English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News &
Editorials
For July 06/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2026/english.july06.26.htm
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Bible Quotations For today
Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat
what is set before you
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 10/08-12/:"Whenever you
enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the
sick who are there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you."
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its
streets and say, "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe
off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near. "I
tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town".
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials
published on 05-06 July/2026
Conscience in Faith Concepts: The Divine Voice Dwelling in Man/Elias
Bejjani/July 05/2025
The Framework Agreement Between Lebanon and the State of Israel Is the Last
Opportunity to Liberate Lebanon from Iranian Occupation, and Israel Is a Friend,
Not an Enemy/Elias Bejjani/July 03/2026
Wrong./Abu Arz/Face Book/July 05/2025
Victims of the Hezbollah wars on Israel: kill 4,304 and injure 12,203 since
March 2, Health Ministry says
Israeli army says killed armed militant in south Lebanon
Israeli army chief urges Lebanese army to implement commitments, disarm
Hezbollah in South Lebanon
Netanyahu says some Lebanese Christian villages 'asked to be annexed' by Israel
Southern Lebanon withdrawal expected within weeks as Israel advances security
plan
Billboards marking US Independence anniversary spark debate in Lebanon: The
details
Aoun: I'm not fond of Israel, but give me another solution
President Aoun congratulates Algeria on Independence Day
Hope amid destruction: Litani River becomes strategic frontline in
Israel-Hezbollah war
Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas attend Khamenei funeral ceremonies
Israeli Prime Minister Awaits Trump's Decision to Storm a Fortified Hezbollah
Base!
Video and Photos - Zamir from the Beaufort Castle Heights: We are ready for a
swift attack in Lebanon... and Hezbollah is exhausted and defeated
Israeli Attack on Ali al-Taher Heights, Targeting Two Hezbollah Members...
Preparations Underway for "Experimental Zones"
Hezbollah’s Decision to Oust President Aoun
Netanyahu Attacks Hezbollah: It Blesses the Iran Deal and Rejects Ours
What is the truth about some Christian border villages requesting to join
Israel?
Qalibaf to Hezbollah Delegation: Peace in Lebanon and the Region Can Only Be
Achieved Through Iran
Patriarch Rai from Diman: Lebanon Must Not Be the Price of Any Regional or
International Agreement, Nor Become an Arena for Settling Conflicts
Archbishop Audeh: Our prayer is that everyone be freed from the shackles of evil
and rise above all that hinders the establishment of peace in our homeland.
A video link for a political commentary by journalist Ali Hamadeh from his
YouTube channel, discussing Khamenei's funeral and "Quranic diplomacy."
2026 American Mideast Coalition for Democracy Conference
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
05-06 July/2026
From Washington to Tehran...
Netanyahu is present, Mojtaba is absent
Netanyahu: My relationship with Trump is excellent, but there are differences of
opinion. / Israeli Prime Minister: We discuss differences frankly and usually
resolve them.
Trump says Netanyahu 'knows who the boss is'
Two people were killed in an Israeli raid that targeted a gathering in Gaza
City/Other people were injured as a result of the raid that targeted Omar Al-Mukhtar
Street
Hamas is preparing to dissolve the “Governmental Action Committee” in Gaza amid
arrangements for the transfer of power/anticipated meetings in Cairo with the
participation of Palestinian factions with the aim of “filling the gaps” in the
next stage of the agreement
Palestinian Prisoners’ Society voices concern over detained Gaza hospital
director’s condition
Three sons of Iran’s slain leader Khamenei appear at funeral, not his successor
Prayers offered for Khamenei on day two of funeral ceremonies
British military says cargo ship reports attack in Red Sea
Syria expecting Macron in first post-Assad visit by Western head of state
US Official: Greenland Takeover Is the Only Solution...Senior Official Reveals
Other Options Still Under Consideration
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials
from miscellaneous sources published on 05-06 July/2026
The Houthi rabbit hole/Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq
Al-Awsat,/July 05, 2026
The Gulf’s delicate, multilayered approach to Iran/Hassan Al-Mustafa/Ar5ab
News/July 05, 2026
Minjez, Akkar: A Town Where History, Faith, and Nature Meet in One Scene/Maiz
Obeid/Nidaa Al Watan/July 6, 2026
Israel and Lebanon cannot afford another false dawn/Yossi Mekelberg/Arab
News/July 05/2026
Hezbollah and the Maps of Regional Influence Under Fire/Tariq Abu Zeinab/Nidaa
Al Watan/July 6, 2026
Between Al-Sharaa's Interview and Al-Shaibani's Visit/Nadim Qoteish/Asas
Media/July 6, 2026
Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on 05-06 July/2026
Conscience in Faith Concepts: The Divine Voice
Dwelling in Man
Elias Bejjani/July 05/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/146391/
The study of conscience in the evangelical tradition is not merely an inquiry in
psychology or ethics, but a spiritual journey to explore the intimate
relationship between Creator and creature. Conscience, in its essence, is not
simply a human feeling or a product of social upbringing, but the Divine voice
dwelling in man—the presence of God guiding us to discern between good and evil.
It is the inner compass placed by the Creator in every human heart to be the
“judge” of thoughts and actions.
Conscience as a Divine Compass and Grace
Conscience is the “presence of God” within us. This is what distinguishes it
from a mere “feeling of guilt.” Saint John Chrysostom said: “Neither fame, nor
wealth, nor authority, nor bodily strength, nor a splendid table, nor elegant
clothes, nor any other human distinction can bring true happiness; but all these
come from a pure conscience.” This teaching affirms that true happiness springs
from inward harmony with God’s will, realized only through a straight
conscience. Christ likened conscience to the eye, saying:
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole
body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full
of darkness.” (Matthew 6:22-23)
Here the “eye” is conscience—pure and undefiled, allowing the light of God to
fill the whole of life.
Conscience as an Inner Witness and the Voice of God
God, who created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:27), did not
abandon him in the face of trials. He gave him conscience as a living voice, a
witness warning and restraining him—a kind of inner adversary against evil
intentions. Christ in the Sermon on the Mount said:
“Agree with your adversary quickly… lest your adversary deliver you to the
judge.” (Matthew 5:25)
This “adversary” is the conscience, confronting our wrongful desires to bring us
back to repentance before standing in divine judgment. The Apostle Paul
emphasized this truth, showing that conscience serves as a law written in the
heart even for the nations that did not receive the written Law: “For when
Gentiles, who do not have the Law, by nature do the things in the Law, these,
although not having the Law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the
Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between
themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.” (Romans 2:14-15)
The Relationship Between Conscience and Freedom
In Christian understanding, freedom is not liberation from God but liberation
from sin. Jesus said:
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Conscience directs and guards freedom. Neglect of conscience turns freedom into
demonic chaos leading to moral and social corruption. True freedom, however, is
the fruit of the Holy Spirit, freeing man from slavery to passions. Paul
declared:
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are
lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians
6:12)
Thus, a pure conscience empowers man to exercise freedom responsibly, without
falling captive to desires, while considering the weakness of others:
“Conscience, I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty
judged by another man’s conscience?” (1 Corinthians 10:29)
Conscience and Shame as Signs of Spiritual Life
Shame is the fruit of a living conscience. When man feels guilt, it is proof his
conscience is still listening to God’s voice. After the Fall, Adam and Eve felt
fear and shame:
“I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I
hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10)
Likewise, when Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees,
“Those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one,
beginning with the oldest even to the last.” (John 8:9)
The Apostle Paul warns against a “seared conscience”: “Speaking lies in
hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:2)
The death of conscience is the greatest spiritual danger—losing the ability to
hear God’s voice, leading to corruption and destruction.
The Saving Dimension of Conscience
A pure conscience leads to the Kingdom, for it brings repentance and holiness.
True peace comes only through forgiveness and the cleansing of conscience. Paul
proclaims:
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve
the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14)
Baptism is not merely an external washing but the renewal of conscience:
“There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
The Christian Mission of Conscience
The believer is called to maintain a pure conscience and bear witness to truth
in a world that justifies sin under false slogans. Paul declared:
“This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense
toward God and men.” (Acts 24:16)
And again: “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we
conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:12)
Conscience in the Qur’anic Understanding: The Voice of God Within Man
Surah Ash-Shams (91:7–8)
Qur’anic text: {وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا • فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا}/Interpretive
translation in Arabic: By the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it
with its wickedness and its righteousness.
Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:2)
Qur’anic text: {وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ}/Interpretive
translation in Arabic: And I swear by the self-reproaching soul — the one that
reproaches its owner and blames him for his deeds.
Surah Al-Hashr (59:18)
Qur’anic text: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ
نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: O you who
believe, fear Allah, and let every soul look to what it has sent forth for
tomorrow (the Day of Judgment).
Surah Al-Infitar (82:10–12)
Qur’anic text: {وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَافِظِينَ • كِرَامًا كَاتِبِينَ •
يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: Indeed, over
you are appointed guardians, noble recorders, who know whatever you do.
Surah Qaf (50:16)
Qur’anic text: {وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ
نَفْسُهُ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: We have certainly created man, and
We know what his soul whispers within him.
Surah Al-Isra (17:14)
Qur’anic text: {اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَى بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا}/Interpretive
translation in Arabic: Read your book; sufficient are you today against yourself
as reckoner.
Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:30)
Qur’anic text: {يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُحْضَرًا
وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ سُوءٍ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: On that Day,
every soul will find present whatever good it has done, and whatever evil it has
done.
Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7–8)
Qur’anic text: {فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ • وَمَنْ
يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ}/Interpretive translation in Arabic: So
whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s
weight of evil will see it.
Surah At-Takwir (81:14) Qur’anic text: {عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَا أَحْضَرَتْ}
Interpretive translation in Arabic: Then every soul will know what it has
brought forth.
Conclusion
In both the Bible and the Qur’an, conscience is understood as the inner voice of
God.
In Scripture: a witness of truth, guiding freedom, convicting of sin, and
leading to holiness.
In the Qur’an: the self-reproaching soul, the divine inspiration within man,
God’s knowledge of hidden thoughts, and the call to a pure heart.
Conscience, therefore, is the sacred meeting point between Creator and creature.
Whoever keeps his conscience pure lives in God’s light and tastes already the
pledge of the Kingdom. Whoever silences his conscience becomes enslaved to sin
and strays from God.
Let us pray to preserve this divine voice within us—alive, active, and obeyed—so
that our lives may glorify God and lead us into His eternal presence.
The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com
**Elias Bejjani
Canadian-Lebanese Human Rights activist, journalist and political commentator
Email phoenicia@hotmail.com &
media.lccc@gmail.com
The Framework Agreement Between Lebanon and the State of Israel Is the
Last Opportunity to Liberate Lebanon from Iranian Occupation, and Israel Is a
Friend, Not an Enemy
Elias Bejjani/July 03/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155769/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZTjdmjXhEk&t=3s
The essence of Lebanon’s crisis is no longer hidden from anyone. The problem is
neither a disputed border issue, nor a temporary internal political
disagreement, nor a governance crisis that can be resolved through another
short-lived compromise. The core of the crisis is that Lebanon has been under
the hegemony of the Iranian jihadist and imperial project for decades, through
its terrorist army composed of Lebanese mercenaries falsely and blasphemously
called "Hezbollah."
Hezbollah is not an ordinary Lebanese political party with which Lebanese
citizens may agree or disagree. It is, in every practical sense, an Iranian army
of Lebanese mercenaries operating on Lebanese soil and implementing an agenda
that has nothing to do with the concept of the Lebanese state or the interests
of the Lebanese people. Without this Iranian mercenary army, Lebanon would not
have become a failed state, its institutions would not have collapsed, its
sovereignty would not have been confiscated, and its strategic decisions would
not have become hostage to the will of the rulers in Tehran.
For this reason, the Framework Agreement signed under American sponsorship
between the State of Israel and the Lebanese government carries exceptional
significance that goes far beyond its security or border-related dimensions.
This agreement is not merely a technical arrangement. It represents a historic
turning point that opens the door to restoring Lebanese sovereignty,
reestablishing state authority over all Lebanese territory, and bringing an end
to the era of Hezbollah's occupation.
The Lebanese government must implement this agreement in full, without clever
maneuvering, political gamesmanship, evasions, or attempts to buy time. The era
of political maneuvering is over. There is no longer room for the traditional
tactics that Lebanon’s ruling class has perfected for decades. What is required
is the actual and practical implementation of all obligations undertaken by the
Lebanese state, alongside the full enforcement of international resolutions and
the elimination of all illegal weapons outside state authority.
Any attempt to obstruct the implementation of the agreement or strip it of its
substance will lead to only one outcome: Israel remaining in the South and
Lebanon continuing as a state with incomplete sovereignty under Hezbollah’s
domination. Neither the international community is prepared to turn back the
clock, nor is the United States willing to tolerate further delays, and Israel
will not accept a return to the reality that enabled Hezbollah to transform
southern Lebanon into an advanced Iranian military base.
