English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News &
Editorials
For July 26/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2026/english.july26.26.htm
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Bible Quotations For today
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not
gather with me scatters/Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and
no city or house divided against itself will stand
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
12/22-32:"Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he
cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds
were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ But when the Pharisees
heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that
this fellow casts out the demons.’He knew what they were thinking and said to
them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house
divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided
against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by
Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be
your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the
kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and
plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the
house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does
not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for
every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever
speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in
the age to come."
Titles For Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials
published on 25-26 July/2026
Elias Bejjani/Text, Video, Arabic & English:
Mistakes, Sins, Blunders of Transparent Political Cleverness, and Falsification
of Facts Committed by Joseph Aoun During His Visit to America/July 23, 2026
Prioritizing/Abu Arza/Facebook/July 25, 2026
Video Link & transcript of an interview with writer and director Youssef Y.
Khoury
Video Link and Transcript for an interview with Dr. Charles Chartouni
Aoun and the Missed Opportunities/Colonel Charbel Barakat/July 25/2026
Elias Hoayek: The patriarch who built a global Maronite network from Lebanon to
the diaspora
President Aoun: Beatification of Patriarch Elias Hoayek shows holiness and
patriotism can coexist
Report: US determined to support Lebanese state and army
Israel reinforces northern front: Preparations for potential escalation with
Iran and Lebanon
Lebanon’s Civil Defense warns against swimming along entire coastline
From war damage to safety risks: Beirut’s fragile buildings remain in limbo
after ‘Black Wednesday’
Will the US defend Lebanon? Inside the push for a new security agreement
Lebanon’s ‘Pilot Zones’ test international trust in state
Defensive Strategy” and North and South Litani: The party’s language is from the
past.. When will it update it?/Lara Yazbek/Markazia/July 25, 2026
US ‘boots on the ground’ may be needed to help Lebanon confront Hezbollah,
former Iraq commander says/RAY HANANIA/Arab News/July 25, 2026
Hezbollah: Between the Muscles of Action and the Power of the Word/Fares Khashan/Al-Nahar/July
25, 2026
Patriarch Elia Huwayek Declared Blessed. Al-Rahi: We Pray for the Implementation
of the Framework Agreement and Thank God for the Indicators of Aoun’s Successful
Visit
Official Circles Remember Huwayek
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports
And News published on 25-26 July/2026
US military says it redirected 12 ships trying to break Hormuz blockade
Yemeni air force strikes Houthi missile, drone launch sites in Marib, al-Jawf:
Officials
Netanyahu to meet Trump at White House on Tuesday
Palestinians bury four killed in West Bank clash with Israeli settlers
UN chief urges support for Syria on first visit since before war
Houthis say hit Saudi Arabia as Trump weighs harder Iran strikes
We will rebuild' after France fires: Macron
Israel kills senior Hamas-led police official in Gaza, medics say
UN chief Guterres in Syria slams 'unacceptable' situation around Golan Heights
Yemen leadership council chief slams Houthis for ‘gambling with interests’ of
its people
Coalition Joint Forces Command announces strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s
Hodeidah
Iraqi air defenses down drone near US consulate in Erbil
France detains six over suspected plot targeting synagogue
Ukraine says it hit Russian warship and ships used for Iran-linked military
cargoes
Modi’s education minister quits as Indian youth protesters claim victory, end
protest
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials
from miscellaneous sources published
on 25-26 July/2026
President Trump, Liberate Iran. Then You Will Truly Be One of History's
Greatest Heroes ...The Winning Strategy for Iran: Unconditional Surrender/Dr.
Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/July 25, 2026
Has Iran gone bankrupt, prompting the Houthis to act?/Huda Raouf/Independent
Arabia/July 25, 2026
Al-Zaidi Asks Iran for Help in Controlling Weapons... The Revolutionary Guard:
No!/Laura Yamin/Al-Markazia/July 25, 2026
Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program and the hard questions/Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq
Al-Awsat/July 25, 2026
Bab Al-Mandab Strait blockade — the risks to global shipping/Jonathan Gornall/Arab
News/July 26/2026
Selected Face Book & X tweets on 25 July/2026
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News &
Editorials published on 25-26 July/2026
Elias Bejjani/Text, Video, Arabic & English: Mistakes, Sins, Blunders of
Transparent Political Cleverness, and Falsification of Facts Committed by Joseph
Aoun During His Visit to America
July 23, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/156155/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTd1oPZut0U
Summary of the Main Topics Addressed in the Commentary
*A positive assessment of President Joseph Aoun’s visit to the United States,
while noting major observations and criticisms.
*Accusing President Aoun of distorting the historical facts related to
Hezbollah’s creation.
*Affirming that Hezbollah is an Iranian project and not a consequence of the
Israeli occupation.
*Criticizing the description of Hezbollah as a Lebanese resistance organization.
*Objecting to the praise directed toward the Lebanese Army leadership and Army
Commander Rodolphe Haykal.
*Criticizing the portrayal of Nabih Berri as a statesman and the defense of his
political role.
*Warning against policies of appeasement and political maneuvering in dealing
with national issues.
*Criticizing the composition of the delegation accompanying the President during
his visit to Washington.
*Holding presidential advisers responsible for certain presidential positions
and statements.
*Comparing President Aoun’s approach with that of President-elect Bashir Gemayel
in calling things by their true names.
*Calling on Lebanese citizens to practice criticism and refrain from turning
officials into political idols.
*Stressing that officials should be judged by their performance and not
glorified merely for carrying out their duties.
President Aoun’s Visit to Washington: Positives and Mistakes
President Joseph Aoun’s visit to the United States was an important achievement,
that the American position toward Lebanon was noteworthy, and that the overall
approach of the visit carried positive and encouraging elements. At the same
time, however, certain political mistakes and missteps accompanied the visit and
deserve to be highlighted out of respect for truth and history.
First: Falsifying the History of Hezbollah’s Creation
Since assuming the presidency, President Aoun has repeatedly stated on various
occasions that Hezbollah is a Lebanese organization that emerged as a result of
the Israeli occupation. Such a statement constitutes a falsification of history
and an insult to the intelligence of the Lebanese people. According to publicly
known facts and the testimonies of its founders and leaders, Hezbollah was never
a direct result of the occupation. Rather, it is an Iranian ideological,
military, and jihadist project established by the Iranian regime and attached to
the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its leaders have repeatedly declared that
their ideological, political, and military allegiance is to the doctrine of
Wilayat al-Faqih and that their funding, armament, and direction come from Iran.
