English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For April 24/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Whoever eats of this
bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the
world is my flesh.
John 06/48-59: "I am the bread of
life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the
bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am
the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will
live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my
flesh. ’The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give
us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you
eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise
them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as
the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me
will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like
that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread
will live for ever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue
at Capernaum."
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related
News & Editorials published on April
23-24/2026
Anniversary of the Massacres Committed by the Ottoman Empire Against the
Armenian People—Alongside Chaldeans, Maronites, Assyrians, Syriacs, &
Greeks/Elias Bejjani / April 24, 2026
The Life of Saint George On the Occasion of His Annual Feast/Elias Bejjani/
April 23/2026
A Reading of “President” Joseph Aoun’s Speech: Cloning Failure in Military Garb,
Fear of Naming Things, and Words Without Action/Elias Bejjani/April 18/2026
Trump attends
Lebanon-Israel meeting at White House; ceasefire extended by three weeks
Trump says
Lebanon and Israel agree to extend Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire by 3 weeks
Bin Farhan meets Aoun and Berri ahead of Washington talks
3 killed in Israeli strike on car in Nabatieh district
Lebanon decries Israeli demolition of homes in areas occupied after ceasefire
Lebanon to request end to attacks, Trump 'to attend' Lebanon-Israel talks
Berri thanks KSA for efforts to help Lebanon, end war
UN 'working on' keeping presence in Lebanon in 2027
Lebanese leaders accuse Israel of war crime after journalist killed
UN 'working on' keeping presence in Lebanon in 2027
Salam says Lebanon won't sign any agreement without Israel's full withdrawal
UK supports displaced families of Lebanese Armed Forces
Adwan decries parliament inaction over war decisions, says LF to have a major
stance later
Al-Rahi says negotiations 'necessity not concession' after meeting Aoun
Bassil: Hezbollah has lost domestic legitimacy, justification for defending
Lebanon
UN weighs continued Lebanon presence after peacekeeping mission ends
Links to several important news websites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on April
23-24/2026
Katz says Israel awaiting US green light to kill Khamenei, return Iran to Stone
Age
Trump says US in no rush but 'clock is ticking' for Iran
USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in Mideast region
Reports: Riyadh presses for stability, Taif Accord as Berri says no peace with
Israel before KSA
Iran media report blasts over Tehran, air defense systems activated
Trump says US will not use nuclear weapon in Iran war
Iran’s Mehr says air defenses heard ‘engaging hostile targets’ in Tehran
Trump says US to attack any boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz
US military says it seizes another Iran-linked oil tanker
Israel says awaiting US green light to ‘return Iran to Stone Age’
USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East
Russia warns European states against hosting French nuclear bomber planes
UK’s Starmer voices concern over foreign-backed proxy attacks in Britain
Links to several important news websites
on April
23-24/2026
Europe's Two-State Delusion: Repeating Failure, Ignoring Facts/Bassam Tawil/Gatestone
Institute./April 23, 2026
Inside
Iran’s power structure: Negotiation without transformation/Zaid
AlKami/Al Arabiya English/23 April ,2026
Iraqi attacks on the Gulf/Abdulrahman
al-Rashed/Al Arabia English/23 April ,2026
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials
published on April
23-24/2026
Anniversary of the Massacres Committed by the Ottoman Empire Against the
Armenian People—Alongside Chaldeans, Maronites, Assyrians, Syriacs, & Greeks
Elias Bejjani / April 24, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/04/129151/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfYltxaeNrE
On this day each year, the human
conscience stands before one of the most horrific crimes in modern history: the
massacres committed by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenian people—alongside
the Chaldeans, Maronites, Assyrians, Syriacs, and Greeks. A crime that does not
expire with time, that cannot be justified by any context, and that history will
never forgive.
More than a century ago, in 1915, the Ottoman killing machine launched a
systematic, brutal campaign of religious and ethnic extermination. One and a
half million innocent Armenians—children, women, the elderly, and men—were
slaughtered, starved, displaced, and dragged across death marches simply because
they were Armenian, because they were Christian. It was not a war—it was a
full-scale ethnic cleansing project, comparable in scale to the Holocaust and
perhaps even more barbaric in execution.
Yet despite the catastrophe, the Armenian people did not perish. Their spirit
was not broken. Their faith did not falter. Rising from the ashes of genocide,
they spread across the globe like a phoenix, carrying with them their message,
their culture, their Christian faith, and their sacred history. From this
sorrow, from this blood, emerged a vibrant Armenian diaspora—resilient, proud,
and brilliant.
As a Lebanese Maronite Christian, I do not merely sympathize with the Armenian
people—I share their pain, I stand by their just cause, and I am united with
them in faith, in values, and in the belief in Christ the Redeemer. I am also
proud that my homeland, Lebanon, is home to a strong and dignified Armenian
community that has contributed immensely to the survival and defense of our
nation.
The massacres committed by the Ottomans against the Armenians, Chaldeans,
Assyrians, Maronites, and other Christians of the East are not merely events of
the past—they remain an open wound in the conscience of humanity. A wound that
deepens with every official Turkish denial, every international silence, and
every attempt to falsify or erase history.
The time has come to end political appeasement at the expense of historical
justice. The international community, human rights organizations, religious
institutions, and global cultural bodies must speak out boldly and without
hesitation. Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not only a duty toward the
victims—it is a moral responsibility toward future generations and toward the
values humanity claims to uphold.
There can be no true peace without justice, no genuine reconciliation without
truth. Turkey, the legal heir of the Ottoman Empire, must assume full ethical,
legal, and humanitarian responsibility by officially acknowledging the Armenian
Genocide and taking meaningful steps toward reparation—just as Germany did in
the case of the Holocaust.
A heartfelt salute to the Armenian people—resilient and faithful—who gave the
world the first Christian kingdom in history and who continue to inspire with
their saints, martyrs, thinkers, and creators. A tribute to the innocent souls
of the Armenians, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Maronites, and Syriacs who were
slaughtered for their faith and identity, yet never surrendered their dignity or
their cross.
And in the end, let us say this with unwavering conviction: Those who escape the
justice of man will never escape the justice of God. Innocent blood does not
vanish. Truth never dies. And though justice may be delayed, it never
disappears. Glory to the martyrs, eternal memory to their cause, and light to
the truth.
The Life of Saint George On the Occasion of His Annual Feast
Elias Bejjani/ April 23/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/04/153842/
Today, the Church celebrates the annual memorial of Saint George. Who is this
saint? What were his noble deeds and the story of his life? And why does the
Church venerate him as a saint?
1. Birth and Chronology
Year of Birth: Saint George was born circa 280 AD.
Place of Birth: He was born in the region of Cappadocia (in modern-day Turkey)
to noble Christian parents.
Year of Repose: He received the Crown of Martyrdom on April 23, 303 AD.
2. Upbringing and Family Environment
George was raised in an illustrious family of high standing. His father,
Gerontius, held a high military office, while his mother, Polychronia, hailed
from Lydda in Palestine. Following his father's repose during his adolescence,
he moved with his mother to Palestine. There, the seeds of a profound Christian
faith and the virtues of chivalry were sown in his heart. From his youth, George
was imbued with spiritual values that led him to view military service as a
vocation to protect the oppressed rather than an instrument of tyranny.
3. Military Career and the Imperial Encounter
At the age of twenty, George joined the Roman Army, displaying exceptional
prowess in battle and rare discipline. By virtue of his valor, he rose swiftly
through the ranks to the dignity of "Comes" (Count)—a prestigious military title
that placed him among the Emperor’s inner circle of companions. He served as a
commander of the imperial guard during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Despite
his eminent position, George remained steadfastly faithful to his Christian
creed in secret, practicing virtue and charity.
4. Confronting Tyranny (From Secrecy to Public Witness)
In the year 303 AD, Emperor Diocletian issued an edict mandating the persecution
of Christians, the demolition of their churches, and compelling military
commanders to prostrate before idols and offer pagan sacrifices as a test of
allegiance. At this juncture, George’s fortitude was revealed. Rather than
concealing his faith to preserve his rank and wealth, he distributed his
possessions to the poor, manumitted his servants, and presented himself at the
imperial court. There, he tore the edict of persecution asunder before the
Emperor and his ministers, declaring the vanity of the Roman gods and publicly
professing his faith in Christ.
5. The Saint’s Torments and Heroic Resilience
The Emperor sought to dissuade him through enticements and promises of higher
governorships and ranks. George, however, replied: "Your kingdom shall perish,
but the kingdom of my God is eternal." Thus, the Emperor commenced a series of
brutal tortures recorded in Sacred Tradition:
The Spiked Wheel: He was placed upon a wheel fitted with sharp blades to
lacerate his body; it is said an angel appeared and healed him in the sight of
all.
The Fiery Shoes: He was forced to walk in red-hot iron boots lined with long
nails.
The Triumph over Sorcery: He drank a lethal poison prepared by the Emperor’s
sorcerer after making the Sign of the Cross over it. The poison caused him no
harm, leading the sorcerer to believe in Christ and destroy his idols.
6. Martyrdom and Interment
When the Emperor despaired of breaking his spirit—and after the Empress
Alexandra herself converted to the faith due to George’s steadfastness—he
ordered George to be beheaded by the sword. He was martyred in the city of
Nicomedia. His holy relics were later translated to the city of Lydda (Lod) in
Palestine according to his wishes. Today, his tomb lies beneath the altar of the
church that bears his name, serving as a sanctuary for both Christians and
Muslims (who venerate him as Al-Khidr).
Churches of Saint George in Lebanon
Lebanon is sanctified by hundreds of churches and cathedrals bearing the name of
Saint George (Mar Jirjis). He is considered the most popular saint and the
patron of numerous Lebanese villages across various Christian denominations (Maronite,
Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, and Syriac).
While it is difficult to enumerate them all, below are some of the most
prominent and renowned churches distributed across Lebanon:
1. In the Capital, Beirut
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral: Located in Nejmeh Square, Downtown
Beirut; it is one of the city's oldest churches and houses an archaeological
museum beneath it.
Saint George Maronite Cathedral: Also located in Downtown Beirut, adjacent to
the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque; it is a significant architectural and historical
landmark.
Saint George Church - Hayy Al-Syrian: Belonging to the Syriac Orthodox
community.
