English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For February 04/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2026/english.february04.26.htm
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Bible Quotations For today
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come
not to abolish but to fulfil.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
05/17-20/:"‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I
have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and
earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the
law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of
these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in
the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called
great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness
exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of
heaven.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on February
03-04/2026
Inside Every Human Being There Is a Beast ...The true struggle within
every human being is between the image of God within them and the distortion of
that image/Elias Bejjani/February 02/2026
Lebanon's President says proposals to postpone parliamentary elections do not
concern him
PM Salam at World Government Summit in Dubai: Government would not allow Lebanon
to be drawn into a new confrontation
UNIFIL says Israeli drone crossed Blue Line, threatened peacekeepers near
Kfarkela
Sheikh Qassem to Lebanese Officials: Tell Foreign Envoys We Are Unable to
Pressure Hezbollah
Qassem says Hezbollah can also inflict 'pain' on Israel
Haykal holds series of security meetings in Washington
Aoun says arms monopoly key to regain int'l trust and support
No more adventures: Salam calls on Arab countries to support, invest, donate
Israel intensifies strikes, especially north of Litani
Salam meets GCC chief, Jordanian counterpart on Dubai summit sidelines
Issa hails Haykal's US visit as Lebanese officers meet US generals
Hezbollah MP accuses state of negligence and 'complicity'
'Captain Ella' to replace Israel's Adraee
Lebanon’s Interior Ministry announces official deadlines for 2026 election
candidacies and list registrations
Nouh Zaiter's lawyer tells LBCI verdicts in felony cases are expected to be
issued on May 5
Congressional Hearing on Lebanon: Hezbollah Remains a Threat
Here is the translation of the article into English, maintaining the
journalistic tone and specific political terminology of the Lebanese context.
Qassem Lost in His Narratives... Aoun and Salam Settle It: Arms to the State
From Muscat to Madrid: A Lebanon-Israel "Derby" Awaits the Finals/Alan Sarkis/Nidaa
Al-Watan/February/04, 2026
The "Drug Baron" Nearly Toppled the Military Court!/Tony Karam/Nidaa Al-Watan/February
04/2026
Strategic Folly: The "Party" Plays with Syrian Fire and Baits Damascus/Samer
Zreiq/Nidaa Al-Watan/ February 04/2026
God, Say Something to Israel and Hezbollah/Elie El Hajj/Face Book/03
February/2026
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on February
03-04/2026
US-Iran talks 'still scheduled' after drone shot down: White House
US fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone approaching aircraft carrier in Arabian
Sea
Iran demands changes in venue and scope of talks with US, source says
Netanyahu urges US envoy to be skeptical of Iran in revived nuclear talks
Netanyahu tells US envoy Iran 'cannot be trusted'
US tanker challenged by Iranian gunboats in Strait of Hormuz
UAE senior official says Iran needs to reach deal with US
Priority of Iran talks in Istanbul is to avoid conflict, official says
US-Iran meeting likely to take place in Turkey on Feb. 6
Netanyahu tells US envoy Palestinian Authority won't be part of post-war Gaza
governance
Palestinians allowed into Gaza, patients evacuated to Egypt as Rafah crossing
reopens
Turkey's Erdogan visits Saudi as ties between former foes warm
Saudi Arabia and Turkey sign agreement on power generation projects
Saudi Crown Prince meets Turkish president in Riyadh
US Congress passes spending bill ending government shutdown
US approves potential $3 bln F-15 sustainment sale to Saudi Arabia
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has been killed, Gaddafi family source tells Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia set to announce major new Syria investments, Syrian official says
Syria Kurds impose curfew in Qamishli ahead of govt forces entry
Syria’s Interior Ministry foils drug smuggling attempt into Jordan
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published
on February
03-04/2026
Deal with Iran ‘unimaginable,’ Pompeo tells WGS in Dubai/Khaled Al
Khawaldeh/Arab News/February 03, 2026
Saudi Arabia: A story of renaissance larger than oil/Dr. Ibrahim al-Muhanna/Al
Arabiya English/03 February/2026
The Trump Administration's Delusional Gaza 'Master Plan'/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone
Institute/February 03/2026
India, EU brought together by US pressure/Talmiz Ahmad/Arab News/February 03,
2026
Middle East adjusts to key new European climate policy/Andrew Hammond/Arab
News/February 03, 2026
Palestinian citizens of Israel: Between criminals and the criminally negligent/Yossi
Mekelberg/Arab News/February 03, 2026
The Latest
English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on February
03-04/2026
Inside Every Human Being There Is a Beast ...The true struggle within
every human being is between the image of God within them and the distortion of
that image
Elias Bejjani/February 02/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/02/151757/
Christian faith teaches us a fundamental truth: the human being was created in
the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26) and was called to live in communion
with Him, in love and holiness. Yet, because of the Fall, every person carries
within himself a wounded nature. In this wounded nature lies what can be
described, in spiritual terms, as an inner “beast”—a force of uncontrolled
instincts and desires that emerges when the human person separates himself from
God’s grace.
This beast is not an independent power. It is not stronger than the human person
by nature. It remains dormant as long as the person lives in humility,
generosity, and love, and remains faithful to the gifts and responsibilities
entrusted to him by his Heavenly Father.
The beast sleeps when the human being lives according to love, because love is
not merely a moral value; love is God Himself:
“God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him”
(1 John 4:16).
As long as a person is conscious of his holiness, of his identity as a child of
God by grace, and remains faithful to God’s commandments, the inner beast
remains restrained. The awareness of standing one day before God’s judgment is
essential to Christian life, for Scripture tells us:
“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10).
On the last day, when God reclaims from the human being the gift of life, the
soul will stand alone before Him. At that moment, wealth, power, and earthly
achievements lose all value. They remain behind, because:
“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out” (1 Timothy 6:7).
The only thing a person carries with him is his spiritual provision—his faith
expressed through works of love. As Christ says:
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one
according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).
According to what this spiritual provision contains, the Lord will either say:
“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew
25:21),
or the soul will face separation from God if it is empty of love, mercy, and
good works, and filled only with greed, pride, and unrepented sin, where:
“Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48).
The inner beast awakens when faith weakens, hope fades, and the human being
falls into temptation. At that point, the person returns to the “old self” and
abandons the new life given through baptism by water and the Holy Spirit,
forgetting the words of Scripture:
“Put off the old man… and put on the new man, which was created according to
God” (Ephesians 4:22–24).
When a person distances himself from God, disobeys His commandments, and lives
as if God does not exist, the beast within rises and dominates. Sin then becomes
not an isolated act, but a way of life, because:
“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
In this light, Jesus presents to us the parable of the rich fool (Luke
12:16–21). This man was not condemned for being rich, but for believing that his
life depended on his possessions. He spoke only to himself and not to God. He
trusted his barns, not his Creator. Therefore God said to him:
“Fool! This night your soul will be required of you.”
This parable reveals a deep spiritual truth: the true beast within the human
person is the illusion of self-sufficiency and independence from God. When God
is removed from the center of life, the human being becomes a slave to money,
power, and pleasure. As Jesus teaches:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
This truth applies not only to individuals, but also to societies and political
systems. The crisis of our world—and of Lebanon in particular—is not only
political or economic, but spiritual. It is the crisis of humanity that has
forgotten God. Therefore Christ’s warning remains timeless:
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
(Mark 8:36).
In conclusion, the true struggle within every human being is between the image
of God and its distortion. Salvation does not come by suppressing the beast
through human effort alone, but by returning to God through repentance, grace,
and a life rooted in faith and love. For in God alone there is true life:
“But now having been set free from sin… you have your fruit to holiness, and the
end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).
Lebanon's President says
proposals to postpone parliamentary elections do not concern him
LBCI/February 03/2026
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said international confidence in Lebanon and
renewed foreign support are natural outcomes of ongoing efforts to rebuild the
state on solid foundations, stressing that extending the rule of law and
enforcing the state's monopoly over weapons are irreversible choices.
Aoun's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the "Sovereign
Front," according to a statement released by the presidency. He said rebuilding
the state requires rational, realistic, and responsible action, adding that the
steps being taken internally have been met with positive responses abroad,
increasing the responsibility placed on the leadership. The president said he
remains fully committed to the pledges he made in his inaugural oath, which he
noted received broad domestic and international support. He said there would be
no retreat from implementing those commitments. On the parliamentary elections,
Aoun said he, along with the parliament speaker and the prime minister, insists
on holding the vote starting May 3. He dismissed discussions about postponing
the elections for various reasons or for specified periods, saying such
proposals do not concern him, as the issue falls within the constitutional
authority of the legislative branch.Aoun said he stands at an equal distance
from all candidates and will not intervene in electoral alliances. He said his
role is limited to ensuring the integrity, security, and transparency of the
electoral process. The president also stressed his determination to prevent
Lebanon from being drawn into a new war, saying the Lebanese people can no
longer bear the cost of repeated conflicts. He pointed to changing international
conditions that require a realistic and pragmatic approach to protect the
country and its people, expressing hope that ongoing efforts to shield Lebanon
from new dangers would be met with understanding and constructive commitment.
PM Salam at World Government Summit in Dubai: Government
would not allow Lebanon to be drawn into a new confrontation
LBCI/February 03/2026
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday that his government remains
committed to pursuing reforms and restoring full state sovereignty, stressing
that both are essential to saving Lebanon, as he spoke at the World Government
Summit in Dubai.
Salam said sovereignty and reform are inseparable, describing them as two
fundamental pillars for the country's recovery. He defined sovereignty as the
restoration of the state's authority over decisions on war and peace, the
extension of state control over all Lebanese territory, and the exclusivity of
weapons in the state's hands. Reform, he added, includes both financial and
administrative restructuring. The prime minister said that advancing reforms
would help restore international confidence in Lebanon and its economy, at a
time when the country is seeking foreign support and investment after years of
economic collapse. Salam pointed to what he described as a significant
development in asserting state authority, saying that for the first time since
1969, the Lebanese state, through the army, is exercising full operational
control over the south of the country. He said the government would not allow
Lebanon to be drawn into a new and risky confrontation. He added that renewing
and activating Lebanon's public administration has helped create a sense of
security among Arab countries and the Lebanese diaspora, which he said is a key
factor in encouraging investment and engagement with Lebanon. Addressing
domestic politics, Salam acknowledged differences in working style between
himself and President Joseph Aoun, but stressed that they are moving in the same
direction toward the same goal of restoring the authority of the state alongside
the Parliament Speaker.Salam also emphasized that Lebanon is seeking support
from brotherly and friendly countries, not as a substitute for the role of the
Lebanese state. He called on Arab countries to participate in a planned
conference in Paris to support the Lebanese armed forces, saying such backing is
urgently needed as part of efforts to stabilize the country and reinforce state
institutions.
UNIFIL says Israeli drone crossed Blue Line, threatened
peacekeepers near Kfarkela
LBCI/February 03/2026
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported on Telegram that
peacekeepers on a routine patrol near Kfarkela observed two drones hovering
aggressively above them on Tuesday morning. One of the drones appeared to carry
an unidentified object and entered a range that posed an immediate threat to the
peacekeepers' safety and security. Following established procedures, UNIFIL
said, the peacekeepers took defensive action. The drone then dropped a stun
grenade that exploded approximately 50 meters from the patrol before flying
toward Israeli territory. No injuries were reported, and the patrol continued.
UNIFIL added that both the Israeli and Lebanese armies had been informed about
the activity the previous day, as is standard for operations in sensitive areas
near the Blue Line. The mission assessed that the drone belonged to the Israeli
army and crossed the Blue Line in violation of U.N. Security Council resolution
1701. UNIFIL called such use of armed drones unacceptable and reiterated the
Israeli army’s obligation to respect the Blue Line, ensure the safety of
peacekeepers, and cease attacks on or near them. The statement said the action
violated U.N. resolution 1701 and international law, interfered with the
peacekeepers’ mandated tasks, and put efforts to rebuild stability along the
Blue Line at risk.
Sheikh Qassem to Lebanese Officials: Tell Foreign Envoys We Are Unable to
Pressure Hezbollah
Al-Manar English Website
Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem affirmed on Tuesday that the
world is facing a US hegemony, adding that Lebanon is coping with an existential
threat. “We are in a stage of defending our land, existence, and liberation. We
face an existential aggression that seeks to obliterate our existence,” Sheikh
Qassem said, addressing the ceremony of the Islamic Association for Education
and Teaching (Al-Mahdi Schools). Sheikh Qassem indicated that the enemy’s goal
in attacking the houses in Kfar Tibnit and Ain Qana, where there is no
capability, was to strike the environment and make people surrender to avoid
resisting the enemy. “‘They occupy our land, and this land is ours. We will not
accept giving up the land. We must face this enemy with the defense
capabilities,” his eminence added. The Israeli enemy attacks all the Lebanese
people, and it is the responsibility of every one to confront it, according to
Sheikh Qassem. “It is not true to say that there is a specific party, sect, or
region being targeted. This targeting is against the entire country, and
everyone must confront the Israeli aggression.” “Those who stand with the enemy
under any pretext and pressure us to surrender are not acting from a national
position. Liberating the land and sovereignty is a national responsibility,”
Hezbollah leader added. “Hezbollah is ready to discuss how to confront the
aggression with those who believe in this direction, wherever they are, because
this is a national issue, and the aggression is happening to the entire
country,” Sheikh Qassem said. Sheikh Qassem underscored that this enemy needs
tools within the country, calling for not helping it and not repeating the
failed and shameful past experience, which is certainly doomed to loss. “Lebanon
is not required to do anything. What is required is to pressure America and the
Israeli enemy to implement the agreement and stop the aggression.” Sheikh Qassem
called on the Lebanese officials, “Explain to the foreign envoys that you cannot
pressure your people. Tell them we cannot.”“When the army commander announced
that he had finished the stage south of the Litani River, they asked us to issue
a statement that it had ended south of the Litani River. We have no relation to
this. There is an army command and officials who say what they have
done.”Hezbollah Leader added, “There is aggression, and we must think about how
to confront it and achieve sovereignty. As for us, we must defend and not
surrender.”“They tell us that our capabilities are limited and that the Israelis
may kill us. We say, between the war and humiliation, we will not accept
humiliation. Between humiliation and martyrdom, we choose martyrdom,” Sheikh
Qassem said. “We have the experience of 42 years, and the resistance is
achieving successes. This means we are capable, and what is required is for us
to stand on our feet.”Whoever has faith, right, and sovereignty cannot be taken
away, according to Sheikh Qassem who said but what is required is for us to
stand on our feet, especially with the resistance that has given great
performance and liberated Lebanon. “The performance of the Lebanese people
including Hezbollah, Amal Movement, national forces, various sects, army, and
some officials is a great wealth capable of achieving successes and liberation.