Therefore, describing Hezbollah as merely a Lebanese resistance movement does
not reflect the reality of its formation, trajectory, and role.
Second: Hezbollah Between Lebanese Identity and Iranian Affiliation
It is true that Hezbollah’s members hold Lebanese citizenship, but this does not
make the project to which they belong a Lebanese one. Its ideology,
decision-making, financing, and political and military references are all tied
to Iran. They are mercenaries in every sense of the term as defined in political
science. Hassan Nasrallah repeatedly confirmed on many occasions that Hezbollah
is part of the Wilayat al-Faqih system and that its money, weapons, and support
come from Iran.Therefore, describing Hezbollah as an independent Lebanese
organization contradicts the facts publicly declared by its own leadership.
Third: A Different Reading of the Liberation of South Lebanon in 2000
Hezbollah did not liberate South Lebanon in 2000. Rather, it occupies it,
displaced its inhabitants, and caused its destruction and devastation.
Furthermore, Israel’s withdrawal in 2000 was not the result of a military
victory by Hezbollah but came within the framework of complex regional and
international considerations. The issue of the Shebaa Farms was later used to
justify the continuation of weapons outside the authority of the state.
Fourth: Criticism of Confidence in the Army Leadership
As for President Aoun’s confidence in the Army leadership, this confidence does
not align with the realities represented by Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal, who
is affiliated with Nabih Berri and Hezbollah. Aoun bears full responsibility for
any performance or decisions issued by the military leadership as long as he
defends it and grants it political cover.
Fifth: Nabih Berri and the Concept of a Statesman
Describing Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri as a statesman is both a sin and a
crime, because Berri’s political, financial, constitutional, and militia record
lies at the heart of every crisis that has afflicted Lebanon and the Lebanese
people. He is part of the problem, not the solution.He also serves as cover for
Hezbollah’s jihadist and Iranian policies and has contributed to consolidating a
political reality that has weakened the state and its institutions.
Sixth: The Problem of Political Cleverness and Appeasement
One of the main causes of Lebanon’s crises is the tendency of the majority of
political party bosses, officials, and religious leaders to adopt appeasement
and political cleverness instead of telling the whole truth. Calling things by
their true names is the essential gateway to building a real state and restoring
the Lebanese people’s confidence in their leadership.
Seventh: Criticism of the Presidential Delegation
Many Lebanese, including myself, question the reasons behind the selection of
certain members of the delegation that accompanied President Aoun to Washington.
This “poorly assembled” delegation was not the best representation of Lebanon
for a visit of such importance. The exclusion of certain figures and ministers,
including the Foreign Minister, raises many doubts and questions.
Eighth: The Role of Advisers
The advisers surrounding President Aoun, especially those involved in drafting
his speeches and positions, are characterized by approaches that lack a Lebanese
national perspective and that openly and blatantly distort historical and
political realities.
The President needs advisers who possess the courage to tell him the truth
rather than flatter him.
Ninth: Comparison with Bashir Gemayel’s Experience
Some compare Joseph Aoun to Bashir Gemayel, and this is a major mistake.
Bashir’s experience was distinguished by honesty, clarity, and courage in
calling things by their true names, without resorting to appeasement or
ambiguity. He also surrounded himself with capable advisers who were willing to
express opposing opinions whenever necessary.
Tenth: A Call for Criticism and Against Creating Idols
Lebanese citizens, especially those who consider themselves sovereignists,
should stop blindly applauding any official, including the President of the
Republic, who is merely a public servant working for the state and its citizens.
Performing one’s duties does not place a person above criticism or
accountability. Joseph Aoun must not become a new political idol, because
previous experiences have proven that political sanctification leads to further
mistakes and failures.
Conclusion
President Joseph Aoun’s visit to the United States was positive in terms of its
form and overall results. However, it was marred by major political mistakes,
most notably:
*Justifying Hezbollah’s creation and linking it to the Israeli occupation.
*Polishing the image of Nabih Berri and presenting him as a statesman.
*Defending the Army leadership and granting it unconditional confidence.
*Furthermore, reliance on advisers who serve as deposits for Hezbollah, Nabih
Berri, the Syrian Nationalist Party, the remnants of Michel Aoun’s disastrous
legacy, and groups of opportunists and hypocrites does not provide the President
with a critical reading of reality.
Ultimately, speaking the truth, no matter how difficult, remains a national and
moral duty. Public officials should be evaluated based on their performance and
commitment to the truth, not on the amount of applause that surrounds them.
The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email:
Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website:
https://eliasbejjaninews.com
Prioritizing
Abu Arza/Facebook/July 25, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
The President of the Republic emphasizes the necessity of the "Israeli
occupation" withdrawing from Lebanon first, to facilitate the removal of the
Iranian occupation represented by Hezbollah's weapons. However, reality,
experience, and history confirm the failure of this theory, as removing the
"Israeli occupation" before disarming Hezbollah leads to the consolidation of
the Iranian occupation.
Therefore, if President Aoun truly wants to liberate all of Lebanon from all
occupations, he must realize that the presence of the "Israeli occupation"
constitutes a pressure factor that contributes to removing Iranian influence
from Lebanon.In conclusion: The presence of the "Israeli occupation" is a
guarantee for removing the Iranian occupation, and the reverse is not true.
At your service, Lebanon
Video Link & transcript of an interview with writer and
director Youssef Y. Khoury
The Lebanese flag is sacred and must be respected. No Israeli withdrawal before
Hezbollah is dismantled and a peace agreement is signed with Lebanon. The
solution begins with the return of the displaced Lebanese. The Lebanese army
hasn't entered the South since 1986. Lebanon is the one failing to implement
agreements with Israel. Aoun's approaches to ending Hezbollah's Status are
unrealistic.
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/156203/
Interview conducted by journalist Fadi Shahwan from the "Nidaa Al
Watan" YouTube channel.
July 25, 2026
Note: Transcription, editing, and summarization of texts, titles, and headings
by Elias Bejjani with complete freedom.
Summary of Main Headlines:
*The symbolism of the flag and the disregard for protocol: The interview begins
by discussing the protocol officials' disregard for the cedar tree color in the
Lebanese flag displayed on the president's car, in the USA considering it a
negative sign reflecting a lack of respect for national symbols before engaging
in any negotiations.