2. In Mount Lebanon
Saint George Church - Bhamdoun: A significant historical church.
Saint George Church - Chyah: One of the largest Maronite parishes in the region.
Saint George Church - Edde, Byblos: An ancient medieval church.
Saint George Church - Dabbayeh: Located in the Shouf region.
Saint George Church - Mtaileb / Bsalim.
Saint George Church - Sarba (Jounieh).
3. In North Lebanon
Saint George Church - Ehden: A very significant ancient church in the heart of
Ehden.
Saint George Al-Humayrah Monastery: Located near the Lebanese-Syrian border; it
remains a primary pilgrimage site for the people of Akkar and the North.
Saint George Church - Chekka.
Saint George Church - Amioun (Koura): An ancient church built upon a rock,
considered one of the most beautiful in Koura.
4. In the South and Beqaa
Saint George Church - Al-Qulay’ah: In South Lebanon, where Saint George is the
patron of the town, celebrated with grand festivities.
Saint George Church - Zahle: Several churches bear his name in the "City of
Churches" across different denominations.
Saint George Church - Rmeich: Located in the southernmost part of Lebanon.
Notes on Devotional Prevalance:
Al-Khidr: In many Lebanese regions, Saint George is known by the title "Al-Khidr."
There are famous shrines and churches under this name, such as the Church of Al-Khidr
in Bauchrieh and the Shrine of Al-Khidr in Kfarmeshki.
Local Designations: It is common to find more than one Saint George church in a
single Lebanese village—one for the Orthodox and another for the Maronites—bringing
the total number in Lebanon to over 400 churches and shrines.
A Prayer for the Liberation of Lebanon
Through the Intercession of Saint George the Triumphant
O Holy Saint George,
Great Martyr and Triumphant Warrior of Christ, you who stood unshaken before the
tyrants of old and preferred the crown of martyrdom over the vanities of an
earthly empire: we turn to you this day with heavy hearts but steadfast hope.
O Patron of the Oppressed,
You who are venerated from the peaks of Mount Lebanon to the shores of its
ancient cities, look down upon the Land of the Cedars. Lebanon, which has long
been a sanctuary of faith and a beacon of light, now groans under the weight of
occupation, the darkness of oppression, and the chains of those who seek to
extinguish its spirit and sovereignty.
O Victorious Knight,
Just as you struck down the dragon to save the innocent, we beseech you to
intercede with the Almighty to strike down the forces of malice and greed that
hold Lebanon captive. By the power of the Holy Cross which you carried as your
shield, break the yokes of foreign dominion and dismantle the strongholds of
those who trade in fear and injustice.
Grant Strength to the People,
Intercede for the sons and daughters of Lebanon, that they may be clothed in
your courage. Grant wisdom to its leaders, unity to its citizens, and
perseverance to those who struggle for truth. May the Cedars of Lebanon flourish
once more in the soil of freedom, watered by the grace of God and protected by
your watchful eye.
O Saint George,
Deliver this sacred land from all its enemies, seen and unseen. May the light of
liberation shine upon its mountains, and may peace—true peace born of
justice—reign in every heart and home.
Through your holy intercession, may Lebanon rise again, proud and free, to sing
the praises of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and
unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
NB: The information contained in this study is taken from numerous documented
ecclesiastical, theological, research, and media sources.
A Reading of “President” Joseph Aoun’s
Speech: Cloning Failure in Military Garb, Fear of Naming Things, and Words
Without Action
Elias Bejjani/April 18/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/04/153736/
I. Lost Credibility: Faith Without
Works (A Dead Faith)
Yesterday, Friday, April 17, 2026, President Joseph Aoun appeared before us with
a quintessentially “wooden” speech, repeating the same old symphony of promises
from which the Lebanese have seen nothing since he took office. The “Inaugural
Address” he delivered on his election day has remained mere ink on paper, and
today he returns with rhetorical fluff devoid of any tangible executive plan.
Here, we remind him of the words from the Epistle of James: “Faith without works
is dead.” The trust of the Lebanese is not built on resonant speeches but on the
actions that Aoun completely lacks. He “talks much and does nothing,” constantly
attempting to mask his impotence behind terms like “steadfastness” and
“sacrifice,” while attacking those who oppose the terrorist Hezbollah and the
Iranian-Jihadi occupation that occupies Lebanon and sows destruction,
corruption, displacement, and impoverishment.
II. Malice, Narrow-Mindedness, and the Betrayal of Those Opposing Hezbollah’s
Occupation
The speech reveals a mindset that rejects criticism and grows weary of political
opposition. Instead of holding the party responsible for the ruin and
devastation—namely Hezbollah—accountable, Joseph Aoun poured his wrath upon the
sovereignist voices that criticized the presidency’s “cover” for the Hezbollah
mini-state. This is evident in the following phrases from his speech:
“We endured accusations… insults… slander, and misinformation”: Here, he
classifies political criticism as “insult and slander,” a military language that
brooks no debate.
“Do not allow skeptical and treacherous voices to sow division among you”: In a
bizarre irony, he labels opponents as “traitors” simply because they questioned
the utility of his choices.
“Overcome the instincts of the misleaders”: He dismisses the opposing opinion as
mere “instinct” and “misleading,” as if he holds the absolute truth.
“Do not be dragged behind those who exploit your emotions to build their glory
at the expense of your stability”: A direct accusation of opportunism and
trading on people’s pain.
This fierce attack on Hezbollah’s opponents (exclusively) proves that the man
does not write his own speeches. Instead, the task is left to a team of
“entrusted” advisors (groups tied to Berri, Hezbollah, the Syrian Social
Nationalist Party, opportunists, scribes, and Pharisees). Through this language,
they aim to silence any voice demanding the reclamation of the state from its
kidnappers—the Iranian-Shia Duo. His statements are issued in a vengeful tone
toward “Sovereignists,” while remaining “cowardly” and appeasing toward the Shia
Duo and their masters, the Mullahs of Iran. This confirms he is fully tied to
the interests of the Duo’s system and the opportunistic advisors who surround
him—with his consent—shielding him from the reality of the situation.
III. Cowardice in Naming the “Internal Enemy”
In a predictable sovereignist failure, Joseph Aoun did not dare mention the name
“Hezbollah” a single time in his lengthy speech. He utilized vague, generalizing
language, avoiding the naming of the party that has violated Lebanon’s
sovereignty and its decisions on war and peace. Although the party—by
international, legal, and local (Cabinet) decisions—represents an entity outside
the state’s legitimacy, Aoun preferred to flee forward. This confirms he remains
a silent (or coerced) partner in an alliance that places the party’s interests
above those of the nation, stripping him of the title of “Sovereign President.”
IV. Linguistic Acrobatics and Fleeing the Obligation of Peace
Aoun used an “acrobatic” expression when he said: “I am ready to go anywhere to
liberate my land and protect my people.” This is a pathetic attempt to emulate
historical leaders (like Sadat) without possessing their courage. Had Aoun been
serious about “saving his country,” he would have had the courage to say
explicitly: “I will go to the White House and meet Netanyahu, and I will go to
Israel if necessary to end the cycle of death and conclude a permanent peace.”
But, true to form, he prefers the gray zone to appease Nabih Berri, Hezbollah,
and Iran, confirming he remains in their political trench and has never stepped
out from under their cloak.
V. The “Let Us Congratulate” Groups: Okazis of a Wretched Time
One cannot read the echoes of President Joseph Aoun’s speech without pausing at
the choir of “clappers” from the political class, “party corporations,” and the
rabble of media mouthpieces and cymbals who rushed to issue statements of praise
and support. These represent the “Qumwa Ta Nehni” (Arise, let us congratulate)
mentality—a quintessentially opportunistic Lebanese mindset where everyone
rushes to praise whoever sits on the throne without any self-respect or
objective analysis. We are witnessing an “Okazi” scene (referring to the
historic Souk Okaz), but a low-end political version of it. In the past, poets
sold praise and blame for dinars; today, we see these politicians like the
“repliers” in Lebanese Zajal troupes, improvising praise for Aoun’s speech to
guarantee their place in the paradise of power or to satisfy the “entrusted”
advisors. Their “Zajal-like” statements lack any credibility; they are merely
opportunistic rituals that do not seriously address the issues, but settle for
echoing the “President” and those behind him from the de facto powers (Berri and
Hezbollah).
Final Conclusion
The scene is now complete: a President drowned in rhetoric, advisors passing the
agendas of external axes, an opposition being betrayed rather than heard, and a
“Zajal” troupe applauding the void. The speech of April 17, 2026, was not
“salvation”; it was a confirmation that power in Lebanon remains a prisoner of a
gray-zone mentality and disguised dependency, and that the true “man of the
hour” has yet to emerge.
Trump attends
Lebanon-Israel meeting at White House; ceasefire extended by three weeks
Al Arabiya English/23 April ,2026
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a ceasefire between Lebanon and
Israel will be extended by three weeks.
Trump announced his Truth Social platform after attending a White House meeting
between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, which included senior members of
the US administration. Other US officials who attended, Trump revealed, were
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the US ambassadors
to Lebanon and Israel. Trump told reporters after the meeting that Lebanese
President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would “most
likely” be meeting at the White House during the three-week ceasefire. “The
ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon will now take place at the
White House. President Trump will greet both representatives upon their
arrival,” a White House official told Al Arabiya English before the
meeting.Thursday’s meeting, which was scheduled to take place at the State
Department, was moved to the White House at the last minute, according to
sources familiar with the matter. Minutes before the meeting started, Hezbollah
said it had fired a salvo of rockets at Israel in response to ceasefire
violations. Israel responded by carrying out airstrikes inside Lebanon
Trump says Lebanon and Israel agree to extend Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire by 3
weeks
Associated Press/April 23/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a
ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White
House on Thursday. Trump said the meeting between the ambassadors of Israel and
Lebanon to the United States went "very well." The meeting was the second
high-level talks between the two countries since last week. The initial 10-day
ceasefire, which took effect last Friday, had been due to expire on Monday. "The
United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself
from Hezbollah," Trump said in a social media post. He added that he is looking
forward to meeting in person with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun "in the near future."Trump greeted Lebanese
Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel
Leiter on their arrival. In addition to Trump, the U.S. was represented by Vice
President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, State Department Counsellor
Michael Needham, Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Ambassador to Lebanon
Michel Issa. Aoun said on Wednesday that Hamadeh would put forward an extension
of the 10-day ceasefire. She also would ask for an end to Israeli home
demolitions in villages and towns occupied by Israel after the latest war broke
out on March 2, Aoun said in comments released by his office. Preparations are
being made for wider-reaching negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. The aim
of the future talks is to "fully" stop Israeli attacks, the withdrawal of
Israeli troops from Lebanon, release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel,
deployment of Lebanese troops along the border and beginning the reconstruction
process, Aoun said. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called on Lebanon
to work with Israel to disarm the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. "We
don't have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border
disputes that can be solved," Saar said during Independence Day remarks to
Israel's ambassadors and diplomatic corps in which he also described the
neighboring country as a "failed state." "The obstacle to peace and
normalization between the countries is one: Hezbollah," he said, adding that
Lebanon could have "a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from the
Iranian occupation."The latest war started when Hezbollah fired rockets into
northern Israel, two days after Israel and the U.S. launched attacks on Iran.