The current reality that many in Lebanon and the Arab and Islamic countries are
trying to ignore, whether out of fear, subservience, sectarianism, or ideology,
is that the vital interests of Israel and those of a free, sovereign, and
independent Lebanon have converged in an unprecedented way. Israel seeks the
permanent removal of the Iranian threat from its northern border, while Lebanon
seeks liberation from the disguised Iranian occupation that has usurped its
state, its decision-making process, and its future. At this specific point, the
interests of both countries, Lebanon and Israel, meet directly and unmistakably.
The past years have demonstrated that the Lebanese state is incapable, on its
own, of confronting the military machine that Hezbollah has built with massive
Iranian support. Experience has also proven that all efforts at accommodation,
dialogue, and internal political settlements have failed. Therefore, the
Framework Agreement—with its American sponsorship, international guarantees, and
new realities on the ground—represents the most serious opportunity in decades
to end Hezbollah’s occupation and control over Lebanon’s national
decision-making process.
As for the rhetoric still promoted by Hezbollah and its media mouthpieces
regarding victories, resistance, and so-called steadfastness, it has collapsed
under the weight of reality. After decades of slogans, Lebanon has harvested
nothing but destruction, economic collapse, isolation, poverty, emigration, and
the loss of sovereignty. The so-called “Axis of Resistance” has brought Lebanon
nothing except deeper dependence on Iran and additional wars and confrontations
that do not serve Lebanon’s national interests.
The liberation of Lebanon begins by acknowledging the reality and truth as is:
Hezbollah is an Iranian mercenary army controlling Lebanon’s sovereign
decision-making process through force, intimidation, terrorism, criminality, and
fully occupying the country. Therefored the Framework Agreement provides the
most realistic path toward ending this occupation and restoring the authority of
the state. Any delay in implementation will only prolong the crisis and deepen
the suffering of the Lebanese people.
Today, Lebanon faces a clear historic choice that leaves no room for ambiguity:
either a free, sovereign, and independent state that governs itself and honors
its international commitments, or continued submission to Iranian jihadist and
malign schemes through Hezbollah. Unless the Lebanese state makes its choice
through action rather than words, Lebanon will remain captive to Iranian
domination regardless of changing slogans and political narratives.
As for the opposition to the Framework Agreement by figures such as Nabih Berri,
Walid Jumblatt, Suleiman Frangieh, Gebran Bassil, and others who oppose
Lebanon’s sovereignty for whatever reason, they should be held politically and
legally accountable for positions and actions that have contributed to
undermining Lebanese sovereignty and perpetuating foreign influence over the
country.
In conclusion, Israel stands today as the only power capable of helping liberate
Lebanon from the grip of Iranian-backed jihadist occupation. Consequently, from
both a strategic standpoint and the perspective of Lebanon’s true national
interest, Israel should be openly recognized as a vital partner and friend
rather than an adversary.
The message is clear: anyone invested in Lebanon's future and genuinely
dedicated to its liberation must now listen and act.
**The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website:
https://eliasbejjaninews.com
Wrong.
Abu Arz/Face Book/July 05/2025
Appointing the Minister of Defense to represent the Presidency of the Republic
at the funeral of Supreme Leader Khamenei was a mistaken decision. It offended
free Lebanese and the friends of Lebanon who seek to liberate the country from
the grip of the Iranian occupation.
This Supreme Leader left no means of destroying Lebanon unused. His era was
marked by the shedding of Lebanese blood and by devastation and destruction
beyond all imagination.
The question remains:
When will we build a state that rejects the politics of appeasement, flattery,
and begging?
A state that stands up for the dignity of its people and avenges the blood of
its sons and daughters.
Otherwise, those who build, build in vain.
Here I am, Lebanon.
Abu Arz
Victims of the Hezbollah wars on Israel: kill 4,304 and
injure 12,203 since March 2, Health Ministry says
LCCC/July 05/2025
the cumulative toll of vitims due the Hezbollah wars on Israel since March 2 has
reached 4,304 killed and 12,203 injured as of July 5.
Israeli army says killed armed militant in south Lebanon
Agence France Presse/July 05/2025
The Israeli military said on Saturday that it killed an armed militant in the
"security zone" under its control in south Lebanon. "Earlier today (Saturday),
IDF (Israeli army) soldiers identified an armed terrorist operating inside the
Security Zone, in the Majdal Zoun area in southern Lebanon," the military said
in a statement, adding that troops "opened fire at" the militant and, after
conducting "extensive searches", then "eliminated" him. Lebanon's state-run
National News Agency (NNA) said an Israeli helicopter carried out "a broad sweep
operation on the outskirts" of Majdal Zoun and launched five missiles towards
the village, without specifying a target or immediately reporting casualties.
The NNA also reported on Saturday that an Israeli strike on the village of
Mansouri wounded one person, and reported Israeli artillery shelling elsewhere.
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 with rocket fire at
Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in U.S.-Israeli strikes
days earlier. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion of
southern Lebanon, where its troops still occupy swathes of territory near the
border. At the end of June, Lebanon and Israel agreed to a U.S.-backed framework
aiming to pave the way for a permanent end to hostilities.
Israeli army chief urges Lebanese army to implement
commitments, disarm Hezbollah in South Lebanon
LBCI/July 05/2025
Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said from the heights of the Beaufort
Castle area in southern Lebanon that the Lebanese army must fulfill its
commitments under what he described as a “historic agreement” and work to clear
the region of Hezbollah elements. According to Israeli military spokesperson
Avichay Adraee, Zamir said the Beaufort Castle area is a “commanding position
filled with terrorist infrastructure,” adding that Hezbollah, with Iranian
funding and direction over decades, had established underground systems and
tunnels in the area aimed at threatening northern Israeli towns. He said Israeli
forces currently control key above-ground positions as well as underground
routes and facilities. Zamir added that the Lebanese army must implement its
commitments under the agreement and “cleanse the area of Hezbollah elements,”
while the Israeli army would continue to act forcefully to remove threats from
Lebanese territory and remain ready to launch a rapid offensive in case of any
ceasefire violations. He said Israel’s military achievements had significantly
weakened Hezbollah, which he described as exhausted and defeated in all its
confrontations with Israeli forces.
Netanyahu says some Lebanese Christian villages 'asked to
be annexed' by Israel
LBCI/July 05/2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that some Christian
villages in southern Lebanon had asked to be annexed by Israel, in order to be
protected from Hezbollah militants.
"Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed
to Israel, because we protect them against Hezbollah, Hezbollah fanatics who
want to kill them, and we do the same things with Christians everywhere,"
Netanyahu told Fox News's show, The Sunday Briefing. AFP
Southern Lebanon withdrawal expected within weeks as Israel advances security
plan
LBCI/July 05/2025
The Israeli army is expected to withdraw from two pilot areas in southern
Lebanon within one to three weeks, transferring control to the Lebanese army
under U.S. supervision led by Gen. Joseph Clearfield, commander of the U.S.
Marine Forces in U.S. Central Command. During a meeting with the U.S. general,
who is currently in Israel, the Israeli military presented a plan for the two
pilot areas, outlining the scope of the withdrawal, the evacuation process and
the transfer of control to the Lebanese army. The plan will be presented by
Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to the Israeli security Cabinet for
approval. In addition to the withdrawal plan, Israel is seeking to establish a
joint monitoring mechanism involving the Israeli and Lebanese armies to oversee
the implementation of the ceasefire. The mechanism would initially apply to the
two pilot areas before expanding to other locations that have not yet been
specified. According to the Israeli proposal, the coordination mechanism would
include U.S. military personnel serving under the command of Clearfield, who are
expected to arrive in the region next week. Israel is also seeking U.S. approval
of the Lebanese personnel who would participate in the monitoring mechanism,
citing concerns that sensitive information could reach Hezbollah, according to
an Israeli official, who claimed this was one of the reasons the previous
ceasefire monitoring mechanism failed in 2024. As preparations continue to
implement the "Framework Agreement" between Lebanon and Israel, the Israeli
military continues to operate in southern Lebanon with what is described as
broad operational freedom and daily violations. Among the latest developments,
Zamir visited Beaufort Castle, where he called on the Lebanese army to fulfill
its commitments regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah, warning of a swift
military response if the ceasefire is violated.
Billboards marking US Independence anniversary spark debate in Lebanon: The
details
LBCI/July 05/2025
Billboards displayed across Lebanon to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S.
independence have sparked debate on social media, with many questioning who was
behind the campaign. The campaign was not unique to Lebanon. Similar initiatives
were held in several countries with close ties to the United States. The United
Arab Emirates, France, Britain and other countries participated in aerial
displays across various U.S. states as part of the celebrations marking the
anniversary. In Istanbul, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge was illuminated in the
colors of the U.S. flag, while in Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit to commemorate
the occasion. Japan held one of the largest celebrations, with a drone show
illuminating the night sky and forming images of the U.S. flag, the Statue of
Liberty and the American bald eagle, highlighting the relationship between the
former wartime adversaries and current allies, Japan and the United States. In
Lebanon, where political loyalties have historically been divided among external
powers in search of support and backing, the campaign quickly became the subject
of online debate. The reaction was amplified because it followed the "Thank You,
Iran" campaign, whose billboards were removed and replaced with the "Lebanon
First" campaign. Some users on X viewed the billboards saluting the United
States as an attempt to draw closer to Washington, while others responded
sarcastically, with comments suggesting the campaign reflected concerns about
potential U.S. sanctions. The campaign also renewed questions about who was
behind the billboards. The display reflects a familiar scene in Lebanon, where
public spaces have long served as platforms for political messaging tied to
competing regional and international alignments. Such campaigns are likely to
continue as long as internal divisions and competing foreign loyalties persist,
and as long as support for the Lebanese state remains secondary to those rival
political affiliations.
Aoun: I'm not fond of Israel, but give me another solution
Naharnet/July 05/2025
President Joseph Aoun has said he is "not fond of Israel," while noting that
direct negotiations with it are the only way to pull Lebanon out of war and
hostilities. "I tell you, I am not fond of Israel, but give me another solution,
whatever it may be, and I will proceed with it," Aoun told a group of
journalists, according to Al-Jadeed TV. He added: "To those who oppose this
framework, I say I am waiting for any solution or agreement that will get us out
of wars." Regarding the possible collapse of the framework agreement reached in
Washington, Aoun asserted that "the circumstances today are different from the
era of May 17 (1983), and we mustn't forget that everyone contacted me and
endorsed these steps." Hezbollah has strongly rejected the framework agreement,
noting that it serves Israel's interest and calling instead to benefit from the
Iranian-U.S. agreement to end war on all fronts in the region.
President Aoun congratulates Algeria on Independence Day
LBCI/July 05/2025
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun sent a congratulatory message to Algerian
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the anniversary of Algeria's Independence Day,
emphasizing the deep ties between Lebanon and Algeria. In his message, Aoun
said: “On the occasion of the anniversary of your glorious Independence Day, I
am pleased, on behalf of myself and the Lebanese people, to extend my warmest
congratulations and best wishes to Your Excellency and to the brotherly Algerian
people.’’
He continued, “As we commemorate this cherished national occasion, which
embodies the sacrifices of the Algerian people in their pursuit of freedom and
sovereignty, we reaffirm our pride in the historic fraternal relations between
Lebanon and Algeria and our steadfast commitment to strengthening and expanding
them across various fields for the benefit of both countries and their brotherly
peoples.’’
Hope amid destruction: Litani River becomes strategic frontline in
Israel-Hezbollah war
LBCI/July 05/2025
Once described by the United Nations as the "key to Lebanon's future" because of
the country's full sovereignty over its waters, the Litani River has taken on a
very different significance in 2026. It has become a strategic focal point
in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, serving as a critical link between the
Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon. From Israel's perspective, the Bekaa Valley
functions as a key supply route for Hezbollah toward the south. As a result,
villages in the western Bekaa located along both banks of the Litani River have
suffered extensive destruction and casualties during the conflict. Among the
hardest-hit communities is the town of Sohmor, which has emerged as one of the
most devastated areas in the western Bekaa. According to local figures, Israeli
strikes killed 93 people in the town alone, while widespread destruction has
left much of the community in ruins. The scale of the damage reflects the
intensity of the military campaign. A total of 181 housing units were completely
destroyed, and another 95 sustained partial damage. The economic impact has also
been severe, with 85 businesses leveled and 71 others partially damaged. Despite
the devastation, most residents have returned to the town, unwilling to face
prolonged displacement. However, basic living conditions remain difficult as
debris still fills the streets and electricity has yet to be restored to more
than 100 homes. The neighboring town of Yohmor has endured similar destruction,
although on a somewhat smaller scale. Artillery shells damaged the walls and
laboratories of the public school, undermining the building's structural
integrity, while Israeli airstrikes destroyed homes, businesses and livelihoods
built over decades, including investments made by residents after years of
working abroad. As reconstruction remains a distant prospect, residents across
the western Bekaa say they are focused on overcoming the consequences of war and
rebuilding their communities. Above all, they hope for lasting security that
will allow their towns, once known for their vibrant social life, to recover and
thrive once again.
Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas attend Khamenei funeral
ceremonies
Agence France Presse/July 05/2025
Representatives of Tehran-backed militant groups attended the funeral ceremonies
of slain Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday, with envoys from
Hezbollah and Hamas meeting with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, state media
reported. Tehran has for years provided support to Palestinian Hamas, Lebanon's
Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels -- all designated "terrorist" groups by the
United States and other Western nations, making Iran the target of international
sanctions. Iran has dubbed its anti-Israel network of allies, which also
includes armed groups in Iraq, the "axis of resistance".The Hezbollah delegation
to Tehran was headed by senior official and former minister Mohammed Fneish, and
included officials and families of killed and wounded members, the group told
Lebanese media. Hamas, meanwhile, said in a statement that its delegation was
led by the head of its political bureau, Mohammed Darwish, and included other
bureau members such as Bassem Naim. In July 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, then the
political leader of Hamas, was killed in his accommodation in Tehran in an
Israeli operation after he attended the inauguration ceremony for Iranian
President Masoud Pezeshkian. Also attending Saturday's ceremonies in Tehran were
Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the leader of the Palestinian militant group and Hamas ally
Islamic Jihad, and senior Houthi member Dhaif Allah al-Shami, state TV reported.
Most foreign officials and dignitaries paid their respects on Friday to Khamenei,
who ruled Iran from 1989 and was killed aged 86 along with several members of
his family and top officials in a U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28, triggering
the war in the Middle East. On Saturday, crowds of people gathered at the Grand
Mosalla religious complex in the Iranian capital to bid farewell to the late
supreme leader who had the final say in major state policies during his tenure.
Israeli Prime Minister Awaits Trump's Decision to Storm
a Fortified Hezbollah Base!
Agencies, July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Israeli sources revealed to Channel 15 that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu is awaiting a "green light" from US President Donald Trump to launch a
military operation aimed at seizing a fortified, underground Hezbollah base
located in the strategic Ali al-Taher Heights, east of Nabatieh in southern
Lebanon. The sources indicated that the US president asked Netanyahu to postpone
the operation for the time being, coinciding with ongoing negotiations with the
Iranian side. According to Israeli military estimates, the fortified site houses
between 30 and 40 members of Hezbollah's Badr Unit, including several commanders
who remain inside the underground facility.
Six Previous Israeli Attacks Fail
These developments come after a series of failed military attempts; Reports
confirmed the failure of six Israeli military attacks aimed at capturing this
strategic hilltop. These attacks coincided with the periods before and after the
ceasefire agreement came into effect last month, forcing Israeli forces to
retreat and redeploy to the hill's periphery.
The Strategic Importance of Ali al-Taher Hill
Ali al-Taher Hill holds significant military importance in the calculations on
the ground in southern Lebanon, characterized by the following:
Geographical Overview: The hill directly overlooks vast areas of Nabatieh and
the Iqlim al-Tuffah region. Visual Range: It provides advanced visual
surveillance of large parts of southern Lebanon, reaching areas close to the
border.
Military Depth: Tel Aviv asserts that the area contains fortified underground
installations and sites that have historically been used for surveillance and
military operations due to its commanding position.
Video and Photos - Zamir from the Beaufort Castle Heights: We are ready for a
swift attack in Lebanon... and Hezbollah is exhausted and defeated
Al-Markazia/July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the Beaufort (Beaufort) mountain range
this morning, Sunday, accompanied by Northern Command chief Major General Rafi
Milo, 36th Division commander Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin, the Golani
Brigade commander, the Commando Brigade commander, the 7th Brigade commander,
the Yahalom Unit commander, and other commanders.
[The following appears to be a separate, unrelated statement:] ...
https://x.com/CaptainElla1/status/2073739054642802802/video/1
Zamir said: “The Beaufort region is a strategic location that dominates its
surroundings and is riddled with terrorist infrastructure. For decades, the
terrorist group Hezbollah, with Iranian funding and direction, has built
extensive networks of tunnels and underground infrastructure to threaten towns
in the north. Today, our forces control the key above-ground positions, as well
as these underground systems.” He added: “It is essential that the Lebanese Army
fulfill its commitment to the historic agreement that was signed and work to
clear the area of Hezbollah saboteurs. At the same time, the IDF will continue
to act decisively to remove all threats from Lebanese territory and is prepared
to launch a swift offensive if the ceasefire is violated. Our forces’ activities
in the Beaufort Mountains and in southern Lebanon in general are conducted in
accordance with the principles of the agreement and the mechanisms agreed upon
thereunder, within the framework of the ongoing effort to remove threats to the
residents of our northern towns. We continue to act in defense of the residents
of the north, and the instructions are clear: any threat to our forces or our
towns must be attacked immediately with the aim of eliminating it.” He
continued: “To the soldiers of the 36th Division – your operation was offensive;
you crossed the Litani River and surprised the enemy. The agreement that was
signed was achieved thanks to the fighters and the operations overseen by the
Northern Command in cooperation with all the units operating in the area. The
military achievements you recorded have weakened the exhausted Hezbollah, which
has been defeated in every battle and confrontation it has had with our forces,
and now looks to its Iranian patron for salvation.”
https://x.com/i/status/2073739054642802802
Israeli Attack on Ali al-Taher Heights, Targeting Two
Hezbollah Members... Preparations Underway for "Experimental Zones"
Al-Markazia/July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Reports, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (Kan), indicate
progress in preparations for the next phase of the Israeli army's withdrawal
from areas in southern Lebanon. This includes direct American involvement in
coordinating the operation and establishing a joint mechanism to oversee the
implementation of the ceasefire and the transfer of responsibility to the
Lebanese army. In the latest developments, Israel's Channel 12 reported on
Sunday that the Israeli army launched an attack in the Ali al-Taher Heights area
of southern Lebanon. It added that the Upper Galilee Regional Council informed
residents that they would hear explosions as a result of the attacks in southern
Lebanon. Channel 14 also reported, citing sources, that the Israeli army
launched two airstrikes targeting two Hezbollah members who it said posed a
threat to its forces in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority
announced that the airstrikes in Nabatieh al-Fawqa targeted Hezbollah elements
outside the Green Line who posed a threat. Earlier in the day, Israeli warplanes
launched an airstrike targeting the al-Hariq neighborhood between the towns of
Kfar Tebnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa. An enemy drone dropped a sonic bomb on the
town of al-Mansouri in the Tyre district. Enemy artillery shelling was also
reported in the vicinity of the town of al-Qantara. This afternoon, the Israeli
army carried out extensive bombing operations in the towns of Beit Yahoun and
Qounine in the Bint Jbeil district. An Israeli helicopter conducted a
reconnaissance operation in the town of Majdal Zoun in the Tyre district. Enemy
drones were reported flying at low altitude over the city of Baalbek and
surrounding villages. Drone activity was also observed over villages and towns
surrounding Tyre. Artillery shelling targeted the towns of Barashit and Deir
Siryan. Additionally, an Israeli aircraft dropped two sonic bombs over the town
of Hadatha in the Bint Jbeil district. Meanwhile, widespread fires broke out
between the towns of Hanawiya, Qana, and Al-Ramadiya in Tyre, as firefighting
teams continued their efforts to extinguish the flames and prevent their spread
to neighboring areas. The cause of the fires remains unknown. Israeli warplanes
also flew over the southern suburbs of Beirut and over the city of Sidon and its
eastern outskirts. The Israeli army also carried out a number of bombings of
residential areas and demolished houses in several towns, most recently in the
town of Tallousa in the Marjeyoun district last night.
Hezbollah’s Decision to Oust President Aoun
Jean Al-Faghali/Nidaa Al-Watan/July 6, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
The issue is no longer confined to activists, influencers, and social media
platforms; it has become Hezbollah’s official position, expressed through its
official media outlets. The terminology used leaves no doubt that Hezbollah has
begun the process of “withdrawing its recognition” of President Aoun, paving the
way for his isolation and, if possible, his removal. Hezbollah does not refer to
Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic, but rather as “Head of the Lebanese
Negotiating Authority.” Hezbollah is not content with merely withdrawing its
recognition of the president; it has entered a phase of using derisive language,
speaking of General Aoun's "presidential arrogance" and claiming that "the
president wants to recite the justifications of his advisors." Hezbollah also
speaks of the "national failure of his rule," concluding that "this is an
authoritarian logic that continues to belittle the intelligence of the Lebanese
people, not just their blood and sacrifices, and wants them to believe pathetic
justifications that are even more disappointing than the agreement itself." When
Hezbollah stoops to this level in its discourse with the president, it means it
has severed all ties with him and embarked on a path of denying his legitimacy.
Everyone knows that the "framework agreement" signed in Washington is not just
ink on paper; it is the "journey of a thousand miles" that begins with a
signature, and simply stating that it doesn't exist is insufficient to render it
meaningless. Hezbollah has appointed itself the "authority to interpret the
agreement," stripping President Aoun of this role, asking: "Who didn't
understand the terms of the framework agreement and its disastrous consequences?
The Lebanese people or those negotiating falsely in their name?" With this
characterization, Hezbollah is effectively rejecting everything that will result
from the agreement. This plunges the country into a genuine confrontation,
operating on two parallel tracks: the negotiation track, represented by the
President, and the rejection of negotiations, represented by Hezbollah and
Speaker Berri. Which track will ultimately prevail? This is the major challenge.
What seems clear, from public pronouncements and from the atmosphere and
discussions held away from the media spotlight, is that President Aoun is
committed to the negotiation option, because the alternative is the continuation
of the war, which has already entered its second thousand days. Convincing the
Lebanese people of the merits of negotiation is easier than convincing them to
continue the war. And, in the first place, did Hezbollah consult the Lebanese
people before dragging them into the inferno of war? At least President Aoun
speaks to the Lebanese people, while Hezbollah leads them down a path of
self-destruction without consulting them.
Netanyahu Attacks Hezbollah: It Blesses the Iran Deal and Rejects Ours
Al-Markazia/July 6, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that "Hezbollah blesses the
agreement with Iran and attacks the agreement we reached," considering this to
reflect the party's stance on regional developments. Netanyahu added, "We
obtained legitimacy to remain along the Green Line in southern Lebanon," and
continued, "US President Donald Trump did not ask us not to act against
Hezbollah's tunnels." Regarding Gaza, Netanyahu said, "The threat emanating from
Gaza has been eliminated," noting that "Israel has achieved its security
objectives in the Strip." He affirmed that "the residents of Gaza have the
freedom to choose between leaving or staying, provided they do not pose a
threat," as he put it. Netanyahu also emphasized that "there will be no
reconstruction of the Gaza Strip before the dismament.
What is the truth about some Christian border villages
requesting to join Israel?
Al-Markazia/July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Following a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he
claimed that some Lebanese Christian towns had "requested to be annexed" to
Israel, municipalities, mukhtars, and community leaders from Christian border
villages in southern Lebanon issued a statement categorically denying the
veracity of "what some media outlets have reported regarding leaders from these
villages approaching Israeli officials to request the annexation of their
villages and the granting of Israeli citizenship to their residents." They
described this information as "fabricated and completely unfounded." She
affirmed that "these circulating claims are completely baseless," emphasizing
that the residents of the border villages are committed to the Lebanese state
and its legitimacy, and have not deviated from this position despite the
difficult circumstances imposed by the war. Since the outbreak of the war, these
villages have been keen to coordinate with Lebanese authorities, religious
leaders, and international bodies to keep humanitarian corridors open, ensuring
continued communication with the Lebanese interior and its legitimate state
institutions and agencies. The residents of the Christian border villages are
proud of their national belonging and hold fast to their homeland, Lebanon, as
their final homeland. They see no alternative to their Lebanese identity and
reject any attempts to distort their positions or exploit their suffering to
serve agendas that have no connection to them. What is being circulated falls
within the realm of fabricated news aimed at harming the residents of the border
villages and sowing discord, reiterating their commitment to the Lebanese state
and its national choices. The villages that signed the statement are: Alma al-Shaab,
Qouzah, Dibil, Rmeish, Ain Ebel, Deir Mimas, Burj al-Muluk, Qlaiaa, Sarda,
Jdeidet Marjeyoun, Ibl al-Saqi, Koukba, Bouida, Rashaya al-Foukhar, and Abu
Qamha. Netanyahu had previously stated that some Christian towns in Lebanon had
"requested annexation" to Israel.