*Linking the solution to the return of the displaced and exiled: Emphasizing
that any genuine path to a solution and reconstruction in Lebanon must begin
with the return of Lebanese who have been forcibly displaced and exiled over the
years (to Israel and other parts of the world), considering them more deserving
of rebuilding the nation than those currently in power.
*The problem of implementing Resolution 425 and international resolutions:
Holding the Lebanese state and political class responsible for the failure to
implement Resolution 425 and resolutions related to Israel's withdrawal over the
decades, and refuting the notion of the Lebanese army's complete inability to
confront security challenges.
*Criticizing the political analogies in the presidential discourse: Rejecting
the use of incongruous analogies (such as Northern Ireland and Colombia) in
official speeches concerning the disarmament and integration of Hezbollah,
describing them as unrealistic interpretations of Lebanese history.
*The Israeli map and the US-Israeli conflict: Indicating that there is only one
Israeli map on the table, one that entails ending Hezbollah's role and moving
towards peace, while noting emerging signs of a behind-the-scenes conflict
between American and Israeli tactics in the region. *The "business" frenzy
begins, and tragedies are forgotten: Al-Khoury warns against the rush by some to
establish shell companies and plan reconstruction projects in the south,
ignoring the scale of past tragedies and ongoing security challenges.
*The inevitability of war and Israel's continued preparations: The interview
concludes with the belief that Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon
except through a peace treaty and the complete disarmament of Hezbollah, amidst
reports and information indicating that Israel is preparing for a new round of
war and that time is being wasted on American visits.
Video Link and Transcript for an interview with Dr.
Charles Chartouni
The Interview covered In-Depth the Current Lebanese Affairs, Foremost of Which
is the Initiation of the Framework Agreement Implementation, Lebanon’s Level of
Compliance, Hezbollah’s and Its Mullah Masters’ Heresies, Jihadist Ideology, and
Criminality, Their Efforts to Obstruct Implementation, and the Inevitability of
Restoring and Liberating Lebanon’s Independence
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/156216/
Interviewer: Fadi Chahwan (via YouTube)
Date: July 25, 2026
Note: Transcription, text formatting, titles, and summary by Elias Bejjani with
full editorial freedom.
Summary of Dr. Charles Chartouni’s Interview with Journalist Fadi Chahwan
Main Topics Raised in the Interview
*Implications of the White House Summit: An evaluation of the meeting between
Presidents Joseph Aoun and Donald Trump and its impact on restoring status to
the Lebanese state and sovereignty.
*The Role of Constitutional Institutions and Central State Challenges: The
return of the presidency’s role, disarmament, and the effective control of the
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
*The U.S. Role and Track Separation: The importance of the American stance
(particularly Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s interventions) in separating the
Lebanese-Israeli track from the U.S.-Iranian track.
*The Credibility Test for the Military Establishment and the Judiciary: An
evaluation of the performance of the Lebanese Army and the Military Council,
alongside issues concerning selective judicial implementation.
*The Shiite Community’s Stance and Future Choices: The choice between entering
the path of settlement and statehood or remaining under the mantle of Iranian
influence.
*Threats and Intimidation Against the Recovery Track: Hezbollah’s positions
rejecting the framework agreement and threats surrounding the resumption of
direct flights between the U.S. and Lebanon.
*The Regional Scene and the Collapse of the Iranian Regime: An assessment of the
field situation in Iran, the collapse of regional settlements, and the
unraveling of Iranian proxy networks in the region (Lebanon, Iraq, and beyond).
Details of the Interview Segments
The White House Summit and Its Exceptional Implications
Restoring Status to the State: Dr. Charles Chartouni considered President Joseph
Aoun’s visit to the White House and his meeting with President Donald Trump to
be an exceptional and historical milestone.
End of the Banana Republic: The visit aimed to break free from the constraints
of Iranian control, ending a 35-year phase of successive regional influence
policies at the expense of the centrality of the Lebanese state, its
constitutional institutions, and the presidency.
Major Challenges Facing the State and the Lebanese Army
Implementation and Control: The state faced immediate challenges consisting of
disarmament, dismantling military installations, and proving the army’s
capability to enforce full control across Lebanese territory, especially in the
South.
Credibility of Army Leadership: Dr. Chartouni criticized the performance of the
Military Council and its head, Rudolf Haikal, during the preceding months,
viewing their past reports as inaccurate and damaging to their credibility. He
emphasized the necessity of restoring this credibility by adhering to the
country’s political decisions and cooperating with American arbitration and
mediation.
American Diplomacy and Track Separation
Backed by a decisive stance from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S.
Department of State successfully separated the Lebanese-Israeli track from the
U.S.-Iranian track. This prevented Lebanon from becoming a hostage to Iranian
maneuvers and confined negotiations strictly to the President of the Republic,
without side mediations or domestic tutelage.
Choices of the Shiite Community
Dr. Chartouni pointed to the necessity for the Shiite community to make a
definitive choice: either engage in the gradual enforcement of sovereignty and
enter the window of international settlement and constitutional institutions, or
remain captive to the suicidal influence policies driven by Tehran.
Hezbollah’s Threats and the Return of American Aviation
Rejection and Intimidation: Hezbollah seeks to sabotage the new track by
rejecting the framework agreement and targeting its implementation process.
Direct Flight Initiative: Dr. Chartouni considered the threats launched by
Hezbollah officials against the resumption of direct flights between the United
States and Lebanon as part of an effort to obstruct regional normalization and
keep Lebanon an alternative proxy war arena for the Iranian project.
The Collapse of the Iranian Regime and the Fall of Its Regional Proxies
End of Settlements: Understandings regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the
ballistic and nuclear files have practically collapsed due to Tehran’s lack of
serious intent for a solution, relying instead on buying time.
Phase of Inevitable Downfall: Dr. Chartouni affirmed that the Iranian regime has
entered a stage of direct collapse and internal implosion, and that a policy of
gradual attrition (in the footsteps of Condoleezza Rice’s approach) is the
definitive path to ending this regime. This coincides with the termination of
its regional proxies’ roles in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen in favor of building a
new axis to counter hegemony.
Aoun and the Missed Opportunities… Aoun and the rest of
Lebanon’s leaders must understand that the Iranian era is coming to an end, and
an era of peace and openness is arriving in the Middle East.
Colonel Charbel Barakat/July 25/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/07/156224/
President Aoun’s visit to the White House and his meeting with
President Trump initially appeared to be a successful endeavor, grounded in a
firm policy adopted by the Lebanese government in confronting Hezbollah—both in
designating the group as an outlaw organization and in holding it responsible
for the ongoing war, which has led to all the destruction and displacement we
are witnessing.