Israel responded with widespread bombardment of Lebanon and a ground invasion in
which it captured dozens of towns and villages along the border.
Israel's military currently occupies a buffer zone stretching as much as 10
kilometers (6 miles) into southern Lebanon. Israel says it aims to remove the
threat of short-range rockets and anti-tank missiles being fired toward northern
Israel. Hezbollah has rejected the talks. Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking member of
the militant group's political council, told The Associated Press that it will
not abide by any agreements made during the direct talks. Despite this, the
talks are a major step for two countries with no diplomatic relations that
officially have been at war since Israel's inception in 1948. The Lebanese
government hopes the talks will pave the way to a permanent end to the war.
While Iran has set ending the wars in Lebanon and the region as a condition for
talks with the U.S., Lebanon insists on representing itself.Since the ceasefire
went into effect last week, there have been multiple violations by both side
sides.
On Wednesday, Amal Khalil, a well-known Lebanese journalist covering southern
Lebanon, was killed by an Israeli strike. Lebanese health officials said the
Israeli military opened fire on an ambulance that responded to the scene,
preventing rescuers from reaching her. Her body was pulled from the rubble of a
collapsed building several hours later. The Israeli military denied that it had
deliberately targeted journalists or fired on rescuers, but the case sparked
widespread anger in Lebanon ahead of the Washington talks. After a Cabinet
meeting Thursday, Lebanon's Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said the
government is working on a report documenting war crimes by Israel and that
ministers had discussed joining the International Criminal Court. The latest
Israel-Hezbollah war has killed around 2,300 people in Lebanon, including
hundreds of women and children, and displaced over 1 million people.
Last week's talks were the first between Israel and Lebanon since 1993. Both
countries have relied on indirect communication, often brokered by the U.S. or
UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.Lebanon's
top political authorities, critical of Hezbollah's decision to fire rockets
toward Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Iran, quickly proposed direct talks
in a bid to stop the escalation, hoping Israel would not launch its ground
invasion.
Bin Farhan meets Aoun and
Berri ahead of Washington talks
Naharnet/April 23/2026
President Joseph Aoun met Thursday with Saudi Foreign Ministry Advisor Prince
Yazid bin Farhan in Baabda. Their discussions focused on the Kingdom’s ongoing
efforts to assist Lebanon in overcoming its prevailing hardships and regional
challenges. Bin Farhan had arrived earlier in Beirut and met with Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Teeneh. Aoun held a call Tuesday with Saudi Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who praised Aoun's "bold steps" and affirmed the
kingdom's willingness to support the Lebanese state in its path toward
sovereignty. Aoun's advisor had reportedly visited Saudi Arabia to discuss the
10-day truce and reiterate Lebanon's commitment to Hezbollah's disarmament. The
visit comes as Lebanon and Israel are set to begin a second session of direct
talks in Washington on Thursday to discuss the possibility of extending the
truce and plans for future negotiations despite a long history of hostile
relations.
3 killed in Israeli strike on car in Nabatieh district
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon killed three people on Thursday, the
Lebanese health ministry said, the latest attack despite a 10-day truce in the
Israel-Hezbollah war. In a statement, the ministry said that "an Israeli
airstrike on the Shoukine road in the Nabatieh district," more than 30
kilometers (20 miles) north of Israel, killed three people while artillery
shelling of the village of Yater wounded two people, including a child. The
attacks come hours ahead of the second meeting between Lebanon and Israel's U.S.
ambassadors in Washington, where Beirut is expected to ask for a ceasefire
extension.
Lebanon decries Israeli demolition of homes in areas
occupied after ceasefire
Naharnet/April 23/2026
In areas of southern Lebanon it has occupied since agreeing last week to a
ceasefire with Hezbollah, the Israeli army has been destroying homes it says
were used as outposts by the Iran-backed militant group. But the demolitions are
happening on such a wide scale that residents, Lebanese officials and U.N.
peacekeepers are increasingly worried that large numbers of people displaced by
the latest war will have nowhere to return if the fragile truce holds. From a
hill overlooking Beit Lif — about 4 km north of Lebanon's border with Israel —
Associated Press journalists could see that the village, once home to a few
thousand people, had been almost entirely flattened. "They were demolishing it
gradually until they reached the main square and now, as you can see, there are
no more houses," said Hassan Sweidan, a resident of a neighboring village.
Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions on Thursday
when they hold ceasefire talks with their Israeli counterparts in Washington —
part of the first direct negotiations between the two countries in decades.
Because of security concerns and limited access, neither U.N. peacekeepers nor
Lebanese officials have been able to conduct a detailed survey of the villages
where demolitions are taking place. But observers have described entire
residential neighborhoods in multiple villages being systematically destroyed.
A 10-day ceasefire is shaky
On March 2, two days after the U.S. and Israel launched the war with Iran,
Hezbollah entered the fray by firing missiles into northern Israel. The group
had been under pressure by the Lebanese government to disarm following its
previous war with Israel in 2024, but refused to do so.
Israel responded with an intense bombing campaign and ground invasion of Lebanon
that prompted hundreds of thousands of people to flee the southern part of the
country. The fighting has killed around 2,300 people in Lebanon, including
hundreds of women and children. The fighting was mostly halted by a 10-day
ceasefire that began Friday. But both sides have carried out strikes since then.
Hezbollah has justified its attacks in part by pointing to the Israeli
military's destruction of houses. Israeli officials have said they intend to
occupy parts of southern Lebanon, and the military has issued maps of a "forward
defense line" that extends several miles into Lebanon and encompasses dozens of
villages whose residents have not been allowed to return. Following the
announcement of the ceasefire, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said this
area had been "cleared of terrorists and weapons and is empty of citizens, and
will continue to be cleared of terrorists' infrastructure, including the
destruction of houses in Lebanese villages that border (Israel) and have become
terrorists outposts in every sense."
'There are no more houses'
After the ceasefire went into effect, Sweidan returned to check on his home in
the southern Lebanese village of Yater. It is still intact. Because Sweidan's
village overlooks neighboring Beit Lif, he has been able to observe Israeli army
operations there. Despite damage from Israeli airstrikes during the war, most of
Beit Lif was still standing on the first day of the ceasefire, he said. But on
the second day, Israeli forces arrived with bulldozers, jackhammers and
tanks."We would come each day to see how much of the village was demolished," he
said. Tilak Pokharel, a spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern
Lebanon known as UNIFIL, said that peacekeepers "have observed demolitions
taking place in several areas" since the truce. The Israeli military said in a
statement that the target of the demolition work is Hezbollah, not Lebanon or
its civilians, and that it "operates in accordance with international law and
does not destroy civilian property unless required by imperative military
necessity." New demolitions come on top of existing destruction. There was
already widespread destruction in border areas after the previous
Israel-Hezbollah war in 2024. Some homeowners could afford repairs, but there
was no large-scale reconstruction. Demolition also took place during the most
recent war. Photographs taken on April 12 by AP from the towns of Menara and
Misgav Am in northern Israel show excavators and bulldozers destroying homes on
the Lebanese side of the border. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency
reported Wednesday that Israeli bulldozers were destroying neighborhoods, roads
and infrastructure in the town of Khiam, a battleground in the Israel-Hezbollah
fighting, "in a scene that suggests an attempt to completely erase the town's
identity."The news agency also reported "systematic bombing operations"
Wednesday affecting residential neighborhoods in the city of Bint Jbeil —
another flashpoint in the fighting — and in the villages of Beit Lif, Shamaa,
Tair Harfa and Hanine. Hezbollah said Tuesday it had launched drone and rocket
attacks, the first since the ceasefire, in response to Israeli "attacks on
civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages in southern
Lebanon."As Lebanese officials scramble to keep the ceasefire in place,
President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that "halting Israel's demolition
operations in southern villages and towns" is something Lebanese ambassadors in
the United States will raise with their Israeli counterparts during ceasefire
talks on Thursday. The talks were expected to focus on a potential extension of
the 10-day truce and establishing a framework for future talks aimed at a
lasting a peace between the two countries.
Lebanon to request end to attacks, Trump 'to attend' Lebanon-Israel talks
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
Tonight's second round of preparatory direct talks between Lebanon and Israel
will be held at the White House instead of the State Department, Lebanese TV
networks said. The meeting is scheduled for 11:00 pm Beirut time (8:00 pm GMT).
MTV and Al-Arabiya later reported that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend
the meeting. Lebanon is seeking a one-month extension of a ceasefire set to
expire at the end of this week. Israel stated ahead of the talks that it has no
"serious disagreements" with Lebanon, calling on it to "work together" against
the pro-Iran Hezbollah, which is notably absent from and opposed to the
negotiations. During the meeting, Lebanon will request "to extend the ceasefire,
which also includes a halt to the destruction of homes and attacks on civilians,
places of worship, journalists, and the medical and educational sectors"
according to President Joseph Aoun. Aoun said he hoped to visit Washington and
meet with Trump. However, he said he never planned to have a phone call with
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two countries, officially at war
for decades, held a meeting in Washington on April 14 -- the first of its kind
since 1993 -- in an attempt to end the more than six-week war between Hezbollah
and Israel. The United States announced a 10-day truce shortly after the first
meeting. It is set to expire Sunday. Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at
least 2,454 people and displaced one million since the start of the war,
according to Lebanese authorities.
