Today’s Hezbollah is a shadow of its former self compared to the heyday of
(slain Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan) Nasrallah," he said of the group's leader
who was killed by Israel in 2024."But we haven't yet finished the job. There are
things we plan to do to address the remaining rocket threat and the drone
threat," said Netanyahu. Israel's other objective, the "dismantling of
Hezbollah" wouldn't be "achieved overnight," he said, warning it would require
"a sustained effort, patience and perseverance, along with skilful diplomatic
maneuvering."Netanyahu said Israel's operation had "removed" two threats from
Lebanon. "A near threat involving the infiltration of thousands of terrorists
and anti-tank fire onto our communities and a distant threat... of 150,000
missiles and rockets to destroy Israel's cities," he said.
Iran informed Hezbollah leadership about truce hours before Trump calls, MP says
Associated Press/April 17/2026
Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah praised Friday Iran as he spoke to
reporters in the battered Beirut southern suburb of Haret Hreik. “Yesterday,
before the ceasefire, Hezbollah’s leadership was formally informed around 4am
from the Iranian ambassador that there will be a ceasefire at night,” he said.
“We were informed from the Islamic Republic that the calls they took with Saudi
Arabia and Pakistan were encouraging and facilitating for a ceasefire as first
step.”Fadlallah said that the militant group’s key positions — a complete
ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops, a return of all Lebanese displaced
people, releasing prisoners held by Israel and reconstruction — have not
changed. “During these 10 days we want the continued effort from Iran to force
Israel to the pathway that was imposed by the Islamabad talks,” Fadlallah told
The Associated Press. Fadlallah, from Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, warned
Lebanon not to enter direct negotiations with Israel. The Iran-backed militant
group said direct talks with Israel would be a free concession to Israel as its
troops remain on Lebanese soil. “The Lebanese government is unable, incapable,
and unauthorized constitutionally and nationally for the Lebanese leadership to
give such a dangerous concession that threatens Lebanon's future,” he said.
Fadlallah warned that Hezbollah will not remain silent if Israel continues its
attacks in southern Lebanon.
UN peacekeepers in Lebanon say strikes halted but no
withdrawal
Associated Press
Tilak Pokharel, a spokesperson for the U.S. peacekeeping force in southern
Lebanon known as UNIFIL, said peacekeepers have not observed any airstrikes
since midnight, when a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. He
said, however, that they had observed “artillery shelling in several areas in
south Lebanon” up until 6 a.m. and “continue to observe IDF airspace violation
in their area of operations,” referring to the Israeli military.
He added that they have observed Israeli forces moving back and forth,
but “no withdrawal.”“They are remaining in positions, including in Bint Jbeil,”
Pokharel said, referring to a village about 5 km (3 miles) from the border where
heavy fighting had taken place before the ceasefire.
Berri says national unity and civil peace are red lines
Naharnet/April 17/2026
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri stressed Friday that "national unity and civil
peace are red lines that will not be crossed under any circumstances."He
emphasized that "any attack on these two pillars, from any side, is an attack on
Lebanon's very existence and a free gift to the Israeli enemy and its projects,
which can only succeed through sectarian strife." Berri was speaking hours after
a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah entered into effect. Berri
added: "Sectarian strife is dormant, and may God curse those who awaken it."
Berri continued: "I take this opportunity, on the first day of the ceasefire and
the return of residents to their villages and towns, to reiterate my gratitude
to Beirut, which, like Mt. Lebanon and the north, opened its doors and
neighborhoods to those displaced from the south, the southern suburbs, and the
Bekaa Valley."Berri also expressed his "dismay, condemnation, and rejection" of
the celebratory gunfire that took place overnight in relation to the ceasefire
with Israel, asserting that "every bullet fired into the air, in addition to
posing a threat to the lives of civilians and endangering people's properties,
is an affront to their dignity and a violation not only of the law but also of
all divine laws."In separate remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, Berri
expressed his "cautious" satisfaction with the ceasefire agreement, while
simultaneously reiterating his rejection of "direct negotiations" with Israel.
He stated that his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, confirmed
during a phone call on Thursday morning that the ceasefire was reached according
to a comprehensive formula that included Iran. Berri stated that the important
thing now is that the process has moved forward, describing the ceasefire is a
step in the right direction. He also emphasized that he is not at all worried
about the internal situation, which is becoming "increasingly stable," following
the ceasefire.
'Enough is enough': Trump says Israel 'prohibited' by US from bombing Lebanon
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday the United States had "prohibited"
Israel from bombing Lebanon following a ceasefire deal, adding that Washington
would work with Lebanon to "deal with" Hezbollah. "Israel will not be bombing
Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is
enough!!!" Trump said on his Truth Social network, a day after announcing the
10-day truce. In another post he noted that the Lebanese file will not be tied
to any Iran deal but vowed to "MAKE LEBANON GREAT AGAIN!"
13 killed in Israeli strike on Tyre just before Lebanon
truce
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
Israeli strikes on Tyre in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people just
before the 10-day ceasefire with Israel took effect at midnight, a city official
said on Friday. The official, who asked not to be identified, said another 35
people were injured, and emergency workers were still searching the rubble for
another "15 missing". The strikes targeted six residential buildings which were
destroyed, and came just minutes before midnight, an AFP correspondent said.
Al-Najda al Shaabiya Hospital in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh was
reeling Friday after what officials said was one of the heaviest days of Israeli
strikes since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began. Hospital Director Mona Abou
Zeid said the wounded arrived until around an hour after the ceasefire took
effect at midnight. Mahmoud Sahmarani, 33, said he stepped outside his home to
buy charcoal for his shisha water pipe when an Israeli strike killed his father
and cousin as they peeled potatoes for lunch. His five-story apartment building
is rubble and his family is homeless, Sahmarani said from his hospital bed, his
left eye swollen shut and head swaddled in bandages. “Israel should have
withdrawn from Lebanon,” he said. “If we don’t get them out, they will continue
to kill us.”
US envoy Barrack says ceasefire with Hezbollah is 'beginning of a road'
Associated Press/April 17/2026
Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, told a
diplomacy conference Friday that the “brilliance” of the Israel-Hezbollah
ceasefire in Lebanon was that it ended “senseless killing.”“The brilliance of
what happened yesterday is it stopped senseless killing and President Trump and
Secretary Rubio stepping in strongly and saying we need a time out,” Barrack
said at the conference in Antalya, southern Turkey.