The visit created the impression that President Aoun knows what he is doing and
remains steadfast in his decision to disarm the country, cleanse Lebanon of
means of sabotage, prevent aggression against neighbors, and end the “arena
concept” that has been attached to it ever since the ominous Cairo Agreement,
through the Syrian occupation, and down to the Iranian occupation.
The latter not only planted fighters in the country but also proceeded to
indoctrinate the population, prevent free voices through assassination and
intimidation, and pepper their homes and villages with trenches and
fortifications. These structures ultimately caused their own destruction because
they were repurposed as combat assets protected by the legal cover of “prior
consent” from the local population. They barred United Nations forces from
monitoring these activities or halting their execution under the guise of
confronting “local residents”—a cover also sustained by elements of the Lebanese
Army and military intelligence.The world believed that what Presidents Trump and
Aoun stated regarding disarmament, reaching an understanding that leads to an
Israeli withdrawal, and treating Hezbollah as an enemy of Lebanon just as it is
an enemy of Israel, would be the new line publicly adopted by President Aoun. It
was thought he would impose it on the country’s legitimate institutions:
starting with the government, by purging it of the party’s remnants; moving to
Parliament, which would adopt a clear policy rejecting any foreign ties to Iran
and its projects; and concluding with the military, whose rhetoric and orders
must change, and whose leadership must be cleansed of officers disloyal to
government decisions. However, it seems that even before leaving Washington, and
during a dinner held in his honor at the Lebanese Embassy, he disavowed some of
what he had stated and agreed to inside the White House.
If this was a form of taqiyya (dissimulation) out of fear of threats from the
party and its cronies, it bodes ill. And if it was a clever maneuver to maintain
ties with Speaker Berri—who has failed to embrace any meaningful group from the
devastated Shiite community despite this catastrophe—or with the party itself,
it fails to grant him the strength necessary to confront the Israelis. The
Israelis are defending their people and their future, believing that the
Lebanese have grown weary of war and destruction, and are seeking to eliminate
the root causes of both. Consequently, they are open to American mediation to
reach understandings that end the conflict and restore the desired stability
between the two countries, provided that each side bears responsibility for its
borders and security, and respects good neighborliness across them.
We will not say that President Aoun has entirely lost his gamble, but he has
plunged himself into a major dilemma that will not be easy to escape. He has
neither won the trust of the Israelis to convince them of the seriousness of his
claim that the army will be capable of maintaining security and preventing
aggression, nor has he managed to rein in the party and assert his authority to
ensure success.
Instead, he relied on the warm welcome extended to him by President Trump,
believing that the United States would fulfill all his demands and pressure
Israel—as it has every time in the past—to withdraw with no guarantees other
than talk and familiar promises. We do not believe this will succeed this time.
The Israelis prevented Hezbollah and its masters from carrying out a coup the
day they heavily bombed Beirut and thwarted the plot; they also saved him from
assassination the day they struck the apartment in Hazmieh that was slated to be
rigged with explosives to seal his fate much like that of President-elect Bashir
Gemayel, alongside several other occasions unnoticed by the general public under
the assumption that he grasps reality and knows the country’s best interests.
Will the President continue to send serious signals that he understands
Lebanon’s interests, or does he still fear terrorists and seek to appease them
at the expense of the Lebanese people’s interests? The coming days will clarify
the facts, even though the ongoing war against Iran should make him and the rest
of the leaders understand that the Iranian era is coming to an end, and that the
era of peace, openness, and normalization is coming to the Middle East.
Elias Hoayek: The patriarch who built a global Maronite
network from Lebanon to the diaspora
LBCI/25 July/2026
How did someone more than 100 years ago, without modern communication and
transportation tools, manage to build an influential network that stretched from
Lebanon to the diaspora? This is the story of Patriarch Elias Hoayek. When
talking about Hoayek, most people remember him for Greater Lebanon. But there is
another side to the patriarch’s story that many do not know. He is from Halta,
Batroun, and studied at the Ghazir Seminary. In 1866, he traveled to Rome to
continue his education. At the time, the Maronite College in Rome was closed,
and Maronite students were scattered among other institutions. He became a
priest, then a bishop, and moved among Maronite communities, particularly in
France, where he collected donations and connected the diaspora with the
Church’s mission. Alongside the Holy See and Maronite communities, he
contributed to the reopening of the Maronite College in Rome in 1890. He was
elected patriarch in 1898. But this was only the beginning, as Hoayek recognized
a more serious challenge. By the end of the 19th century, the Maronite diaspora
was rapidly growing: families, workers, merchants, journalists and writers had
settled in Egypt, North and South America, and France. Hoayek understood that
migration, if left without institutions, would eventually lead to the loss of
identity. That is why he developed a project aimed at strengthening the
organization of the Maronite Church in the diaspora. Wherever Maronites existed
around the world, the Church had to be present: Parishes, priests, dioceses,
schools, religious orders, and permanent institutions that maintained their
connection to the patriarchate, regardless of distance. In this way, he
established the Maronite Church in the diaspora. In practice, he was building a
Lebanese Maronite network of influence. Every relationship abroad became a
source of political, intellectual and national support for Lebanon. After World
War I, he used this network of the Maronite diaspora, along with intellectuals,
writers and journalists, to defend the Lebanese cause. He succeeded, playing a
leading role in the establishment of Greater Lebanon. Today, his legacy remains
present in Maronite institutions and landmarks across the diaspora, such as
churches in Paris, New York and elsewhere. They stand as a testament that under
this patriarch, and 100 years later, Maronites succeeded in building a Church
with a global presence.
President Aoun: Beatification of Patriarch Elias Hoayek
shows holiness and patriotism can coexist
LBCI/25 July/2026
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, marking the beatification of Patriarch Elias
Hoayek, said the declaration affirms that "holiness and patriotism can come
together in one person's life."He said Hoayek saw "service to God as service to
humanity, and service to the Church as a mission to the nation."Aoun said
Hoayek’s struggle "was not the struggle of a sect defending itself, but of a
homeland that embraces everyone," recalling the patriarch's words: "I am for all
Lebanese."He added that Hoayek's beatification, coinciding with the centenary of
the proclamation of the Lebanese Constitution, "is not merely a coincidence, but
a sign of divine providence that accompanied Lebanon at the moment of its
founding and continues to accompany it through its hardships and
challenges."Aoun said Lebanon's mission "is greater than its crises," and that
its founding vision "is worth preserving and defending."He called on the
Lebanese to draw inspiration from Hoayek's life, describing it as a model of
steadfastness in times of uncertainty and faith in Lebanon. Aoun concluded by
urging that the occasion serve as "a renewal of the commitment to the vision
Hoayek championed: Lebanon as a land of coexistence and a civilizational message
between East and West."