As in the previous round, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will bring
together Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador Nada Hamadeh
Moawad, in the presence of the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa. U.S.
ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is now also expected to join the meeting, a
State Department official told AFP.
Strikes ahead of talks
Israeli strikes killed five people in Lebanon on Wednesday and three on Thursday
as Israel continues to hit what it says are Hezbollah targets despite the
ceasefire. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency on Thursday reported an
Israeli drone strike on a vehicle near Nabatieh, around 35 kilometers (22 miles)
north of the border with Israel. Under the truce terms, Israel says it reserves
the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks". Hezbollah on
its end claimed at least two attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon on
Thursday and said it targeted a reconnaissance drone in retaliation for Israel's
"ceasefire violations". Lebanon's civil defense agency said an Israeli strike
killed journalist Amal Khalil on Wednesday. Before rescuers had found her body,
Lebanon's state media said Israeli strikes had killed four people in the south
and east of the country. Khalil's employer, Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Akhbar,
said fellow journalist Zeinab Faraj was wounded. Following the first round of
talks, Lebanon and Israel had agreed to begin direct negotiations with a view to
lasting peace, at a date and place to be determined later. Lebanon has appointed
Simon Karam, a seasoned diplomat and former ambassador to the U.S., to lead its
delegation in these negotiations.
Hezbollah not in talks -
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said "the obstacle to peace and
normalization between the countries is one -- Hezbollah." Hezbollah launched
rockets towards Israel on March 2 to avenge the U.S.-Israeli killing of Iran's
supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Israel has responded with massive air raids and an
invasion of southern Lebanon. Israeli forces remain in dozens of southern
villages, behind what the army has called a "Yellow Line", described by the
Israelis as a 10-kilometer (six-mile) deep "security zone" along the border in
southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, for its part, said it had carried out an attack on
northern Israel on Tuesday in response to Israel's "flagrant" violations of the
ceasefire. The truce had been demanded by Tehran as one of the conditions for
resuming talks with Washington to end the regional Middle East war. Trump
announced on Wednesday an indefinite extension of the truce with Iran that has
been in effect since April 8.
Berri thanks KSA for efforts to help Lebanon, end war
Naharnet/April 23/2026
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin
Farhan held talks on Thursday, discussing the latest developments in Lebanon and
the region, "particularly Israel's continued aggression against Lebanon,
including its ongoing systematic destruction of border villages," Berri's office
said. Berri thanked Saudi Arabia for "its efforts to assist Lebanon on various
levels, especially those related to halting the Israeli aggression targeting
Lebanon's security, sovereignty and stability." Berri had earlier in the day met
with Saudi envoy for Lebanon Prince Yazid bin Farhan, who also met with
President Joseph Aoun. Al-Jadeed TV said Berri's meeting with the Saudi envoy
was "lengthy and fruitful," adding that the relation between Aoun, Berri and PM
Nawaf Salam is expected to witness improved coordination after lukewarm ties
over the past period. "The Saudi activity in Lebanon followed President Aoun's
phone talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman," al-Jadeed said, adding
that "the Saudi effort is focused on the stability of the domestic situation and
supporting the ceasefire in Lebanon."
UN 'working on' keeping presence in Lebanon in 2027
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
The United Nations said Thursday it was "working on" maintaining a presence in
Lebanon once the mandate for its UNIFIL peacekeeping force expires at the end of
the year. "In terms of the post-UNIFIL, we're currently in the process of
working on these options," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N.
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, with the Lebanese government "very
clear that they would want to keep a U.N. presence."The United Nations Interim
Force in Lebanon has served as a peacekeeping force between Israel and Lebanon
since 1978 but finds itself caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and
Hezbollah. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when
Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel to
avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in
U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. UNIFIL comprises nearly 8,200 troops from 47 countries.
It has lost five troops in recent days: three Indonesian and two French. Lacroix
told a press conference in Geneva that any future uniformed U.N. presence in
southern Lebanon would have to be decided upon by the Security Council in New
York. But, he said there were "a number of capacities.... which we have been
providing" that Beirut would want to keep, such as monitoring, reporting,
observing, and liaising. "A durable solution to the problem will have to take
into account the security needs of Lebanon and of Israel," he said.
Lebanese leaders accuse Israel of war crime after
journalist killed
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
Lebanon's leaders accused Israel on Thursday of committing a war crime, after an
airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist in the country's south, with the Israeli
army saying it was reviewing the incident. Rescuers and the reporter's employer
on Wednesday confirmed the death of Amal Khalil, a 42-year-old journalist who
worked for the Lebanese daily al-Akhbar. The civil defense agency said she was
killed in a strike on a house in the village of al-Tiri. "Israel deliberately
targets journalists in order to conceal the truth about its crimes against
Lebanon," said President Joseph Aoun, in a statement denouncing "war crimes".
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam wrote on X that "targeting journalists and
obstructing access for rescue teams constitutes a war crime," adding that his
government would take the case to international bodies. When contacted by AFP on
Thursday, an Israeli army spokesperson said "the incident is still under
review". A 10-day ceasefire has been in effect in Lebanon since Friday, pausing
the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah that has left more than 2,400
dead in Lebanon. Khalil and another journalist had taken refuge in a house in
al-Tiri after an Israeli airstrike targeted a car in front of them, according to
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). It said the two occupants of the vehicle,
the mayor of the nearby Israeli-occupied town of Bint Jbeil and a man with him,
were killed. An Israeli strike then targeted the house where the two journalists
had taken refuge. The health ministry said the attack wounded journalist Zeinab
Faraj -- who was taken to hospital -- and left Khalil trapped. A Lebanese Red
Cross official told AFP they had "managed to rescue Zeinab Faraj" but were
unable to reach Khalil and withdrew "because of a warning strike". Lebanese
authorities had to contact U.N. peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon, and
it took several hours before rescue workers could regain access to the area to
recover the journalist's body from the rubble. The health ministry accused
Israel on Thursday of "obstructing rescue operations" and "targeting an
ambulance clearly bearing the Red Cross symbol."
The Israeli military said in a statement on Wednesday it had "identified two
vehicles in southern Lebanon that had departed from a military structure used by
Hezbollah."The air force then struck a vehicle carrying "terrorists", it said,
who had crossed what Israel calls the "forward defense line" in southern Lebanon
and approached its troops.
'Accountability' -
Israel says it has established a "yellow line" deep into southern Lebanon where
its troops have been posted, stopping residents from returning. Its army denied
preventing rescue teams from "accessing the area". Rights groups have condemned
Israel's repeated killing of press workers, while journalists held a protest in
downtown Beirut to commemorate Khalil ahead of her funeral in her hometown of
Baysariyeh in southern Lebanon. Jonathan Dagher, head of the Middle East desk at
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), said the sequence of strikes on Wednesday
"would indicate targeting and obstruction of aid constituting war crimes." Ramzi
Kaiss, Lebanon researcher for Human Rights Watch, said "Israel's killing of
journalist Amal Khalil should be credibly investigated with a view towards
justice and accountability." "Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime."
On March 28, three journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the south,
and U.N. experts called for an international investigation. They joined several
other Lebanese journalists who have been killed by Israel since the previous
conflict with Hezbollah started in 2023. From the Beirut protest, journalist
Inas Sherri told AFP "accountability is the most important thing"."If we were
holding people accountable, Israel would not have continued killing journalists
one after another."
UN 'working on' keeping presence in Lebanon in 2027
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
The United Nations said Thursday it was "working on" maintaining a presence in
Lebanon once the mandate for its UNIFIL peacekeeping force expires at the end of
the year. "In terms of the post-UNIFIL, we're currently in the process of
working on these options," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N.
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, with the Lebanese government "very
clear that they would want to keep a U.N. presence".The United Nations Interim
Force in Lebanon has served as a peacekeeping force between Israel and Lebanon
since 1978 but finds itself caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and
Hezbollah. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah
began firing rockets into Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. UNIFIL comprises nearly 8,200
troops from 47 countries. It has lost five troops in recent days: three
Indonesian and two French. Lacroix told a press conference in Geneva that any
future uniformed U.N. presence in southern Lebanon would have to be decided upon
by the Security Council in New York. But, he said there were "a number of
capacities.... which we have been providing" that Beirut would want to keep,
such as monitoring, reporting, observing, and liaising. "A durable solution to
the problem will have to take into account the security needs of Lebanon and of
Israel," he said.
Salam says Lebanon won't sign any agreement without
Israel's full withdrawal
Naharnet/April 23/2026
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged the Trump administration to pressure Israel
to scale back its demands and end its military invasion of the country. In an
interview with the Washington Post, Salam said Lebanon could not sign any
agreement that does not include a “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces.
“We cannot live with a so-called buffer zone,” he said, “an Israeli presence
where Lebanese displaced people are not allowed to return, where destroyed
villages and towns cannot be rebuilt.”The prime minister called for extending a
shaky ceasefire brokered by the United States that expires at the end of this
week, following the example of President Donald Trump, who has extended the
ceasefire between the United States and Iran. So far, efforts to hold a second
round of U.S.-Iran peace talks have failed. Lebanese and Israeli diplomats,
however, are due to hold their second bargaining session on Thursday at the
State Department. It is the first time in decades that Lebanese and Israeli
officials are bargaining directly in a U.S. bid toward potentially normalizing
relations, which Hezbollah has long rejected. Israel has said the ceasefire,
which includes provisions in its favor, will not stop its military operations to
against Hezbollah. Lebanon hopes to prolong the initial 10-day ceasefire,
eventually secure an Israeli military withdrawal and allow more than a million
displaced people to return home. Some have already ventured back to the south,
but Israel has warned residents not to cross into the Lebanese villages it now
controls.
The 72-year-old prime minister, who is a former president of the International
Court of Justice in The Hague, said the U.S. role as a mediator is crucial. “We
are entering these negotiations convened by the U.S. convinced that the U.S. is
the party that can have leverage over Israel,” Salam said Wednesday after
meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. “Their role was critical in
reaching the ceasefire, and we hope they will continue exercising their leverage
over Israel.”In recent days, however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
said his forces created a “buffer zone” about 10 kilometers deep into Lebanon,
giving no indication that Israel would be willing to step back from hard-line
demands to occupy swaths of the country’s south.