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu explained, "I must tell you that we
also care about our friends, especially the Christians in the Middle East. Some
Christian villages in Lebanon have indeed asked to be annexed to Israel because
we protect them from Hezbollah militants who want to kill them. We do the same
for Christians everywhere." Netanyahu did not elaborate further.
Qalibaf to Hezbollah Delegation: Peace in Lebanon and the Region Can Only Be
Achieved Through Iran
Al-Markazia/July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, during a meeting with several
senior Hezbollah officials, stated: "The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
contains clear guidelines and fundamental principles, foremost among them the
protection of the Islamic Republic of Iran's allies in the Resistance Front and
Lebanon." He added, "Peace in Lebanon and the region can only be achieved
through Iran's approach." IRNA reported that Qalibaf received Mohammad Fneish, a
prominent Hezbollah leader, and his accompanying delegation on Sunday, where the
two sides discussed the latest developments. During the meeting, the Speaker
welcomed the Lebanese delegation, expressing his gratitude for their
participation in the funeral of the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Referring to his extensive knowledge of developments in Lebanon, he said,
"Hezbollah's resistance in the last war constituted a pivotal historical moment
and demonstrated to the world the unbreakable bond between the resistance
factions and the Islamic Republic of Iran." He emphasized that "the Islamic
Republic of Iran's support for the Resistance Front in general, and for
Hezbollah in particular, is an Islamic and revolutionary duty," adding, "Given
that the United States has always been an unreliable and untrustworthy party, we
maintained our fundamental principles and red lines during the negotiations, and
the issue of the Resistance Front and Lebanon is one of our most prominent red
lines."
The head of the Iranian negotiating delegation referred to the negotiations that
led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, explaining that Iran's primary
insistence before signing was the inclusion of the principle of ending the war
against its allies in the Resistance Front within the text of the memorandum,
and that the Islamic Republic never wavered from this position. The Speaker of
the Islamic Consultative Assembly added, "We also stressed the necessity of
preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. After intensive
efforts and follow-up, it was ultimately agreed to implement Articles 1, 3, 4,
5, 10, and 11 as binding clauses within Article 13 of the Memorandum of
Understanding."
Qalibaf added, "The enemy realized that achieving peace in the region, Lebanon,
and West Asia is only possible through the Islamic Republic of Iran." He
emphasized, "We are negotiating with them frankly and from a position of
strength and resistance, and we assure the countries of the region that America
and the Zionist entity neither bring them security nor empower them." He
continued, "The countries of the region now realize that security and economic
development depend on cooperation among them. We sincerely believe that Islamic
countries must stand together and overcome their differences." For his part,
Fneish expressed his appreciation to Qalibaf for his active role on the
diplomatic front, saying, "I would like to emphasize that we are not guests in
Iran, but rather we are part of the Islamic Revolution." He added, "The martyred
leader of the Islamic Revolution was a mentor and guide in the growth of
Hezbollah and a leader of the entire Islamic nation. Our relationship with the
Islamic Republic of Iran has always been a fraternal one based on religious and
revolutionary ties." The prominent Hezbollah leader pointed to the depth of
these relations. He said: “The victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran was a
victory for all Muslims worldwide. When the Lebanese people were suffering the
ravages of war in 1982, Imam Khomeini directed the deployment of the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard to Lebanon to support them. Thanks to that leadership and
the loyalty of our brothers in Lebanon, that country became the first to force
the Zionist entity to withdraw. This is precisely why Iran and Lebanon are
subjected to these pressures.” Fneish concluded: “We believe that the cessation
of hostilities in Lebanon was achieved thanks to the intervention of the Islamic
Republic of Iran and the compelling of the United States and the Zionist entity
to implement the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, and that a final end
to the war will only be achieved through this path.”
Patriarch Rai from Diman: Lebanon Must Not Be the Price of Any Regional or
International Agreement, Nor Become an Arena for Settling Conflicts
National News Agency/July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
In hissermon yesterday at the Diman Church, Patriarch Rai stated: "At the same
time, it is noteworthy that many voices around the world have reaffirmed the
importance of Lebanon and its unique role, emphasizing that preserving a free,
sovereign, and independent Lebanon is also preserving the free and active
Christian presence in this region. This is not an issue that concerns Christians
alone, but rather an issue that pertains to the mission of all of Lebanon,
because this nation has been and will remain a space for freedom, an oasis of
coexistence, and a model for dialogue between religions and cultures. When
Lebanon is preserved, this mission is preserved with it, and when its freedom
and sovereignty are safeguarded, Christians, along with all their partners in
the nation, will remain able to continue their historical mission of serving
humanity and defending human dignity, freedom, and openness. Therefore, Lebanon
must not be the price of any regional or international agreement, nor be
transformed into an arena for settling conflicts, but rather The land of the
message, which bears witness to freedom, must remain a beacon to the East,
carrying the hope of coexistence, dialogue, and peace. He concluded: “Let us
pray, brothers and sisters: Lord Jesus, Lord of the harvest, we ask you to bless
your Church and grant it holy and committed priestly and monastic vocations, so
that the Gospel may remain present in the world, and the harvesters may remain
faithful to their mission. Bless Diman and its people, and bless this summer
season, making it a time of grace, joy, and peace for all who reside there or
visit it. Bless our homeland, Lebanon, with the grace of unity and fraternity,
and make us all witnesses to your love, faithful to our calling, and laborers in
your harvest, so that your name may be glorified everywhere, now and forever.
Amen.”
Archbishop Audeh: Our prayer is that everyone be freed from
the shackles of evil and rise above all that hinders the establishment of peace
in our homeland.
National News Agency/July 5, 2026 (google translation from
Arabic)
In his sermon delivered today at St. George Cathedral, Archbishop Elias Audeh
said: “The Lord Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be
called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9), and the Apostle Paul says, ‘Let the peace
of God reign in your hearts’ (Colossians 3:15). Inner peace gives life meaning
and value, and manifests as love, gentleness, kindness, joy, and patience. It is
a fruit of the Spirit working within us. It is a state of tranquility that
dwells in the heart, a light that elevates us, illuminating the mind, refining
behavior, and guiding us to truth and goodness. When a person is at peace with
themselves, lives in harmony with their conscience and principles, and makes
tolerance their way of life and love their mission, they face life’s
difficulties with steadfastness and spread peace everywhere.” Inner peace
enables a person to overcome anger and selfishness, grudges, fears, and
stubbornness. It is the hidden force that propels them toward dialogue instead
of conflict, forgiveness instead of revenge, and building instead of
destruction. What could be more beautiful than a heart that is a haven of mercy,
a mind that is a beacon of wisdom, and morality that is the guiding principle of
life? The Apostle James says, “Those who work for peace reap the fruit of
righteousness in peace” (3:18). From the peace residing in the human heart
springs the peace of the nation. True peace is not merely the absence of war,
but the rule of justice and humanity; it is a bridge to trust and respect.
Nations are built by the hands of the devoted, the minds of the wise, and the
hearts of those who believe that love is stronger than hatred, unity is more
resilient than division, and truth endures over self-interest. When justice
prevails, respect is firmly established, human dignity is preserved, personal
gain is set aside, and self-interest is sacrificed for the good of the nation,
the nation blossoms with security and peace, its land yields knowledge, work,
and creativity, and it becomes a safe haven for its people. He continued, "The
homeland is not merely borders; it is a memory that preserves history and learns
from it, an identity that safeguards belonging, and a home that unites its
people despite their differing opinions and ideas, provided they are loyal to it
alone. Therefore, the responsibility for maintaining its peace rests on every
individual, from kind words to sincere actions, and from a firm belief that the
advancement of nations is not built on conflicts, wars, extremism, subservience
to foreign powers, clinging to rigid positions, skepticism, and denigration, but
rather on love, humility, cooperation, honesty, admitting mistakes, and
forgiveness." He concluded, "Peace is not imposed by force, but rather instilled
in souls through education and solidified through justice, awareness, and will."
When souls are purified, societies are reformed; when hearts are cleansed,
nations flourish; and when a person triumphs over their own ego and relinquishes
their pride and arrogance, they have triumphed for their homeland. When the sun
of peace shines in hearts, the darkness of hatred, fear, and subservience
dissipates. When peace prevails throughout the land, life blossoms with hope,
and hands join to build a future that sincere hearts yearn for, a future worthy
of future generations—a future where the banners of love are raised high,
dignity is preserved, and the homeland is safe, proud, united, and independent.
Our prayer is that everyone be freed from the shackles of evil and rise above
all that hinders the establishment of peace in our homeland.
A video link for a political commentary by journalist Ali
Hamadeh from his YouTube channel, discussing Khamenei's funeral and "Quranic
diplomacy."
The commentary focuses on the Quranic verses recited upon the
arrival of each delegation that participated in the funeral, and their meanings,
particularly for the Lebanese and Saudi delegations. It also touches on Aoun's
visit to America and developments in southern Lebanon.
The commentary was transcribed, summarized, and written by Elias Bejjani with
complete freedom.
July 5, 2026/(google translation from Arabic)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/155696/
2026 American Mideast Coalition for Democracy Conference
AMCD and LIPA cordially invite you to attend the 2026 American
Mideast Coalition for Democracy Conference Expanding on Abraham Accords:
People-to-People Pathways to Peace
A special one-day conference and lunch event bringing together Middle Eastern
and American Jewish communities. Building on the spirit of the Abraham Accords,
this gathering will expand diplomatic breakthroughs into genuine
people-to-people connections through meaningful dialogue, shared stories,
cultural understanding, and new partnerships. Join us for inspiring
conversations by day and a celebratory banquet by night as we explore our common
heritage and build bridges of hope, friendship, and collaboration in America.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Day Conference Special 1:00 p.m. Lunch Event with Special Guest:
Ambassador Yechiel Leiter
Bellator Hall
213 Pennsylvania Avenue SE | Washington, D.C.
For any questions and to RSVP kindly reach out to Mackenzie Smith
msmith@platform-dc.com | 202-556-1126
The American Mideast Coalition for Democracy (AMCD) is a 501(c)4. AMCD is a
non-partisan, grass-roots organization dedicated to empowering the estimated 10
million Americans of Middle Eastern descent to promote greater understanding and
beneficial policies for both America and for the countries of the Middle East.
We seek to advance the interests of Middle Eastern Americans through our expert
research and analysis, civic and policy education, and solid community building.
And stay tuned for more events to come!
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on 05-06 July/2026
From Washington to Tehran... Netanyahu is present,
Mojtaba is absent
Al-Nidaa Al-Watan/July 6, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
With US-Iranian negotiations stalled due to the ongoing funeral processions for
the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which continue until Thursday,
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington this
week or next to meet with US President Donald Trump for the first time since the
outbreak of the war with Iran. In an interview with Fox News, broadcast
yesterday, Netanyahu downplayed any disagreements with Trump regarding Iran,
emphasizing that they are both committed to the same goal: preventing Tehran
from acquiring nuclear weapons. When asked about the US-Iranian memorandum of
understanding, he considered it too early to judge the final outcome. In his
first comments on Khamenei's funeral, he said, "They didn't just chant 'Death to
America,' they said, 'Kill Trump.' They chanted, 'Death to Trump.'" Netanyahu
addressed comments made last month by US Vice President J.D. Vance, who said
that Israeli cabinet ministers should not criticize Trump because he is "the
only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the State of Israel
at this moment in time." Netanyahu responded, "I respect J.D. Vance. We have a
very good relationship, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything he says."
He rejected the notion that support for Israel is limited to one leader or one
country, noting, "We have some other friends, like a small country called
India."
Meanwhile, CNN reported that Netanyahu is planning a visit to Washington today
to discuss Iran and a new US-Israeli security agreement. The current agreement,
under which Israel receives $3.8 billion annually, is set to expire in 2028. The
report also stated that normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia will be on
the agenda. On Saturday, the US president confirmed to Axios that Netanyahu had
requested a meeting. The website indicated that the meeting could take place
this week or next week after Trump returns from the NATO summit in Ankara, which
concludes on Wednesday. In Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker
and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and other officials led funeral
prayers for Ali Khamenei and four other family members in Tehran yesterday.
Three of Ali Khamenei's sons also led prayers for their father and relatives,
but Khamenei's son and designated successor, Mojtaba, was not present. State
television broadcast footage of Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud Khamenei leading
prayers before the coffins in the vast courtyard of Tehran's Grand Imam Khomeini
Mosque. Mojtaba has not appeared in public since being wounded, and no
photographs of him have been released. Sources close to him told Reuters that
Mojtaba's face was disfigured and that he suffered a severe leg injury from the
same attack that killed his father. Iranian Army Commander Amir Hatami pledged
to the new Supreme Leader that "we will not let those responsible for the
killing of our commander go unpunished," as Iranian flags and red flags
symbolizing revenge were raised among the crowds. Meanwhile, the Iranian
commercial attaché in Doha, Abbas Abdolkhani, announced the resumption of
maritime trade between Iran and Qatar after a nearly five-month hiatus. He
explained that shipping operations between the Iranian port of Bandar Dayyer and
the Qatari port of Ruwais had resumed following coordination between the Iranian
embassy in Doha and Qatari authorities.