Report: US determined to support Lebanese state and army
Naharnet/25 July/2026
The prevailing direction in the White House is to provide the Lebanese president
and government with what is necessary to solidify the framework agreement and
establish a state capable of taking initiatives free from "the interference of
Hezbollah or the axis it is aligned with," a U.S. diplomatic source said. The
source told al-Liwaa newspaper that the U.S. administration views the Lebanese
Army as "the cornerstone of any approach aimed at consolidating stability and
strengthening state authority."
Israel reinforces northern front: Preparations for
potential escalation with Iran and Lebanon
LBCI/25 July/2026
As attention remains focused on the possibility of renewed conflict with Iran,
the Israeli military has quietly reinforced its northern front, deploying its
Mountain Brigade to high ground overlooking the Lebanese side of the disputed
Shebaa Farms area amid preparations for a potential widening of hostilities.
According to Israeli reports, troops have been conducting training exercises and
operational drills in anticipation of the possibility that Lebanon could again
become part of a broader regional conflict. Air defense systems have also been
placed on heightened alert, particularly following reports that a missile landed
in the area. Inside Israel, authorities have raised the level of emergency
preparedness amid growing speculation that military action against Iran could
take place by the end of the week. Emergency coordination committees have
reportedly been established, public activities scheduled for Saturday and Sunday
have been canceled in several areas, and bomb shelters have been opened across
parts of the country, from the northern border to central and southern Israel.
Regional escalation unfolds across Israel, Iran and Lebanon amid reciprocal
strikes and diplomatic efforts
The heightened security measures come as Israeli officials warn that any new
confrontation with Iran could prove more severe than previous rounds of
fighting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a limited security cabinet
meeting to discuss possible scenarios should war with Iran erupt. According to
Israeli media reports, officials assessed that a future conflict would likely be
more dangerous than the recent exchanges between the two countries. Israeli
security officials are also reportedly seeking U.S. backing to avoid a repeat of
previous ceasefire arrangements, arguing that Israel should be allowed to
continue military operations until it achieves its objectives, including
neutralizing Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and its nuclear program.
Against the backdrop of the escalating rhetoric, Netanyahu announced that he
will travel to Washington on Monday for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump
and to attend the funeral of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. The visit has fueled
speculation in Israel that it could also be linked to ongoing strategic
coordination with Washington as pressure mounts on Iran.
Lebanon’s Civil Defense warns against swimming along entire
coastline
LBCI/25 July/2026
The Lebanese Civil Defense warned citizens against swimming along the country’s
coastline, from Aabdeh in the north to Naqoura in the south, due to high waves
and strong sea currents that increase the risk of drowning incidents. In a
statement, the Civil Defense urged the public to exercise caution and refrain
from swimming until sea conditions improve, while adhering to public safety
guidelines and instructions from relevant authorities.
From war damage to safety risks: Beirut’s fragile buildings
remain in limbo after ‘Black Wednesday’
LBCI/25 July/2026
No one has forgotten “Operation Eternal Darkness,” termed “Black Wednesday” in
Lebanon, the day Israel targeted several buildings in Beirut, including a
building in Tallet Khayat, where part of the structure collapsed. Today, the
remaining section poses a danger to the surrounding area. Here’s why. Looking at
the building’s rear wall, it is cracked and warped, and appears to be at risk of
collapse. A closer look at the building reveals walls that are at risk of
falling, along with household items left hanging precariously that could fall
onto anyone below at any moment.
The Tallet Khayat building is not the only one. During “Black Wednesday,”
several buildings were damaged, with some becoming uninhabitable. Since then,
one question has remained: What will happen to these buildings?The question
gained further attention after the Cabinet, during its latest session, tasked
the High Relief Committee, in coordination with engineering offices and the
Order of Engineers, with conducting a survey of structurally damaged buildings
in Beirut. The move aims to provide temporary housing allowances for residents
of buildings classified as dangerous. But does this decision include the
buildings damaged during “Black Wednesday”? No.This is a separate, older file
that began after building collapses in Tripoli. At the time, the Interior
Ministry requested that all governorates conduct surveys of structurally damaged
buildings. The Beirut Governorate submitted its file, which includes around 160
buildings, to the Cabinet, leading to the decision. So what about the buildings
damaged during “Black Wednesday”?Interior Ministry sources told LBCI that this
is a separate case. Beirut Governorate submitted its reports to the ministry,
and based on the ministry’s recommendation, the High Relief Committee tasked
engineering firm Khatib & Alami (K&A) with conducting structural assessments.
After the inspections were completed, the Interior Ministry referred the file to
the governorate and Beirut Municipality to begin work through the engineering
department.
According to the assessment results, the buildings can be reinforced and do not
need to be demolished. But who will fund the reinforcement work? The issue is
currently being studied by the Beirut Municipal Council and the High Relief
Committee. Beirut Governorate sources told LBCI that the municipality cannot
bear the cost of reinforcing these buildings for several reasons. The issue also
extends beyond Beirut, as damaged buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut,
southern Lebanon and the Bekaa raise the same question: Who will finance their
restoration?
For this reason, the sources consider that the issue cannot be separated from a
comprehensive reconstruction plan for all areas affected by the war, which are
still awaiting approval of a funding mechanism.
Will the US defend Lebanon? Inside the push for a new
security agreement
LBCI/25 July/2026
Will the United States defend Lebanon if it is subjected to an external attack?
The answer for now is no. Simply put, there is no signed defense agreement
between the two countries that obligates Washington to intervene militarily to
defend Lebanon. The military relationship between Lebanon and the United States
is currently limited to security cooperation, through which Washington provides
the Lebanese army with training, assistance and military exercises, depending on
the political circumstances. Currently, Lebanon and the United States are
seeking to reach a security agreement that would transform this cooperation into
a permanent, binding and long-term arrangement. This was among the issues
discussed during the meeting between Presidents Joseph Aoun and Donald Trump in
Washington.
So, what is the nature of a security agreement?