The declarations illustrate that the efforts to end the war — let alone achieve
an elusive, controversial peace deal — face long odds, even as Trump seems eager
to proclaim he has resolved the deep-rooted conflict. Lebanon emerged as a
sticking point in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, after a deadly Israeli
barrage pounded Beirut, the capital, this month, killing more than 300 people in
a day. The Trump administration intervened to broker the ceasefire in Lebanon,
seeking to advance the negotiations with Iran.Since then, Trump posted on Truth
Social that Israel was “prohibited” from bombing Lebanon and that the U.S. would
work with Beirut to “deal with” Hezbollah “in an appropriate manner.” Yet
Washington has not articulated a firm position against the Israeli invasion of
Lebanon, and the country’s fate probably will also depend on the result of talks
over the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Trump has extended the truce with Iran
indefinitely, though its future is uncertain as a standoff persists over the
Strait of Hormuz. Asked whether the U.S. appears understanding of his
government’s stance, Salam said Wednesday that talks were “really at the very
beginning.”
“I don’t know what we can achieve through negotiation, but I know what we want,”
Salam added. “And whether it’s an avenue we should pursue? My answer is indeed
yes. Because we don’t want to leave any stone unturned to reach our
objectives.”Ahead of the talks, Israeli strikes killed several people in
southern Lebanon, including a journalist, rescuers said Wednesday, in an attack
the government condemned as a “blatant violation of international law.”While
Beirut hopes Washington will exert pressure on Netanyahu, it’s unclear how long
Trump is willing to stay the course. The Lebanese government, meanwhile, is
engaging in talks mediated by Israel’s biggest ally with little backup or
leverage. Israel has ignored European warnings against another occupation and
has sidelined France, historically a key mediator in Lebanon. Israel insists
that its forces pushed into southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah is dug in, to
eliminate the militant group, which continues to fire rockets and drones at
Israeli forces. The Lebanese government’s position is that the invasion violates
the country’s sovereignty and that it is up to the Lebanese Army, not Israel, to
disarm Hezbollah. Lebanese officials insist they cannot accomplish that mission
while under attack by Israel. Israel insists that the Lebanese military does not
have the capability to disarm Hezbollah. “We are remaining in Lebanon in a
reinforced security buffer zone,” Netanyahu said last week. “That’s where we
are, and we are not leaving.” A map published by the Israeli army highlights a
belt of territory it has seized along the border, showing dozens of villages
under its control. Some analysts say repeated Israeli incursions into southern
Lebanon, including an occupation from 1982 to 2000, have provided fertile ground
for Hezbollah, which was founded after the 1982 invasion and grew into Tehran’s
most important and powerful regional proxy. The rise of Hezbollah, including
attacks against Western nations such as the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in
Beirut, was also central to the collapse of previous efforts to achieve a peace
deal between Lebanon and Israel.
Hezbollah, down but not out, is still pledging to fight back and has denounced
the direct negotiations. In the interview, the Lebanese prime minister said only
a Lebanese mission can disarm Hezbollah — a main demand of Israel and Western
nations. Salam has maintained that Lebanon did not seek out this war, which
began after Hezbollah attacked Israel last month to avenge the U.S.-Israeli
killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Faced with Israeli criticism that his
government hasn’t done enough to disarm Hezbollah, Salam said authorities made
“bold decisions” and showed progress by confiscating weapons and outlawing
Hezbollah military operations. He said a state monopoly over arms is a “Lebanese
interest,” regardless of Israeli demands, because “it’s high time to recognize
that a state cannot have two armies.”
“Disarmament is a process; it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight.
But what’s more important is that we have shown seriousness,” he continued,
adding that “the only way to do it is to strengthen the army.”Salam said Lebanon
is appealing to partners including Washington and Paris to help expand and
reinforce its cash-strapped military with equipment and training, as well as to
provide funds for an “unprecedented humanitarian tragedy” and for huge
reconstruction needs. Salam, who has also served as ambassador to the United
Nations, took office last year in what was seen as a blow to Hezbollah’s
influence over Lebanese politics. After Israel weakened Hezbollah with pager
attacks and a 2024 war in Lebanon, the new Lebanese government, which was backed
by the U.S., pledged to disarm the militants and reform the financially
distressed state. But despite U.S. pressure to force Hezbollah’s hand, Lebanese
officials have also been wary of sectarian strife, a threat that Hezbollah has
wielded as it refuses to lay down arms. Lebanon maintains delicate power-sharing
between factions that fought a bloody 15-year civil war until 1990. Countries
including the U.S. and France have long backed the Lebanese Army as a potential
counterweight to Iranian sway, but the Western support is dwarfed by U.S.
military aid to Israel and Tehran’s backing of Hezbollah. Now, Salam’s
government is treading a fine line, contending with Israeli and U.S.
proclamations of a possible peace deal, at a time when Israeli forces are
leveling homes in the south and the Lebanese are still burying their dead, with
over 2,290 people killed in Lebanon since early March. The attacks have forced
an estimated 20 percent of the population to flee, according to U.N. officials.
With his Western interlocutors, Salam is receptive to negotiations and at times
parses his words. With the Lebanese at home, he is navigating tense divisions in
a country where many are increasingly critical of Hezbollah for undermining the
state, while others accuse the state of failing to protect them. Israel’s
military advance and its warnings that Lebanese will not be allowed to return to
the south have raised fears of a long occupation seeking to reshape not only the
border region, but also its demographics. The Shiite community, from which
Hezbollah draws its core base, is bearing the brunt of Israel’s attacks. Israeli
officials previously indicated intentions to clear up to 10 percent of Lebanon
of its residents, as some in Netanyahu’s government advocated for annexing the
land. Responding to domestic criticism about engaging directly with Israel while
Lebanon is under fire, Salam said the diplomacy is not “a concession to
anyone.”Salam held a flurry of meetings with European officials this week to
shore up support, including talks in Paris with Macron. Israel, however, has
sought to keep France out as tensions rise over Macron’s rebuke of Israel’s war
in Gaza and “territorial ambitions” in Lebanon. Salam said France would have a
big role in bolstering the army and rallying aid for devastated villages.
Lebanon, he said, needs to “mobilize all our friends.”
UK supports displaced families of Lebanese Armed Forces
Naharnet/April 23/2026
UK Chargé D’Affaires Victoria Dunne and Deputy Defense Attaché Thomas Hobbs met
Thursday senior officers of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), to deliver UK
relief assistance to displaced LAF families, at the LAF logistics hub in Beirut.
The UK Ministry of Defense is providing essential and practical relief items,
worth over $150,000, delivered and coordinated in partnership with the LAF. This
includes personal hygiene kits, bedding, washing machines and cleaning
essentials and will meet the needs of hundreds of families affected by the
conflict. This is in addition to $27 million in humanitarian crisis response to
Lebanon announced last week, bringing total UK support since March to $40
million. "The devastating conflict in Lebanon has caused a humanitarian crisis
with dire consequences for civilians," the British Embassy in Beirut said. "More
than 1 million people have been forced from their towns and villages and are now
facing long term displacement. Homes and critical infrastructure have been
destroyed. LAF families are amongst those who are directly affected, undermining
their sense of security and dignity."The embassy said the 16 April ceasefire
offers desperately needed hope to civilians caught up in the conflict. "The UK
will continue to support diplomatic channels to work towards a long-lasting
peace. For more than a decade the UK has given critical support to the LAF as a
trusted partner, through training, mentoring and the provision of equipment.
Since 2009, the UK has trained thousands of LAF personnel and dedicated over
$150 million in funding," the statement added. "The UK will continue to support
Lebanon’s stability and recovery and work to further our long-standing
partnership with the LAF."Chargé D’Affaires Victoria Dunne said that the
delivery of relief items is a direct response to the humanitarian crisis which
has also impacted the Lebanese Armed Forces families. "The UK will continue to
back the Lebanese Armed Forces as well as the Government of Lebanon-led
humanitarian response, which are essential to security and stability."Deputy
Defense Attaché Thomas Hobbs said for his part that "displaced families of the
Lebanese Armed Forces are among those directly affected by the conflict. This
support reflects the UK’s commitment to assisting those impacted by the conflict
while continuing to support the Lebanese Armed Forces as the sole legitimate
defenders of Lebanon."
Adwan decries parliament inaction over war decisions, says
LF to have a major stance later
Naharnet/April 23/2026
MP George Adwan said Thursday at a press conference held by the Strong Republic
bloc in parliament that "what happened over the past two years is that a certain
faction dragged Lebanon into a war in support of Gaza, and the result was the
destruction of Gaza and hundreds of thousands of martyrs. This was in addition
to the Israeli occupation of Lebanon and the signing of the agreement in
November 2024.""The most dangerous aspect is that parliament seemed to be
completely unconcerned with all of this," Adwan lamented. Adwan pointed out that
Hezbollah "entered the war to support Iran, which then went to negotiate with
the Americans." "Had it not been for the intervention of the Presidency and the
Prime Minister, the Lebanese issue would not have been separated, and we would
not have been negotiating on our own behalf. Furthermore, in all of this,
parliament was absent, and there was no accountability," the MP said. He asked:
"How can ministers in the government not follow the government's decisions? All
of this requires parliamentary oversight." Adwan added: "We will participate in
the parliamentary session, but when the war ends, as a Strong Republic bloc, we
will demand that the government appear before parliament. Then we will raise all
the questions about the war: Who entered it? Why? Who will bear responsibility
for it and what were its consequences? Otherwise, we will be betraying the
people's mandate and failing to convey their voice and their questions.""We will
have more to say after the war ends. Either the law and the constitution are
applied to everyone, or we will reconsider everything," Adwan said.
Al-Rahi says negotiations 'necessity not concession' after
meeting Aoun
Naharnet/April 23/2026
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Thursday that negotiations are a
necessity, not a concession, after he met President Joseph Aoun in Baabda ahead
of a second session of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington.
"Negotiations are the only path toward ending wars and destruction, on behalf of
all Lebanese people," al-Rahi said, adding that any infringement upon Lebanon's
sovereignty, independence, or the rights of its people is "unacceptable." The
Patriarch reiterated his support for the Lebanese Army and its leadership,
stressing that the State must be the sole authority for the people and that
diplomacy remains the only viable solution.