“This is just the beginning of a road and the ceasefires are so delicate because
everybody’s been equally untrustworthy,” he said. “Everybody is in atrophy over
this idiotic war. So will the ceasefire stick? What will we do? It’s baby
steps,” Barrack said.
Al-Rahi: True hero not one who wages wars, but one who builds peace
Naharnet/April 17/2026
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Friday that "war does not build a
future, but rather destroys the present and steals tomorrow," calling for
"rejecting the logic of violence and adhering to the logic of dialogue." He
added, in the southern city of Jezzine, that "the Lebanese are tired of wars, of
killing and destruction, and of seeing their youth emigrate, and their life's
work wasted, because a single bomb can destroy what has been built over many
years." He pointed out that "war is not a sign of strength; true strength lies
in possessing reason and wisdom, and in the ability to engage in dialogue and
understanding."
"It is shameful for us not to negotiate, because true dignity lies in sitting at
the table of dialogue as equals, and seeking solutions that preserve everyone's
dignity," al-Rahi said. "Peace is the greatness of
humanity, while war is the weakness of humanity. The true hero is not the one
who wages wars, but the one who builds peace, and who works to unite people, not
divide them," the patriarch added.
Berri says national unity and civil peace are red lines
Naharnet/April 17/2026
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri stressed Friday that "national unity and civil
peace are red lines that will not be crossed under any circumstances."He
emphasized that "any attack on these two pillars, from any side, is an attack on
Lebanon's very existence and a free gift to the Israeli enemy and its projects,
which can only succeed through sectarian strife."Berri was speaking hours after
a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah entered into effect. Berri
added: "Sectarian strife is dormant, and may God curse those who awaken
it."Berri continued: "I take this opportunity, on the first day of the ceasefire
and the return of residents to their villages and towns, to reiterate my
gratitude to Beirut, which, like Mt. Lebanon and the north, opened its doors and
neighborhoods to those displaced from the south, the southern suburbs, and the
Bekaa Valley." Berri also expressed his "dismay, condemnation, and rejection" of
the celebratory gunfire that took place overnight in relation to the ceasefire
with Israel, asserting that "every bullet fired into the air, in addition to
posing a threat to the lives of civilians and endangering people's properties,
is an affront to their dignity and a violation not only of the law but also of
all divine laws."In separate remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, Berri
expressed his "cautious" satisfaction with the ceasefire agreement, while
simultaneously reiterating his rejection of "direct negotiations" with Israel.
He stated that his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, confirmed
during a phone call on Thursday morning that the ceasefire was reached according
to a comprehensive formula that included Iran. Berri stated that the important
thing now is that the process has moved forward, describing the ceasefire is a
step in the right direction. He also emphasized that he is not at all worried
about the internal situation, which is
Hezbollah Tallies Its Dead from Israel War, Estimates
Exceed 1,000
Asharq Al Awsat/April 17/2026
An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in
Gaza, according to figures published by UN Women on Friday, and the agency
warned that deaths have continued six months into a fragile ceasefire. More than
38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza between October 2023 and December
2025, according to the report by UN Women, an agency that focuses on gender
equality. "Women and girls accounted for a proportion of deaths far higher than
those observed in previous conflicts in Gaza," Sofia Calltorp, the agency's
humanitarian action head, told reporters in Geneva. "They were individuals with
lives and with dreams," she added, according to AFP. The agency expressed
concern that the killing of women and girls has continued since an October
ceasefire, though it does not know exactly how many have died due to a lack of
gender-aggregated data. October's ceasefire halted two years of full-scale war
but left Israeli troops in control of a depopulated zone that makes up well over
half of Gaza, with Hamas in power in the remaining, narrow, coastal strip. More
than 750 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to local medics,
while militants have killed four Israeli soldiers. Israel and Hamas have traded
blame for ceasefire violations.Israel says it aims to thwart attacks by Hamas
and other militant factions. UN children's agency UNICEF said on Friday that
children continued to be killed and injured at an alarming rate in Gaza, with at
least 214 reported dead in the last six months.
Around one million women and girls are displaced in Gaza, UN Women said.
"Extensive damage to infrastructure has made it almost impossible for
women and girls in Gaza to access their basic needs like healthcare," said
Calltorp. World Health Organization figures show more than 500,000 women lack
access to essential services including antenatal and postnatal care and
management of sexually transmitted infections.
Links to several
important news websites
National News Agency (Lebanon)
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
MTV Lebanon
https://www.mtv.com.lb/
Voice of Lebanon
https://www.vdl.me/
Asas Media
https://asasmedia.com/
Naharnet
https://www.naharnet.com/
Al Markazia News Agency
https://almarkazia.com/ar
LBCI (English)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/en
LBCI (Arabic)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Janoubia Website
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Kataeb Party Official Website
https://www.kataeb.org
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on April 17-18/2026
Trump say Iran blockade continues despite Hormuz
reopening
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Iran's announcement that the
crucial Strait of Hormuz will reopen to shipping, but said a U.S. blockade of
Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal is signed. "THANK YOU!" Trump
wrote on his Truth Social platform, saying that Iran had announced the narrow
waterway was "FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE."In a second message a few
minutes later, Trump posted that "The naval blockade will remain in full force
and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with
Iran is 100% complete." "This process should go very quickly in that most of the
points are already negotiated," Trump said, using his trademark style of
all-capital letters. Trump had said to reporters on Thursday that a peace deal
with Iran was "very close" despite the fact that talks led by Vice President JD
Vance in Pakistan at the weekend did not reach any breakthrough. Iran's Foreign
Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced earlier Friday that the strait, vital for
the global trade in oil and other commodities, will remain "completely open" as
long as a ceasefire in the Middle East lasts. It wasn't immediately clear if he
was referring to a 10-day truce agreed by Lebanon and Israel that went into
effect at midnight or an earlier two-week truce between Iran and the United
States that began on April 8.
Trump says 'no sticking points' left for Iran deal
Agence France Presse/April 17/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump told AFP on Friday there were "no sticking points"
left for a peace deal with Iran, adding that an agreement was "very
close."Trump's comments came after a series of social media posts in which he
touted progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran's nuclear
program. "We're very close. Looks like it's going to be very good for everybody.
And we're very close to having a deal," Trump said in a brief telephone call
with AFP from Las Vegas. "The strait's going to be open, they already are open.