It is a formal agreement between two countries that establishes a legal
framework for cooperation and defines the rights and obligations of both sides,
as well as the mechanisms for collaboration. The United States has security
agreements with several countries in the region, including Egypt, Iraq and
Israel, among others. Binding defense agreements, however, are those it has with
countries such as NATO members. Could a security agreement evolve in the coming
phase into a defense agreement? One that includes a U.S. commitment to defend
Lebanon in the event of an attack, in addition to providing it with advanced
military equipment? This proposal was previously raised by late U.S. Sen.
Lindsey Graham. While the nature and content of the agreement remain to be
clarified, what is certain is that Washington is prepared to support the
Lebanese army and the Lebanese state. As for moving toward a defense agreement,
that would be a major political decision that would shape the future
relationship between the two countries and Lebanon’s position in the next phase.
Lebanon’s ‘Pilot Zones’ test international trust in
state
Asharq Al Awsat/25 July 2026
BEIRUT: Attention is turning to the first phase of “pilot zones” in southern
Lebanon, the first practical step in a mechanism being developed alongside
US-sponsored negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. The outcome is expected to
determine whether the model can be expanded to other areas, as a seventh round
of negotiations is due to be held in Rome in early August. The choice of Zawtar
al-Gharbiyeh, Froun and Srifa as starting points appeared to reflect more than
military considerations. It followed understandings reached before the meeting
between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun earlier
this week and was intended to establish a model that could be expanded
gradually. The first phase will assess not only the military deployment but the
broader implementation process, before any move to later stages.
Mneimneh: A confidence-building approach
MP Ibrahim Mneimneh said the pilot zone plan was designed to address doubts over
the Lebanese state’s ability to extend its authority. “A gradual and parallel
process involving the Israeli withdrawal, state deployment, bringing weapons
under state control and reconstruction is the most realistic way to implement
the commitments and prevent any party from exploiting the issue,” he told Asharq
Al-Awsat. Mneimneh said the main obstacle had been a lack of confidence in the
state, while the complexities surrounding Hezbollah’s weapons could be used to
derail the process. He said the preferred approach was for Israel to withdraw
from designated areas, followed by the deployment of the Lebanese state to
establish security authority and exclusive control over weapons, alongside
reconstruction and the continued extension of state control. Treating the
weapons issue as a single package could allow Israel to use it as a pretext to
prolong its occupation and give Hezbollah grounds to retain its arms, he added.
A phased transition would also be more realistic than assigning the state a
sweeping task at once, which could deepen doubts over its ability to deliver and
delay pressure on Israel to withdraw while state capabilities were being built.
Mneimneh said Lebanon had begun rebuilding confidence with the US and
international community, but warned that the time would be critical. “Prolonged
deadlines could derail the entire idea and allow Hezbollah to cast doubt on the
intentions behind the process and its effectiveness,” he said. The Israeli
withdrawal and the restoration of state authority must proceed at the same time
under a clear and rapid timetable, he urged. “Any open-ended deadlines will be
interpreted as entrenching the occupation,” the MP said, calling for a swift
withdrawal alongside international support to strengthen the state and the army.
Mneimneh said Hezbollah’s objections had been expected, though some recent
statements were less confrontational than usual and appeared to show a degree of
acceptance of the new reality.
He said it was too early to draw firm conclusions. He also described Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri’s position as significant, noting that Berri had welcomed
the process and said it was consistent with his previous demands. Mneimneh
stressed that the pilot zones were not a substitute for an Israeli withdrawal,
which he described as a non-negotiable right, but a mechanism to facilitate it
and prevent Israel from citing reasons to remain.
Karam: Success could open a path to recovery
Fadi Karam, an MP from the Lebanese Forces’ Strong Republic bloc, said the
army’s deployment in the pilot zones would test both the Lebanese state and the
international community. Success would help restore state authority and end
illegal weapons, while failure would have serious consequences for Lebanon, he
told Asharq Al-Awsat. Karam said the zones posed a new challenge for the state
and the army in imposing security and extending state control. The US has also
faced the task of securing the conditions needed for the army to deploy and
operate freely, preventing Israeli obstruction and continuing to support and
strengthen the military, he remarked. He said the process would also depend on
Hezbollah not obstructing it. “But if the Lebanese state has made a firm
decision, matters will move in the right direction,” he said. Karam stressed
that a successful deployment would strengthen international confidence in the
Lebanese state, particularly in Washington. “Success would mark the beginning of
a process to rescue Lebanon and free it from illegal weapons and armed factions
operating outside state authority,” he added. The next stage would extend state
and army authority to broader areas, he said, allowing for more serious action
on illegal weapons alongside an end to the Israeli presence on Lebanese
territory. Karam described the operation as both a test of confidence and a
security test. “The Lebanese army is capable of undertaking it, but it
requires a clear political decision to protect the process and ensure its
success,” he said. “The state and the army cannot be allowed to fail in this
mission because failure would be a catastrophe for Lebanon.” He said progress on
the ground would have direct implications for the next round of negotiations
with Israel.
“Defensive Strategy” and North and South Litani: The
party’s language is from the past.. When will it update it?!
Lara Yazbek/Markazia/July 25, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
In a statement issued following its weekly meeting on Thursday, the Loyalty to
the Resistance Bloc renewed its rejection of “direct negotiations and the
framework agreement that resulted from them.” She emphasized "the priority of
the complete withdrawal of the occupation army from our occupied land, and the
implementation of the November 27, 2024 agreement and Resolution 1701
exclusively in the south of the Litani, and any approach by the resistance
weapons outside this region will be after the enemy’s withdrawal based on
national consensuses, in the context of a national security strategy as stated
in the oath letter and the ministerial statement." Hezbollah's position
regarding its rejection of negotiations is not new, according to what sovereign
political sources told Al Markazia, but the question that is not new either,
which is raised every time the party announces its rejection of this option, is:
What is the alternative option that it proposes? Is it the path of Islamabad,
for example, which fell resoundingly and confrontations flared up again between
Washington and Tehran? Or is it the military option whose “exploits” we have
also seen on the ground, where the Israelis now occupy more than 60 villages in
the south? Or is it, for example, indirect negotiations, which only differ in
form from direct ones? Waiting for the party's answer, which will not come, the
sources say that what is most important in the party's position is its talk
about Resolution 1701, exclusively about the south of the Litani, and about a
defensive strategy... as if it is still living in the past before October 7. All
these expressions are outdated, according to the sources, after the party opened
a war supporting Hamas and after it turned a deaf ear to the Lebanese and
refused to comply with Resolution 1701. Today, the sources add, the official
Lebanese decision, as well as the international one, is in another place, in a
new stage in which the party’s weapons are illegal and are supposed to be handed
over to the Lebanese state and whose legitimate bodies are exclusively in charge
of them. This stage began in the October 27 agreement, which was approved by the
party, and has developed until today and the formulation of the framework. From
now on, there is no difference between the south of the Litani and its north,
and there is no talk of defensive strategies that legitimize the party keeping
its weapons, but rather a final decision to confine weapons in the hands of
legitimacy to the entire Lebanese territory from the south of the river to its
north to Beirut and all the way to the Bekaa and Hermel... The party must update
its data and adjust its speech and its timing to the year 2026, and not return
to tones that have been worn out for a long time, as this speech will not
benefit it and will not protect its weapons, but rather everything. What it will
cause is delaying liberation, aid, and reconstruction, if it does not cause
confrontations between it and the Lebanese army.. Is this what he and his
sponsor, Iran, want today?