Bassil: Hezbollah has lost domestic legitimacy,
justification for defending Lebanon
Naharnet/April 23/2026
Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil suggested Thursday that Hezbollah
"has lost its internal legitimacy" and "its justification for defending
Lebanon.""The great damage to Lebanon is caused by Hezbollah," Bassil, once a
key ally of Hezbollah, said in an interview with Al-Arabiya's Al-Hadath
channel."Hezbollah gained its strength from Iran," Bassil noted, adding that "we
cannot isolate ourselves from our (Arab) surroundings."
UN weighs continued Lebanon presence after peacekeeping
mission ends
By Emma Farge/Reuters/April 23, 2026
GENEVA, April 23 (Reuters) - Some form of ongoing U.N. presence might continue
after a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon ends later this year, U.N. peacekeeping
chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Thursday.
The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), first deployed in 1978, has over
7,000 peacekeepers from 47 nations. It has reported five of them killed in
recent weeks, three from Indonesia and two from France, in the latest war
between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Lacroix told reporters in Geneva that he was consulting with all parties about
the options after its mandate formally stops at the end of December and will
make formal recommendations to the Security Council by June.
"They're (the Lebanese) very clear that they would want to keep a U.N.
presence," he said. "We're looking at a presence that would probably be smaller
than UNIFIL," he added. UNIFIL's mandate currently includes monitoring a
ceasefire, supporting the Lebanese army in its deployment into the south, and
helping it enforce a prohibition of illegal arms there.
Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel reignited on March 2, when the
Lebanese group opened fire in support of Iran, and a strained ceasefire is now
in place. But attacks continue in southern Lebanon where Israeli troops have
seized a self-declared buffer zone. Lacroix said that he estimated that Israeli
forces occupy "a significant stretch of land north of the Blue Line, with a
massive level of demolition and no civilians allowed." The Blue Line is a
U.N.-mapped line separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan
Heights. UNIFIL has remained in Lebanon through successive conflicts, including
a 2024 war during which its positions came under fire repeatedly. The U.N. has
11 peacekeeping missions around the world with over 46,000 personnel but is
facing financial constraints due to unpaid fees by member states, forcing it to
cut 25% of its operations, Lacroix said. This is sometimes impacting its
ability to protect civilians and maintain peace, he added. "We are trying to
mitigate those impacts, but they are very real."
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
22-23/2026
Katz says Israel awaiting US green light to kill Khamenei, return Iran to
Stone Age
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel was "prepared
to resume the war against Iran," adding that Israel was awaiting a green light
from the United States to return Iran to "the Stone Age"."The IDF (Israeli army)
is ready both defensively and offensively, and the targets have been marked,"
Katz said in a video statement."We are awaiting a green light from the United
States -- first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei
dynasty... and additionally to return Iran to the Dark Age and the Stone Age by
destroying key energy and electricity facilities and dismantling its national
economic infrastructure," he added. The opening U.S.-Israel attack of the war on
February 28 killed Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, whose son later succeeded
him but has yet to appear in public, creating speculation over his condition and
if he is still alive. "This time, when the attack resumes, it will be different
and lethal, adding devastating blows at the most sensitive points -- following
the tremendous strikes the Iranian terror regime has already sustained -- that
will shake and bring down its foundations," Katz said. U.S. President Donald
Trump on Tuesday announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire between the
United States and Iran, which came into effect on April 8, to create space for
talks with Tehran. Plans for renewed negotiations in Pakistan hang in the
balance.The Middle East war has engulfed the region, leaving several thousand
people dead, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and continuing to destabilize the
global economy.
Trump says US in no rush but 'clock is ticking' for Iran
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States is under no
pressure to end the war with Iran, but "the clock is ticking" for Tehran, as
disruption from the conflict batters the world economy. "I have all the time in
the World, but Iran doesn't -- The clock is ticking!" Trump said on social
media, adding that Iran's military was destroyed and "their leaders are no
longer with us, the Blockade is airtight and strong and, from there, it only
gets worse."
USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in Mideast region
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier has arrived in the Middle East, the
U.S. military said Thursday, bringing the number of the massive American
warships operating in the region to three. The Bush was sailing "in the Indian
Ocean in the US Central Command area of responsibility, April 23," the military
command responsible for the Middle East said in a post on X that included an
image of the carrier with its deck packed with warplanes.
Reports: Riyadh presses for stability, Taif Accord as Berri
says no peace with Israel before KSA
Naharnet/April 23/2026
Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan met again Thursday evening with Speaker of
Parliament Nabih Berri, without media coverage, to discuss the details of
implementing the Taif Agreement in its entirety, without any procrastination,
LBCI television reported. Berri meanwhioe affirmed to Bin Farhan in their first
meeting that Lebanon will not sign a peace agreement with Israel before Saudi
Arabia does, Al-Jadeed TV said. Diplomatic sources told Al-Jadeed that
Saudi-Iranian coordination has significantly contributed to stabilizing internal
stability in Lebanon. They added that Riyadh, through its Foreign Minister, has
worked with key decision-making capitals to solidify the ceasefire in Lebanonز
Al-Jadeed also reported that Saudi Arabia, through Prince Yazid bin Farhan's
meetings in Lebanon, is working to bolster stability by reducing the intensity
of political rhetoric in preparation for the post-war period. Furthermore, it is
focusing on the primary objective in Lebanon: preserving the Taif Agreement,
implementing all its provisions, and enacting a new electoral law, the TV
network said.
Iran media report blasts over Tehran, air defense systems
activated
Agence France Presse/April 23/2026
Air defense systems were activated in parts of Tehran on Thursday evening amid
reports of hostile aerial activity, Iranian state media said in the first such
reports since a ceasefire began. The IRNA state news agency said the "sound of
air defense firing" was heard in western Tehran, while the Mehr news agency
reported that the systems were activated in several parts of the capital to
counter "hostile targets", without elaborating further. Iranian media reports
said the hostile targets were two drones, as the Israeli army said it did not
carry out any attack in Iran. A U.S. official also told Al-Jazeera that the
ceasefire with Iran was still in place.
Trump says US will not use
nuclear weapon in Iran war
Reuters/24 April ,2026
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would not use a nuclear
weapon in the war against Iran. “Why would I use a nuclear weapon? We’ve
totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it,” Trump told
reporters at the White House when asked whether he would use such a weapon. “No,
I wouldn’t use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by
anybody,” he added. Asked how long he was willing to wait for a long-term peace
deal with Iran, Trump said, “Don’t rush me.”He said Iran might have loaded up
their weaponry “a little bit” during the two-week ceasefire, but added that the
US military could knock that out in about one day. “Their navy is gone. Their
air force is gone, their anti-aircraft is gone ...maybe they loaded up a little
bit during the two-week hiatus, but we’ll knock that out about one day, if they
did,” Trump added.
“I want to make the best deal. I could make a deal right now ... but I don’t
want to do that. I want to have it everlasting,” Trump said.
Iran’s Mehr says air defenses heard ‘engaging hostile
targets’ in Tehran
AFP/23 April ,2026: 09:13 PM GST
Air defense systems were activated in parts of Tehran on Thursday evening amid
reports of hostile aerial activity, Iranian state media said in the first such
reports since a ceasefire began. The IRNA state news agency said the “sound of
air defense firing” was heard in western Tehran, while the Mehr news agency
reported that the systems were activated in several parts of the capital to
counter “hostile targets,” without elaborating further. Following the reports,
an Israeli security source told AFP on Thursday that the country was not
carrying out airstrikes in Iran. “Israel is not attacking in Iran,” the source
said on condition of anonymity. Earlier on Thursday, Defense Minister Israel
Katz said Israel was “prepared to resume the war against Iran,” adding that his
country was awaiting a green light from the United States to return Iran to “the
Stone Age.”
Trump says US to attack any boats laying mines in Strait of
Hormuz
Al Arabiya English/23 April ,2026
President Donald Trump on Thursday vowed the United States would destroy any
vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as he increases pressure on Iran to
reopen the crucial sea passage. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot
and kill any boat, small boats though they may be... that is putting mines in
the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted. “There is to be no
hesitation. Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right
now.”The strait -- through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes in
peacetime -- has been a major point of standoff between Iran and the US with the
vital waterway remaining largely closed during a shaky ceasefire. In a second
post, Trump asserted that the US has “total control” over the strait. “No ship
can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is ‘Sealed
up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!”
Trump also noted that Iran was having a “hard time” figuring out who is leading
the country signaling to internal divisions. “They just don’t know! The
infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the
battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining
respect!), is CRAZY!” With AFP
US military says it seizes another Iran-linked oil tanker
The Associated Press/23 April ,2026
The US military on Thursday seized another tanker associated with the smuggling
of Iranian oil, ratcheting up a standoff with Iran a day after the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took control of two vessels in the crucial
Strait of Hormuz. The Defense Department released video footage of US forces on
the deck of the oil tanker Majestic X, which was seized in the Indian Ocean.“We
will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and
interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” a
Pentagon statement said. Ship-tracking data showed the Majestic X in the Indian
Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, roughly the same location as the oil
tanker Tifani, earlier seized by American forces. It had been bound for Zhoushan,
China. There was no immediate response from Iran on the news of the seizure.
The seizure comes a day after Iran attacked three cargo ships in the strait,
capturing two of them, in a move that intensified its assault on shipping in the
key waterway through which 20 percent of the world’s traded oil passes in
peacetime. The Majestic X is a Guyana-flagged oil tanker. It previously had been
named Phonix and had been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2024 for
smuggling Iranian crude oil in contravention of US sanctions on the Islamic
Republic. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire while
maintaining an American blockade of Iranian ports.
The standoff between the US and Iran has effectively choked off nearly all
exports through the strait with no end in sight. The conflict has already sent
gas prices skyrocketing far beyond the region and raised the cost of food and a
wide array of other products. The price of Brent crude oil, the international
standard, nosed over $100 per barrel, marking a 35 percent increase from prewar
levels, but stock markets still appear to be shrugging it off. The European
Union energy commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, warned Wednesday of lasting impact for
consumers and businesses, likening it to other major energy crises over the last
half-century. He said the disruption is costing Europe around 500 million euros
($600 million) each day.