And things are going very well." A first round of U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan
last weekend ended without a peace deal, but Trump has said a second round could
happen soon. Trump has said the core U.S. demand is that Iran should never be
able to develop a nuclear weapon, and he said on Thursday that Iran had agreed
to turn over its stock of enriched uranium. Asked what the remaining sticking
points for a deal were, Trump replied, "No sticking points at all." When asked
why he was unable to declare a deal at this point after his string of optimistic
posts, Trump said he wanted an agreement on paper."I don't do that, I get it in
writing," Trump added.
Top US general says his forces ‘have eyes on every
Iranian port’
Al Arabiya English/17 April/2026
US forces in the Middle East continue to fully enforce the maritime blockade
against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas and can
maintain the blockade as long as needed, the head of the United States Central
Command said Friday. “We are watching every Iranian ship in every port period,
full stop,” Adm. Brad Cooper told Al Arabiya English during a call with
reporters. “We’re able to sustain the blockade as long as necessary,” he said,
adding that American forces “have eyes on every Iranian port.” Iran announced
Friday that it was opening the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of the
ceasefire in the Middle East. But US President Donald Trump said the US-imposed
blockade he ordered would remain in effect until a deal was completely agreed
between Washington and Tehran. Since the blockade went into effect on Monday,
Cooper said 19 vessels had tried to violate the blockade but turned around and
returned to port after US warnings. “No ships have or will evade US forces,”
Cooper said in Friday’s call. However, he said there were several vessels of
interest that the US military continues to closely monitor “both within and
outside the blockade boundary.”
He added: “We have eyes on every single one of them.”
Trump signals Iran deal near, hails ‘brilliant day for world’
AFP/17 April ,2026
US President Donald Trump signaled Friday that an Iran peace deal was all but
done, trumpeting agreements on the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear
program. In a rapid-fire stream of social media posts,
Trump hailed a “GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!” but without specifically
announcing a deal with Iran. The celebratory tone
continued with a series of shout-outs to mediator Pakistan and Gulf allies - and
a rebuke to NATO to “STAY AWAY” as he rejected an offer from the Western
alliance to help secure the strait. Iran had earlier said it was opening the
Strait of Hormuz - a crucial sea lane whose closure caused global oil prices to
spike - for the duration of a Middle East ceasefire. “Iran has agreed to never
close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against
the World,” Trump said in one of around a dozen posts on his Truth Social
network. Touting further progress toward a deal, Trump also said that Iran was
removing sea mines from the strait, with US help. The US leader had earlier said
“THANK YOU!” to Iran over the Hormuz reopening, while insisting that an American
blockade of Iranian ports would remain in “full force” until completion of a
peace deal. “This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are
already negotiated,” Trump said on Friday. US-Iran talks led by Vice President
JD Vance last weekend in Pakistan failed to produce a deal, but Trump has
repeatedly hinted that a breakthrough was close. He had said Thursday that Iran
had agreed to give up its uranium stockpile, that a second round of talks in
Islamabad was likely, and that he himself might go to Pakistan to sign an
eventual deal. On Friday, Trump again talked up the likelihood of a nuclear deal
while insisting that no money would change hands after an Axios report that
Washington was considering a $20 billion cash-for-uranium exchange.“The U.S.A.
will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our great B2 Bombers - No money will
exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” Trump said in another post. Axios
reported that the United States and Iran were negotiating a plan that would
include Washington releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for
Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.
State Dept. says Trump prohibition of Israeli attacks in
Lebanon doesn't apply to self-defense
Associated Press/April 17/2026
The U.S. State Department said Friday that President Donald Trump’s announced
prohibition on Israeli strikes inside Lebanon applies only to offensive attacks
and not to actions taken in self-defense, and referred to the third point of
Wednesday’s agreement by Israel and Lebanon. That point says “Israel shall
preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time,
against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” It adds that Israel “will not
carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including
civilian, military, and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by
land, air, and sea.”With the ceasefire only a few hours old, Israel has already
launched at least one deadly drone strike in southern Lebanon, according to the
health ministry there. During the previous ceasefire, Israel struck what it said
were Hezbollah targets almost daily.
Prince Faisal and Rubio discuss Strait of Hormuz,
Lebanon ceasefire
Al Arabiya English/17 April/2026
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of
State Marco Rubio spoke on the phone Friday to discuss efforts to ensure the
Strait of Hormuz remains open. Prince Faisal and Rubio also discussed the
consolidation of the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, which was announced by the
United States on Thursday, according to a readout of the call from the Saudi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Iran says its enriched uranium ‘not going to be transferred’
AFP/17 April/2026
Iran’s foreign ministry on Friday said the country’s stockpile of enriched
uranium would not be transferred “anywhere,” denying an earlier claim by US
President Donald Trump that Tehran had agreed to hand it over. “Iran’s enriched
uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere,” Iranian foreign ministry
spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state TV.“Transfer of Iran’s enriched uranium to
the US has never been raised in negotiations.”Trump posted on his Truth Social
platform earlier Friday: “The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our
great B2 Bombers,” referring to enriched uranium buried by US strikes last
year.But Baqaei said recent talks centered on solving the conflict and not on
recovering Iran’s uranium. “The previous negotiations focused on the nuclear
issue, but now the negotiations are focused on ending the war, and naturally the
range of topics discussed has become wider and more diverse,” he said. “The
10-point plan for lifting sanctions is very important to us. The issue of
compensation for the damages incurred during the imposed war is of particular
importance.”He also took aim at Trump for posting on his Truth Social platform
Friday that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a
peace deal with Tehran was reached, despite Tehran declaring the Strait of
Hormuz reopened. “The opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz, does not take
place on internet, it is determined in the field, and our armed forces certainly
know how to behave in response to any action by the other side,” said Baqaei.
“What they call a naval blockade will definitely be met with an appropriate
response from Iran. A naval blockade is a violation of the ceasefire and Iran
will definitely take the necessary measures.”His comments came after reports
that Washington and Tehran were negotiating a plan that would include Washington
releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its
stockpile of enriched uranium. Tehran still possesses a significant quantity of
uranium enriched both to 60 percent, close to the 90-percent level required to
make an atomic bomb, as well as a stockpile of uranium enriched to 20 percent,
another critical threshold. Prior to US strikes in June 2025, the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calculated that Iran possessed approximately 440
kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 percent, well above the 3.67-percent limit
set by a 2015 agreement from which the United States subsequently withdrew.
Since June 2025, the fate of this stockpile has remained uncertain, with Tehran
refusing access to IAEA inspectors at the sites ravaged by US and Israeli
strikes.