In Yemen, AFP reported that 16 Yemeni soldiers loyal to the government were
killed in an attack launched by the Houthi militia south of the city of Hodeidah.
The agency stated that the Houthis briefly seized positions held by
pro-government forces during clashes that erupted on Friday, before launching a
counter-attack to retake them, which ended early Saturday morning. An officer in
Jabal Dabbas in the Hays district, where the clashes took place, described the
Houthi attack as "the bloodiest in years." A military official stated, "We
managed to repel a Houthi attack that led to clashes lasting for hours early
Saturday morning, forcing the enemy to retreat." The clashes resulted in "deaths
and injuries among their ranks," and the official confirmed that the fighting
had ended and calm had returned to the area.
Netanyahu: Freedom Grows Stronger When America and
Israel Stand Together
Agencies/July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commemorated American Independence
Day, praising the United States and describing it as "the greatest force for
freedom the modern world has known," and emphasizing that the alliance between
Washington and Tel Aviv "is based not only on shared interests, but also on
shared values." In a video message in English addressed to US President Donald
Trump and the American people, Netanyahu said, "Freedom is never free; it must
be constantly paid for and constantly defended," adding that "freedom grows
stronger when America and Israel stand together." Netanyahu also addressed the
recent US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, saying, "The tyrants we face
chant: Death to America, Death to Israel. They think freedom is weak, that
democracies are weak, but they are wrong about our democracies." He also
commemorated the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, noting its coincidence
with the 250th anniversary of US independence. He said, "Exactly 50 years ago,
as the United States celebrated its bicentennial, Israel carried out one of the
greatest hostage rescue operations in history," recalling that his brother,
Yonatan Netanyahu, was the only Israeli soldier killed during the operation. He
added, "This is what brave soldiers in Israel and the United States have done
time and time again over these 50 years," concluding, "With God's help, freedom
will triumph over tyranny."
Netanyahu: My relationship with Trump is excellent, but
there are differences of opinion. / Israeli Prime Minister: We discuss
differences frankly and usually resolve them.
Riyadh: Al-Arabiya.net and agencies / July 5, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed reports of disagreements
between himself and US President Donald Trump regarding the memorandum of
understanding that halted the war with Iran during an interview with Fox News on
Sunday. Netanyahu said, "We have an excellent relationship, and it is, as I
said, a relationship between two allies." He added, "We have the same view 99
percent, but as in any family, and in any close friendship, there are sometimes
differences of opinion, and we discuss them frankly and usually resolve them."
The Israeli Prime Minister's statement comes a day after the US President told
the Axios news website that Netanyahu "knows who the boss is" in their
relationship. Trump has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu in recent weeks during
negotiations over the memorandum of understanding with Iran, accusing him of not
being "grateful" to the United States and describing him as a "very difficult"
and "crazy" man because of Israel's escalation in Lebanon. In an interview with
Axios, Trump indicated that Netanyahu might visit the White House in the coming
days.
The situation in southern Lebanon
In another context, the Israeli Prime Minister said in his interview on Sunday
that some Christian villages in southern Lebanon had "asked to be annexed" to
Israel to be protected from Hezbollah fighters. The war in the Middle East
spilled over into Lebanon on March 2nd after Hezbollah launched rockets at
Israel, which it said was in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme
Leader Ali Khamenei in the first US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February
28th. Israel responded with a massive campaign of airstrikes and a ground
invasion, issuing repeated evacuation warnings for areas in southern Lebanon.
According to authorities, this has resulted in the deaths of approximately 4,300
people and the displacement of more than one million, primarily from southern
Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs. Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said,
"Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed
to Israel, because we are protecting them from Hezbollah, from Hezbollah
extremists who want to kill them, and we are doing the same thing for Christians
everywhere." Since the outbreak of the war, some Christian villages in southern
Lebanon have been subjected to Israeli artillery shelling and airstrikes,
forcing their residents to flee. However, the residents of most of these towns
remained despite Israeli evacuation warnings, preferring to stay to protect
their homes, churches, and farmland. A number of these villages, however, were
partially or completely evacuated. During the war, the Israeli army warned
several predominantly Christian towns against allowing "strangers"—a reference
to Hezbollah fighters—to enter, through phone calls made by Israeli forces to
the mayors and local officials of these villages. In a separate speech at an
official event on Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated that the Israeli army would
remain in southern Lebanon "as long as it is necessary to protect the residents
of the north and all the citizens of Israel." For his part, Israeli Chief of
Staff Eyal Zamir said on Sunday, during a visit to soldiers deployed around
Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, that "the Israeli army will continue to act
decisively to remove threats from Lebanese territory, and is prepared to move
quickly to offensive operations if the ceasefire is violated." Clashes between
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have continued despite the framework
agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon with US mediation.
Trump says Netanyahu 'knows who the boss is'
Agence France Presse
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu could visit the White House as early as next week,
U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios, adding that the prime minister "knows
who the boss is" in their relationship. The possible meeting comes amid reports
of tensions between the two leaders over efforts to end the war against Iran
that the U.S. and Israel started in late February. "We get along very good.
(Netanyahu) knows who the boss is," Trump said in a brief phone interview with
Axios, referring to himself.An Israeli official told the U.S. media outlet that
next week might be too soon for the visit because Trump will be traveling to
Turkey for a NATO summit on July 7-8. "It might take place the week after," the
official told Axios. Netanyahu's office said the two men spoke on Friday and
agreed to meet "soon" in the United States. Washington is Israel's closest ally,
but Trump has been publicly critical of Netanyahu in recent weeks after Israel's
war with Hezbollah in Lebanon threatened peace talks with Iran. The two men last
met on February 11 in Washington.
Two people were killed in an Israeli raid that targeted a gathering in Gaza
City/Other people were injured as a result of the raid that targeted Omar Al-Mukhtar
Street
Riyadh: Al Arabiya.net and agencies/05 July 2026 (google
translation from Arabic)
At least two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza City on
Sunday, medics reported. Paramedics indicated that the two people were killed
when an air strike targeted a group of people on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street in the
heart of the city in the northern Gaza Strip. They added that several other
people were injured. The Israeli army has not yet commented on the incident.
Israel has launched repeated raids on the Gaza Strip since reaching a
US-brokered ceasefire with Hamas in October last year, saying it is targeting
militants who threaten its soldiers in Gaza or those who participated in the
2023 attack. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while Nikolai
Mladenov, who was appointed by US President Donald Trump as an envoy from the
Peace Council to Gaza, said that both parties had violated the agreement. Israel
and Hamas have reached a stage of stalemate in indirect talks regarding the
implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which includes
the disarmament of the movement and the withdrawal of the Israeli army. Data
issued by Israel and the health sector in Gaza indicate that more than 1,060
Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, most of them civilians, and four Israeli
soldiers since the ceasefire entered into force eight months ago.
Hamas is preparing to dissolve the “Governmental Action Committee” in Gaza amid
arrangements for the transfer of power/anticipated meetings in Cairo with the
participation of Palestinian factions with the aim of “filling the gaps” in the
next stage of the agreement
Riyadh: Al Arabiya.net and agencies/05 July 2026 (google translation from
Arabic)
The Hamas movement is moving to announce the dissolution of the Emergency
Committee through which it manages government affairs in the Gaza Strip, in a
step described as a prelude to rearranging the administration of the Strip,
according to informed sources and Palestinian officials, at a time when
journalists have been invited to an upcoming press conference tomorrow to
announce “important developments.” An informed source in the movement told the
German news agency DPA on Sunday evening that an official announcement will be
issued during a press conference held on Monday afternoon in the Gaza Strip,
sponsored by the Gaza Information Office, which is likely to include a decision
to dissolve the “Governmental Work Follow-up Committee,” which has been the
Hamas government in Gaza for years. This step, according to the source, comes in
the context of political and administrative understandings aimed at opening the
way for a national committee or technocratic body to take over the management of
civil affairs, after months of controversy over the mechanism for introducing it
into the sector. In this context, a leader in the Hamas movement said that
practical arrangements are being made to facilitate the transition of
governance, explaining that “a national team has been formed with the
participation of government agencies, Palestinian factions, and independent
figures, undertaking the task of facilitating the transfer of administrative
responsibilities to the National Committee,” headed by Dr. Ali Shaath, which was
formed by the Peace Council. The leader added that "the technical and
administrative authorities in Gaza have shown full readiness to cooperate with
any transitional formula," noting that a series of preparatory meetings were
held in this regard during the last period, with an administrative figure
temporarily taking over business management until the new committee takes over
its duties. These moves come in parallel with regional and international
mediation efforts to revive the fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as sources
in the movement reported that the mediators informed Hamas of preliminary
understandings that include postponing discussion on sensitive files, including
the factions’ weapons and government debts, to make room for progress on the
remaining items. It is expected that a delegation from the movement will return
to Cairo at the end of the week to hold direct meetings with the mediators, in
an attempt to confirm what has been reached and build on it. In the same
context, Palestinian sources spoke of expected meetings within two days in the
Egyptian capital with the participation of Palestinian factions, with the aim of
“filling the gaps” in the next phase of the agreement, amid efforts to push the
political process towards more stable arrangements. The information also
indicated the possibility of international envoys participating in these
meetings, although this has not been officially confirmed, in light of some
parties linking their presence to achieving tangible progress in the basic
negotiating files. The Gaza Strip is witnessing a complex humanitarian and
security situation after years of war and escalation, at a time when observers
hope that these steps will open the door to reorganizing the civil
administration and improving the living conditions of the residents of the
Strip.
Palestinian Prisoners’ Society voices concern over
detained Gaza hospital director’s condition
WAFA/July 05, 2026
TEL AVIV: The lawyer for a prominent Palestinian doctor who was seized by
Israeli forces 18 months ago said his client has been abused in captivity and is
in critical condition, according to the human rights group representing
him.Hussam Abu Safiya, who served as director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in
northern Gaza, became the face of health workers struggling to treat patients
throughout the Israel-Hamas war. He led the facility through an 85-day siege by
the Israeli military, releasing videos in which he pleaded for help before he
was arrested in December 2024. He has not been charged.
The Israeli military said Abu Safiya, 53, was being investigated on suspicion of
cooperating with or working for Hamas. Staff and international aid groups that
worked with him deny the claims. Physicians for Human Rights Israel and Abu
Safiya’s lawyer, Nasser Odeh, said Abu Safiya appeared extremely weak and
struggled to sit upright during a visit on July 2. Odeh said he had recent head
injuries around his eyes, ears and neck and experienced difficulty breathing.
Odeh and Physicians for Human Rights Israel said they have petitioned for Abu
Safiya’s transfer to another facility. Abu Safiya faced physical and
psychological abuse and was kept in solitary confinement for extended periods,
Odeh said following an appearance before Israel’s Supreme Court last month
challenging his continued detainment without charge. Abu Safiya appeared briefly
via video during that hearing, looking pale and gaunt, with lash-like marks on
both arms. Israel’s Prison Service called the allegations “false and entirely
without factual basis.” The prison service declined to discuss the case
directly, citing privacy concerns, but said all prisoners and detainees are held
in accordance with the law and receive medical care based on Ministry of Health
guidelines. “The Israel Prison Service rejects allegations of abuse, torture,
starvation, or denial of medical treatment,” the prison service said. Israel has
faced severe criticism over its treatment of Palestinian prisoners and detainees
since the start of its war with Hamas in October 2023. Human rights
organizations and the UN have alleged systematic patterns of abuse. The number
of Palestinians in Israeli detention surged after the start of the war, and
thousands remain in detention. The Associated Press has previously reported on
the dire conditions in prisons. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society expressed
concern over Abu Safiya’s detention conditions and his reported health. The
society said the continued detention of medical personnel from the Gaza Strip,
including Abu Safiya, forms part of a campaign targeting health care workers.
The organization held Israeli authorities fully responsible for the lives of Abu
Safiya, other detained medical personnel, and Palestinian prisoners. It called
on international human rights organizations, the International Committee of the
Red Cross, and the UN to intervene urgently to ensure their protection and
secure their release. It also said that states providing political and military
support to Israel bear responsibility for the continuation of serious violations
of international law. The society said that available information regarding Abu
Safiya indicated he had been transferred to a prison section known as “Rakefet,”
which Palestinian human rights organizations describe as a high-security
section.The statement added that condemnations alone have lost their practical
effect in the face of what it described as systematic destruction targeting
Palestinian prisoners. The organization cited remarks it said Abu Safiya made to
his lawyer: “This is the last time you will see me ... they brought me here to
kill me. I do not see myself leaving here alive. This is the end.”