It requires patience and coordination,” his eminence added.
Sheikh Qassem recalled that the master of the martyrs of the nation (Sayyed
Hasan Nasrallah) is the greatest global symbol of giving, sacrifice, resistance,
and martyrdom, adding that this has given us a great push forward, but that what
is required is for us to unite. Hezbollah is the party of Imam Mahdi (AJ) that
will remain victorious with martyrdom and facing enemies, Sheikh Qassem said.
“In this situation, we are working on building the state. We contributed to
electing the president and forming the government. Our ministers work for all
Lebanon, but some ministers do not want to build the state; rather, they seek
vengeance and retaliation, confronting us with insults and abuse.”
Hezbollah and Amal lawmakers as well as sincere people saved the fragile public
order with a weak budget through the budget report, in order to avoid a tough
economic situation, his eminence noted. The resistance and its supporters are
referred to as sovereignty and liberation worldwide, while those who claim
sovereignty are controlled by American guardianship and do not pressure to
condemn Israel and achieve national unity, Sheikh Qassem affirmed. “Whoever
wishes to record their name in the register of patriotism should work on four
key principles, after which we can move toward a national strategy that protects
Lebanon: halting the aggression, withdrawal from occupied lands, liberation of
prisoners, and reconstruction.”Sheikh Qassem had started his speech by affirming
that Al-Mahdi Schools Association provides national education, and that the
excellence it has achieved makes it among the top schools in Lebanon. “Imam
Mahdi schools adopt the Islamic educational curriculum, which is the education
of the prophets. This education has led to the love of the homeland, defense of
the land, and support for the oppressed.”Sheikh Qassem indicated that all
Muslims consensually believe in the appearance of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) in the end
times despite certain differences, adding that believers should be patient till
the ultimate victory takes place.
“I offer condolences for the mujahid departed, Sayyed Abdul Karim Nasrallah,
father of The Master of the Ummah’s Martyrs, His Eminence Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah,
and extend my condolences to the noble family, Hezbollah, and all those who love
and are connected to this great path, to this man, and to his noble, sanctified
son.”“I also extend condolences for the departed figure of jihad, Al-Hajj Abu
Ahmad Salhab, known to valleys, plains, and battlefields alike, and who was
among the first generation of the Resistance.”
Sheikh Qassem also congratulated the Iranian people and leadership on the 47th
anniversary of the victory of the 1979 revolution, saying: “God willing, Iran
will defeat America and ‘Israel’ in the confrontation taking place in this era.”
Qassem says Hezbollah can also inflict 'pain' on Israel
Naharnet/February 03/2026
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Tuesday warned Israel that his group can
also inflict “pain” at the right “timing,” amid an intensification of Israeli
strikes on Hezbollah members and alleged arms depots.“The enemy can inflict pain
upon us, but we are also capable of inflicting pain upon it, and everything has
its timing,” Qassem said in a televised speech marking the birth of Imam al-Mahdi.
“Lebanon is no longer required to do anything; what is needed is to pressure the
U.S. and Israel to implement the agreement and halt the aggression,” Qassem
added, in reference to the second phase of the arms monopolization plan, which
is supposed to take place north of the Litani River. “It is incorrect to say
that there is a targeted party, a targeted sect, a targeted south, or specific
targeted areas. These attacks are targeting the entire country,” the Hezbollah
chief stressed. He added: “They don't want Israel's security, they rather want
to consolidate Israel's occupation.”Addressing Lebanese officials, Qassem said:
“Explain to them that you cannot pressure your people and your country’s
residents, because they have offered a lot of sacrifices, martyrs, wounded and
captives.”
Haykal holds series of security meetings in Washington
Naharnet/February 03/2026
Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal met Tuesday with Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and Assistant Secretary of War for
International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman, as he held a series of security
meetings in Washington. Haykal will also meet with the Acting Director of the
Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Michael Miller. The U.S. embassy had
welcomed in a statement Monday the army’s "ongoing work to disarm non-state
actors and reinforce national sovereignty."On Monday, U.S. Marine Corps Forces,
Central Command (MARCENT) hosted a bi-lateral security summit attended by senior
leaders from the Lebanese Army at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
Haykal is set to discuss in Washington the army's plan to disarm Hezbollah. A
previous visit was cancelled amid claims from the U.S. that the army's efforts
to disarm Hezbollah were not sufficient. Local media reports said Monday that
Haykal might also visit France, Germany and Saudi Arabia, and that he will
present a comprehensive dossier in Washington on Hezbollah's disarmament. The
dossier will include maps, photos and details of the first and second phase of
Hezbollah's disarmament plan, pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper said. In
January, the Lebanese army said it had completed the first phase of its plan to
disarm Hezbollah, covering the area south of the Litani river, around 30
kilometers from the Israeli border. It will now move to the second phase of the
plan, north of the Litani river. In January, Israel, deeming the army's efforts
"insufficient", intensified its strikes on south Lebanon, especially on the
region north of the Litani river, where the Lebanese army will implement the
second phase of the plan.
Aoun says arms monopoly key to regain int'l trust and support
Naharnet/February 03/2026
President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that he is working with all concerned parties
to avoid dragging Lebanon into a new war. "Regaining the trust and support of
foreign countries will be a natural result of rebuilding the state on firm
foundations, specifically the (state's) monopoly on arms," Aoun said, adding
that he is working to achieve these goals with "rationality, realism, and
responsibility."
No more adventures: Salam calls on Arab countries to support, invest, donate
Naharnet/February 03/2026
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged Arab countries to stand by Lebanon and to
participate in the army support conference that will be held next month in
Paris, as he attended on Tuesday the World Governments Summit in the UAE. Salam
said Lebanon is committed to reforms that would encourage investments and now
has the war and peace decision, asking Arab "brothers" to support the crisis and
war-hit country in its reformist journey and to participate "actively" in the
army support conference. Salam vowed that he will not allow his country to be
dragged into a new conflict, adding that he maintains good relations with
President Joseph Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri despite differences in approaches.
"Cooperation is essential," he said. Hezbollah had recently warned that any
attack on its Iranian backer would be an attack on the group. "We will never
allow anyone to drag the country into another adventure," Salam said, in
response to a question about comments made by Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem
last week. Qassem had responded to American threats of military action against
Iran, saying "We will choose at that time how to act... but we are not neutral."
Salam said Hezbollah's decision to enter the Gaza war in support of its ally
Hamas had "very big" consequences for Lebanon and that "no one is willing to
expose the country to adventures of this kind".More than a year of hostilities
between Israel and Hezbollah, which largely ended with a November 2024
ceasefire, badly weakened the group. The government has begun implementing a
plan to disarm it starting in the south, one of its main traditional
strongholds.In January, Lebanon's army said it had completed the first phase of
its plan to disarm Hezbollah, covering the area south of the Litani river,
around 30 kilometers from the Israeli border. Salam said that the state had
"worked to regain control over decisions on war and peace"."The Lebanese army
has full operational control over the south," he added. Israel, which accuses
Hezbollah of rearming, has criticized the army's progress as "insufficient",
while Hezbollah has rejected calls to surrender its weapons. Salam called on
Arab countries to support the Lebanese army to bolster state control over the
entire country. "In order for the state to extend its authority over all its
territory... we need to support the armed forces," he said. "A conference will
soon be held in Paris to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, and I hope that all
our Arab brothers will participate actively". French President Emmanuel Macron
will open the international conference in support of the Lebanese Army in Paris
on March 5.
Israel intensifies strikes, especially north of Litani
Naharnet/February 03/2026
The Israeli army significantly increased its strikes on Lebanon in January 2026,
after the Lebanese army said it had completed the first phase of its plan to
disarm Hezbollah, covering the area south of the Litani river, around 30
kilometers from the Israeli border. Israel struck Lebanon 87 times last month,
more than twice the number recorded in December 2025, an Israeli think tank
said.
According to the Israeli Alma Research and Education Center, nearly half of
January's strikes targeted areas north of the Litani River. The rest targeted
east Lebanon and the region south of the Litani. Twenty Hezbollah members and
one Hamas member were killed, the Israeli research center claimed. More than a
year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which largely ended with a
November 2024 ceasefire, badly weakened the group. The government has begun
implementing a plan to disarm it starting in the south, one of its main
traditional strongholds. Israel, which accuses Hezbollah of rearming, has
criticized the army's progress as insufficient.
Salam meets GCC chief, Jordanian counterpart on Dubai summit sidelines
Naharnet/February 03/2026
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Tuesday with Jordan's Prime Minister Jaafar
Hassan, on the sidelines of his participation in the World Governments Summit in
Dubai. Hassan proposed an initiative to hold a tripartite
Syrian–Lebanese–Jordanian meeting in Amman, to discuss energy and electricity
files, Lebanon's National news Agency said. The meeting will discuss the
exportation of electricity and gas from Jordan and Egypt to Lebanon via Syria.
The project to import electricity from Jordan and natural gas from Egypt to fuel
Lebanese power plants has long been stalled due to "Caesar Act" sanctions
previously imposed on the Syrian regime by the United States. Following the
lifting of sanctions after the regime's fall, the electricity file has returned
to the forefront of Lebanon's political and economic scene. Recent visits to
Beirut by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Jordanian Prime Minister
Jafar Hassan have revived the option of importing electricity and gas within a
regional interconnection framework. The Jordanian proposal is based on supplying
Lebanon with 150 to 250 megawatts during peak hours, while Cairo has re-offered
to supply Lebanon with natural gas to operate the Deir Amar plant instead of
fuel oil via the Arab Gas Pipeline. Salam also met in Dubai with the Gulf
Cooperation Council chief, Jasem al-Budaiwi, and discussed with him preparations
for an upcoming Lebanese-Gulf Investment Forum.
Issa hails Haykal's US visit as Lebanese officers meet US
generals
Naharnet/February 03/2026
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa “warmly welcomes” Army Commander General
Rodolphe Haykal’s official visit to the United States to continue his engagement
with U.S. officials and the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Embassy said. The
army’s “ongoing work to disarm non-state actors and reinforce national
sovereignty as Lebanon’s security guarantor is more important than ever,” the
Embassy added, in a post on the X platform. U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central
Command (MARCENT) meanwhile hosted a bi-lateral security summit attended by
senior leaders from the Lebanese Army at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa,
Florida. The Lebanese Army leaders “briefed U.S. military leadership on regional
security matters, including operational updates and progress toward the army's
disarmament plan,” a CENTCOM statement said. The security summit also supported
ongoing dialogue associated with the Cessation of Hostilities Supervisory
Committee, commonly referred to as the Mechanism. Established in November 2024,
the Mechanism is a multinational supervisory committee responsible for
monitoring, verifying, and providing direct deconfliction between the Lebanese
and Israeli armies. Lt. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, MARCENT commander and chairman
of the Mechanism, led discussions focused on military cooperation and the
importance of the Mechanism. "As MARCENT continues to play a central role in the
Mechanism, these discussions with our partners will remain a critical part of
our efforts,” said Clearfield. “We are committed to durable peace and stability
in the region,” he added.
Hezbollah MP accuses state of negligence and 'complicity'
Naharnet/February 03/2026
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah on Tuesday demanded the state to shoulder its
responsibilities, accusing it of inadequacy, negligence, helplessness, and even
complicity. "The state is responsible for its people, and we want it to fulfill
its duties," Fadlallah said, adding that Hezbollah is working to compel the
state to address four key issues -- the withdrawal of Israeli forces from
occupied territories in south Lebanon, halting Israeli attacks, releasing
Lebanese prisoners, and the reconstruction of war-hit regions.
'Captain Ella' to replace Israel's Adraee
Agence France Presse/February 03/2026
Israel's army will appoint its highest-ranking Muslim woman to replace chief
Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee, the public face for Palestinians and
Lebanese of its military campaigns, a military source said on Tuesday. Major
Ella Waweya will replace Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, who for people in
Gaza and Lebanon is indelibly linked with Israel's deadly bombing campaigns and
known for what are seen as provocative uses of colloquial Arabic, koranic verses
and humor in his messages. Waweya, 36, was born in Qalansawe, an Arab city in
central Israel, and volunteered with the Israeli army at 24. As a deputy to
Adraee, she was previously known online as "Captain Ella", the source said. "As
a child, she watched Arab media, and out of curiosity discovered the Israeli and
Zionist narrative", the source said. Around 20 percent of Israel's population
are Palestinians or their descendants who remained in what is now Israel after
its creation in 1948. "She currently serves as the most senior Muslim female
officer in the IDF (military)," the source said, adding Waweya would soon be
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Adraee is known to the
Arabic-speaking world through videos shared on military social media channels in
which he gave details of ongoing Israeli military operations. Many Lebanese have
notifications activated for his social media posts, knowing that they often
presage Israeli strikes. His videos gained prominence after the start of the war
in Gaza on October 7, 2023, followed by the start of hostilities between
Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel. During both wars, and still in Gaza, Adraee
issued official military evacuation warnings addressed to local populations
ahead of Israeli air strikes in their areas. Adraee, who is Jewish, was born in
the mixed Arab-Jewish Israeli city of Haifa, and was on occasion mocked by Arab
world celebrities for his accent in Arabic.
Lebanon’s Interior Ministry announces official deadlines for 2026 election
candidacies and list registrations
LBCI/February 03/2026
Lebanon’s Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar issued a circular
outlining the deadlines for submitting and withdrawing candidacy applications,
as well as registering electoral lists for the 2026 general parliamentary
elections.