Secret Israeli Ministerial Talks under US Pressure Discuss
Vision of ‘New Gaza’
Tel Aviv: Asharq Al Awsat/April 17/2026
20Israeli media sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two
secret meetings of senior officials across several ministries, under US
pressure, to discuss the future of Gaza, including a possible commercial port
and reconstruction plans. Observers linked the
meetings to a military escalation in which Israeli forces struck multiple areas
on the margins of operations in Lebanon, in what they said was meant to divert
attention from the talks, opposed by far-right ministers. Israel’s Channel 12
reported on Thursday that a meeting this week was chaired by acting director
general of the prime minister’s office, Drorit Steinmetz, with participation
from the finance ministry, the National Security Council, the Coordinator of
Government Activities in the Territories, and the energy, transport and
environmental protection ministries. Citing five unnamed sources, the channel
said the meeting followed US pressure and requests from American officials at
the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat. It said this was
the second government meeting on the issue held in complete secrecy. Talks
focused on managing US forces inside Gaza, as well as control of border
crossings and the near-term flow of goods. Ministries
were asked to present positions on establishing a civilian port in Gaza.
Israel’s vision was also reviewed alongside proposals from the CMCC, involving
foreign representatives and aid groups. These proposals fall under what US
envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have called a “new Gaza,” including
high-rise buildings, industrial zones, desalination plants, a gas platform, and
an airport, the report said. Representatives from the
electricity and water authorities and the transport ministry were asked to
provide professional assessments.The report said Israel’s leadership had issued
clear guidance that no reconstruction would move forward unless Gaza is fully
demilitarized and the Palestinian Hamas group is disarmed. Israel also said it
would not fund any reconstruction.Despite official statements, Channel 12 said
Israel appears to be compelled to engage with external initiatives that
contradict its stated position. Netanyahu’s office
said policy remains unchanged, no reconstruction before Hamas is disarmed and
Gaza fully demilitarized, a condition it has not been met despite commitments to
the US administration and mediators. It added that professional-level
discussions are not meant to advance reconstruction, but to assess international
proposals and prevent the establishment of a status quo on the ground that could
harm Israel’s interests.
Strikes Kill 3 Iranian Kurds in Northern Iraq, Says
Opposition Group
Asharq Al-Awsat/April 17/2026
Drone and rocket strikes in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region on Friday killed
three Iranian Kurds, including two women fighters, an exiled opposition group
said, blaming the attack on Iran. During the Middle East war, Iran has
repeatedly struck Iranian Kurdish groups in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region,
which hosts camps and bases belonging to several exiled rebel groups. "Iran
launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes today targeting... civilian
camps of the PDKI," killing one person and wounding his father, the Democratic
Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) said on X. In a separate attack, two women
fighters were killed and other fighters wounded, the party added. A PDKI
official told AFP the fighters were killed in an attack on their positions in
the Soran area, nestled in the Zagros mountains near the Iranian border. On
Tuesday, a woman fighter was killed in a drone strike on a position belonging to
the exiled Komala party. It was the first such attack against Iranian Kurds in
Iraqi Kurdistan since a fragile ceasefire in the US-Israeli war against Iran
took effect in the region on April 8. Iran designates several Iranian Kurdish
armed groups as terrorist organizations and accuses them of serving Western or
Israeli interests.
Kosovo Lawmakers Approve Proposed Gaza Troop Deployment
Asharq Al-Awsat/April 17/2026
Kosovo's parliament on Friday passed a law authorizing the potential deployment
of a small number of troops to Gaza as part of a peacekeeping force proposed by
US President Donald Trump. According to local media, the government intends to
send 22 members of the Kosovo Security Force if the plan goes ahead, although
the number has not been officially confirmed. "The Republic of Kosovo proves
that it is a reliable partner and ready to act alongside allies in support of
peace, security, protection of civilians and implementation of international
mandates," Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci said before the parliament
unanimously approved the law. Announced as part of a ceasefire agreement that
halted two years of devastating war, the planned International Stabilization
Force was proposed by the "Board of Peace", which is led by Trump. Kosovo joined
several other countries in Washington for the Board's first meeting earlier this
year to discuss funding for rebuilding Gaza and the potential deployment of
thousands of foreign troops. Under US command, the hypothetical force could
include up to 20,000 soldiers, with Indonesia so far pledging 8,000 troops. In
March, Kosovo's prime minister Albin Kurti said his country was willing to take
part due to the role international forces, particularly NATO peacekeepers, have
played in his country after its 1998-1999 war of independence with Serbia. So
far, the future of Trump's plan remains unclear, with Israel and Hamas
maintaining contradictory demands in ongoing negotiations amid accusations of
ceasefire breaches on both sides. The ceasefire followed more than two years of
war triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023, cross-border attack on Israel. At
least 766 Palestinians have been killed since the October 10 ceasefire was
announced, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is under Hamas authority
and whose figures are considered reliable by the UN.
Links to several important news
websites
Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper
https://aawsat.com/
National News Agency
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Al Arabiya/Arabic
https://www.alarabiya.net/
Sky News
https://www.youtube.com/@SkyNewsArabia
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Markazia
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Hadath
https://www.youtube.com/@AlHadath
Independent Arabia
https://www.independentarabia.com/
The Latest
LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on April 17-18/2026
Why Does the European Commission Support the Muslim
Brotherhood?
Robert Williams/Gatestone Institute/April 17/2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22426/european-commission-supports-muslim-brotherhood
"European institutions demonstrate a continued record of engagement with and
support for Muslim Brotherhood-related organisations. The most visible examples
occur in the form of direct funding." — Paul Stott and Tommaso Virgili, in the
report "The Muslim Brotherhood in Europe," October 2021.
According to a report published by the ECR Group in December 2025, "Unmasking
the Muslim Brotherhood. Brotherism, Islamophobia and the EU," written by Tommaso
Virgili and Florence Bergeaud-Blackler, the European Commission is still funding
Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations that "exploit EU funding and
institutions to advance their agenda."
A bit hard for the EU, therefore, to feign ignorance.
"They [these Muslim Brotherhood organizations] get funding and legitimacy that
other totalitarian groups would never dream of getting.... these organizations
play a clever game of dominoes, leveraging legitimacy in one member state to
gain credibility in another or at the European level, then using that to charm
more grant-making bodies. This creates a vicious cycle of ever-growing
legitimacy and funding from multiple sources..." — Charlie Wiemers, Swedish
Member of European Parliament, in "Unmasking the Muslim Brotherhood."