Three sons of Iran’s slain leader Khamenei appear at funeral, not
his successor
Reuters/July 05, 2026
TEHRAN: Three sons of slain Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed beside
his coffin and those of four other family members on Sunday, but Mojtaba, the
son who succeeded him as Iran’s supreme leader, did not make an appearance.
State TV showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei praying behind the coffins
laid out in the vast courtyard of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a
sprawling religious complex. Their father, alongside several other members of
the family, was killed in an airstrike when the United States and Israel
launched a war on Iran on February 28. The conflict, which raged for several
weeks before the sides reached a shaky ceasefire, has caused death and
destruction across the region and left Iran’s theocratic government, backed by
the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in power. In a show of public devotion
to the state and revolutionary zeal, the Islamic Republic is staging a week of
mass funeral processions for Khamenei, including taking his remains to Shiite
religious sites in neighboring Iraq. After a day lying in state indoors for
senior Iranian leaders and foreign officials to visit, Khamenei’s coffin was
displayed outdoors on Saturday under glass, along with those of his
daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 14-month-old granddaughter. On
Sunday, tens of thousands more mourners, including soldiers, seminary students
and ordinary men and women filed into the Mosalla to pay their respects to
Khamenei and his family, waving flags emblazoned with promises of revenge
against America and Israel. Others prayed in unison at the complex named after
Iran’s first supreme leader Khomeini, whom Khamenei succeeded in 1989.
NO SIGHTINGS OF MOJTABA
There has still been no public sighting or image released of Mojtaba, said to
have been injured in the attack that killed his father and the other family
members on February 28, when Israel and the US bombed Iranian targets at the
start of the war. Mojtaba Khamenei’s face was disfigured and he suffered a
significant injury to one or both legs, people close to his inner circle told
Reuters. One disappointed mourner said she had hoped to see the new supreme
leader during the funeral events. “Until the last moment, before the prayer
began, I kept telling those around me that I hoped (Mojtaba Khamenei) himself
would come. That was our only wish,” a young woman wearing makeup and
sunglasses told the semi-official Tasnim news agency in an interview. A
ceasefire has suspended the four-month-old war under an agreement with
Washington that Iran’s authorities say will ultimately bring huge economic
benefits, in line with what they describe as a victory over a superpower. During
the war, more than 3,000 people were killed, including many of Iran’s most
senior politicians and military commanders. Military bases and major
infrastructure projects were destroyed causing billions of dollars in damage.
But Iran successfully struck US bases in the region, inflicted pain on the Gulf
Arab countries that host them, and asserted its control of the Strait of
Hormuz, causing a spike in global energy prices, which US President Donald Trump
said led him to push faster for peace. The interim deal reached last month
includes the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets held abroad,
and waivers from financial sanctions that had brought Iran’s economy to its
knees. Trump told the Axios news website that peace talks had been paused for a
week for the events surrounding the funeral. On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud
Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf prayed behind the
coffins. Masoud Khamenei was seen crying and wiping his tears with a keffiyeh –
the chequered scarf that is a symbol in Iran of militant revolutionary ideals
and solidarity with Palestinians – as an imam recited funeral prayers.
IRANIANS FLOCK TO CENTRAL TEHRAN
Crowds of Iranians, many weeping and some beating their chests, have thronged
the Mosalla, including overnight. The Iranian metro railway network said it had
clocked 7 million trips from late on Saturday to Sunday morning as people
flocked to the center. After what authorities are billing as a massive
procession in central Tehran on Monday, the remains will be taken to the
seminary city of Qom, the center of Iran’s Shiite hierarchy, for ceremonies on
Tuesday. From there the body will be flown to Iraq for ceremonies in the Shiite
holy shrine cities of Najaf and Kerbala on Wednesday. It will return to Iran on
Thursday for another procession in Mashhad, to be buried near the tomb of
another of the medieval Shiite imams. Authorities plan to mobilize millions of
people for big processions over the coming days, offering transport, food and
lodging.
Prayers offered for Khamenei on day two of funeral ceremonies
Agence France Presse/July 05, 2026
Prayers were held Sunday over the casket of Iran's late supreme leader Ali
Khamenei, the second day of funeral ceremonies that have drawn huge crowds to
pay their final respects in Tehran. Khamenei ruled the Islamic republic from
1989 until he was killed aged 86 in an airstrike on the first day of the
U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on February 28. Sunday's service at Tehran's Grand
Mosalla complex was led by prominent Shia cleric Ja'far Sobhani, a 97-year-old
scholar who teaches in seminaries at the holy city of Qom. Khamenei's son and
successor Mojtaba Khamenei, who is said to have been wounded in the February 28
attack, has not appeared in public since being named supreme leader and was
notably absent from the funeral prayers. The late supreme leader's other three
sons, Masoud, Mostafa and Meysam, were in attendance. Sunday was declared a
public holiday across Iran, and later in the day, Khamenei's body will be moved
from the Grand Mosalla complex where it is lying in state in preparation for
processions through the capital on Monday. The vast religious complex and
surrounding streets were packed with mourners on Sunday morning, AFP journalists
saw. With temperatures set to exceed 35C, mourners carrying Iranian flags and
portraits of Khamenei, as they made their way to the Grand Mosalla, were handed
refreshments. President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the ceremony alongside senior
officials including parliament speaker and Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad
Bagher Ghalibaf, state television footage showed. Khamenei's coffin, draped in
the Iranian flag and topped with his black turban, was placed alongside the
coffins of four relatives also killed in the February strikes, including an
infant granddaughter. Authorities have said they expect more than 10 million
people to take part in ceremonies in Tehran.
Allies in attendance -
After five weeks of intense hostilities, the Middle East war is on hold after a
ceasefire and an initial accord with the U.S. But both Washington and Tehran
have warned they are ready to resume fighting at any time. Khamenei's funeral is
being viewed outside Iran as a test of support for the government following mass
protests before the war in January that rights groups say were quelled by a
crackdown that left thousands dead. "What is observed today in the emotions,
tears, and passionate presence of the people in various scenes is the most
telling sign of his position among the Iranian nation and the free people of the
world," Pezeshkian said in a speech Saturday, accusing Israel in particular of
acting as a "destabilising factor" in the Middle East. "Muslims have shown that
they will not surrender to oppression and bullying," he added. Khamenei had long
pursued a course of confrontation with the West, and Tehran for years has
provided support to anti-U.S. and anti-Israel armed groups around the region,
including Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Delegations from both
groups met with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, state media
reported, while representatives of Yemen's Houthi rebels and Hamas ally
Palestinian Islamic Jihad were also in attendance at the funeral. After Monday's
procession, Khamenei's coffin will be moved on Tuesday to Qom, then on Wednesday
to neighbouring Iraq, before the burial on Thursday in his northeastern hometown
of Mashhad.
Significant security measures have been imposed in the capital, and official
media has warned attendees of the risk of crowd crushes. Organizers have also
taken measures to mitigate a heatwave that may nudge 40C in Tehran over the next
few days, with crowds on Saturday sprayed with mists of water to keep cool at
the Grand Mosalla complex.
British military says cargo ship reports attack in Red Sea
AP/July 05, 2026
CAIRO: A cargo ship came under attack Sunday off the coast of Yemen in the Red
Sea, the British military said, the latest maritime attack off the conflict-torn
Arab country. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the
attack off Hodeida city, which is under control of the Iranian-backed Houthis.
The UKMTO said the ship reported being “under attack by unknown armed
assailants” 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) southwest of Hodeida. A skiff
approached the bulk carrier and opened fire, forcing security guards to return
fire, before sailing back to a larger ship about 2 nautical miles (3.7
kilometers) away with its automatic identification system switched off, the
UKMTO said. The cargo ship and crew were reported safe, the British military
said, adding that authorities were investigating. No group immediately claimed
the attack. The Houthis have threatened to begin attacking ships again. A Houthi
spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The militia
previously fired drones and missiles at ships that pass territory they control
near the Bab Al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. Their attacks
during the Gaza war forced shipping companies to reroute vessels around the
southern tip of Africa instead of through the Suez Canal at the northern end of
the Red Sea. Somali pirates also have been active further away in the Gulf of
Aden recently. Suspected pirates attacked a vessel 76 nautical miles (140
kilometers) south of the port town of Balhaf in southeastern Yemen on July 1.
Four armed men on a small craft caused minor damage to the ship’s bridge,
according to the UKMTO.
Syria expecting Macron in first post-Assad
visit by Western head of state
AFP/July 05, 2026
DAMASCUS: Syria said on Sunday it was expecting a visit by French President
Emmanuel Macron, the first by a Western European head of state since Syria’s new
leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa took power in 2024. State news agency SANA, citing the
Syrian presidency’s media office, said “Macron is expected to visit Syria to
discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations and issues of common
interest,” without specifying a date for the trip.The French presidency did not
immediately comment. The last French president to visit was Nicolas Sarkozy in
2009, before longtime ruler Bashar Assad brutally crushed pro-democracy protests
in 2011, sparking a conflict that killed more than half a million people and
devastated Syria. SANA said Macron would be accompanied by a delegation
“including investors and representatives of French companies” and discussions
would also address “regional and international” developments. The announcement
came after a bombing at a Damascus cafe on Thursday killed 10 people, the latest
challenge to Syria’s new authorities as they seek to reunify the country after
more than 13 years of civil war. Early last year, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin
Hamad Al-Thani became the first foreign head of state to visit Damascus after
Assad’s December 2024 toppling. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen
visited in January, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky followed in
April. But Macron is the first head of an EU state and prominent Western leader
to head to the Syrian capital, after hosting Sharaa in Paris last year.That
visit preceded Sharaa’s Washington trip last year to meet US President Donald
Trump.
US Official: Greenland Takeover Is the Only
Solution...Senior Official Reveals Other Options Still Under Consideration
Washington: DPA / July 5, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
A senior US official said Sunday that the United States taking control of
Greenland is currently the only way to address the long-term security risks
surrounding the ice-covered island, which belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. "We
still believe that this is the best way to meet NATO's defense needs with
respect to Greenland," he told reporters ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for
Tuesday and Wednesday in Turkey. However, the official noted that other options
are still under consideration, though he did not specify what those options
might be. The senior government official pointed to increased maritime activity
in the area surrounding Greenland. He also confirmed that US President Donald
Trump is seeking a long-term solution that extends beyond his presidency.He
added: "At the moment, the only solution we have come up with to address this is
for the United States to take control of Greenland."
The Latest LCCC analysis & editorials from
miscellaneous sources published on 05-06 July/2026
The Houthi rabbit hole
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al-Awsat,/July 05, 2026
Someone asked: Why do the Saudis not resolve the situation in Yemen and put an
end to the Houthi group? The truth is that, after many years of following
developments in Yemen, I can say that the Houthi question is something of a
rabbit hole. Whenever you think you have found the truth, you discover an
additional layer of tribal, regional and political relationships and alliances.
The initial conclusion may seem simple, but it is realistic: the Houthis are a
fleeting phenomenon. They are a small, armed, tribal, ideological and extremist
group. All comparable historical cases suggest that it will not endure. The
Houthis make up less than 7 percent of Yemen’s population, yet they have
succeeded in weaving broad local alliances. Those alliances have been the
group’s weakness just as they have been its strength.
Yemen’s Houthis cannot be compared to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which is larger in
both number and as a share of the population and which is based in its Shiite
stronghold in Lebanon, not far from it, as the Houthis are in Sanaa. The Houthis
are a minority that infiltrated Sanaa from Saada, exploiting the unrest of the
so-called Arab Spring to occupy the city by force of arms and alliances, seeking
to revive imamate rule. The Houthis are not Hezbollah, a group with a political
future because of its substantial base. There is also the “Houthi thorn.” This
thorn threatens not only Saudi Arabia’s stability, but Yemen’s even more so. The
small Houthi movement has managed to make itself into a player that poses a
threat comparable to Iran’s. It took the lead in threatening international trade
in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, as well as undermining trade in the Red Sea more
broadly. The Houthis also tried to play a role that crosses borders and waters
into East Africa, but they remain a small faction that becomes increasingly
fragile the larger it grows and the more it expands its belligerent activities.
In geopolitical terms, the Houthis may resemble Cuba in relation to the US. A
small dot in America’s neighborhood, the communist island remained a thorn in
Washington’s side for decades because of its ties to Moscow. Now Castro’s Cuba
has entered its final chapter and will soon return to the American embrace. As
for how this ant lived and survived beside the American elephant, this was part
of the arrangements around the Cold War. The US decided to invade Cuba, Moscow’s
ally. Although it tried once and failed, the Soviets became convinced that the
Americans would not stop.