According to the circular, the period for submitting candidacy applications at
the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities – Directorate General of Political
Affairs and Refugees – will begin on the morning of Tuesday, February 10, 2026,
and continue until 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Nouh Zaiter's lawyer tells LBCI verdicts in felony cases
are expected to be issued on May 5
LBCI/February 03/2026
Lawyer Saliba al-Hajj, acting on behalf of Nouh Zaiter, told LBCI that the
military court has sentenced Zaiter to one month in prison across four separate
cases, while acquitting him in three others and dismissing 33 cases due to the
statute of limitations. Al-Hajj said the rulings issued so far relate
exclusively to minor offenses, including gunfire. He noted that more serious
felony cases remain pending, including charges related to drugs, murder, and
firing at the army.According to the lawyer, verdicts in those felony cases are
expected to be issued on May 5.
Congressional Hearing on
Lebanon: Hezbollah Remains a Threat
Al-Markazia/February 03/2026 (Translated from Arabic)
A Congressional hearing on Lebanon has commenced under the title: "U.S. Policy
Toward Lebanon: Obstacles to Dismantling Hezbollah’s Grip on Power." In this
context, U.S. Representative Mike Lawler stated that "Lebanon stands today at a
historical crossroads," noting that "the November 2024 ceasefire agreement
provided an unprecedented opportunity for the international community to support
the Lebanese government in breaking free from Iranian influence and
strengthening its sovereignty," according to the MTV correspondent in
Washington. During the session, he added: "Washington wants to see Lebanon as a
true partner in the region, with the potential of joining the Abraham Accords
and the path of normalization in the future."Lawler believes there is a
"historical opportunity to weaken Hezbollah's influence given recent regional
changes, but this window is narrow and may be lost if swift decisions are not
made." He emphasized that Washington must support Lebanon's stability while
applying pressure to prevent the rebuilding of the party’s military
capabilities, warning against reducing security assistance at a moment he
considers critical for the future of the Lebanese state.
David Schenker, in his testimony before the lawmakers, stated: "Hezbollah
remains a threat to Americans, Israelis, and Jews around the world, with a long
history of external operations." He noted that although the group has been
militarily weakened recently, "the disarmament process is very slow and the
Lebanese government is hesitant." He argued that U.S. aid should be conditional
on performance rather than being "open-ended support," adding that while the
Lebanese Army is essential for stability, "support for the military must be
linked to actual progress against Hezbollah's influence." He also stressed that
financial and political reforms are fundamental to restoring Lebanon's
sovereignty, not just the military file.From another perspective, journalist
Hanin Ghaddar argued that Hezbollah's power today is no longer merely military
but is primarily based on a "parallel cash-based financial network." Therefore,
she contended that any talk of disarmament will not succeed without striking the
"unregulated cash economy that enables its survival."
Ghaddar observed that "Hezbollah did not collapse despite the blows because it
repositioned itself within the cash economy following the collapse of the
Lebanese banking sector." She pointed out that money transfer companies,
exchange houses, and unregulated currency markets have become an "ideal
environment for its financing away from oversight." She warned that
reconstruction could turn into a tool for funding the party if it is not managed
through official state institutions like the Council for Development and
Reconstruction (CDR). She further noted that U.S.
pressure must target: money and transfer networks, entities involved in
reconstruction, and official parties that allow the bypassing of the state.
"Peace and economic stability are essential elements, because disarmament
without an economic and political horizon will not be sustainable," she added.
Dana Stroul, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East,
viewed what is happening in Lebanon as a "historical but time-limited
opportunity." She argued that the U.S. focus on disarmament alone is
insufficient; rather, the strategy must be expanded to include "elections,
reconstruction, economy, and politics together."Stroul highlighted a significant
regional shift: "Iran is weaker and less capable of supporting its proxies, and
the new Lebanese government is saying 'the right things' and should be
supported, but with greater pressure." She noted that Washington should link
support for the Lebanese Army to performance and transparency, intervene
politically to support elections that produce a different political class, and
link reconstruction to clear steps toward state control over weapons. She warned
that an "American vacuum" would allow other powers to fill the void and
re-strengthen Hezbollah's influence. Stroul concluded that there is a realistic
chance to open a long path toward de-escalation and perhaps future peace with
Israel if the current trajectory continues, stating: "Washington has a short
window to reshape Lebanon, but this will not be achieved through military
pressure alone, but through a complete political and economic engineering that
links U.S. support to reforms, elections, and reconstruction."
Here is the translation of the article into English,
maintaining the journalistic tone and specific political terminology of the
Lebanese context.
Qassem Lost in His Narratives... Aoun and Salam Settle It: Arms to the State
Nidaa Al-Watan/February 04/2026 (Translated from Arabic)
Every time the Secretary-General of "Hezbollah," Sheikh Naim Qassem, addresses
the Lebanese people, a temporal rift is revealed between fictional
narratives—which even his supporters find difficult to stomach—and the realities
on the ground, as well as regional and local data that have bypassed his
proposals. He no longer possesses any credit except for words spent only on
slaughtering his people, deepening their wounds, and obstructing the Lebanese
state’s path toward sovereignty and reform. On the
occasion of the birth of Imam Mahdi and the 33rd anniversary of the "Islamic
Foundation for Education and Teaching - Al-Mahdi Schools," Qassem sat in his
speech at the southern bank of the Litani, avoiding direct mention of the
Lebanese Army's plan north of the river. He is perhaps waiting for the outcome
of upcoming negotiations between the United States and the "Crown Jewel of the
world"—Iran, according to his description—reiterating that Iran is capable of
"defeating America and Israel in a confrontation."After the Secretary-General
spent much of his time lecturing the Lebanese people and the state on patriotism
and ways to confront the enemy (given his "achievements" in the support war), he
dedicated a specific portion to "certain government ministers." He directed what
resembled an indictment against them, claiming they are "dragging Lebanon into
strife and drowning it in darkness," acting as if the government is "a card in
the hand of the party they work for."Commenting on his speech, observers noted
that Hezbollah, having realized that direct confrontation with Baabda (the
Presidency) backfires and that the Presidency's firm positions are neither
bendable nor containable, has resorted to an alternative tactic. This involves
indirect targeting, sometimes by attacking the head of the Lebanese delegation
to the "Mechanism," Ambassador Simon Karam, and at other times by attacking the
"Lebanese Forces" ministers.
Aoun Renews the "Oath of Office"
In parallel with the "Mini-state" (Dawayla) speeches, which are mired in the
"glories" of its dark past and the glorification of a culture of "silencers" to
suppress freedoms and bury the state project, the response came from two
inseparable axes: the sovereign and the moral. The first was an intellectual and
spiritual occasion—the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the
assassination of martyr Lokman Slim by his family, where the word triumphed over
blood and courage over fear against the logic of assassination and intimidation.
The second axis was political and institutional, through clear and firm
positions from the Presidents of the Republic and the Council of Ministers. From
Baabda, President Joseph Aoun affirmed to a delegation from the "Sovereign
Front" that "extending the authority of the law and implementing the exclusivity
of arms are irreversible matters, regardless of considerations. We are working
to achieve them with rationality, realism, and responsibility," insisting that
"stopping the implementation of what I pledged in my Oath of Office is out of
the question." He clarified that he is working with all concerned parties to
avoid dragging the country into a new war "because the Lebanese people can no
longer bear wars, and because international circumstances have created data that
must be approached with realism and logic to protect Lebanon."In the UAE, Prime
Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that restoring sovereignty is not a political
slogan but a practical path directly linked to security, stability, and
state-building. During a dialogue session at the World Governments Summit in
Dubai, he stated: "We are committed to the path of reform and restoring
Lebanon's sovereignty; the concept of sovereignty will enable the Lebanese state
to extend its control over its entire territory."
The Army is Ready for the Plan
In this context, while Sheikh Naim Qassem and his party bet on the failure of
the "Sovereign Era," official sources told Nidaa Al-Watan that on the eve of the
cabinet session—to be held upon the return of Army Commander General Rudolf
Heikal from Washington, where he will present the plan to restrict arms north of
the Litani—the General is militarily and operationally ready to execute his
plan. However, he is waiting for a clear and absolute green light and sufficient
cover from the Lebanese government to proceed.
According to sources, the Council of Ministers will witness a repeat of the
scenario from the August 5 and 7 sessions. The majority of the government, led
by President Joseph Aoun and PM Nawaf Salam, is moving toward approving the
"North of the River" plan and ordering Heikal to begin implementation.
Conversely, it appears that ministers of the "Amal-Hezbollah" duo will withdraw
from the session in rejection of the decision. Sources reveal behind-the-scenes
contacts between Baabda and Ain el-Tineh to cool the atmosphere and mitigate the
"Dahiyeh" (Suburbs) position, though they note this task is not easy. Despite
the "Party's" hardening stance, the government decision will be issued, and the
Army will execute it.
International Eyes on the Second Phase
A diplomatic source in Beirut revealed to Nidaa Al-Watan that "Arab and
international eyes are now fixed on the second phase of the arms restriction
plan." This is considered the decisive milestone upon which a broad path of
political, security, and economic entitlements will be built—from the conference
to support the Army and Internal Security Forces to holding parliamentary
elections on time, and finally launching the path of reconstruction and
financial/economic recovery. This phase has become a serious benchmark for
measuring the Lebanese state's credibility and its ability to commit to its
pledges, serving as a mandatory gateway to reconnect Lebanon with the Arab and
international support umbrella. The source noted that
meetings between the Quintet Committee ambassadors and the Amal-Hezbollah duo
continue to hit a firm wall. While there are nuances in the approach between the
"Movement" (Amal) and the "Party," their joint stance is that the Cessation of
Hostilities Agreement signed on November 27, 2024, is strictly limited to South
of the Litani, and that moving to the second phase North of the Litani is an
internal Lebanese matter in which the "Mechanism" committee has no role.
What is diplomatically concerning is that this position relies on previous
discussions with former US envoy Amos Hochstein regarding the specificity of the
South Litani region, while ignoring the legal and political conclusion
established in the text of the agreement itself: that disarmament begins in the
South but does not end there; it includes all Lebanese territory.
The source also revealed that diplomatic discussions have effectively
opened behind the scenes regarding the possibility of direct tripartite
negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under direct US sponsorship. This stems
from a growing American and international conviction that the next phase
requires a transition from the logic of "pledges" to the logic of "actions," and
that Washington and the international community are waiting for tangible steps
from Lebanon in the disarmament file across its entire territory as the only
entry point for stabilization and restoring trust.
Mushleb the "Informant"
On the "Energy" front, which is facing political "provocations" sourced from the
Free Patriotic Movement, Minister of Energy and Water Joe Siddi filed a report
to the Public Prosecutor’s Office against Fawzi Mushleb for deliberately
undermining national economic security and threatening social stability.
Private information for Nidaa Al-Watan suggests presidential resentment over
Mushleb’s actions regarding his correspondence with J.P. Morgan. The
correspondence nearly led the bank to refuse opening a credit line for fuel
purchases, which would have caused a total blackout in the country. Based on
this development, the Army Intelligence Directorate was tasked with
investigating the matter. It appears someone leaked the news to Mushleb, who
fled hastily to Dubai. In this context, judicial sources asked: "Why was no
travel ban issued against Fawzi Mushleb, given that his actions warranted such a
measure to uncover the background and who stands behind him?"
From Muscat to Madrid: A
Lebanon-Israel "Derby" Awaits the Finals
Alan Sarkis/Nidaa Al-Watan/February/04, 2026 (Translated from Arabic)
President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Madrid comes at a sensitive juncture as the
world anticipates major shifts, with all eyes on Tehran. Lebanon is attempting
to secure a seat at the "big boys' table" to ensure that any settlement is not
reached at its expense. The period between 1991 and 2000 was a turning point,
marked by a U.S. push for peace. The mention of Madrid recalls the 1991 peace
process, which Lebanon attended, eventually leading to the Oslo Accords. Back
then, Martyr President Rafic Hariri bet on this coming peace to launch
reconstruction. However, the winds blew against Lebanese and Arab sails; the
foundations of Madrid and Oslo collapsed with the 1995 assassination of Yitzhak
Rabin, reopening regional conflict. While peace knocked on the door, Iran—under
a blind U.S. eye—was equipping its proxies, as Washington sought an Iranian
"boogeyman" for the Arabs. This "boogeyman" ignited Sunni-Shiite strife and
shifted the conflict from Arab-Israeli to Persian-Arab. The Iranian project
served the Israeli plan, but its role has now ended. As Lebanon and the world
prepare to bid farewell to the Persian Empire following the decisive U.S.
decision to clip its wings, Lebanon seeks a quiet transition toward state
sovereignty without internal wars. While the U.S. leads direct contacts between
Lebanon and Israel, the Sultanate of Oman is playing a vital role. President
Aoun visited Muscat recently to request help in convincing Iran to abandon its
Lebanese proxy and facilitate a solution that avoids a clash with the Lebanese
Army. Information suggests ongoing Muscat-Tehran-Washington-Tel Aviv contacts
will continue in Istanbul and during U.S.-Iranian negotiations—a race between
diplomacy and a military strike. These talks will include Lebanon, where
Washington considers the surrender of Hezbollah’s weapons a fundamental
prerequisite. President Aoun is mobilizing Lebanon's friends. His Madrid visit
isn't to ask for Spanish mediation, but for an understanding of the Lebanese
stance. Madrid knows Washington allows no one else to manage the Lebanese
file—even France has been sidelined due to its interests with the Iranian
regime. Aoun’s visit is largely about arranging the post-Iran and post-Hezbollah
era. Spain is reportedly ready to participate in European forces that would
replace UNIFIL and assist the Lebanese Army south of the Litani. While Muscat
was about diplomatic negotiation, Madrid is about economic and military
arrangements. Between the two, the final decision remains with Washington, which
holds the keys to any solution in Lebanon and the region.
The "Drug Baron" Nearly Toppled the Military Court!