"If an organization claims to uphold European values, authorities take it at
face value. Denying funding for failing to align with those values requires
ironclad evidence, but monitoring isn't built to scrutinize content. A few
missteps are brushed off as one-offs, and any official who dares push back risks
accusations of racism or 'Islamophobia'—a chilling effect that will prevent most
officials from acting unless they are extraordinarily principled and
courageous." — Charlie Wiemers, in "Unmasking the Muslim Brotherhood."
An unelected and deeply undemocratic institution – the European Commission – is
boosting the Muslim Brotherhood, spending taxpayer money on it, and legitimizing
it.
The European Commission, the unelected executive arm of the European Union,
assured Europeans in 2019 that it was not spending their hard-earned taxpayer
money on supporting the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). In response to a question by
Charlie Weimers, a Swedish Member of European Parliament, about the Commission's
funding of the MB, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said:
"[T]he European Commission does not finance extremists. On the contrary, we have
very strong oversight and audit of our financing... and if you have evidence to
the contrary, I would be very interested to have it."
Weimers later supplied the Commission with the requested evidence. In October
2021, the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR Group), a
center-right political group in the European Parliament, of which Wiemers is a
member, published a report they had commissioned from researchers Paul Stott and
Tommaso Virgili, "Network of Networks: The Muslim Brotherhood in Europe."
Wiemers wrote in the report's introduction:
"The aim of this report is stimulate a debate on what new policies we need to
institute to prevent the spread of Islamism in Europe. My ambition is to
persuade the European Commission to change its policy and stop all contributions
to Islamist organisations."
According to the report:
"... European institutions demonstrate a continued record of engagement with and
support for Muslim Brotherhood-related organisations. The most visible examples
occur in the form of direct funding."
Weimers did not succeed, however, in getting the European Commission to stop
these contributions. According to a report published by the ECR Group in
December 2025, "Unmasking the Muslim Brotherhood. Brotherism, Islamophobia and
the EU," written by Tommaso Virgili and Florence Bergeaud-Blackler, the European
Commission is still funding Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations that
"exploit EU funding and institutions to advance their agenda." The authors
write:
"The report identifies insufficient financial oversight, allowing EU funds to
support extremist groups or to amplify their illiberal ideologies. It also warns
against a legitimization effect produced by the engagement of EU institutions
with Brotherist narratives and structures."
Among the Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations that the EU funds is the
European Network Against Racism (ENAR), an "anti-racism network" that advocates
"for better EU anti-racism policies and legislation." ENAR received €23 million
($26.4 million) from the EU in the years spanning 2007-2020 and its director
from 2010 to 2021, Michaël Privot, a convert to Islam, admitted in an article in
Belgian news outlet Le Soir in 2008 that he was affiliated with the Muslim
Brotherhood, before claiming to denounce the organization in 2012.
A bit hard for the EU, therefore, to feign ignorance.
ENAR is active in fighting "Islamophobia", a strategic tool used by the Muslim
Brotherhood to shut down all criticism of Islam, in coalition with a whole slew
of other MB-linked organizations in Europe, according to the report.
"... ENAR has been in the forefront of the battle against Islamophobia. It has
even coordinated a 'European Coalition Against Islamophobia' that was, in fact a
'network of Brotherist influencers' comprising some of the most influential
organizations and individuals of the Brotherhood nebula...."
What is even more concerning is that the opinions of this network appear to
carry a lot of weight with highly placed EU decision-makers:
"ENAR enjoys a great deal of material and immaterial benefits from the European
Commission... Moreover, ENAR is frequently involved as a partner and consultant
in different initiatives sponsored by the Commission or EU agencies. In 2021,
for instance, it took part in a roundtable on 'racial and climate justice' along
with EC Vice-President Frans Timmermans and in another meeting concerning the
European Climate Pact. It also delivered the opening speech at the European
Commission's 6th Migration Forum. In 2023, the European Union Agency for
Fundamental Rights shared on its social media, and later deleted, a call for a
"march against Islamophobia" promoted by ENAR and other Brotherist
organizations... Additionally, ENAR prides itself on engaging with multiple
political groups at the European Parliament and on influencing documents and
reports from the European Commission, European Parliament and the Fundamental
Rights Agency (FRA)."
Between 2007 and 2019, the MB-linked Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student
Organisations (FEMYSO) received €288,856 ($331,000) of EU funding across various
projects, according to the report. Even though EU-funding has apparently stopped
since then, EU institutions continue to legitimize the organization, the ECR
Group report's authors write:
"In July 2023, the Commission stated that no EU funded project featuring FEMYSO
was still running.
"Yet, beyond the matter of financial support, FEMYSO represents another towering
example of the different forms of legitimization EU institutions bestow on
Brotherist entities. FRA explicitly admits its cooperation with FEMYSO, and, in
2023, it advertised on social media the FEMYSO-led 'march against
Islamophobia'... The Commission and the Parliament, too, engage with FEMYSO. In
November 2021, Commissioner Helena Dalli tweeted about her meetings with FEMYSO
members. This happened the same month as Dalli promoted the controversial FEMYSO
campaign to mainstream the hijab..."
Why is the European Commission seeking out the opinions of Muslim Brotherhood
groups and bestowing legitimacy on them?
Charlie Wiemers, in the report's foreword, writes that EU support of the Muslim
Brotherhood has become a self-perpetuating vicious cycle of growing legitimacy,
seemingly created both by ideology, bureaucratic inertia and basic incompetence.
"Political directives often push grant-giving bodies to prioritize or earmark
funds for minority-run or minority-serving organizations. This, combined with
officials' unfamiliarity with this totalitarian religious-ideology, gives
Brotherhood-affiliated groups an edge. They can get funding and legitimacy that
other totalitarian groups would never dream of getting....
"[T]hese organizations play a clever game of dominoes, leveraging legitimacy in
one member state to gain credibility in another or at the European level, then
using that to charm more grant-making bodies. This creates a vicious cycle of
ever-growing legitimacy and funding from multiple sources....
"[O]ur monitoring systems are toothless when it comes to catching deviations
from a grant's purpose. If an organization claims to uphold European values,
authorities take it at face value. Denying funding for failing to align with
those values requires ironclad evidence, but monitoring isn't built to
scrutinize content. A few missteps are brushed off as one-offs, and any official
who dares push back risks accusations of racism or 'Islamophobia'—a chilling
effect that will prevent most officials from acting unless they are
extraordinarily principled and courageous."