The Houthis are a minority that infiltrated Sanaa from Saada, exploiting the
unrest of the so-called Arab Spring. Nikita Khrushchev offered to withdraw
Soviet missiles in exchange for John F. Kennedy’s pledge not to invade the
island, which would not become a source of threat, and for the US to remove its
missiles from Turkiye, the American front line against Moscow. Both sides agreed
and Cuba remained a nonhostile communist state, while Turkiye remained a Western
ally that did not threaten Moscow. The Houthis and Hezbollah are both proxies of
Iran, which uses them to impose its influence over the countries of the region,
under the cover of familiar propaganda slogans. We do not yet know how Tehran
will reshape its regional strategy after its ongoing war with the US and Israel.
If the question of proxies is not resolved through negotiation, these
crisis-ridden territories will likely witness further rounds of conflict. On the
other hand, Yemenis are capable of keeping the Houthis busy, exhausting them and
ultimately defeating their project. At present, the group controls only
one-third of the territory it held at the height of its expansion. Its airport
is closed, its ports are under blockade and its leadership is hiding
underground. From Iran’s perspective, the Houthis are of lower strategic value
than the Iraqi militias and Hezbollah, and they would be the cheapest card on
the table if Tehran decided to bargain in regional deals. That is why I see them
as a fleeting phenomenon.
The challenge is that the Houthis are not known for political flexibility —
unlike Hezbollah, which has previously signed agreements with Israel and
responded to calls from its Lebanese rivals during past crises. The question
remains: Do the Houthis have a way out of this hole, which was once a palace and
has now become a prison? The political solution remains: power-sharing is still
on the table and could save them from annihilation. The Houthis remain a social
component of Yemen — they have the right to be partners in government, not to
dominate it. Participation has been offered to them several times but they
remain arrogant and continue to refuse these offers out of a thirst for absolute
power that could cost them everything.
The Gulf’s delicate, multilayered approach to Iran
Hassan Al-Mustafa/Ar5ab News/July 05, 2026
Anyone observing Gulf-Iranian relations will find that, between June 25 and July
4, three significant signals emerged: the ministerial statement issued following
a meeting in Manama, the technical negotiation channel in Doha, and the
carefully calibrated diplomatic presence in Tehran during the funeral of former
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Analyzing these signals together points to a shift
in Gulf positions, from managing the military and security escalation that the
region witnessed to attempting to find practical negotiated solutions built on
solid foundations that secure the shared interests of all parties, without
allowing Iran to exercise negative external influence. This means that the Arab
Gulf states have not closed their channels of communication with Iran despite
its recent attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. At the same time, they have not
allowed the course of the Washington-Tehran negotiations to proceed
independently on issues that directly affect Gulf security.
The June 25 ministerial meeting between the US and the Gulf Cooperation Council
was held in the Bahraini capital, Manama. It concluded with a statement
welcoming the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 and
positively acknowledging the mediation role of Qatar and Pakistan. The joint
statement also stressed the need to prevent Iran from developing or acquiring a
nuclear weapon and included ballistic missiles, drones and support for proxy
groups among the threats that must be contained. It also emphasized the
importance of ensuring free and secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,
while rejecting any fees or attempts by Iran to assert control over the
strait.These points made the statement clear in linking the nuclear track with
Iran’s regional conduct, underscoring the importance of addressing both issues
without neglecting either of them. The experience of the 2015 nuclear agreement
demonstrated to the Arab Gulf states that, while a limited agreement may reduce
the likelihood of a nuclear confrontation, it leaves Iran’s instruments of
influence active in Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria. For this reason, the Manama
statement sought to address all outstanding issues within a single framework.
Following the Manama meeting, on June 30, the Qatari Foreign Ministry clarified
that the visit of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Doha was part of
a series of meetings with Qatari mediators on regional issues, including Iran
and Lebanon, and that there were no direct US-Iran talks. This Qatari policy
does not serve a dual function outside the broader Gulf context; rather, it
keeps communication open with both Tehran and Washington, while maintaining its
position within the Gulf framework established by the Manama statement.
The Gulf states have not closed their channels of communication with Iran
despite its recent attacks.
What makes this role consistent with the Manama statement is that the technical
talks focused on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s frozen
assets, rather than on the structure of a final nuclear agreement. This is
particularly significant because Iran is seeking to entrench the current reality
in a way that grants it a recognized role in regulating maritime traffic and,
perhaps later, in collecting transit fees. This explains why the Manama
statement firmly rejected both such fees and unilateral Iranian control of the
strait.
In a related context, US Central Command last week held a regional security
dialogue in Bahrain, with the participation of defense leaders from 12
countries. The discussions focused on defense cooperation, air and missile
defense, and the free flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz. This meeting
was certainly not a substitute for the ongoing negotiating track between
Washington and Tehran, but rather ran parallel to it to emphasize that freedom
of navigation would be supported through operational coordination, not merely
through political statements of support.
Gulf diplomatic activity continued through participation in Khamenei’s funeral
in Tehran, adding another indicator. Saudi Arabia was represented at the level
of deputy foreign minister, Qatar by the speaker of the Shura Council and Oman
by the chairman of the State Council. These were politically and diplomatically
calibrated levels of representation, sufficient to demonstrate respect for the
state and regional neighborliness, while also remaining limited enough to avoid
elevating the political significance of the participation or giving Iran a sense
of unrealistic strength or superiority.
There is, thus, a multilayered Gulf approach through which its states are
pursuing a nuanced policy toward Iran. There is a measured diplomatic presence
in Tehran, based on respect for diplomatic norms and the moral dimension that
distinguishes these states — in that they do not gloat over death but respect
its sanctity, without this implying agreement with or glorification of the
positions of the deceased. There was also a detailed security statement issued
in Manama that irritated Iran because of its frank approach to the disputed
issues. In addition, there is a technical Qatari channel for communication and
dialogue in Doha aimed at establishing diplomacy as the primary instrument
instead of military confrontations and wars.
The overall picture may appear somewhat complex to those who do not read its
details carefully and some may even regard these as contradictory signals. What
is actually taking place, however, is an attempt to keep Iran within a framework
of disciplined engagement, encouraging it to change its negative behavior and
gradually improve its foreign policies so that they become positive and
nonaggressive toward its neighbors, while preventing it from turning this
engagement into recognition of either a unilateral role in the Strait of Hormuz
or the legitimacy of its nonnuclear instruments, such as armed proxies in the
countries of the region.The ultimate objective is for all parties to share
responsibility for the region’s security and stability and to engage in
development rather than wars that consume wealth to no avail.
*Hassan Al-Mustafa is a Saudi writer and researcher specializing in Islamist
movements, the evolution of religious discourse, and Gulf-Iran relations. X: @Halmustafa
Minjez, Akkar: A Town Where History, Faith, and Nature Meet in One Scene
Maiz Obeid/Nidaa Al Watan/July 6, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
In the far reaches of Akkar, near the Syrian border and the Nahr al-Kabir River,
lies the town of Minjez, one of the few towns that holds a rich historical and
religious heritage and captivating natural beauty. Amidst its forests,
monasteries, and archaeological sites, it tells a story of resilience, having
preserved its identity despite wars and challenges. Meanwhile, its residents and
municipality continue working to promote development and capitalize on its
tourism potential, hoping for a developmental presence that matches its existing
capabilities.
Geographical Location
Minjez has a population of approximately 1,600 and an area of about five
million square meters. Land surveying is still underway. It is located 135 km
from Beirut and 50 km from Tripoli. It borders the towns of Bireh, Fraidis,
Kafratoun, and Ramah, and its location, mountainous terrain, and expansive views
give it a distinguished position among the towns of Akkar. Religiously
Munjez is predominantly Maronite, with some Alawite families registered in its
records. Its residents live peacefully together and with the inhabitants of the
surrounding towns. It is home to the Church of St. Daniel, belonging to the
Maronite Archdiocese of Tripoli, and the Church of Our Lady of the Spring, as
well as the Monastery of Our Lady of the Fortress, belonging to the Maronite
Order, making it a religious destination for believers and visitors.
Touristically
Munjez is one of the most prominent tourist towns in Akkar. It is famous for its
unique laurel forest, considered one of its most prominent environmental
features, in addition to its tranquility and natural views of pine and oak
forests. The town is also rich in archaeological sites, most notably the
megalithic tombs dating back to successive ancient historical periods. To
preserve this heritage, the municipality established the "House of Heritage,"
which houses the archaeological discoveries found within these tombs, in an
effort to preserve the town's memory and introduce visitors to its rich history.
The municipality also prepares annually for the summer season by organizing
festivals and activities that contribute to boosting tourism. Agriculturally
Manjez is known for its agriculture, and therefore the municipality has
implemented a project to draw water from the Great River in cooperation with
World Vision, with the aim of supporting farmers and securing irrigation water.
Manjez has recently entered the field of modern agriculture, with avocado
cultivation gradually spreading across some agricultural lands, a step
reflecting a trend towards crop diversification and capitalizing on suitable
climatic conditions. The town also witnesses additional agricultural activity in
the form of beekeeping and the production of natural honey, with a number of
Manjez residents contributing to this sector, which is considered one of the
distinctive rural products, benefiting from the rich natural environment of
forests and seasonal flowers. However, the forests of Manjez suffer from
repeated encroachments during the logging season from the Syrian side, prompting
the municipality to demand that the state and security forces protect the forest
resources and put an end to these violations.
Development and Services:
The town is managed by a municipal council composed of nine members, in addition
to a mukhtar (village head), and the town is a member of the Union of
Municipalities of North Akkar. At the state level, there is a Civil Defense
center and a public vocational institute, but no public school. Mayor Tony
Antonios tells Nidaa Al Watan that Manjez suffered numerous setbacks during the
war years, but emerged from them more committed to the state, to love, and to
coexistence. He points out that the recent war in the south negatively impacted
Akkar, as international organizations shifted their focus to other areas,
leading to a decline in development support. He adds: Despite this, the
municipality continues to implement lighting, sanitation, and daily cleaning
projects, in addition to an energy project in cooperation with the American
University of Beirut to utilize firewood and pruning waste, thus preserving the
forest resources from illegal logging. Antonios emphasizes the people of
Manjez's commitment to the Lebanese state, noting that many of them served in
the military. He also calls for strengthening the developmental and
service-oriented presence of state institutions to meet the town's needs and
preserve its resilience and development. Meanwhile, residents of Munjez living
in the capital are calling for a return to their hometown, urging them to settle
there and contribute to its development. They are also appealing to expatriates
to lend a hand in establishing a health center befitting the remote town and its
people.
Municipal Council member Antonio Tannous spoke about preparations for launching
the summer season with a series of celebrations, most notably the Mar Daniel
Parish celebration scheduled for next month, which is expected to inject
additional vitality into the town's tourism and cultural scene.
Israel and Lebanon cannot afford another false dawn
Yossi Mekelberg/Arab News/July 05/2026
The history of attempts to resolve the conflict between Israel and Lebanon has
been marked by repeated false dawns. Each round of fighting has typically been
followed by some form of agreement, often even a UN Security Council resolution
to give it an international stamp of approval, only for hostilities to resume at
some point. The common denominator has been the failure to implement what had
been agreed. What has always complicated matters is that Israel’s conflict has
not been with the Lebanese government but with non-state actors: until 1982, the
Palestine Liberation Organization, and since then, Hezbollah. In both cases,
their hostility has been directed not only against Israel but also against the
Lebanese state. In the latest attempt to achieve a lasting settlement and bring
an end to hostilities along this troubled border, Israel, Lebanon, and the US
signed a tripartite framework deal in Washington last week. The agreement seeks
to address the core issues underlying the conflict. Significantly, however,
Hezbollah, which whether by consent or coercion must cooperate if the agreement
is to succeed, is not a party to it, which must serve as the first spoiler
alert. The movement immediately mobilized its supporters in Beirut to protest
against the deal, and its leader, Naim Qassem, rejected the framework,
describing it as “humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty.”
In Israel, there has been relatively restrained criticism of the agreement’s
principles. Nevertheless, skepticism remains widespread, including within the
security establishment, over whether the framework can be translated into
reality.
The text, as released by the US State Department, conveys a strong sense of
aspiration, but offers far less clarity on the practical pathway to
implementation. It is aspirational in that it sets out a clear objective:
“Israel and Lebanon affirm the right of each state to exist in peace, and their
mutual desire to live in security as neighboring sovereign states.”