Tony Karam/Nidaa Al-Watan/February 04/2026 (Translated from Arabic)
The rapid-fire verdicts issued by the Military Court yesterday following the
first trial session of "Drug Baron" Noah Zaiter nearly toppled the remaining
prestige of both the judiciary and the military. It eventually became clear that
the court’s dismissal of 35 cases due to the statute of limitations, and
sentencing him to only one month in prison for each of four other cases,
involved only misdemeanor charges. These are but a small fraction of the 102
cases Zaiter faces at the Military Court, in addition to over 2,000 cases
pending in other courts. The first session focused on 43 cases involving
shooting, unlicensed weapons possession, wearing military uniforms, and
insulting soldiers. Most were dismissed by the statute of limitations, while he
was convicted in four cases of shooting. The court set May 5 for his trial in 59
criminal cases, mostly related to drug cultivation and trafficking, as well as
firing at Lebanese Army and security personnel. The session, presided over by
Brigadier General Wissam Fayyad, was not without surprises. Zaiter claimed he
surrendered voluntarily to Army Intelligence "to end the chaos," asserting that
his recorded incidents of firing into the air occurred during funerals for
Lebanese Army martyrs. He also challenged the credibility of witnesses, calling
them "outcasts and lunatics." To evade responsibility for crimes committed in
Lebanon, he claimed he had been living almost permanently in Syria since 2010.
Zaiter further announced he was on a hunger strike in solidarity with Roumieh
Prison inmates demanding a general amnesty law. He requested an acquittal, a
transfer from solitary confinement to Roumieh, and permission to contact his
family and lawyers.
Strategic Folly: The "Party" Plays with Syrian Fire and
Baits Damascus
Samer Zreiq/Nidaa Al-Watan/ February 04/2026 (Translated from Arabic)
The disasters that befell "SDF" (Syrian Democratic Forces) serve as a model for
how ideologically saturated organizations fail to adapt. Despite knowing U.S.
support was vanishing and European pressure was mounting to force an integration
with Damascus, the SDF remained stubborn and disconnected from reality, paying a
heavy price. The same applies to the Mullah regime and its subordinate,
"Hezbollah."Sheikh Naim Qassem’s recent rhetoric shows an inability to adapt to
the new rules of the game. Ideological saturation has blinded the Party, making
daily losses and death seem like mere "side effects." While Speaker Nabih Berri
has realized the game is over and is trying to draft understandings with foreign
powers to protect the Shiite community and secure its place in the domestic
equation, a widening gap has emerged between him and the Party. Berri now adopts
an unusual "double-track" approach: supporting tough state decisions in private
while presenting them in small doses publicly to avoid a total rupture with the
Party. The Party’s relationship with the President has also exploded due to this
same ideological saturation. For over a year, the President tried to contain the
Party within the state's path, only to meet classic maneuvers—voting for one
thing while doing its opposite. Consequently, current attempts to circumvent the
international decision to dismantle Hezbollah as a regional military entity are
futile. The choice is now: transform into a local political entity or face
extinction.
Despite Damascus’s policy of non-interference, the Party continues to provide
pretexts for Syrian involvement by harboring remnants to threaten Syrian
stability and using smuggling networks to replenish its arsenal. The Party may
bet on its relationship with the Assad regime, but its ideological saturation
causes it to misread the significance of the Trump-Sharaa relationship—a dynamic
that became clear with the SDF and is now turning toward the "exposed" state in
which the Party now finds itself.
God, Say Something to Israel
and Hezbollah
Elie El Hajj/Face Book/03
February/2026
Hezbollah’s people are dying day after day,like birds shot down for sport by
hunters.No one even blinks.From a purely human standpoint, beyond any other
consideration, there must be a way to save them from their lethal illusions,
from the brainwashing that robs them of the ability to think.Say something to
them, God. Do something. They do not hear us.The Party has no heart.It is
Karbala-obsessed, and between us and it stand walls of hatred.It claims it will
never surrender. Instead, it plays its deadly game with Israel and with
Netanyahu. And Netanyahu remembers Golda Meir’s words to Moshe Dayan in 1973,
when the Egyptian army lay defenseless in Sinai: “Moshe, a tiger never lets go
of its prey once it has it in its claws.”Israel at war is a beast. And this
beast now comes in the form of drones —
machines that kill young men in their cars and in their homes, from afar, with
the press of a button.Israel’s God is portrayed as a criminal god, issuing
orders to kill, always ready to grant absolution afterward. And the Party’s god
feels broken — I imagine him silently accepting human sacrifices. Meanwhile,
fire consumes the hearts of Lebanese families, mourning their sons and brothers
burned in cars along the exposed roads of the South and the Bekaa, open skies
for drones. Young men who wanted nothing more than to live —and they had every
right to life. Enough with slogans and myths. Say something to them, God. Do
something, if you exist.Do not remain neutral. We were Gaza. Now we are Gaza —
and South Lebanon and the Bekaa too. Tell Israel and the Party to choose
peace…“Perhaps they will finally reflect.”Human beings were not born to be
burned alive, but to love and be loved, to grow, to rejoice in the fruit of
their labor.This world is not meant to be only politics, weapons, and endless
calls for revenge from one century to the next. The faces of young men burned
every day break the heart. Four hundred dead — perhaps more —while their leaders
promise even more sacrifices.
Those leaders, who also claim to be your party, are not only heartless, but
mindless and conscience-less too. And if you created human beings and cast them
into this corner of the world, then take responsibility for your creation,
for this act.We are exhausted.The sun rises, the sun sets, and our grief
remains. In the face of this horror, we cry inwardly, alongside grieving
mothers, young widows, shattered sisters, and children who become orphans —
their numbers growing every day. Is anyone listening in this endless darkness,
or are we alone? For so long we have prayed: “Deliver us from bloodshed.” Does
this psalm not move you?
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on February
03-04/2026
US-Iran
talks 'still scheduled' after drone shot down: White House
AFP/03 February/2026
Talks between U.S. and Iranian officials are "still scheduled" this week, the
White House said Tuesday, even after a U.S. warplane shot down an Iranian drone
that approached an American aircraft in the Arabian Sea.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff "is set to have conversations with the Iranians later
this week, those are still scheduled as of right now," White House Press
Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News.
US fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone approaching
aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea
Joseph Haboush - Al Arabiya English/03 February/2026
A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea early Tuesday
after it “aggressively” approached an American aircraft carrier, the US military
said. The incident occurred as the USS Abrahm Lincoln was transiting in the
Arabian Sea, operating about 500 miles off Iran’s southern coast.
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was transiting the Arabian Sea approximately 500
miles from Iran’s southern coast when an Iranian Shahed-139 drone unnecessarily
maneuvered toward the ship. The Iranian drone continued to fly toward the ship
despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces operating in international
waters,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) Spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said. An F-35C
fighter jet launched from the carrier shot down the drone in self-defense to
protect the vessel and its crew, Hawkins said. No US servicemembers were
injured, and no American equipment was damaged.
Later Tuesday, in the Strait of Hormuz, two boats belonging to Iran’s Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a Mohajer drone approached a US-flagged,
US-crewed commercial vessel and threatened to board and seize it. Hawkins said a
US guided-missile destroyer responded and is currently escorting the merchant
ship. “CENTCOM forces are operating at the highest levels of professionalism and
ensuring the safety of US personnel, ships, and aircraft in the Middle East.
Continued Iranian harassment and threats in international waters and airspace
will not be tolerated. Iran’s unnecessary aggression near US forces, regional
partners and commercial vessels increases risks of collision, miscalculation,
and regional destabilization,” Hawkins said.
Iran demands changes in venue and scope of talks with US,
source says
Reuters/04 February /2026
Iran is demanding that talks with the US this week be held in Oman not Turkey,
and that the scope be narrowed to two-way negotiations on nuclear issues only, a
regional source said on Tuesday, casting doubt on whether the meeting will go
ahead as planned. Iran’s effort to change the venue and agenda for the talks,
currently scheduled for Friday in Istanbul, came amid heightened tensions as the
US builds up forces in the Middle East. Regional players have pushed for
resolution of a standoff that has led to mutual threats of airstrikes and
stirred fears of escalation into a wider war.
The US military on Tuesday shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively”
approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, the US
military said, in an incident first reported by Reuters.US President Donald
Trump said that with big US warships heading to Iran, “bad things” would
probably happen if a deal could not be reached. “They want to change the format,
they want to change the scope,” said the regional diplomat with knowledge of
Iran’s demands. “They only want to discuss the nuclear file with the Americans
while the US wants to include other topics such as the (ballistic) missiles and
the activities of Iran’s proxies in the region.”White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Tuesday that talks with Iran were still
scheduled to take place later this week. A source familiar with the situation
said on Tuesday that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was due to take part in
the talks, along with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign
Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ministers from several other countries in the region
had also been expected to attend. An Iranian diplomatic source said earlier that
Tehran’s view of the talks is neither optimistic nor pessimistic, adding that
the Islamic Republic’s defensive capabilities are non-negotiable and that it is
ready for any scenario. “It remains to be seen whether the United States also
intends to conduct serious, results-oriented negotiations or not,” the source
said. US buildup follows street protests in Iran The US naval buildup near Iran
follows a violent crackdown against anti-government demonstrations last month.
Trump, who stopped short of carrying out threats to intervene, has since
demanded nuclear concessions from Iran and sent a flotilla to its coast. He said
last week Iran was “seriously talking,” while Tehran’s top security official Ali
Larijani said arrangements for negotiations were under way. The priority of the
diplomatic effort is to avoid conflict and de-escalate tension, a second
regional official told Reuters earlier. Regional powers including Pakistan,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates were also
invited, he said. But given Iran’s latest demands, it was unclear whether their
participation would go ahead. Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried a US
strike could break its grip on power by driving an already enraged public back
onto the streets, according to six current and former Iranian officials.
Officials told Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that public anger over last month’s
crackdown – the bloodiest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution – has reached a
point where fear is no longer a deterrent, four current officials briefed on the
discussions said. With tensions running high, an Iranian Shahed-139 drone flying
toward the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier “with unclear intent” was shot down
by an F-35 US fighter jet, the US military said. The Lincoln carrier strike
group is the most visible part of a US military buildup in the Middle East.
Iran’s UN mission declined to comment.
The US Central Command said in another incident on Tuesday, this one in the
Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces
harassed a US-flagged, US-crewed merchant vessel. “Two IRGC boats and an Iranian
Mohajer drone approached M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds and threatened to
board and seize the tanker,” said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for
the Central Command. In June, the United States struck Iranian nuclear targets,
joining in at the close of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Since then, Tehran
has said its uranium enrichment work – which it says is for peaceful, not
military purposes – has stopped. Iranian sources told Reuters last week that
Trump had demanded three conditions for resumption of talks: Zero enrichment of
uranium in Iran, limits on Tehran’s ballistic missile program and ending its
support for regional proxies.
Iran has long said all three demands are unacceptable infringements of its
sovereignty, but two Iranian officials told Reuters its clerical rulers saw the
ballistic missile program, rather than uranium enrichment, as the bigger
obstacle. One Iranian official said: “Diplomacy is ongoing. For talks to resume,
Iran says there should not be preconditions and that it is ready to show
flexibility on uranium enrichment, including handing over 400 kg of highly
enriched uranium (HEU), accepting zero enrichment under a consortium arrangement
as a solution.”Tehran’s regional sway has been weakened by Israel’s attacks on
its proxies – from Hamas in Gaza to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen
and militias in Iraq – as well as by the ousting of Iran’s close ally, former
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Netanyahu urges US envoy to be skeptical of Iran in revived
nuclear talks
Reuters/04 February/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on
Tuesday amid efforts to revive diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear program that Tehran
was unlikely to honor any potential agreement. In a meeting with the US envoy,
Netanyahu “made clear his position that Iran has repeatedly proven that its
promises cannot be trusted,” a statement from his office said. Two Israeli
officials said the meeting was also attended by Israel’s spy agency head David
Barnea, Defense Minister Israel Katz and military commander Eyal Zamir. Iranian
sources told Reuters last week that Trump had set three conditions for
resumption of talks: Zero enrichment of uranium in Iran; limits on Tehran’s
ballistic missile program; and ending its support for regional proxies, which
align with longstanding Israeli demands. Iran has long said all three demands
are unacceptable infringements of its sovereignty, but two Iranian officials
told Reuters its clerical rulers saw the ballistic missile program, rather than
uranium enrichment, as the bigger obstacle. Iran and the United States are
expected to resume nuclear talks on Friday in Turkey. US President Donald Trump
has warned that with US warships heading to Iran, bad things would probably
happen if a deal could not be reached. Tensions between Tehran and Washington
are running high and the arrival of a US aircraft carrier and supporting
warships in the Middle East has expanded Trump’s ability to take military action
if he so wishes, after repeatedly threatening intervention over Iran’s bloody
crackdown. During the early January protests, witnesses and rights groups said,
security forces crushed demonstrations with lethal force, leaving thousands dead
and many wounded. Tehran blamed the violence on “armed terrorists” linked to
Israel and the US.
Netanyahu tells US envoy Iran 'cannot be trusted'
AFP/03 February/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff during a
meeting in Jerusalem Tuesday that Iran "cannot be trusted", ahead of a meeting
between Washington and Tehran this week."Ahead of envoy Witkoff's trip to meet
with an Iranian representative, the Prime Minister made clear his position that
Iran has proven time and again that its promises cannot be trusted," a statement
from Netanyahu's office read.
US tanker challenged by Iranian gunboats in Strait of Hormuz
AFP/03 February/2026
British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech said Tuesday that a US-flagged
tanker was approached and challenged by Iranian gunboats in the Strait of
Hormuz, before continuing on its way. The Stena Imperative was approached by
three pairs of small armed boats belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) while transiting the strait approximately 16 nautical miles (30
kilometers) north of Oman, the company said. The gunboats hailed it by radio,
ordering the captain “to stop the engines and prepare to be boarded,” but the
ship increased speed and maintained course, the firm added, stressing it did not
enter Iranian territorial waters. “The vessel is now being escorted by a US
warship,” Vanguard Tech said. Earlier, the British maritime security agency
UKMTO reported the incident without specifying the nationality of the ship or
the boats that approached it. Iranian state-linked news agency Fars said a
vessel, whose nationality it did not specify, had entered the country’s
territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz illegally, at which point Iranian
units “requested” that it present the necessary permissions. “The vessel had no
legal authorization to be in these waters,” Fars said. “It was therefore warned
and immediately left Iranian waters.”The strait, a key passage for the global
transport of oil and liquefied natural gas, has been the scene of several
incidents in the past. A senior Iranian official from the naval forces of the
IRGC, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic, threatened last week to
block the passage in the event of a US attack.