US ‘boots on the ground’ may be needed to help Lebanon
confront Hezbollah, former Iraq commander says
RAY HANANIA/Arab News/July 25, 2026
CHICAGO: The retired US general who led the campaign against Daesh in Iraq said
on Thursday that a similar international effort could help Lebanon confront
Hezbollah, but would likely require American and coalition forces on the ground.
Speaking during a webinar hosted by the Middle East Institute and attended by
Arab News, retired Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland said any successful campaign would
also require restraining unilateral Israeli strikes, cutting Hezbollah off from
Iranian support and strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces. MacFarland, who
commanded the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve coalition against Daesh in Iraq
and Syria, said Lebanese troops would need American soldiers and advisers
alongside them, as well as reliable funding, salaries, equipment and logistical
support.“We may not be doing most of the heavy lifting, the direct combat
operations, but there is risk involved,” he said. “If you’re going to advise and
assist a force, you also have to accompany them to be effective.”
MacFarland said the physical presence of US personnel would help convince the
Lebanese army that Washington was committed to the mission and prepared to share
the risks.
“Initially, I did not have the authority to accompany Iraqi forces. We
eventually got that authority, but you have to accompany, and therefore you have
to incur risk,” he said.
“If you don’t think that the risk is worth it, then the fight probably isn’t
worth it either. We have to make sure that our objectives and our risk tolerance
are aligned.”He acknowledged that Hezbollah would present a more difficult
challenge than Daesh. The Iran-backed group has maintained a deeply entrenched
political and military presence in Lebanon for more than four decades, while
Daesh controlled territory in Iraq and Syria for a comparatively shorter period.
MacFarland said Iraqi forces had insisted that US personnel accompany them
during the campaign to retake Mosul, one of Daesh’s principal strongholds.
“Probably the most important confidence builder was when the prime minister
himself said: ‘We’re not going to Mosul unless you go with us,’” he recalled.
“It wasn’t enough to provide advice, funding or supplies. Unless Americans were
with them, sharing the risks, they weren’t going to go.”
The presence of US troops also reassured Iraqi forces that medical evacuation,
air support and other assistance would be available if they encountered serious
resistance, he said.
MacFarland argued that any coalition supporting Lebanon would likely need to
include regional powers such as Turkiye and Syria, while also working to sever
Iran’s military and financial support for Hezbollah. He said the US role as the
coalition’s lead nation in Iraq had also helped manage tensions between the
different forces fighting Daesh, including Kurds, Sunnis, Shiites, Christians
and other groups. “Quite frankly, some of the key leaders in the Iraqi army
didn’t like the Kurds and didn’t trust the Kurds, and the feeling was mutual for
obvious reasons,” he said.
The presence of US and coalition forces helped contain those rivalries and
establish a unified direction for the campaign, he added.
MacFarland said a similar American role in Lebanon could help coordinate the
country’s different political and communal forces behind the Lebanese army.
He also stressed that the Lebanese military would require substantial financial
support, including the payment of overdue salaries.
Kenneth Pollack, the Middle East Institute’s vice president for policy, said an
unnamed Lebanese official had recently raised the issue during a visit to
London.
“He made it very clear that the Lebanese Armed Forces need pay,” Pollack said.
“Their soldiers need back pay. They need salaries.”
He said the US had already demonstrated in Iraq and Syria that it had the
capacity to finance and sustain a partner force.
MacFarland said the campaign against Daesh had been supported by a “robust
budget,” including more than $1.5 billion for operations in Iraq and $500
million in Syria.
A retired three-star general, MacFarland commanded III Corps and oversaw
Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve in 2015.
He later served as deputy commanding general and chief of staff of the US Army
Training and Doctrine Command before retiring from active duty in February 2018.
Hezbollah: Between the Muscles of Action and the Power
of the Word
Fares Khashan/Al-Nahar/July 25, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
For years, Hezbollah has been raising the bar of its rhetoric to the maximum.
The threats are ever-present, the warnings constant, the latest being former
minister Mustafa Bayram's statement: "We will cut off the hand that reaches out
to us as an alternative to the Israelis." But the problem isn't the power of the
words, but rather the distance between the words and the actions. The hand that
was once presented as the decision-maker appears today more constrained than
ever. After a devastating war, the fighting ended with a ceasefire without
achieving the objectives the party declared upon entering the confrontation,
while Israel continued its operations inside Lebanon. This has imposed a reality
different from the rhetoric that prevailed in previous years. Herein lies the
paradox. When the language of threats is directed at the Lebanese public, a
legitimate question arises: Why does the tone of the rhetoric rise domestically,
while Hezbollah remains timid in the face of Israel? If Israel continues to
carry out operations inside Lebanese territory, where is the deterrence equation
that has formed the cornerstone of the party's discourse for decades? Another
paradox is that the party, which addresses its internal opponents in harsh
terms, found itself after the war facing a regional reality that made its room
for maneuver more dependent on Tehran's calculations than on the Lebanese arena.
While it speaks of initiative and action, it often waits for the direction of
regional winds before determining its course. The price was paid by the South
and its people: destroyed villages, residents who haven't returned to their
homes, damaged agricultural lands, and a local economy on the verge of collapse.
Yet, the Lebanese have not heard a genuine political review of the experience,
nor an acknowledgment of the scale of the cost. Instead, the same rhetoric
continues, as if nothing has changed.