Israel says awaiting US green light to ‘return Iran to
Stone Age’
Al Arabiya English/23 April ,2026
Israeli Defense minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel was “prepared
to resume the war against Iran,” adding that his country was awaiting a green
light from the United States to return Iran to “the Stone Age.”“The [Israeli
military] is ready both defensively and offensively, and the targets have been
marked,” Katz said in a video statement. “We are awaiting a green light from the
United States – first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei
dynasty... and additionally to return Iran to the Dark Age and the Stone Age by
destroying key energy and electricity facilities and dismantling its national
economic infrastructure,” he added. The opening US-Israel attack of the war on
February 28 killed Iran’s top leader Ali Khamenei, whose son later succeeded him
but has yet to appear in public, creating speculation over his condition and if
he is still alive. “This time, when the attack resumes, it will be different and
lethal, adding devastating blows at the most sensitive points – following the
tremendous strikes the Iranian terror regime has already sustained – that will
shake and bring down its foundations,” Katz said. US President Donald Trump on
Tuesday announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire between the United
States and Iran, which came into effect on April 8, to create space for talks
with Tehran. Plans for renewed negotiations in Pakistan hang in the balance. The
Middle East war has engulfed the region, leaving several thousand people dead,
mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and continuing to destabilize the global economy.
With AFP
USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier arrives in Middle
East
AFP, Washington/23 April ,2026
The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier has arrived in the Middle East, the US
military said Thursday, bringing the number of the massive American warships
operating in the region to three. The Bush was sailing “in the Indian Ocean in
the US Central Command area of responsibility, April 23,” the military command
responsible for the Middle East said in a post on X that included an image of
the carrier with its deck packed with warplanes.
Russia warns European states against hosting French nuclear
bomber planes
Reuters/23 April ,2026
Russia warned on Thursday that any European countries that accepted deployments
of French nuclear-capable strategic bombers would make themselves targets for
attack by Moscow’s forces in the event of a conflict.French President Emmanuel
Macron announced plans in March to expand the country’s nuclear arsenal and said
France may allow European partners to host its nuclear-capable aircraft on
temporary deployments.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in
an interview published on Thursday that this was part of an “uncontrolled
build-up” of NATO’s nuclear potential, which posed a strategic threat to Russia.
He stressed Moscow’s concern about the potential French nuclear deployments to
other European countries. Macron has said Paris is discussing such arrangements
with Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and
Denmark.
“Clearly, our military will be forced to pay close attention to this issue in
the context of updating the list of priority targets in the event of a major
conflict,” Grushko told the state media group Russia Today. “As a result,
instead of the declared French strengthening of the defense of their allies - to
whom, incidentally, they offer no ironclad guarantees - the security of these
countries is in fact being weakened.”Macron’s initiative is part of a drive by
NATO’s European members to take more responsibility for their own defense, after
frequent criticism of the alliance from US President Donald Trump, and in light
of his threats to take control of Greenland from NATO member Denmark.The expiry
in February of the last remaining treaty limiting the size of the Russian and US
strategic nuclear arsenals has created a vacuum in global arms control, at a
time when international tensions are at their highest for decades because of the
Ukraine and Iran wars. Grushko said any future dialogue on nuclear weapons would
need to take into account the combined capabilities of NATO, including the
French and British arsenals as well as that of the US.NATO this week criticized
Russia and China over their nuclear arms policies and urged both countries to
work with the US to establish greater stability and transparency at a conference
opening at the UN in New York next week to review the operation of the nuclear
non-proliferation treaty.
UK’s Starmer voices concern over foreign-backed proxy attacks in Britain
Reuters, London/23 April ,2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he was “increasingly
concerned” about a growing use of proxies by foreign states to carry out attacks
in Britain, pledging to bring forward new legislation following recent attacks.
London has seen a string of attacks - mostly arson - on Jewish-linked sites in
recent weeks. Some of these are being investigated by counter-terrorism
officers, although police say they are not currently being treated as terrorist
incidents. British authorities have increasingly pointed to hostile state
activity as part of the backdrop to recent incidents, warning that foreign
governments may seek to operate through criminal networks or proxies to maintain
deniability. “I'm increasingly concerned that a number of countries are using
proxies for attacks in this country,” he said, speaking after meeting members of
the Jewish community at Kenton United Synagogue, which was the target of an
arson attack last Sunday. The fire caused minor smoke damage to an internal room
and there were no injuries. A 17-year-old British boy pleaded guilty on Tuesday
to arson not endangering life in connection with the incident. “We have to deal
with malign state actors,” Starmer said, adding that it would require
legislation by the government. “I want this country to be a place where
everybody feels safe and secure. This is not just a battle for the Jewish
community,” Starmer said.“It is our battle. The Britain that I want is a Britain
where people can practice their religion, their faith, in safety and security.”
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
23-24/2026
Europe's Two-State Delusion: Repeating Failure, Ignoring Facts
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute./April 23, 2026
Let us begin with the most basic question EU policymakers refuse to answer: to
whom exactly do they intend to hand this Palestinian state?
To the Palestinian Authority, widely viewed, even by its own people, as
"irredeemably corrupt," terrorist, repressive, and illegitimate, and committed
to displacing Israel? Or to Hamas, an internationally designated terrorist
organization openly committed to Israel's destruction?
Had Arafat or Abbas accepted either of these proposals [by Prime Minister Ehud
Barak or Prime Minister Ehud Olmert], the Palestinians would have had a
recognized independent state many years ago.
The core flaw in Europe's thinking is the assumption that the conflict is about
land. It is not. If it were, it would have been resolved long ago.
The deeper issue is the Palestinian blanket rejection: the persistent refusal by
large segments of Palestinian society, as well as much of the Arab and Muslim
world, to recognize Israel's right to exist, period -- within any borders. For
many, Israel is not a neighbor but a temporary, illegitimate entity that must be
dismantled.
European leaders speak vaguely about "security guarantees," but offer no
credible way to enforce them.
Can anyone guarantee that a Palestinian state will not become another Gaza
Strip, a base for Iranian-backed terror militias, and another launching pad for
attacks against Israel?
Even more troubling is the EU's misplaced focus. Instead of confronting the real
drivers of instability and terrorism, Iran and its proxies, European leaders are
directing pressure at Israel.... This response sends a dangerous message:
terrorism is tolerated, and even rewarded, while self-defense is condemned and
punished.
The "two-state solution," as currently envisioned by EU leaders, is not a path
to peace. It is a recipe for more violence. Creating a Palestinian state would
not resolve the conflict. On the contrary, it would intensify it, embolden
terrorists, and increase the likelihood of future wars.
Why, though, should the Europeans give that a thought? They are not even near
the region, so would not suffer any of the disastrous consequences -- not just
to the Israelis but also to the abysmally governed Palestinians. The Europeans,
it seems, just like telling everyone else what to do.
The recent assertion of EU foreign policy representative Kaja Kallas that a
"two-state solution" is "the only way for both Palestinians and Israelis to live
in safety, dignity, and peace," would be laughable were it not so dangerously
detached from reality.
While Israel, nearly three years later, is still reeling from the aftermath of
the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led invasion as well as defending itself from the
Iranian regime and its terror proxies, European leaders are once again indulging
in their dangerous fantasy of resurrecting the so-called two-state solution.
At a recent gathering in Brussels attended by more than 60 countries and several
international organizations under the banner of the "Global Alliance for the
Implementation of the Two-State Solution," the European Union reaffirmed its
support for the "two-state solution" -- a formula that means establishing a
Palestinian state -- which has not the slightest intention of cohabiting with
Israel -- right at Israel's doorstep.
According to one report, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said during the
meeting that participants "cannot abandon the compass," referring to maintaining
a "political track" despite escalating crises. Prévot said developments in the
Middle East are affecting the stability of the region and beyond, and called for
continued international efforts to revive "the political process" – and an
aspirant genocidal state.
The report continues:
"EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc 'can and must do more' to
bring the two-state solution back to negotiations more effectively."
According to another report:
"[Kallas] reiterated that the two-state solution remains 'the only way for both
Palestinians and Israelis to live in safety, dignity, and peace.'"
Her assertion would be laughable were it not so dangerously detached from
reality.
The most accurate response would be a quote attributed to the late US Secretary
of State Henry Kissinger: "The lion shall lie down with the lamb so long as
there is a fresh lamb every morning."
Let us begin with the most basic question EU policymakers refuse to answer: to
whom exactly do they intend to hand this Palestinian state?
To the Palestinian Authority, widely viewed, even by its own people, as
"irredeemably corrupt," terrorist, repressive, and illegitimate, and committed
to displacing Israel? Or to Hamas, an internationally designated terrorist
organization openly committed to Israel's destruction?
With the Palestinians, there is no third option.
European leaders speak as if the "two-state solution" has never been tried. In
fact, a version of it already existed in the Gaza Strip.
In 2005, Israel withdrew every soldier and expelled every Jewish civilian from
the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians were handed full control over the territory.
They were given a historic opportunity to build the foundations of a peaceful,
prosperous state. The Gaza Strip could have become the "Singapore of the Middle
East."
Instead, the Palestinians chose a different path; they voted Hamas to power.
What followed was not state-building, but the systematic transformation of the
Gaza Strip into a base for jihad (holy war): millions invested in tunnels,
rockets, and terror infrastructure; constant incitement in the media and mosques
against Israel and Jews, and on the ground, repeated wars and terrorist attacks.
The result was a de facto independent and sovereign Palestinian state -- one
committed to Israel's destruction. That experiment culminated in the October 7,
2023 massacre, the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.
The Gaza Strip did become a "Palestinian state" of sorts: a jihadist mini-state
dedicated to murdering Jews and eliminating Israel.
Nevertheless, Europe's answer to this catastrophe is to repeat the same failed
experiment. What seems really to be in play is that many European leaders, by
continuing to promote the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state, want
to bring about another Holocaust and the elimination of Jews.
EU leaders also ignore that Palestinian leaders have repeatedly rejected many
opportunities to establish their own state. This is not speculation. It is a
crucial, historical, well-documented fact.
At the 2000 Camp David summit. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered the
creation of a Palestinian state in all of the Gaza Strip and more than 90% of
the West Bank, with eastern Jerusalem as its capital and land swaps to
compensate for the remainder. Then Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat
said no and walked away, without so much as a counter-offer, from one of the
most far-reaching peace offers ever presented to the Palestinians.
The pattern repeated itself less than a decade later.