This is not only extraordinary, but potentially fatal. An unelected and deeply
undemocratic institution – the European Commission – is boosting the Muslim
Brotherhood, spending taxpayer money on it, and legitimizing it. Why?
Robert Williams is based in the United States.
© 2026 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.
What The State Should and Should Not Do
Tawfiq Alsaif/Asharq Al-Awsat/April 17/2026
Most people seem convinced that a “market economy” is the optimal model for
development and overall economic and financial performance. However, this
conviction swiftly recedes when economic crises rear their heads. In my view,
the absolute application of this model is not feasible under the conditions we
know in today’s world. In a pure market economy, the role of the state shrinks
to protecting borders and combating crime. Ferdinand Lassalle compared this role
to that of a “night-watchman” in his criticism of liberalism. A contemporary
American philosopher, Robert Nozick, nonetheless strongly defended this idea,
presenting it as the ideal model for preserving individual freedoms and
self-expression. Comparisons between the liberal model
and a socialist alternative will usually favor the former. The liberal model’s
celebration of individual initiative, which it rewards and valorizes, was key to
the scientific and technological progress achieved in Western societies, and
with it their prosperity and high living standards. Under socialism, people
struggle to secure a decent life and meet essential needs. Consider, for
example, the carmaker Henry Ford, the man behind the American Ford automobile
company, and compare his vehicles to those of his Soviet counterpart, Lev
Yeremeyev, the designer of the Volga. Ford became one of the richest men in the
world; his name remains iconic, and his material legacy is vast to this day,
with dozens of articles and books written about his life and work.
By contrast, the Soviet designer led an ordinary life as a government employee.
Little has ever been written about him, and he received no material rewards
beyond certificates of appreciation. Today, we know virtually nothing about him.
He is not a household name despite being a pioneer of Soviet industry. The same
applies in the military sphere: if you ask about the designers of the MiG
fighter jet (one of the proudest achievements of Soviet industry), you will find
a similar result. Those who designed and built it lived and died in service of
the state, without attaining rewards that would inspire future generations to
pursue innovation and industry. Comparisons between
the two models (whether in terms of material returns, individual freedoms, or
political participation) undoubtedly favor the free-market economy.
Nevertheless, many ordinary people, as well as scholars, politicians, and
opinion leaders, worry about the dominance of this model. Last week, I discussed
the views of the Hungarian-Austrian thinker Karl Polanyi, who offered a powerful
critique of the market economy, albeit without advocating its replacement with
socialism.Here lies the distinction between Marxist critics of the market
economy and those who oppose it from a communitarian perspective, which seeks a
middle path between socialism and liberalism. Advocates of this third approach
call for a broader role for the state in managing public resources that avoids
restricting individual freedoms or interfering in citizens’ choices. They also
argue for removing certain essential areas of life from the market, most notably
land, education, healthcare, and the care of those unable to manage their own
affairs.
I believe that the absolute application of a market economy, as advocated by
Robert Nozick, for instance, would not empower citizens as he assumed. Rather,
it would empower the market and its leaders, who would then govern society by
controlling the supply and demand for goods, jobs, and capital. I do not think
anyone truly desires this outcome, just as few want a purely socialist model in
which private property is extremely limited or nearly nonexistent. A “third way”
that combines security with freedom, therefore, seems to be the most reasonable
option. That, however, is a discussion for another time.
Iran: Heading for Another Ceasefire?
Amir Taheri/Asharq Al-Awsat/April 17/2026
The ceasefire declared in the US-Israel war against Iran is set to end in the
next couple of days amid conflicting views on what might happen next. By the
time of writing this piece many observers thought that both sides might agree to
an extension of the brittle truce a further 45 days. In a world of 24-hour news
cycle, punctuated by tweets and video clips, that may sound a long time. In last
June’s war against Iran, President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire after 35
hours of bombing. He had also declared “mission accomplished” in Venezuela after
a 5-hour raid to kidnap President Nicolás Maduro. When the second round of war
against Iran seemed to stall, the president threatened to turn Iran back to the
Stone Age in just 4 hours. In the Islamabad peace talks last week, Vice
President JD Vance decided that enough was enough after a 16-hour back-and-forth
with Tehran’s emissaries, half of it spent on translation of what each side
said. In war and diplomacy, however, as in love, patience is the name of the
game. The US wars with Mexico lasted six years. The two world wars got the US
involved for almost four years each time. The Korean War ended after more than
three years with no clear winner and the war in Indochina pegged the US down for
more than a decade. Since Trump is clearly unwilling to pursue this war for as
long as it takes, his best choice is to seek a way of concluding it through
diplomacy.
However, diplomacy also needs patience. You can’t just walk in and put down your
desiderata for the adversary to sign with a “my way or the highway” brag which
is what JD did in Islamabad. Remember that the Vietnam peace talks in Paris
spent 15 days to decide the shape of the table around which the delegates would
sit. The problem with talking with Iran today is that it isn’t a normal
nation-state. It is an unusual structure built around a charismatic personality
with absolute power that uses a more or less formal government as a façade.In
it, nobody can claim to be anybody unless endorsed by the “Supreme Guide” for a
specific mission and a limited period. In that system, there is no normal
circulation of information even within the organs of the regime.
When Vladimir Putin suddenly arrived in Tehran, the Iranian president at the
time, Hassan Rouhani, learned about it only by watching television. The Russian
leader went directly to the residence of the “Supreme Guide,” spent four hours
with and drove back to the airport to return to Moscow. General Qassem
Soleimani, then chief of the Quds Force and a favorite of Ali Khamenei, invited
Syrian despot Bashar al-Assad to Tehran without informing the Iranian president
or foreign minister.Under the system that Khomeini and Khamenei created, even
the chiefs of Iranian Revolutionary Guard are not allowed to hold staff meetings
without prior approval of “beit” or office of the “Supreme Guide” and the
presence of his military advisers.
The IRGC is divided into 5 separate commands, plus half a dozen other armed
outfits whose ultimate control rests with the “beit”. Former foreign minister
Muhammad Javad Zarif, not known for his love of veracity, was telling the truth
when he told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York that he didn’t know
much about Iran’s nuclear project. President Trump
says regime change has already happened in Tehran. But what has happened is the
destruction of a regime built around a cult of personality.
With Khamenei’s demise, the “beit” has disappeared with its 5,000-strong
personnel killed, scattered or left uncertain about their future. In the absence
of a ruling political party, Khamenei ruled Iran through multiple parallel
networks of clients in cultural, economic, religious and security domains. He
even had his own ambassadors, apart from Iran’s official ones, in 22 capitals.