At a time when the region is being ravaged by war and instability, the very fact
that the Lebanese and Israeli governments have engaged in direct negotiations is
encouraging. Credit is due to the two governments and to the US administration
for investing considerable diplomatic capital in an effort to end the
hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, a conflict in which so many innocent
civilians have been caught in the crossfire, many have lost their lives, and
more than a million have been displaced. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has
shown great courage by pursuing this initiative, despite knowing that it has
placed a target on his back for Hezbollah and its backers in Tehran. The
parameters for reaching the ultimate goal of peace are, on paper, almost
self-explanatory, but implementing them will be far from straightforward. The
first step outlined in the agreement is mutual recognition of each other’s
sovereignty. Yet as long as Israel continues to occupy significant areas of
Lebanese territory, without any timetable for withdrawal, that principle remains
largely theoretical.
To be sure, Israel’s legitimate security concerns must also be addressed for
this deal to be sustainable. The agreement envisages this through a “sequenced
process with clear conditions,” under which the Lebanese Armed Forces would
“restore effective sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory.” In
principle, this is entirely reasonable. In practice, however, it introduces the
largest obstacle of all: the requirement for the “verified disarmament of
non-state armed groups and dismantlement of associated infrastructure.”
At a time when the region is being ravaged by war, the very fact that the
Lebanese and Israeli governments have engaged in direct negotiations is
encouraging.
The obvious target is Hezbollah, although not exclusively. The agreement seeks
to end the long-standing anomaly whereby Hezbollah possesses the country’s most
powerful military force, one that is stronger in many respects than the official
Lebanese Armed Forces, which currently lack the capability to control, let alone
dismantle the group’s military infrastructure. Moreover, Hezbollah’s central
raison d’etre has long been armed resistance against Israel, and without it they
will lose a considerable amount of relevance and will need to reinvent
themselves.
Only last week the Israeli military reportedly demolished a large underground
Hezbollah facility beneath the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Zoun. The
complex reportedly extended some 200 meters and reached depths of more than 25
meters beneath the village. According to reports, the tunnel was used to
assemble, store, and launch Iranian-made drones.
Yet the agreement offers no convincing answer to the central question: What
incentives, pressures or guarantees could persuade Hezbollah to transform itself
into a purely political and social movement, relinquish its weapons, and
prioritize the interests of Lebanon and its own supporters over those of Tehran?
Without a credible response to that question, there can be no clear answer as to
when Israel will fully withdraw from Lebanese territory, where it currently
occupies up to 7 percent of the country.
Notably, the agreement avoids using the word “withdrawal.” Instead, it refers to
Israel “progressively redeploying out of Lebanese territory.” In the immediate
future, this would apply only to two pilot zones, allowing the Lebanese Armed
Forces to assume control there before any broader redeployment. However, unless
there is an accelerated process combining Israeli withdrawal with the rapid
deployment of Lebanese troops all the way to the international border and
supported by a robust international force, Israel’s military presence risks
becoming semi-permanent. That, in turn, would provide Hezbollah with a
continuing excuse for refusing to disarm.
As could only be expected, many within Israel’s security establishment,
alongside right-wing politicians, argue that Israel should retain this so-called
security zone indefinitely, insisting that without it the country’s northern
communities cannot be adequately protected. While these concerns are
understandable, and with the exception of a small but vocal group of politicians
promoting the lunatic idea of establishing Israeli settlements in southern
Lebanon, the Israeli government should be prepared to take calculated risks in
support of its Lebanese counterpart. By withdrawing in coordination with Beirut,
it could help undermine Hezbollah’s central narrative of resisting Israeli
occupation and expansionism. By immediately declaring, as Israeli Defense
Minister Israel Katz did, that Israel has “no territorial ambitions in Lebanon,”
while simultaneously insisting that the Israeli military will not withdraw “a
millimeter” until Hezbollah is fully disarmed, he may have sought to project
strength, particularly with a general election approaching. Yet such rhetoric
does little to advance the newly signed framework.
Despite employing overwhelming military force that has senselessly killed
thousands of Lebanese civilians and caused widespread devastation across
southern Lebanon, Israel has not achieved its objective of eliminating
Hezbollah. Unless it intends to maintain a prolonged military presence in
Lebanon, Israel should work closely with the Lebanese government, the US, and
the wider international community to transform this framework agreement into a
fully fledged, practical, and durable reality along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
The alternative is another quagmire of guerrilla warfare that will only serve
Hezbollah and Iran.
• Yossi Mekelberg is a professor of international relations and an associate
fellow of the MENA Program at Chatham House. X: @YMekelberg
Hezbollah and the Maps of Regional Influence Under Fire
Tariq Abu Zeinab/Nidaa Al Watan/July 6, 2026 (google translation
from Arabic)
Between a fragile truce that could collapse at any moment and a silent
escalation advancing with calculated steps, new equations are taking shape.
These equations are not limited to a redistribution of influence, but extend to
a genuine reshaping of the regional order amidst an open conflict over the
identity of the Middle East and its future balances. At the heart of this scene,
the arenas linked to Iran take center stage as an interconnected system of
influence that operates not on the logic of separate issues, but rather on the
logic of a single front. From Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen, a transnational
political-security structure has been formed over many years, emerging in
environments of accumulated conflict, and then gradually transforming into a
network of influence that dictates its rhythm on the region's balances. Any
instability in one of these arenas is no longer an isolated local event, but has
become part of a series of interconnected regional repercussions that transcend
borders and are reflected in the entire political and security landscape.
According to Iraqi sources who spoke to Nidaa Al Watan, Tehran deals with these
arenas as a strategic system. One of these is the only arena where any change is
likely to have automatic and rapid repercussions on the others. Sources add that
any potential success in negotiations between Tehran and Washington will not
lead to the dismantling of this structure, but rather to a restructuring of its
functions and a redistribution of roles in a way that preserves the level of
influence and readjusts the tools of influence with greater efficiency and
flexibility. In this context, the Houthi group's announcement of the formation
of "General Mobilization Forces" is interpreted as part of a reorganization of
readiness within this system, not a departure from it.
Lebanon at the Heart of the Open Confrontation
Within this equation, Lebanon is no longer merely an internal arena affected by
regional developments, but has become a direct point of engagement at the heart
of the conflict. The issue of Hezbollah and its weapons has transcended the
internal Lebanese framework, becoming part of a regional equation connected to
the paths of negotiation, the limits of redrawing the rules of engagement, and
the future balance of power in the region. While Hezbollah, in its public
pronouncements, adheres to its defensive options and considers its weapons part
of the existing deterrence equation, political circles believe that the next
phase is likely to witness escalating pressures aimed at readjusting the
internal balances, especially if they shift. The rhythms of regional
understandings have shifted, or the calculations of influential international
powers have changed. This places Lebanon on a vulnerable front line, where room
for maneuver is shrinking and clear guarantees are increasingly absent.
Meanwhile, political circles are discussing signs of repositioning by some
Iranian-backed forces in more than one arena, most notably Lebanon. This is
accompanied by political rhetoric that raises the stakes of confrontation and
reaffirms the concepts of deterrence and resistance within a regional
environment that has yet to stabilize and continues to undergo rapid and open
transformations.
Yemen and Iraq... Testing Grounds
In Yemen, the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are becoming a direct
international security hub, with any escalation carrying repercussions for
global trade and supply chains. This is clearly and rapidly shifting the arena
from its local dimension to the heart of international strategic calculations.
As for Iraq, the issue of armed factions remains open, a delicate balance
between the state's requirements to strengthen its security and sovereignty, and
a political and security reality shaped by years of regional interference. This
makes the landscape susceptible to reshaping according to trends of
de-escalation, escalation, or repositioning.
Moment Unstable
Ultimately, the Middle East does not appear to be heading towards stable
settlements, but rather towards a phase of reshaping whose rules are being
written more under pressure and fire than through political understandings.
Between those who see what is happening as a calculated repositioning of
influence networks, and those who warn that the faltering of political processes
could open the door to a wider escalation, one fact remains starkly evident: the
region has entered a major testing phase with no guarantees, one that goes
beyond a redistribution of influence to a redrawing of its deep political and
security equations. Unless the direction of the conflict between Tehran and
Washington is resolved, the maps of influence will remain subject to redrawing
at any moment, and the arenas of engagement will remain open to new political
and security surprises. As for Lebanon, it has become the heart of this
conflict, with no possible neutrality or safe distance, and on a direct line of
contact with a region being reshaped by fire before politics, and by force
before settlements.
Between Al-Sharaa's Interview and Al-Shaibani's Visit
Nadim Qoteish/Asas Media/July 6, 2026 (google translation from Arabic)
Two simultaneous scenes reveal together what neither can reveal individually.
The first scene is Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in a televised interview he
chose to dedicate to Lebanese-Syrian relations. In it, he stated, in calm and
measured terms, that the new Syria would not interfere in Lebanon, that its role
would be "through Lebanese institutions and the Lebanese state," and that the
era of tutelage was over for good. The second scene is his Foreign Minister,
Asaad Al-Shaibani, in Beirut, meeting with party leaders and heads of religious
communities, visiting specific cities, and navigating Lebanon's sectarian and
political landscape with the fluency of someone who knows the old lexicon of
relations between the two countries.
Between the two scenes lies a distance that cannot be ignored.
The Need for Syria and Lebanon
The most prominent new element in Al-Sharaa's discourse is his clear break with
the logic of tutelage. He rejected military intervention in Lebanon despite the
explicit American cover provided by President Donald Trump's statement. Al-Sharaa
stated that the new Syria does not seek to revive past roles under new guises.
This position carries exceptional political weight, regardless of the objective
circumstances of Syria's current capabilities, which objectively preclude such
intervention. The second novel aspect is his economic vision for the
relationship between the two countries. When he said that Beirut is Damascus's
seafront and Tripoli is Homs's seafront, al-Sharaa was reframing the
relationship with Lebanon from the perspective of partnership and economic
integration, not from the perspective of political influence and security and
military dominance. Syria, which is now positioned as a strategic link between
East and West, needs Lebanon's sea access, and Lebanon, which seeks to revive
its economic role, needs Syria's strategic depth. The third novel aspect is his
pragmatism regarding Hezbollah and the relationship with the Shiite community.
His declaration of willingness to engage with Hezbollah if it serves Lebanon's
interests, while clearly condemning the party's intervention in Syria, reflects
a mature and responsible political thinking that distinguishes between holding
the party accountable for past actions and managing the present.
Lebanon's Old Approach to the New Syria
In contrast, the visit of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in its
exaggerated form, bears traces of Syria's old behavior toward Lebanon and
reveals a chasm that is difficult to bridge. Al-Sharaa stated in his interview
that the Syrian role in Lebanon should be "through Lebanese institutions and the
Lebanese state," yet al-Shaibani met in a single day with the President, the
Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the Grand Mufti, the Maronite
Patriarch, and party leaders, before concluding his meetings with a massive
public visit to Tripoli. The itinerary of the visit transcends diplomatic
protocol and establishes a complete network of influence with the leader, the
sheikh, the city, and the sect. It is only fair to say that al-Shaibani did not
come in a vacuum, but rather at the invitation of Lebanon, which demands to be
treated as a sovereign state, and then proceeds to open its sectarian and
partisan doors to the Damascus guest. In this sense, the visit is not merely a
Syrian contradiction, but a deeper and more disturbing truth: that Lebanon was
an active participant in shaping its details, thus repeating an old, deeply
rooted habit: inviting foreign intervention to resolve internal conflicts. Al-Shaybani
didn't come to Beirut because Damascus decided to expand its influence. He came
because Lebanese doors were opened to him, because Lebanese voices welcomed the
broadening scope of his visit, and because certain cities wanted to tell
Damascus, "We are here, and we are with you." But some saw it as a necessary and
unavoidable intimidation tactic against Hezbollah.
Lebanon with its many authorities and spheres of influence: If Lebanese
institutions were functioning at full capacity, and if the Lebanese state
possessed genuine central authority, the visit, conducted through protocol,
would have been entirely different: a foreign minister meeting a foreign
minister, a prime minister meeting a prime minister, one institution speaking to
another. But Lebanon is not like that. Lebanon is a state where actual power is
distributed among sectarian leaders, party chiefs, and spheres of influence.
Anyone who wants to build a relationship with the real Lebanon, not the fragile
official Lebanon, finds themselves compelled to adopt al-Shaybani's approach,
not the protocol of legitimacy.
The fundamental question is: Have the Lebanese decided to stop paving the way
for the latent ambitions of tutelage inherent in every Syrian relationship with
Lebanon? This question cannot be answered by Sharia law or by al-Shaybani. Only
the Lebanese themselves can answer it, at the moment they decide to build a
state that does not need external intervention to fill its void. That moment, it
seems, has not yet arrived. Until it does, foreign tutelage will continue to be
invoked and will find an open door, regardless of who sits in the Presidential
Palace or who holds the Syrian Foreign Ministry portfolio.
Selected Face Book & X tweets on
05 July