In 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert presented an even more generous
proposal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The offer included a
Palestinian state on approximately 94-97% of the West Bank, the entire Gaza
Strip, land swaps to make up for the remaining territory, a capital in eastern
Jerusalem, and international custodianship over the holy sites in Jerusalem.
Abbas refused to sign the deal – again, with no counter-offer.
Had Arafat or Abbas accepted either of these proposals, the Palestinians would
have had a recognized independent state many years ago. Instead, they chose
rejection, boycott, and, in many instances, terrorism.
The Palestinians' refusal to accept the existence of a Jewish state in the
Middle East is precisely what European leaders continue to ignore.
It is easier to pressure Israel than to confront the uncomfortable truth:
Palestinian leaders themselves bear a significant responsibility for the absence
of a Palestinian state.
The core flaw in Europe's thinking is the assumption that the conflict is about
land. It is not. If it were, it would have been resolved long ago.
The deeper issue is the Palestinian blanket rejection: the persistent refusal by
large segments of Palestinian society, as well as much of the Arab and Muslim
world, to recognize Israel's right to exist, period -- within any borders. For
many, Israel is not a neighbor but a temporary, illegitimate entity that must be
dismantled.
European leaders speak vaguely about "security guarantees," but offer no
credible way to enforce them.
Can anyone guarantee that a Palestinian state will not become another Gaza
Strip, a base for Iranian-backed terror militias, and another launching pad for
attacks against Israel?
Creating such a state under the current conditions would place a hostile entity
at Israel's doorstep. That is a risk no sovereign nation would accept.
Even more troubling is the EU's misplaced focus. Instead of confronting the real
drivers of instability and terrorism, Iran and its proxies, European leaders are
directing pressure at Israel. Some are proposing sanctions against Israelis and
the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel, the region's only
democracy. This response sends a dangerous message: terrorism is tolerated, and
even rewarded, while self-defense is condemned and punished.
The "two-state solution," as currently envisioned by EU leaders, is not a path
to peace. It is a recipe for more violence. Creating a Palestinian state would
not resolve the conflict. On the contrary, it would intensify it, embolden
terrorists, and increase the likelihood of future wars. It would be asking
Israel to take existential risks for the sake of a diplomatic illusion.
EU leaders speak of "solutions" while refusing to confront reality. Until Europe
acknowledges the fundamental obstacles -- Palestinian rejectionism and the
dominance of jihadist ideology -- its policies will remain not only misguided,
but dangerous for international security.
Why, though, should the Europeans give that a thought? They are not even near
the region, so would not suffer any of the disastrous consequences -- not just
to the Israelis but also to the abysmally governed Palestinians. The Europeans,
it seems, just like telling everyone else what to do.
**Bassam Tawil is a Muslim Arab based in the Middle East.
© 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.
Inside Iran’s power
structure: Negotiation without transformation
Zaid AlKami/Al Arabiya English/23 April ,2026
US President Donald Trump announced on the evening before last that the truce
with Iran would be extended, allowing the Pakistani mediator more time to
present Iran’s proposal and conclude discussions, whether through acceptance or
rejection. At the same time, Trump kept the US military in place, maintaining
its blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran continues to issue contradictory and escalating statements through various
officials. For example, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the
blockade is “an act of war, and therefore a violation of the ceasefire.”
Meanwhile, Mehdi Mohammadi, an advisor to parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher
Ghalibaf, stated that “continuing the blockade is no different from aerial
bombardment and must be responded to militarily.” Hours later, the Tasnim News
Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted a
parliamentary official clarifying that Ghalibaf has advisors across various
fields and benefits from their views, but those views do not necessarily
represent his official position. Earlier, government spokesperson Fatemeh
Mohajerani said that “Tehran is not seeking surrender, but is ready for
negotiations provided there is respect.”
What emerges is that Iran today is not governed as a traditional system with a
single, clearly defined center of power. Instead, it operates through
overlapping centers of authority, led foremost by the IRGC, which has evolved
from a military body into a decisive political, security, and economic force.
This multiplicity of power centers does not reflect divergent directions, but
rather a shared ideology expressed through different methods.
This ideology, codified in the constitution by Ruhollah Khomeini after the 1979
revolution, does not simply regulate the relationship between state and society.
It extends beyond national borders through what is termed the “export of the
revolution.” These provisions are not minor details but a direct expression of
the regime’s nature. When “the continuation of the revolution at home and
abroad” is embedded in the framework, expansion becomes both objective and
purpose. And when foreign policy is tied to exporting the revolution and
supporting affiliated movements, regional influence becomes an institutional
obligation, not just a tool used when necessary.
As noted by journalist Abdulrahman al-Rashed in his article titled “From a Halt
to War to the End of the Axis?” the recent confrontations have placed Iran under
an unprecedented test. The conflict was not merely about balance or influence in
Syria or Lebanon, but an existential war in which the regime was fighting for
survival. Iranian leadership, in the absence of the Supreme Leader Mojtaba
Khamenei, was seeking guarantees to preserve the system during a period of
strategic transformation.
For this reason, the multiplicity of decision-making centers within Iran,
especially the IRGC, does not produce a balance that opens the door to change.
Instead, it reinforces continuity, because all these centers rely on the same
ideological foundation. Their differences are tactical rather than fundamental.
They may diverge on timing or the level of escalation, but not on the ultimate
objective. Over the past five decades, experience with the Iranian system has
shown that negotiation is used as a tool for managing situations, not as a
pathway to fundamental change. Previous agreements aimed to regulate behavior,
not alter the underlying ideology.
Recent developments have also shown that there is little room left to frame
Iranian behavior as merely reactive. While the regime now understands the scale
of the international shift, it has not yet made a decisive choice. There are
attempts to ease pressure through de-escalation and negotiation, but these are
matched by a clear commitment to the intellectual and institutional structure
that produced the crisis. This contradiction reflects an internal struggle
between the demands of survival and the requirements of ideology, a struggle
that has not yet been resolved in favor of genuine change.
The question is no longer whether Iran will agree to negotiations or adjust its
behavior, but who has the ability to redefine that path and conduct. As long as
the balance of power within Iran continues to rest on an expansionist ideology,
the chances of transformation remain limited, though not impossible.
Ultimately, Iranian behavior cannot be separated from the foundational texts of
the system. Any discussion of real change in Iran comes down to a single
question: Are Iranian leaders willing to revisit or amend those texts? Without a
shift in both mindset and doctrine, behavior will not change.
Iraqi attacks on the Gulf
Abdulrahman al-Rashed/Al Arabia English/23 April ,2026
Iraq, like Lebanon, has been drawn into Iran’s war against its will. The
difference is that Lebanon’s government condemned and denounced what Hezbollah
did, while Iraq’s government neither prevented nor condemned the actions of its
own factions, which targeted at least three Gulf states.
We understand that the actions and orders came from Iran, and that the Iraqi
government was not directly responsible for what happened. Even so,
responsibility for what occurs on Iraqi soil remains a legal obligation of those
who govern the country. These militias are part of Iran’s regional military
network. Just days ago, the commander of the Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, visited
to direct these armed groups on Iraqi territory.
Baghdad is responsible for attacks launched from its territory against Saudi
Arabia and its neighbors. These are its militias, operating on its land.
To fully understand the situation, we need to understand today’s Iraq. It is not
the Iraq of Saddam Hussein, nor the Iraq shaped by the Americans. It is closer
to an Iraq aligned with Iran. Its situation differs from Lebanon and Yemen in
that Iraqi militias are larger in number and more deeply tied to Tehran, due in
part to geographic proximity. Baghdad funds most of these groups, and it is also
said to support Iran’s shadow activities in the region. These militias are part
of Iraq’s broader military structure, which totals around half a million
personnel, about half of whom are militias theoretically under Iraqi military
command. They receive funding from Baghdad but also money and direction from
Tehran.
For years, the Iranians have sought to dominate all of Iraq and benefit from its
vast oil resources and strategic location. They have succeeded in creating a
parallel entity within the Iraqi state, similar to what they did in Lebanon and,
to some extent, in Yemen. Their Iraqi militias are stronger than the
professional army, much like Hezbollah compared to the Lebanese army, and the
Houthis in Yemen. Today, if Iran chose to fully take over Iraq, it could. But it
prefers to maintain control from a distance, avoiding direct confrontation with
the country’s legislative and executive institutions.
Given this deep level of influence, one might ask: why don’t the Iranians
dismantle Iraq’s governing institutions altogether and restructure the system of
power?
In my view, they will eventually do so if the Iranian regime survives its
current crisis, but the time has not yet come. The existing Iraqi system has
international legitimacy, with democratic facades such as an elected parliament
that selects both the prime minister and the president. It resembles Lebanon
during the era of Syrian dominance. The legitimacy is largely symbolic, while
real decision-making power lies in Tehran.
Can Iraq and its people be saved from Iran’s grip and the expansion of militias?
There is a glimmer of hope if the Iranian regime is weakened by the current war
and any sanctions that may follow. A second factor for change is continued US
control over much of Iraq’s oil revenues, which are held in dollars and flow
through New York, where spending by the Iraqi state is monitored. This week, the
US government began activating what could be called the “dollar weapon,” halting
financial transfers allocated to Iraqi security institutions, signaling a new
phase of pressure on Iran’s influence within Iraqi institutions.
Even after most US forces withdrew from Iraq, Washington maintained control over
financial resources. The US dollar has been a key tool of influence since the
2003 invasion, with approval from the United Nations Security Council. As a
result, about 90 percent of Iraq’s revenues come from oil sales, which are sent
to New York and deposited at the Federal Reserve. From there, large sums are
flown in cash to Iraq’s central bank in Baghdad.
The US government recently announced it had halted the shipment of $500 million
to Iraq to pressure its leadership. For some time, Washington has been urging
the government of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to dismantle Iranian-backed militias,
which are funded and armed by Baghdad but ultimately take orders from Tehran.
Iraq’s government seeks to maintain Washington’s approval, yet clearly fears
angering Tehran. In this difficult position, it says it is not affected by US
pressure and has sufficient dollar reserves. However, it is more likely that we
will see a weakening of the dinar and a shortage of liquidity. The
administration of Donald Trump has warned Baghdad that it will be held
accountable for what it sees as a submissive stance toward Iran.
Selected Face Book & X tweets for April 23/2026