The so-called proxies were also run by the “beit” with the formal Iranian
government used as a façade. With Khamenei’s demise, pundits have been looking
for a strongman to put Iran on a different trajectory.
For a few days, Ali Ardeshir Larijani was fancied as the Iranian version of Deng
Xiaoping. When the Israelis assassinated him, people started talking about
1-star General Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as a cut-price Bonaparte for Iran. The
truth, however, is that to play a Deng or a Bonaparte one needs an organized
state structure capable of being used by a new big cheese. Two things seem clear
at this juncture. The Khomeini-Khamenei system cannot be rebuilt even if the new
“Supreme Guide” Mojtaba is really alive and kicking.
The second thing is that a reshuffling of cards that leaves the regime in place
in an altered form would not change the genetics of an ideology built around
radical rejection of accepted rules of international life. All that, however is
no concern of Trump who is looking for a quick Nescafe solution to suit his
calendar of events: a summit in Beijing, hosting the British monarch in
Washington, celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence, a NATO
summit, Republican primaries and mid-term elections - all that against the
backdrop of rising gas prices and inflation. If Trump is looking for a breathing
space, his best bet is to do the ceasefire trapeze with a safety net, a strong
military safety net, underneath.
None of the political midgets left in Tehran has the courage or stature to grant
Trump all what he wants. But a renewed ceasefire might provide the time and
space for the contours of a new power arrangement in Tehran to appear on the
horizon.
A truce can either prolong this war that started 47 years ago or offer an
opportunity for Iranians to seriously think of regime change rather than a
change of behavior by the regime.
The worst option is to promote uncertainty through provocative tweets and hurly
volte-face. The tactic may have worked at first because of its novelty. Now,
however, it has been factored-in as part of the background noise. The mullahs
often hasted that while the “Great Satan” has the gold watch they have the time.
Trump-bashers of all ilks have helped spread that shibboleth warning about
global economic meltdown despite a return of calm on stock exchanges and energy
markets. Now, however, the “Great Satan” has the time while the mullahs are left
with their worry beads.
Question: What does the Bible say about tattoos?
GotQuestions.org/April 17/2026
Answer: Tattoos have become a common form of self-expression in popular culture.
In the past, many people associated tattoos with gang members, prison inmates,
and others outside the mainstream of society. Today, however, it’s normal for
individuals in respected professions to have tattoos, like teachers, doctors,
and even pastors.
While the Bible is the ultimate authority for faith and practice, the New
Testament does not directly address whether a follower of Jesus Christ can get a
tattoo. Because of this, getting inked is not a black-and-white moral issue but
a gray area in which there is no clear right or wrong. This means that getting a
tattoo is not inherently sinful but could be under certain circumstances.
When it comes to moral issues that Scripture does not specifically address, the
Bible instructs Christians to follow their conscience according to their faith
(Romans 14:22–23). Specifically, Paul says that every Christian “should be fully
convinced in their own mind” about what is right or wrong for them (Romans
14:5). Regarding those who have different convictions about disputable matters,
Paul tells believers on both sides to “stop passing judgment on one another” and
to accept each other instead (Romans 14:1, 13).
Here are some biblical principles to help Christians who are considering getting
a tattoo:
• The subject matter of the tattoo makes a difference. While getting a tattoo
may be permissible, any images or words that promote beliefs or behaviors
contrary to God’s moral standards are sinful.
• The motivation for getting a tattoo matters. Paul says decisions about gray
areas should be made “to the Lord”—for His glory—and come from faith (Romans
14:6, 23; 1 Corinthians 10:31). This means that getting a tattoo to conform to
the world is wrong (1 John 2:15–17). Therefore, getting a tattoo itself may not
be a sin, but the motivation for getting one can be.
• Transformation of the heart is more valuable than the decoration of the body.
Peter taught that Christians should not prioritize “outward adornment” over the
“inner self” (1 Peter 3:3–4). A person who desires to get a tattoo for the sake
of vanity is guilty of pride.
• Jesus’ redemption of sinners includes care for the body. According to Paul, a
believer’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). This
fact raises important questions: How much modification of that temple is
appropriate? Is there a line that should not be crossed? At what point do
tattoos cease to be artistic self-expression and become sinful mutilation?
Answering questions like these should be a matter of individual reflection and
honest prayer.
• Reflect on how a tattoo might impact being a witness for Christ. Christians
are Jesus’ ambassadors in the world, delivering God’s message to the lost (2
Corinthians 5:20). Therefore, they should carefully consider what message a
tattoo gives to unbelievers and whether it will help or hinder their witness for
Christ and the gospel. • Minors must follow their
parents’ preferences on moral issues that the Bible doesn’t address. Children
are to honor and obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1–2). For minors to get tattoos
against their parents’ wishes constitutes sinful rebellion.
Although Christians are no longer under the Law of Moses (Romans 6:14), it’s
noteworthy that Leviticus prohibited Israelites from marking their skin to mourn
the dead. God instructed His people: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put
tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). This law addressed
pagan grieving rituals. Scholars believe this tattooing was likely a religious
practice that reflected pagan beliefs about honoring the dead.
The instruction about tattooing the skin appears alongside other commands that
set Israel apart from other nations. In this way, the Israelites lived out God’s
standard stated earlier in the passage: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your
God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). While the pagan practices described in Leviticus
are not part of a typical Christian’s life today, the principle of not adopting
worldly values endures (Romans 12:2; James 4:4).
In summary, getting a tattoo is not a sin in itself. It is permissible within
the freedom a Christian has in Christ (Galatians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 10:23). Yet
biblical principles should guide a person’s decision to get one. When applying
these principles, prayer for wisdom is essential: “If any of you lacks wisdom,
you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it
will be given to you” (James 1:5).
Trump and the first American Pope
Abdullah F. Alrebh/Al Arabiya English/17 April/2026
The current political landscape features an unprecedented clash between the
White House and the Vatican, fueled by deep disagreement over US foreign policy
in the Middle East. President Donald Trump recently took to Truth Social to
attack Pope Leo XIV, labeling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign
policy.” The pope responded defiantly during his Africa tour, declaring in
Cameroon that the world is “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” who twist religious
narratives to justify war. Central to this feud is the pontiff’s ongoing
criticism of the administration’s hardline stance on Iran.