UAE senior official says Iran needs to reach deal with US
Agence France Presse/03 February/2026
Iran needs to reach a deal with the United States, a senior United Arab Emirates
official said on Tuesday, ahead of talks between the two sides after repeated
threats of American military action. "Iran today needs to reach a deal,"
presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said during the World Governments Summit in
Dubai, adding that Iran needs "to rebuild their relationship with the United
States"."I would like to see direct Iranian-American negotiations leading to
understandings so that we don't have these issues every other day," he said, in
reference to recent tensions.
Priority of Iran talks in Istanbul is to avoid conflict,
official says
Reuters/03 February/2026
The priority of talks between Iran and the United States this week in Istanbul
is to avoid any conflict and de-escalate tensions between the two sides, a
regional official told Reuters on Tuesday, adding a group of regional powers
were also invited. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some
of the countries invited to the talks at the foreign ministers’ level included
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. The
person said the format of the meetings remained unclear, but that the “main
meeting” would be on Friday and that it was important to start dialogue between
the parties to avoid further escalation. An Iranian diplomatic source told
Reuters later on Tuesday that Iran is “neither optimistic nor pessimistic” over
the talks in Istanbul with the US, adding that Tehran would not negotiate over
its defensive capabilities. Iran frames its ballistic missile program as an
essential component of its defensive capabilities. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign
Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday that there is regional
collaboration and ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring de-escalation concerning
Iran. On Saturday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani
met with top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in Tehran and reviewed
efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
US-Iran meeting likely to take place in Turkey on Feb. 6
Associated Press/03 February/2026
A meeting between the United States and Iran is likely to take place in Turkey
on February 6, an Arab official told AFP on Tuesday, after Tehran called for the
restart of nuclear talks and Washington warned of consequences if a deal was not
reached. "A meeting between U.S. negotiators and senior Iranian officials was
likely to take place on Friday in Turkey," the official said on condition of
anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks. "The potential meeting had been
arranged following interventions by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Oman," they added.
'Fair and equitable' negotiations
Iran's president said Tuesday that he instructed the country's foreign minister
to "pursue fair and equitable negotiations" with the United States, the first
clear sign from Tehran it wants to try to negotiate as tensions remain high with
Washington after the Mideast country's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests
last month. The announcement marked a major turn for reformist President Masoud
Pezeshkian, who broadly had warned Iranians for weeks that the turmoil in his
country had gone beyond his control. It also signals that the president received
support from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for talks that the
86-year-old cleric previously had dismissed. Turkey had been working behind the
scenes to make the talks happen there later this week as U.S. Mideast envoy
Steve Witkoff is traveling in the region. But whether Iran and the U.S. can
reach an agreement remains to be seen, particularly as President Donald Trump
now has included Iran's nuclear program in a list of demands from Tehran in any
talks. Trump ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites during the
12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June.
Iran's president signals talks are possible
Writing on X, Pezeshkian said in English and Farsi that the decision came after
"requests from friendly governments in the region to respond to the proposal by
the President of the United States for negotiations.""I have instructed my
Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists — one
free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue fair and equitable
negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency," he
said. The U.S. has yet to acknowledge the talks will take place. A semiofficial
news agency in Iran on Monday reported — then later deleted without explanation
— that Pezeshkian had issued such an order to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,
who held multiple rounds of talks with Witkoff before the 12-day war.
Khamenei adviser speaks on the nuclear issue
Late Monday, the pan-Arab satellite channel Al Mayadeen, which is politically
allied with the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, aired an
interview with Ali Shamkhani, a top Khamenei adviser on security. Shamkhani, who
now sits on the country's Supreme National Security Council and who in the 1980s
led Iran's navy, wore a naval uniform as he spoke.He suggested if the talks
happened, they would be indirect at the beginning, then moving to direct talks
if a deal appeared to be attainable. Direct talks with the U.S. long have been a
highly charged political issue within Iran's theocracy, with reformists like
Pezeshkian pushing for them and hard-liners dismissing them.The talks would
solely focus on nuclear issues, he added. Asked about whether Russia could take
Iran's enriched uranium like it did in Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world
powers, Shamkhani dismissed the idea, saying there was "no reason" to do so.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday said Russia had "long offered these
services as a possible option that would alleviate certain irritants for a
number of countries." "Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, will not seek a
nuclear weapon and will never stockpile nuclear weapons, but the other side must
pay a price in return for this," he said.Iran had been enriching uranium up to
60% purity, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. The
International Atomic Energy Agency had said Iran was the only country in the
world to enrich to that level that wasn't armed with the bomb. Iran has been
refusing requests by the IAEA to inspect the sites bombed in the June war."The
quantity of enriched uranium remains unknown, because part of the stockpile is
under rubble, and there is no initiative yet to extract it, as it is extremely
dangerous," Shamkhani said.
Witkoff traveling to Israel
Witkoff is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli
security officials on Tuesday, according to a White House official who was not
authorized to comment publicly about the talks and spoke on condition of
anonymity. He will travel to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates,
later in the week for Russia-Ukraine talks, the official said. "We have talks
going on with Iran, we'll see how it all works out," Trump told reporters in the
Oval Office on Monday. Asked what his threshold was for military action against
Iran, he declined to elaborate.
"I'd like to see a deal negotiated," Trump said. "Right now, we're talking to
them, we're talking to Iran, and if we could work something out, that'd be
great. And if we can't, probably bad things would happen."
Netanyahu tells US envoy Palestinian Authority won't be
part of post-war Gaza governance
LBCI/03 February/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in
Jerusalem Tuesday that the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) would not
be part of post-war Gaza's governance "in any way". "The Prime Minister
clarified that the Palestinian Authority will not be involved in administering
the (Gaza) Strip in any way," Netanyahu's office said in a statement after the
meeting ended. Under U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan, the PA's
post-war role in Gaza was left unclear. The technocratic National Committee for
the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) was formed to handle day-to-day affairs until
the PA completes a reform programme.
Palestinians allowed into Gaza, patients evacuated to Egypt as Rafah crossing
reopens
Associated Press/03 February/2026
A dozen Palestinian returnees were allowed into Gaza from Egypt late Monday
after the long-awaited reopening of the Rafah border crossing was marred by
delays. Their arrival came hours after a small group of medical evacuees was
ferried from the territory into Egypt. The reopening of the crossing marked a
key step in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire but mostly a symbolic one, with few
people allowed to travel and no goods allowed to pass through. The limitations
were apparent Monday as crossings fell well short of the 50 people officials had
said would be allowed to move in each direction. About 20,000 Palestinian
children and adults needing medical care hope to leave the devastated territory
via the crossing, according to Gaza health officials. Thousands of other
Palestinians outside the territory hope to enter and return home. The crossing
had been closed since Israeli troops seized it in May 2024. The number of
travelers is expected to increase over time if the system is successful. Israel
has said it and Egypt will vet people for exit and entry. Ambulances queued for
hours at the border before ferrying patients into Egypt, the state-run Al-Qahera
News satellite television channel showed. Just before midnight, a bus arrived in
Gaza carrying Palestinian returnees who had fled the fighting early in the war.
As the vehicle entered the compound of a hospital in Khan Younis, a girl wearing
barrettes and an older woman stood just inside the front door, waving to
relatives anxious for their return. Before the war, Rafah was the main crossing
for people moving in and out of Gaza. The territory's handful of other crossings
are all shared with Israel. Under the terms of the ceasefire, which went into
effect in October, Israel's military controls the area between the Rafah
crossing and the zone where most Palestinians live. Violence continued across
the coastal territory Monday. Gaza hospital officials said an Israeli navy ship
had fired on a tent camp, killing a 3-year-old Palestinian boy. Israel's
military said it was looking into the incident.
Egypt prepares to receive the wounded
Rajaa Abu Mustafa stood outside a Gaza hospital where her 17-year-old son
Mohamed awaited evacuation. He was blinded by a shot to the eye last year as he
joined desperate Palestinians seeking food from aid trucks outside the southern
city of Khan Younis. "The health ministry called and told us that we will travel
to Egypt for (his) treatment," she said. About 150 hospitals across Egypt are
ready to receive patients evacuated from Gaza through Rafah, authorities said.
But the isolated crossing is separated from Cairo by a six-hour drive. The
Egyptian Red Crescent said it has readied "safe spaces" on the Egyptian side of
the border to support those evacuated. More than 10,000 patients have been
evacuated from Gaza since the war began, according to the World Health
Organization. But Israel's seizure of the Rafah crossing brought the pace of
evacuations to a crawl, with an average of 17 patients a week leaving for most
of the time since. Israel has banned sending patients to hospitals in the
Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem since the war began, cutting off
what was previously the main outlet for Palestinians needing medical treatment
unavailable in Gaza. U.N. officials on Monday called on other countries to take
in more patients from Gaza "so that everyone receives the treatment they need."
With the crossing reopened, Gaza residents looked forward to the return of
family members who fled earlier in the war. "This time it's real," said Iman
Rashwan, anticipating the arrival of her mother and sister. They left Gaza a
year ago when her mother's heart condition worsened and she was referred for
treatment in Egypt."They called us yesterday and said they received news that
they will leave," Rashwan said. "We have been waiting for it for too long."
The Rafah crossing will be supervised by European Union border patrol agents
with a small Palestinian presence. Historically, Israel and Egypt have vetted
Palestinians applying to cross. Fearing that Israel could use the crossing to
push Palestinians out of the enclave, Egypt has repeatedly said it must be open
for them to enter and exit Gaza.
Palestinian toddler killed by Israeli fire
A 3-year-old Palestinian was killed when Israel's navy hit tents sheltering
displaced people in Khan Younis, Palestinian hospital authorities said.
According to Nasser hospital, which received the body, the attack happened in
Muwasi, a tent camp area on Gaza's coast.
Also on Monday, Israel's military said it killed four Palestinians in northern
Gaza who approached troops near the line marking Israeli-controlled territory,
"posing an imminent threat to them."More than 520 Palestinians have been killed
by Israeli fire since the ceasefire went into effect on Oct. 10, according to
Gaza's health ministry. They are among the over 71,800 Palestinians killed since
the start of the war, according to the ministry, which does not say how many
were fighters or civilians. The ministry, part of Gaza's Hamas-led government,
keeps detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N.
agencies and independent experts.
Rafah's opening represents ceasefire progress
Israel had said seizing the Rafah crossing in May 2024 was part of efforts to
combat arms-smuggling by the Hamas militant group. The crossing was briefly
opened for the evacuation of medical patients during a ceasefire in early 2025.
Israel had resisted reopening the Rafah crossing, but the recovery of the
remains of the last hostage in Gaza cleared the way to move forward. The
reopening is seen as a key step as the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement moves
into its second phase. The truce halted more than two years of war between
Israel and Hamas that began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct.
7, 2023. Its first phase called for the exchange of all hostages held in Gaza
for hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel, an increase in badly needed
humanitarian aid and a partial pullback of Israeli troops. The second phase of
the ceasefire deal is more complicated. It calls for installing the new
Palestinian committee to govern Gaza, deploying an international security force,
disarming Hamas and taking steps to begin rebuilding.
Turkey's Erdogan visits
Saudi as ties between former foes warm
Agence France Presse/03 February/2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday, Saudi media
said, his first visit to the kingdom in over two years as Saudi Arabia moves
closer to its rival-turned-ally. Ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia have
steadily recovered in recent years, with the countries cooperating on a range of
diplomatic issues. This includes support for Gaza and backing Syria's new
government in the wake of the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Erdogan is
set to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the visit -- his first
to the kingdom since July 2023, which was part of a Gulf trip aimed at drumming
up investments. There was no official indication of what the two sides would
discuss. But Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu reported that they would
discuss the "deepening cooperation" between the countries, as well as regional
and global developments. It added that Erdogan would then travel to Cairo on
Wednesday. The visit comes days after two sources told AFP that Turkey would not
be joining a mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Turkish
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had said earlier this month that they had entered
talks aimed at joining the alliance. Relations between Riyadh and Turkey were
enormously strained after Saudi agents murdered Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi
consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Turkey angered Saudi Arabia by vigorously
pursuing the case at the time, opening an investigation and briefing
international media about the lurid details of the murder. The meeting in Riyadh
comes days ahead of a potential round of talks in Turkey between the United
States and Iran on February 6, an Arab official told AFP early Tuesday, after
Tehran called for the restart of nuclear talks and Washington warned of
consequences if a deal was not reached. Erdogan has emerged as one of the key
mediators leading a diplomatic push to find a resolution between the long-time
foes to head off open conflict between the two sides.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey sign agreement on power generation projects
Reuters/03 February/2026
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia signed an
agreement to develop and implement solar power plant projects in Turkey with a
total installed capacity of 5,000 megawatts. The agreement was announced during
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Crown Prince meets Turkish president in Riyadh
Al Arabiya English/03 February/2026
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan at al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday, the official Saudi Press
Agency (SPA) reported. The Saudi Crown Prince hosted an official reception
ceremony for the Turkish president, followed by formal talks between the two
leaders, SPA said. Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to develop and execute solar
energy projects in Turkey with a capacity of 5 gigawatts during Erdogan’s visit,
SPA reported. Erdogan told the Crown Prince that Turkey was determined to take
relations to a higher level in areas including renewable energy and defense
industry, the Turkish president’s office said. He also told the Crown Prince
that Turkey’s support for stability in Syria would continue, and Ankara would
work in cooperation with Riyadh to rebuild Syria, the Turkish presidency said in
a statement. Erdogan’s visit comes amid heightened regional tensions,
particularly between Iran and the United States.Turkey is expected to host talks
involving US, Iranian, and regional officials aimed at easing tensions, after US
President Donald Trump warned Tehran of consequences if it fails to reach a deal
on its nuclear program. Bilateral ties were also underscored by the
Saudi-Turkish Investment Forum, held on the sidelines of the visit. The forum
seeks to strengthen economic and investment cooperation across multiple sectors
and to explore new investment opportunities in the Kingdom.
US Congress passes spending bill ending government shutdown
AFP/03 February/2026
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a spending bill on Tuesday ending the
four-day partial government shutdown. President Donald Trump is expected to
swiftly sign the legislation, which was held up by Democratic opposition to
funding for the federal agency carrying out his sweeping immigration crackdown.
US approves potential $3 bln F-15 sustainment sale to Saudi
Arabia
Al Arabiya English/04 February/2026
The US has approved another potential weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, this time
for F-15 fighter jet sustainment parts in a $3 billion deal. A small number of
additional long-term US civilian contractors or military personnel may be
required in the Kingdom, the Pentagon said in a statement.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy the following non-major
defense equipment items: spares and repair parts, consumables and accessories,
and repair and return support; ground and personnel equipment; classified and
unclassified software and software support; classified and unclassified
publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training
equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics
support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support,”
according to the notice.
This sale will support foreign policy and national security objectives of the
United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally “that is a
force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” it
added. The F-15s also enhance the Kingdom’s ability to deter current and future
threats. Late last week, the Trump administration approved the possible $9
billion sale of 730 PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement
Missiles (PAC-3 MSEs) to Saudi Arabia. “This enhanced capability will protect
land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies and will
significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution to (integrated air and missile
defense) IAMD in the CENTCOM region,” the Pentagon said. The PAC-3 MSE is made
by Lockheed Martin and is one of the most advanced interceptors, capable of
detecting and shooting down ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced
drones.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has been killed, Gaddafi family
source tells Al Arabiya
Al Arabiya English/03 February/2026
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, was
killed in an attack carried out by four assailants, a source close to the
Gaddafi family told Al Arabiya on Tuesday. The 53-year-old was killed in the
town Zintan, 136 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of the capital, Tripoli. The
source said the attackers shot Saif al-Islam in the garden of his residence
before fleeing the scene. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for
the killing, the source added. Libyan state news agency LANA also reported his
death, citing his advisor, Abdallah Othman. Sources within Saif al-Islam’s
political team told Al Arabiya four gunmen stormed his residence after disabling
security cameras. According to the sources, Saif al-Islam confronted the
attackers and was killed at around 2:30 a.m. local time. Saif al-Islam had long
been seen as his father’s successor. In 2021, he announced he would run for
president, but those elections were indefinitely postponed.
Saudi Arabia set to announce major new Syria investments,
Syrian official says
Al Arabiya English/03 February/2026
Saudi Arabia will invest in a new private Syrian airline as part of a
multi-billion-dollar investment package expected to be announced on Saturday,
the head of the Syrian Investment Authority told Reuters, reflecting Riyadh’s
deepening ties to Damascus. The latest planned investments will mark the largest
such announcement since the United States lifted a tough set of sanctions on
Syria in December. The sanctions had been a significant obstacle to Syria’s
economic revival after a 14-year civil war that inflicted deep damage on much of
the country and displaced millions of people. Saudi investments would include
projects in “telecommunications and real estate, especially in the old towns,”
said the investment authority head, Talal al-Hilali, speaking to Reuters on
Tuesday. Al-Hilali said that the majority of the planned investments would take
the form of ready-to-implement contracts, rather than non-binding memoranda of
understanding. He declined to give a value for the investments. Riyadh has
emerged as a close ally of Damascus since the toppling of Bashar al-Assad some
14 months ago. Last year, Riyadh announced $6.4 billion of investments, split
into 47 deals with more than 100 Saudi companies working in real estate,
infrastructure and telecoms. Two Syrian sources familiar with the matter said
aviation investments would include contracts to develop Aleppo International
Airport. The sources said the new private airline is expected to launch with
more than a dozen aircraft.With Reuters
Syria Kurds impose curfew
in Qamishli ahead of govt forces entry
Agence France Presse/03 February/2026
Kurdish forces imposed a curfew on Kurdish-majority Qamishli in northeastern
Syria on Tuesday, ahead of the deployment of government troops to the city, an
AFP team reported. The curfew came after Syrian security personnel entered the
mixed Kurdish-Arab city of Hasakeh and the countryside around the Kurdish town
of Kobane on Monday, as part of a comprehensive agreement to gradually integrate
the Kurds' military and civilian institutions into the state. The Kurds had
ceded territory to advancing government forces in recent weeks.
An AFP correspondent saw Kurdish security forces deployed in Qamishli and found
the streets empty of civilians and shops closed after the curfew came into
effect early on Tuesday. It will remain in force until 6:00 am (0300 GMT) on
Wednesday. The government convoy is expected to enter the city later on Tuesday
and will include a limited number of forces and vehicles, according to Marwan
al-Ali, the Damascus-appointed head of internal security in Hasakeh province.
The integration of Kurdish security forces into the interior ministry's ranks
will follow, he added. Friday's deal "seeks to unify Syrian territory",
including Kurdish areas, while also maintaining an ongoing ceasefire and
introducing the "gradual integration" of Kurdish forces and administrative
institutions, according to the text of the agreement. It was a blow to the
Kurds, who had sought to preserve the de facto autonomy they exercised after
seizing vast areas of north and northeast Syria in battles against the Islamic
State jihadist group during the civil war, backed by a US-led coalition. Mazloum
Abdi, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had previously
said the deal would be implemented on the ground from Monday, with both sides to
pull forces back from frontline positions in parts of the northeast, and from
Kobane in the north. He added that a "limited internal security force" would
enter parts of Hasakeh and Qamishli, but that "no military forces will enter any
Kurdish city or town".
Syria’s Interior Ministry
foils drug smuggling attempt into Jordan
Arab News/February 03, 2026
LONDON: Syria’s Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the arrest of multiple
drug traffickers and the seizure of a significant quantity of narcotics intended
for smuggling into Jordan. Anti-narcotics units targeted a network involved in
drug trafficking and cross-border smuggling in the southern region of the
country. They seized approximately 2.05 million Captagon pills and 605 packages
of hashish, weighing an estimated 151 kilograms, according to the ministry.
Authorities confiscated equipment used in smuggling operations, including helium
gas cylinders, balloons, plastic mortar shells, a launcher, a drone, and
communication devices, according to the statement. The anti-narcotics unit will
continue operations to combat drug trafficking and dismantle smuggling networks
to protect public safety and youth, they added. Last week, authorities seized a
large shipment of liquid cocaine at Lattakia on the Mediterranean Sea, intended
for distribution in the region. The Ministry of Interior announced that the
cocaine shipment originated from Brazil and that it was hidden inside vegetable
oil containers.
The Latest English LCCC
analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on February
03-04/2026
Deal with Iran ‘unimaginable,’ Pompeo tells WGS in Dubai
Khaled Al Khawaldeh/Arab News/February 03,
2026
DUBAI: Former US secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, told the World Government
Summit in Dubai on Monday that he believed a deal between Iran and the United
States was “unimaginable” under the current Ayatollah regime believing US
strikes on the nation were still a possibility despite the apparent deescalation
of the last few days. “It's unimaginable that there could be a deal. To me,
we've had a deal with Iranians multiple times,” he told a panel in Dubai on
Tuesday.“They have cheated and lied and avoided compliance with every deal
they've signed.” Pompeo was central to the US decision to leave the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal when he served as secretary
during Donald Trumps first term. According to the US department of Justice, the
Islamic Republic subsequently placed a $1 million bounty on his head. Trump has
in previous days said the US was seeking to srike a deal with Iran whilst
simultanously ordering a large scale militray build up in the region. Pompeo
said that he believed the US president could use military strikes – or at least
the threat of them – to increase leverage on the regime to give up its
enrichment and missiles fully, although he remained cynical of anything being
achieved without regime change. “To think that there's a long-term solution that
actually provides stability and peace to this region while the Ayatollah was
still in power, is something I pray for, but find unimaginable,” Pompeo said.
On Syria, Pompeo expressed cautious optimism that the interim president Ahmed
Hussein al-Sharaa will succeed in rebuilding his country with a lasting peace.
Al-Sharaa has previously said he was focused on consolidating power, rebuilding
state institutions, integrating military factions, and restoring Syria's
international relations, including with the United States, Russia, and regional
powers. Pompeo said he maintained a level of mistrust in the Syrian president –
most notably due to his involvement with Al-Qaeda - but added that he hoped Al-Sharaa
would do well. “I have known of Mr. Sharaa for a long time, when I was a CIA
director… we had a $10m bounty on his head. He was an Al Qaeda terrorist,” he
said. “It is important for the region to get stability in Syria and so I am
rooting for him…. I hope we all do our part to help him be more successful at
bringing a very fractured nation back together so that.”
He said he hoped the up to seven million people who had fled the country as
refugees could one day return to their homes.
“But it is a very difficult task for anyone and someone with the history that he
has, I think it makes it even more complicated for him to be successful. But
he’s the leader today and we all should hope that he is able to pull off what It
is he has stated his intentions are.”Pompeo was joined on stage by former UAE
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, who was more hopeful of a
diplomatic solution to the Iranian crisis; saying the region stood firm against
escalation and further prolonged military conflict.
Gargash believed that it was in the best interest of Iran to strike a deal with
the US that would open the pathway to it resolving its multitude of crises.“I
think that the region has gone through various various calamitous
confrontations. I don't think we need another one,” he told the summit.
“I would like to see direct Iranian American negotiations leading to
understandings so that we don't have these issues every other day.”Speaking more
broadly on regional security, Gargash said resolving the Palestinian issue was
still of utmost importance if the middle east was to secure a prosperous future.
He said that the UAE was commiitted to seeing through the Trumps plan but ruled
out rumours that the emirates was poised to take over governance of the
territory. “We have to work with the Palestinians. We have to work with the
Egyptians, the Israelis, the Jordanians, and of course, American leadership is
key, really, for achieving a sort of, I won't say, sustainable solution at this
time, but moving on with with the part two of President Trump's plan,” he said.
On the international stage, Gargash said he bvelived the health of the China-US
relationship was the biggest hinderence to peace – warning that if not managed
properly it would likely lead to increasing comflict around the world. He said
it was paramount that the two countries maintained a mature relationship based
on competition.
Saudi Arabia: A story of renaissance larger than oil
Dr. Ibrahim al-Muhanna/Al Arabiya
English/03 February/2026
Many Saudis, Arabs, and foreigners make a mistake when they assume that economic
growth and urban development in the Kingdom began only with the discovery and
export of oil.
This assumption is far from accurate. Economic growth began more than thirty
years before oil, following King Abdulaziz’s entry into Riyadh in 1902, the
integration of most of Najd and al-Ahsa in 1913, the subsequent unification of
the remaining regions, and finally the defeat of rebel forces in 1929.
During the period of unification and warfare, which lasted nearly 27 years, the
King was fighting, building, developing, and laying the foundations of a stable
state at the same time. Throughout history and across societies, the most
important factors of development have been the elimination of political vacuum,
stability, peace, justice, sound governance, and reliance on competent experts
and advisors. King Abdulaziz was committed to achieving all of these, firmly and
clearly. With security and justice in place, trade, agriculture, and even basic
industries naturally flourish.
Alongside stability and security, administrative organization held particular
importance, including the establishment of an advisory structure made up of
capable national, Arab, and foreign experts.
On the financial and economic front, King Abdulaziz established the Directorate
of Finance, followed by the General Finance Agency, which became the Ministry of
Finance in 1932. This was before the oil production agreement. Its mandate was
to regulate, safeguard, and collect state revenues, organize income and
expenditures, and serve as the central financial authority across all regions of
the Kingdom. Each region had its own financial body responsible for collecting
zakat and managing local spending, in accordance with the King’s instructions.
Earlier still, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in 1930, the
Ministry of Interior in 1931, and the foundation of the Ministry of Defense in
1929. All of these institutions, aimed at organizing and administering the
state, were created before the flow of oil and its revenues.
King Abdulaziz also prioritized healthcare by bringing in distinguished foreign
doctors. Their being non-Muslim did not stand in the way, as the objective was
to combat endemic diseases and halt waves of incoming epidemics such as smallpox
and cholera, which had devastated village populations. He also promoted modern
education and overseas scholarships, as well as modern communications such as
wireless radio, despite strong opposition from some hardliners. Scientific
missions in fields like medicine and engineering began as early as 1929, sent to
Egypt, Syria, and Europe.
Before oil, King Abdulaziz’s major economic focus was on water and agriculture,
which eventually led to oil exploration. He understood that the Arabian
Peninsula, especially Najd, suffered from a severe water shortage. There were no
rivers, rainfall was seasonal and inconsistent, and water scarcity was the
primary challenge for Najdi villages, often resulting in famine and migration.
Water was also crucial to the King’s major project of settling Bedouins into
permanent villages and transitioning them from nomadic conflict to stability and
agriculture.
In 1930, King Abdulaziz invited American businessman Charles Crane to visit the
Kingdom to search for water and minerals, particularly gold, which had been
present in parts of the Hijaz mountains for thousands of years. Crane later
arranged a visit by American geologist Karl Twitchell to explore water and
mineral resources. The effort achieved some success in both areas, including at
the Mahd adh-Dhahab mine.
At the same time, negotiations were underway to grant oil exploration
concessions, particularly with British companies, which were hesitant for
several reasons.
In 1933, King Abdulaziz approved the concession agreement with the American
company Socal (now Chevron) to explore and extract oil in a specified area in
eastern Saudi Arabia. Notably, the King approved the agreement only after
reviewing its clauses paragraph by paragraph with his advisors and securing
their approval. The agreement required an upfront payment, annual rental fees,
and the employment of Saudi labor. A later condition was added requiring the
construction of a refinery to supply the local market with gasoline and kerosene
instead of importing them.