To understand this fracture, one must trace its origins to fundamentally
divergent worldviews on global power. Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly used his
platform to call for peace, specifically condemning President Trump’s threats to
destroy Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable” amid the region’s shadow
war. This papal intervention carries added weight given its context: Born in
Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is the first American pontiff. The irony is particularly
stark after Trump’s recent claim that the pope was elevated “because he was an
American” to deal with his administration.
The conflict escalated from quiet diplomatic friction into public spectacle when
President Trump treated the Vatican as a conventional political adversary. In
highly publicized statements, he accused the Holy See of radical left influence
and personalized the clash by posting that “if I wasn’t in the White House, Leo
wouldn’t be in the Vatican.” This tactic aligns with his broader strategy of
coercive diplomacy. The controversy peaked when Trump shared an AI-generated
image of himself in a Christ-like pose, later admitting he is “not a big fan” of
the pontiff.
The Holy See’s response demonstrates resolute adherence to moral doctrine.
Aboard the papal flight, Pope Leo XIV directly addressed Trump’s digital
provocations, declaring, “I have no fear of the Trump administration.” He
condemned “bloodthirsty tyrants” and a global system squandering billions on
“killing and devastation.” Through a Weberian lens, the pope wields traditional
and moral authority to counter Washington’s charismatic, populist power,
favoring timeless ethical teachings over personal attacks.
This international dispute has sparked immediate domestic political challenges,
most notably for Vice President JD Vance. As a recent Catholic convert and key
conservative voice in the White House, he navigates a narrow political tightrope
– defending the administration’s foreign policy while managing his religious
identity. Vance urged the pope to “stick to matters of morality” and focus on
“what’s going on in the Catholic Church” rather than dictating international
policy. He warned the pontiff to “be careful” when engaging the theology of
modern statecraft, while acknowledging that many Catholics recoil at President
Trump calling him “weak.”The electoral implications of this feud are already
evident in polling data. President Trump’s approval among American Catholics has
dropped to 48 percent, with disapproval rising over the administration’s
aggressive Iran policy. Pope Leo XIV, by contrast, enjoys 84 percent approval
among US Catholics. This erosion of Catholic support – a crucial swing
demographic in Trump’s 2024 victory – threatens Republican prospects in the 2026
midterms.
This dispute underscores growing tensions between an America First populist
agenda and traditional Catholic teachings on the ethics of war. The friction
strains the administration’s broader coalition of religious conservatives. The
feud encapsulates a profound clash of worldviews, pitting an America First
president against a deeply American pope. In an era of polarized faith and
tribal politics, it forces the question: Can the Vatican and White House coexist
without more destructive collisions?
Selected Face
Book & X tweets for April 17/2026
Selena
@selenaryan_
https://x.com/i/status/2043993100234670324
Last week I met with the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, an Israeli town close to the
border with Lebanon that has suffered greatly (and still does) from Hezbollah's
terrorist attacks.
I asked him what does he think about Lebanon and if he sees peace between our
countries as something that should and could happen.
I had no idea whatsoever what he was going to say. Watch the video and see his
powerful response.
Nadine Barakat
Since there was no mention of the process to disarm, and since this government
has not yet enforced the Nov 2024 agreement, and since 1701 hasn’t been enforced
since 2006, and better yet… since the previous LAF commander, who allowed &
helped #Hezbollah breach 1701 and expand in the south, is the current president.
Since he refused to change Haykal and gave Hezbollah-tied, the top 2
positions last week within LAF, and since he is controlling the entire security
forces units … including judicial… and central bank: Josef Aoun is covering up
for their cash 💰inflow, and protecting their arms, their people. Since he also
hid an IRGC in a building where he owns a condo, in Baabda area… then the
problem is not as simple as the broken Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah financiers
who happen to be outside the Shiites environment are the problem too. And those
will rebuild another Hezbollah.
I think this cease fire won’t last. I also think that the ONLY way to reach REAL
PEACE is : This process is “ less invasive “ , more
fun, and it will clean the LAF, the mafia, the Militia, and choke Hezbollah &
its facilitators. It’s like chemo therapy that kills all cancer cells.
DEA is the most “peaceful” solution. Also DEA solution not only saves $, but
also makes $$$ Lots of assets and cash can be seized
DRUG Cartel will make the entire government shit their pants, simply because
Drugs is the
Senator Lindsey Graham on Hezbollah ceasefire:
“I do not trust the Lebanese military to disarm Hezbollah. The commander of the
Lebanese military General Haykal needs to be replaced before there’s a credible
plan to disarm Hezbollah.
Hanin Ghaddar
A 10-days ceasefire is not just a ceasefire:
1- It is part of a longer process that will lead to Peace! That’s how it’s seen
from Washington.
2- It is a test for Lebanon: Israel granted a temporary ceasefire. What will
Lebanon (LAF) do? There’s a list of realistic measure.
3- Carrots will be combined with sticks. Lebanon’s leaders have to be on the
same page re sovereignty, disarmament, and peace.
Anita Anand
Canada welcomes the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. This is an
important step towards de-escalation, and all parties must fully respect and
implement the ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. We reiterate that
Hezbollah must disarm in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution
1701. Canada reaffirms our strong support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial
integrity, and state institutions. We stand in solidarity with civilians who
continue to bear the consequences of a conflict they did not choose. Canada will
continue to advocate for the protection of civilians and civilian
infrastructure, as well as for broader regional stability.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
https://x.com/i/status/2044875532186317039
Houthis have parted ways with Iran. Their participation in the war was
ceremonial. They hope to be rewarded with legitimacy as rulers of Yemen
eventually.
- Hamas is gone and rules half of the Gaza Strip with light weapons only.
- Iranian proxies in Iraq showed poor performance in the war. The Iraqi
government confronted them, and now their political position has become much
weaker.
- The only Iranian proxy that executed Iran's instructions and jumped into the
war was Hezbollah, but it has been enormously weakened. If Iran agrees to US
terms, it’ll have to distance itself from the Lebanese militia, which will
become easy prey for the Lebanese state.
Mario Nawfal
The Lebanese Ambassador didn't wait for a press release. She was
already at the State Department coordinating next steps before the ink dried on
Tuesday's meeting.
The Trump-Aoun call today was her idea, mapped out with Rubio in advance.
She's running the play and it's legendary!
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
In one day, today, Prez Trump uttered the word Lebanon more than
any other of his predecessors. Lebanon must understand how lucky it is to win so
such presidential attention and must grasp the opportunity. It'll be a long time
before Lebanon gets a similar chance. Other nations are dying for a fraction of
such presidential interest.