Even after oil was discovered, and for three years before production and export
began, the focus on agriculture continued. In 1935, with special attention from
the King, the Al-Sahba project began in Al-Kharj, a region rich in natural
springs. It became the foundation for successful agricultural projects, to the
extent that Al-Kharj turned into a hub attracting workers, traders, and
investors from across the Kingdom. Development projects across the Kingdom
continued even during World War II, which halted Saudi oil production and
exports.
Interestingly, one Italian warplane, from an Axis power, bombed the oil
facilities in Dhahran, mistakenly believing they were oil installations in
Bahrain supplying the Allied forces. This contributed to the suspension of Saudi
oil production and exports. Italian leader Benito Mussolini later apologized to
King Abdulaziz for the error.
After the war, Saudi oil production began to rise, particularly with Europe’s
reconstruction and its urgent need for oil. King Abdulaziz therefore supported
the construction of the Trans-Arabian Pipeline, extending from Qaisumah in the
Eastern Province to Sidon in Lebanon. Operations began in 1950. The pipeline was
originally planned to terminate in Haifa, Palestine, but was rerouted to Lebanon
following the establishment of Israel. After the war, production and exports
gradually increased in response to growing global demand and Saudi Arabia’s oil
potential. State revenues rose year after year, but more importantly, the
increased income was directed toward development projects such as education,
healthcare, communications, transportation, and overall social development.
Economic growth and development continued year after year and decade after
decade in a balanced and consistent manner. Since the death of King Abdulaziz,
the Kingdom has been led by six kings without a change in direction or
continuity. Each ruler added new and creative building blocks, unlike many other
countries where policy shifts with leadership changes.
National development and economic growth also continued despite several shocks
to the oil market, most notably:
1. The global reduction in oil prices and cuts to Saudi production by
international oil companies, the so-called Seven Sisters, in the late 1950s.
This led to early efforts to reduce reliance on oil through the establishment of
Petromin, investing in sectors such as mining, petrochemicals, and oil services,
and creating a state-owned national oil company.
2. The collapse of prices and Saudi production in the first half of the 1980s,
when output fell from over 10 million barrels per day to less than 3 million,
and prices dropped from $45 per barrel to below $10.
3. The price collapse between 1997 and 1999 following the failure of the Jakarta
meeting.
4. The sharp price collapse in 2008 during the global financial crisis, from
$147 mid-year to under $30.
5. The price collapse between 2014 and 2016 for several reasons.
6. The COVID-19 crisis in 2020, when demand, prices, and cooperation among
producing countries collapsed. All of these shocks affected the Saudi economy,
but only to a limited extent and for a short period. Recovery occurred within
one or two years, without derailing the overall economic trajectory, unlike in
some other oil-producing countries. What is happening now, particularly under
Vision 2030, represents a clear evolution in economic policy, including the oil
sector. Key steps include the partial privatization of Saudi Aramco and efforts
to reduce reliance on oil revenues in government income, the domestic economy,
and the balance of payments. This also includes expanding renewable energy use,
especially solar power, and exploiting natural gas resources. By 2030, oil and
its products are expected to be phased out of electricity generation, replaced
by renewables and natural gas. One of the Kingdom’s defining features in its
economic and oil policy is its continuous and growing ambition, adding one
building block after another to expand the Saudi economy. In conclusion, the
belief that oil was the beginning and sole source of Saudi Arabia’s renaissance
and strength is a weak claim. The story of development that began with King
Abdulaziz is far greater and more significant than that. It is about vision,
stability, knowing the path forward, justice, education, and sustained effort.
Oil and natural resources alone do not create progress without wise governance.
The Trump Administration's Delusional Gaza 'Master Plan'
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/February 03/2026
Even if Hamas does agree to surrender some of its weapons as part of a façade to
appease Trump, the terror group will undoubtedly continue to keep or replace as
many as possible to maintain a military, political and security presence in the
Gaza Strip.
Hamas is not worried about the newly established Palestinian technocratic
committee that is supposed to govern the Gaza Strip: the committee does not pose
a direct threat to the terror group. The committee is primarily tasked with
managing civilian affairs, delivering essential services such as water,
electricity, healthcare and education, and rebuilding infrastructure. Security
will remain in the hands of Hamas....
Building skyscrapers and an airport in the Gaza Strip will not change the
Palestinians' views on Israel. The Palestinians are not going to give up the
"right of return" because of foreign investment in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is not
going to recognize Israel's right to exist or give up its Jihad (holy war)
against the "Zionist entity" because of new homes, luxury apartments and tourist
resorts. The only way to change the hearts and minds of Palestinians is through
a deep and thorough process of re-education and actual serious pressure, for
once, from the outside world. This requires brave, strong and pragmatic
leadership -- both from the Palestinians and the international community -- an
attribute that, unfortunately, does not seem to exist.
At the recent annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Jared
Kushner presented his "New Gaza" master plan that outlines a post-war vision to
transform the territory into a hub for "coastal tourism" and commerce. However,
building skyscrapers and an airport in the Gaza Strip will not change the
Palestinians' views on Israel. Hamas is not going to recognize Israel's right to
exist or give up its Jihad (holy war) against the "Zionist entity" because of
new homes, luxury apartments and tourist resorts.
At the recent annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Jared
Kushner, President Donald J. Trump's son-in-law, presented his "New Gaza" master
plan that outlines a post-war vision to transform the territory into a hub for
"coastal tourism" and commerce.
The plan features 180 luxury skyscrapers, new logistics corridors, a port, an
airport, and 100,000 housing units, along with significant industrial zones/data
centers.
This is the second economic plan presented by Kushner since the 2019 "Peace to
Prosperity: A New Vision for the Palestinian People and the Broader Middle
East," also known as the "Deal of the Century." The economic portion of that
plan was a $50 billion investment to transform the Palestinian economy over 10
years. The deal aimed to fund 179 projects across the West Bank, the Gaza Strip,
and neighboring countries.
That "Deal of the Century," sadly, failed to materialize: it was rejected as a
"conspiracy" by Palestinians, who said they viewed it as a heavily biased,
pro-Israel proposal that violated international law, and denied them a
Palestinian state and the "right of return," which means flooding Israel with
millions descendants of Palestinian refugees, and turning the Jews into a
minority in their own country -- the same plan, in fact, as the current effort
to Islamize Europe and the United States by demography.
"There is not one positive thing about the 'Deal of the Century,'" Palestinian
Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas said in February 2020.
"No one could accept this plan for a population of 13 million people. There is
no real opportunity in it. This deal is categorically rejected and has no place
at the negotiating table."
Hamas also rejected the "Deal of the Century." Then Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
denounced the deal as a "blatant violation against our land, people, and the
Islamic Ummah [nation]," adding:
"We declare our absolute rejection of all items included in the deal announced
by Trump. We confirm that accepting any plan that abdicates or gives up the
rights of the Palestinian people or the Palestinian national principles is
forbidden. Palestine and its just cause will never be compromised or divided. We
confirm that all options are open for the Palestinian people to face off the
aggressive 'Deal of the Century' that targets the Palestinian existence: land,
people, history, and Arab and Islamic identity."
The PA and Hamas, however, have so far refrained from commenting on Kushner's
new Gaza master plan. That is probably because they are convinced that the plan
is not feasible and will meet the same fate as the "Deal of the Century."
Moreover, the PA and Hamas apparently do not want to alienate Trump by
outrightly dismissing his son-in-law's plan. In their view, Trump is the only
one who can stop Israel from resuming the war in the Gaza Strip and destroying
Hamas's military and terror infrastructure.
Although Kushner has demanded that Hamas and the other terror entities in Gaza
disarm to ensure the success of his plan, the leaders of the terror group
continue to reject all calls to lay down their weapons.
Last week, senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk said that his group had never
agreed, at any stage, to hand over its weapons. He insisted that the issue of
the "resistance weapons" had never been subject to negotiations at any stage.
"We agreed in the Trump plan [to end the Gaza war] on a general framework for
ending the war, but the weapons issue has not yet been raised in negotiations,"
Abu Marzouk told Qatar's state-owned Al-Jazeera TV network.
Even if Hamas does agree to surrender some of its weapons as part of a façade to
appease Trump, the terror group will undoubtedly continue to keep or replace as
many as possible to maintain a military, political and security presence in the
Gaza Strip.
Hamas is not worried about the newly established Palestinian technocratic
committee that is supposed to govern the Gaza Strip: the committee does not pose
a direct threat to the terror group. The committee is primarily tasked with
managing civilian affairs, delivering essential services such as water,
electricity, healthcare and education, and rebuilding infrastructure. Security
will remain in the hands of Hamas, whose members will undoubtedly continue to
rule through a shadow government. With thousands of Hamas militiamen still
roaming the streets of the Gaza Strip, the technocratic committee, conversely,
will be at the mercy of the terror group.
Back to Kushner's master plan. The assumption that boosting the Palestinian
economy would have a moderating effect on the Palestinians has already proven
delusional. After the signing of the Oslo Accord between Israel and the PLO in
1993, the international community poured billions of dollars on the Palestinians
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This beneficence, however, did not prevent
Hamas, whose stated goal is the destruction of Israel, from gaining popularity
and winning the 2006 PA legislative election.
The international aid, in addition, did not prompt then PA President Yasser
Arafat or his successor, Abbas, to make far-reaching concessions to Israel
during the peace negotiations. Both Arafat and Abbas placidly rejected several
peace proposals made by Israeli leaders.
The Palestinians first rejected an offer by then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Barak at the 2000 Camp David summit. The offer included a Palestinian state in
most of the West Bank and Gaza Strip with parts of east Jerusalem.
In 2008, then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert proposed a plan that would have
provided over 90% of the West Bank and a land swap for the remaining territory.
The Palestinians rejected the proposal.
In 2010, former Israeli President Shimon Peres, during a meeting with then
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, talked about his vision for turning Gaza
into the "Singapore of the Middle East":
"Right now, we have virtually withdrawn from Gaza which is not being occupied.
We are currently implementing a restoration program.... All border crossings
have been opened. We are determined to turn Gaza into the same kind of
prosperous entity as Singapore. "
In May 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out a plan for
lasting peace and reintegrating the Gaza Strip into the regional economy through
large infrastructure and economic investment. The Palestinians also rejected
that plan. Building skyscrapers and an airport in the Gaza Strip will not change
the Palestinians' views on Israel. The Palestinians are not going to give up the
"right of return" because of foreign investment in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is not
going to recognize Israel's right to exist or give up its Jihad (holy war)
against the "Zionist entity" because of new homes, luxury apartments and tourist
resorts. The only way to change the hearts and minds of Palestinians is through
a deep and thorough process of re-education and actual serious pressure, for
once, from the outside world. This requires brave, strong and pragmatic
leadership -- both from the Palestinians and the international community -- an
attribute that, unfortunately, does not seem to exist.
**Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
**Follow Khaled Abu Toameh on X (formerly Twitter)
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22245/gaza-master-plan-delusion
© 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.
India, EU
brought together by US pressure
Talmiz Ahmad/Arab News/February 03, 2026
At its Republic Day celebrations last month, India had as its chief guests
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council
President Antonio Costa. The next day, Von der Leyen cheerfully announced: “We
did it, we delivered the mother of all deals.” She was referring to the
finalization of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The agreement had been under negotiation for two decades. This quick
finalization in New Delhi was obviously propelled by the hostile posture of the
US toward both these erstwhile friends. Over the last year, the White House has
frequently threatened EU members with tariffs, consorted with Russian President
Vladimir Putin and pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a
humiliating peace.
The administration last month made aggressive statements on taking over
Greenland — claims that have firmly united EU members behind Denmark. At Davos,
Von der Leyen had referred to problems with the US by speaking about the need
for the EU to build “a new form of European independence,” while emphasizing
that Europe favored “fair trade over tariffs.”
India has also been badly treated. Chafing under India’s “failure” to credit it
with ending the Indo-Pakistan conflict in May last year, the US imposed 50
percent tariffs on Indian exports to the US, which included 25 percent penal
tariffs due to India’s imports of Russian oil. It went on to irritate India with
robust gestures of friendship toward Pakistan, including a private lunch at the
White House for the Pakistani army chief.
Despite the absence of a free trade agreement, India’s trade ties with the EU
have flourished: in 2024-25, the trade in goods was $136 billion, while trade in
services was $83 billion. Still, the EU’s trade with India was only 2.4 percent
of its total goods trade. Both sides feel that considerable potential remains to
be tapped. The looming US shadow encouraged the constructive addressing of
contentious issues by both sides
While talks with the EU languished, before 2012, India had made slow progress in
finalizing free trade agreements with some Asian countries and blocs — the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Sri
Lanka. It started looking westward only from 2022, viewing this as essential to
fulfilling its aspirations to emerge as a developed nation by 2047.
Before the latest negotiations with the EU, India had finalized deals with the
UK, New Zealand and Oman. Given the earlier tardy progress in negotiations,
there is little doubt that the looming US shadow encouraged the constructive
addressing of contentious issues by both sides. This positive approach
culminated in the new agreement, which binds the 2 billion people of India and
the EU in a beneficial economic embrace.
Under the deal, duties will be eliminated or significantly reduced on nearly 97
percent of traded goods, alongside reduced barriers in several services sectors.
The EU will particularly benefit from reduced Indian tariffs on European
automobiles, going from 110 percent to 10 percent, while tariffs on wines will
fall from 150 percent to 75 percent immediately and gradually to 20 percent.
Tariffs on machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals will also be eliminated
gradually.
The free trade agreement has been complemented by an important agreement to
strengthen security and strategic ties, as the two sides signed a deal titled:
“Towards 2030: A Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda.” It
seeks “to further reinforce the strategic partnership” between the two sides.
This makes India the EU’s third Asian defense partner, after Japan and South
Korea.
The agenda set out in the agreement is both diverse and ambitious. It covers
security and defense, regional connectivity, global governance, and technology
and innovation. This ensures that economic cooperation will impart resilience
and vitality through strong supply chains, a conducive digital environment and
more robust security and defense cooperation. European commentators have even
suggested that the EU could be making efforts to become “strategically
sovereign” by building ties with partners like India that are outside the
present European defense framework. While celebrating these first steps in
shaping a mutually beneficial relationship, a reality check is necessary
Indian observers are equally enthusiastic. They see opportunities for India-EU
cooperation in such areas as counterterrorism, cybersecurity and hybrid warfare,
as well as maritime security and maritime domain awareness, with regular
military exercises to promote interoperability. The Indian and European navies
have been increasingly working together over the last year as part of the EU’s
naval projects — Operation Atalanta and Operation Aspides — which have been
active in the western Indian Ocean.
This nascent India-EU engagement owes much to the obduracy of the US
administration. Not surprisingly, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused
the EU of “indirectly financing a war against themselves,” a reference to
India’s continued purchasing of Russian oil. US Trade Representative Jamieson
Greer churlishly criticized the EU for importing “low-cost labor” from India and
undermining US efforts to isolate Russia, while taunting Brussels that “India
comes out on top” as a result of the deal.
Still, while celebrating these first steps in shaping a mutually beneficial
relationship between India and the EU, a reality check is necessary. The two
sides remain divided on important issues. Thus, the EU remains an integral part
of the US-led Western alliance and will be crucially dependent on the US’
security support for several years to come. Flowing from this, it will continue
to view Russia as a security threat, while India may be expected to maintain a
close strategic partnership with it, with substantial energy, defense and
security components.
These realities place severe limits on how far India-EU strategic ties can go.
For now, it is the bilateral economic agenda shaped by the free trade agreement
that will flourish.
**Talmiz Ahmad is a former Indian diplomat.
Middle East adjusts to key new European climate policy
Andrew Hammond/Arab News/February 03, 2026
January has been a fast-paced, high-profile start to 2026, with events including
the unseating of former Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro from power by the US.
Much more under the global radar screen, however, has been the flexing of the
EU’s muscles as a global regulatory power with the full introduction of the
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.CBAM will have significant implications for
the Middle East and Africa, plus the wider world outside of the EU. For
instance, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt are among the top ten exporters of
aluminum to the EU; for fertilizers, it is Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria.
However, Turkiye may be the most impacted nation in the region. The country is
an important supplier of iron and steel, cement, and aluminum for the EU, and
the bloc is Turkey’s biggest trading partner.
This was highlighted in the European Commission’s initial operational figures
following CBAM’s entry into force on Jan. 1. By Jan. 7, over 10,000 CBAM-related
import customs declarations were validated automatically through integrated
systems; between Jan. 1-6, CBAM covered 1.66 million tonnes of imports, 98
percent of which were iron and steel, mainly originating from Turkiye, China and
India. This early data underlines that countries that export high-carbon
industrial products such as steel, iron, aluminum, cement, and fertilizers will
be most impacted.
CBAM is only the latest example of the EU’s attempts to try to set the global
regulatory agenda in what has been called the “Brussels effect”. That is, that
by developing far-reaching regulations that have a significant bearing on the
international landscape outside of the continent, including in the Middle East,
the EU is trying to ensure that European values shape policy beyond its borders.
The EU’s big push forward with CBAM sees the 27 member EU adopting the world’s
first fully operational border carbon adjustment policy to begin charging costs
based on the emissions intensity of imported goods. It is the first time that
the price of carbon in a defined jurisdiction, in this case Europe, will be
externalized beyond borders to try to encourage cleaner industrial production in
non-EU countries, including in the Middle East.
CBAM is only the latest example of the EU’s attempts to try to set the global
regulatory agenda in what has been called the “Brussels effect”
In response, companies, particularly in high-emissions, export-intensive
sectors, have been rapidly preparing for CBAM. The EU regulation establishing
CBAM originally came into force in 2023 with a transition phase which ran until
last December. This gradual introduction is aligned with the phase-out of free
allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System, the world’s first
international emissions trading system established in 2005, to support
decarbonization of European industry.
Since Jan. 1, with CBAM fully applied, a levy equivalent to the emissions
produced in the manufacturing process of the imported products is required in
the form of purchasing CBAM certificates. As part of this process, EU importers
or their indirect customs representatives importing more than the single
mass-based threshold of 50 tonnes of CBAM goods into the EU now have to apply
for the status of authorized CBAM declarants.
They buy CBAM certificates from national authorities in their EU country of
establishment. The price of the certificates is calculated based on the auction
price of EU ETS allowances expressed in euros/tonne of CO2 emitted, as a
quarterly average in 2026 and as a weekly average from 2027 onwards.
EU importers also now declare emissions embedded in their imports and surrender
the corresponding number of certificates each year. If importers can prove that
a carbon price has already been paid during the production of the imported
goods, the corresponding amount can be deducted.
The primary goal is to prevent so-called carbon leakage which is the phenomenon
whereby stricter climate policies in one power — in this case the EU — lead to
an increase in greenhouse gas emissions in another power, such as Turkiye, often
due to the relocation of emissions-intensive industries.
The transition period from 2023 to 2025 has served at least three purposes for
the EU. Firstly, allowing for impacted firms to prepare for CBAM; secondly,
giving time for negotiations with non-EU countries, including in the Middle
East; and thirdly, allowing the EU to finalize detailed regulations, with the
last major communication on Dec. 17. That important CBAM announcement includes
clearer operational rules, new documents covering calculation methodologies,
default values, and verification. The package also reinforces enforcement,
closes circumvention loopholes, and introduces targeted extensions and support
measures, as well as providing further implementation clarity. Specific measures
include extension of CBAM to downstream products, addressing carbon leakage
risks further down the value chain with proposals to extend CBAM to a defined
set of steel and aluminum-intensive downstream products. The extension covers
around 180 product categories, mainly industrial supply-chain goods with high
steel or aluminum content, alongside a limited number of household appliances.
For these downstream goods, CBAM will apply only to the emissions embedded in
CBAM-covered input materials, not to downstream manufacturing processes.The
extension is not a big surprise. While CBAM initially applied to imports of
certain goods and selected precursors whose production is heavily
carbon-intensive and at most significant risk of carbon leakage, it will
ultimately seek to capture more than 50 percent of the emissions in ETS covered
sectors. Building on lessons from the CBAM transition period, the Commission has
also strengthened its ability to address circumvention risks. New measures
include enhanced reporting requirements to improve traceability of CBAM goods,
clearer treatment of emission-intensity mis-declarations, and the inclusion of
pre-consumer steel and aluminum scrap in CBAM calculations.
Taken together, with the CBAM kicking fully into effect, an increasing number of
firms in the Middle East and beyond are adapting. It will be a significant test,
especially for small and medium-sized exporters, given the new burdens on them.
**Andrew Hammond is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.
Palestinian citizens of Israel: Between criminals and the
criminally negligent
Yossi Mekelberg/Arab News/February 03, 2026
Last year was the deadliest on record for Palestinian citizens of Israel, with
252 of them murdered, including 23 women. Already this year, 27 members of this
community have been killed — and there does not seem to be any sign of respite.
It is a truism that the state’s role is to ensure the safety and security of its
citizens, all of them, without discrimination. This is one of the most basic
tenets of the social contract between citizens and those who govern them. But
when it comes to Palestinian citizens of Israel, the state has failed them for
many years — and in a colossal and tragic way since the current government came
to power more than three years ago. A mixture of revulsion and exhaustion from
living in constant fear has led ordinary Palestinian citizens of Israel to seek
to conquer the terror. They have taken to the streets to protest what
increasingly seem to be acts of deliberate incompetence by the government when
faced with the duty to prevent an epidemic of murderous gun violence in their
communities. First, up to 100,000 people in Palestinian towns and villages took
part in a general strike that culminated in a massive march through the northern
city of Sakhnin. On Saturday, this was followed by a mass rally in Tel Aviv,
where Muslims and Jews joined forces to demand that the government do what it is
obliged to do and take positive action to stop these killings.
A mixture of revulsion and exhaustion has led ordinary Palestinian citizens of
Israel to seek to conquer the terror
The victims have been of all ages, male and female, and many of the killings
have been carried out by criminal organizations. These groups terrorize locals
in their attempts to extort protection money from businesses and recklessly kill
innocent people, including bystanders.Generally speaking, the homicide rate in
Israel has substantially increased since the current government came to power in
2023, in both the Jewish and Palestinian communities. But staggeringly, the
murder rate among the Palestinian citizens of Israel is 14 times that of the
Jewish society and this is the consequence of government neglect, which one
starts to suspect is deliberate. During the short-lived Naftali Bennett-Yair
Lapid government, the number of those killed in a year was down to 109 — still
way too high but nevertheless the trajectory was downward instead of upward, as
has been the case for the last three years, which suggests that this is not
necessarily a coincidence. Handing the ministry in charge of the police to none
other than Itamar Ben-Gvir, a person whose political career has been built on
espousing racist, anti-Arab ideology, was reckless and to the detriment of the
more than 2 million Palestinian citizens of Israel.
The authorities are not interested as long as the victims are Palestinian, which
reflects an institutional and societal racism
There are at least two disturbing layers to this sorry state of affairs. The
first is that the law enforcement agencies and their political superiors are not
interested in interfering with the rise of violence in Israeli society,
including domestic violence, as long as the victims are Palestinian, which
reflects an institutional and societal racism. One of the manifestations of this
state carelessness is not only the insufficient measures taken to prevent the
murders, but also the very low rate of bringing the culprits to justice, in
comparison to the figures among Jewish society.
From the 252 homicide cases last year, in only 32 cases were charges brought,
with 12 of these involving civilians killed by police. In similar cases among
the Jewish society, 65 percent of the culprits were brought to justice. This
combination of a much higher murder rate and an extremely low conviction rate is
intolerable and only serves as an encouragement to the criminally violent
elements in the community.
However, criminality and organized crime do not come out of nowhere. Capturing
criminals and punishing them, as much as rehabilitating them, is necessary, but
the root causes of the lure of a life of crime must be dealt with too. The
Palestinians in Israel, who make up 20 percent of the entire population, are in
principle — although not in practice — rightful citizens of Israel, but they are
being failed by the state almost from the minute they are born.
According to the Israel Democracy Institute, nearly 40 percent of Palestinian
families in Israel live below the poverty line and half of their children live
in poverty. Despite improvements in recent years, those rates are more than
twice as high as those in Jewish society. One cause of the higher poverty rate,
which is also a contributory factor to the high level of crime, is
underinvestment in education. This is considered one of the most effective tools
to break the cycle of poverty, along with decent infrastructure and public
services.
Add to this the lack of integration into the rest of the society for many in the
community, the exclusion of their representatives in the Knesset from the
centers of power and high unemployment among the youth, and the road to
alienation and subsequent criminality for too many is relatively
straightforward.
Beyond its alienation from the Jewish society, distrust of the police has become
a significant obstacle to resolving crimes in the Palestinian community. Between
the fear of criminal gangs and distrust of the police’s intentions, let alone
their incompetence, the police always have difficulty finding anyone willing to
share information with them. Moreover, the availability of arms and ammunition
on both sides of the Green Line makes it unbearably easy to get hold of lethal
weapons, which frequently end up in the hands of criminals who have little
regard for other people’s lives.
As usual, the response by the Netanyahu government is the exact opposite of what
is needed. Last year, it cut about $68.3 million of budget funding that had been
allocated to social and educational programs for Palestinian citizens of Israel
and transferred it to the internal security agency Shin Bet and the police, “for
the purpose of combating crime in Arab society.” This act illustrates the
bigotry and mindlessness of this government. Ironically, although not that
shockingly considering the government’s anti-Arab rhetoric, this move was
initiated by the minister for social equality and the minister of national
security.
While policing is essential and urgently needs to be improved and enhanced, the
government is treating the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories with the
same disdain it shows for the Palestinian citizens of Israel. It treats them all
as a security issue instead of working to reverse decades of neglect and
discrimination. In the meantime, the vast majority of the Palestinian community
in Israel, which is not involved in crime, is trapped between criminals and
criminally negligent authorities.
*Yossi Mekelberg is professor of international relations and an associate fellow
of the MENA Program at Chatham House. X: @YMekelberg
Selected X tweets
for
February
03/2026
Maha Aoun
A fool is whoever believes the mullahs.
Of course they agree to all the conditions…
Ballistic missiles? Please, take them — you’re precious, and your demands are “cheap.”Four
hundred kilos of enrichment? No need — take ten only; who is dearer than you?
Hezbollah? The Houthis? We’ll cut off their breath for you and offer it as a
gesture of goodwill. Then, after all these concessions, the mullahs gather in
the secret room…Not only to plan for the future,
but also to laugh at the naivety of their opponents —
and to plan anew how to restore, facilitate, and resume enrichment and missile
production, just as before… and even more.
Hysterical laughter, because the play was written for the gullible,
and because a lie, once believed, turns into a joke.
And so the story ends at the expense of the naïve —
those ready to swallow anything.
And as the saying goes:
The livelihood of madmen depends on fools.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
This NYC mayor ad is Islamist (political Islam in line with
Muslim Brotherhood ideology). Stop weaponizing Islam. Like all other religions,
Islam is a religion—a spiritual journey for those who choose it. It should be
confined to private space (home and mosque). When Islam enters public life, it
becomes a political identity and platform. Policy then replaces religion, and
both suffer. That said, if we are to debate the hijab from a sociological and
anthropological perspective (in academia and intellectual circles, not the
mayor’s office), I would say this: The choice that should be celebrated is that
of Muslim women who choose to practice liberty by not wearing the hijab. Muslim
women who wear it are the conformist mainstream. Those who don’t are usually the
victims of social shaming.
Michel Hajji Georgiou
The experience of war had taught him, very early on, that Lebanon would not
survive men in a hurry, men drunk with certainty, nor those who sell corrupt and
willing homeland; let alone men persuaded to embody destiny. Lebanon, to hold,
needed referees more than chiefs, keepers more than conquerors. He needed a
State that could say no, including in its own camps, and a gathering presidency,
that could govern and arbitrate with the strength of the Constitution, without
apoplectical manifestations, without power struggles (... ).
A humble tribute to Nassib Lahoud, here:
https://levanttime.com/.../a035e82d-edf8-4433-9968...
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