From an excess of rhetoric to the silence of achievement
In contrast, the authority's hand seems stronger than its tongue. It doesn't
raise the stakes in its rhetoric, nor does it respond to threats with
counter-threats. Rather, it continues to proceed with the framework agreement,
unconcerned by the party's rejection or its political campaigns. It relies on a
gradual approach, managing the situation with minimal internal friction, and
depending on the military establishment to carry out field operations with
wisdom and discipline. The Zawtar al-Gharbiya Experience
Perhaps the Zawtar al-Gharbiya experience offers the most striking example of
this approach. The area, which was intended to be a model monitored by
Washington and Tel Aviv to gauge the state's ability to fulfill its obligations,
has been transformed, through quiet and wise military management, into a model
followed by the people of the South themselves. The question is no longer: Will
the state fulfill its obligations? Rather, it has become: How can a portion of
the land be reclaimed? How can the residents gradually return to the town from
which they were displaced by the armed conflict? How can the state return to its
citizens with its institutions, administrations, and services, not just its
military forces? This comparison is not between a weak party and a strong
authority, but between two different approaches. The first still believes that
escalating rhetoric compensates for a diminished capacity for action, while the
second relies on quiet, on-the-ground steps that may not yield media gains, but
which lay the foundation for restoring the state's role on the ground. Hezbollah
has become accustomed to presenting itself as the one with the stronger hand.
Today, however, it seems that its hand is now constrained by the limitations of
reality, while its rhetoric retains all its force. In contrast, the authorities
chose to lower their rhetoric and increase their actions. In politics, as in
war, the balance of power is not measured by what is said in speeches, but by
what is achieved on the ground. If the muscle of words is still working at full
force, the question that arises today is: can the muscle of action keep pace, or
has the era of mere rhetoric begun to recede in favor of facts?
Patriarch Elia Huwayek Declared Blessed. Al-Rahi: We
Pray for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement and Thank God for the
Indicators of Aoun’s Successful Visit
NNA/ July 25, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun and First Lady Nemat Aoun
participated in the festive Divine Liturgy during which Maronite Patriarch Mar
Bechara Boutros al-Rahi declared Patriarch Mar Elias Boutros Huwayek Blessed on
the altars of the Maronite Church. The ceremony took place this afternoon at the
Maronite Patriarchal See in Dimane, presided over by Cardinal Mar Bechara
Boutros al-Rahi, with the presence of the Prefect of the Dicastery for the
Causes of Saints and representative of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal
Marcello Semeraro.
The celebration was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam and his spouse
Sahar Baassiri, the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the
Minister of Endowments of the Republic of Iraq Rami Aghajan and his spouse, a
number of ministers and members of parliament, Army Commander General Rudolf
Haykal and his spouse, security agency commanders, and a multitude of
patriarchs, heads of Eastern Churches, metropolitans, bishops, superior generals
who flocked from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Cyprus, and several
diaspora countries, alongside political, judicial, military, and union figures,
governors, general directors, ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, former
ministers and MPs, mayors, and massive crowds of the faithful.
Proceedings of the Celebration
The celebration opened with a liturgical procession led by the cross and candles
amid an atmosphere of prayer and hymns of thanksgiving.
Bishop Mounir Khairallah, Eparch of Batroun for the Maronites, delivered an
address in which he raised, on behalf of the Maronite Church, the petition for
the beatification of Patriarch Elias Boutros Huwayek, requesting the blessing of
His Holiness the Pope through his representative, Cardinal Semeraro.
Next, the Patriarchal Vicar General and Postulator of the Cause of
Beatification, Bishop Hanna Alwan, presented a biography of the new Blessed,
recounting the most prominent milestones of his priestly, patriarchal, national,
and humanitarian life.
Cardinal Semeraro then read the official decree of beatification in Latin in the
name of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. It was subsequently read in Arabic by the
Superior General of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family,
Mother Marie Antoinette Saadeh, who stated:
"Responding to the petition of our venerable brother Mounir Khairallah, Eparch
of Batroun of the Maronites, and to the desire of a large number of our brothers
in the episcopate and a multitude of the faithful, after having consulted the
Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and by our Apostolic authority, we grant
permission that the Venerable Servant of God, Elias Boutros Huwayek, Patriarch
of Antioch of the Maronites, Founder of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family,
zealous shepherd according to Christ's own heart, courageous defender of the
poor and oppressed, and tireless promoter of the unity of his people, henceforth
be called Blessed, and that his feast be celebrated on the fifth day of June of
each year, in the places and according to the norms established by law.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, on the twenty-ninth day of June, in the
celebration of the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, in the year 2026,
the second of our pontificate.
Shepherd of Shepherds, Leo XIV."
Cardinal Semeraro then handed five official copies of the decree to Cardinal al-Rahi,
Bishops Mounir Khairallah and Hanna Alwan, Mother Marie Antoinette Saadeh, and
Sister Nora Khoury Hanna, Secretary of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters
of the Holy Family.
Bishop Khairallah expressed the Maronite Church's gratitude to His Holiness Pope
Leo XIV for enrolling Patriarch Huwayek among the Blessed. A curtain was then
unveiled to reveal the official icon of the new Blessed, followed by the festive
procession of a statue of Blessed Huwayek carrying his relics, which was placed
on the altar. The Holy Mass then commenced, presided over by Patriarch al-Rahi,
concelebrated by Cardinal Semeraro, and assisted by Bishops Khairallah, Joseph
Naffa, Youssef Soueif, and Hanna Alwan.
The liturgy was served by a joint choir composed of the Holy Family Congregation
Choir, the Maronite Patriarchal Seminary Choir in Ghazir, and the Beit Al-Inaya
Choir.
The Patriarch's Hom99
After the proclamation of the Holy Gospel, Patriarch al-Rahi delivered a homily
entitled "The Glory of Lebanon Has Been Given to Him":
"Your Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic,
And the Lebanese First Lady,
It is my pleasure to welcome you, Mr. President, upon your return from your
official visit to the United States of America, at the invitation of U.S.
President Donald Trump. We thank God for the signs of its success in all
aspects. We pray to God, through the intercession of the new Blessed Patriarch
Mar Elias Boutros Huwayek, that He may fulfill your aspirations for the good of
Lebanon, its stability, economic and financial growth, and reconstruction; and
for the implementation of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel in
a manner that guarantees Lebanon's sovereignty over all its territory, its total
independence, full liberation, and a permanent, just, and comprehensive peace.
You have come, accompanied by Prime Minister Judge Nawaf Salam and his spouse,
their Beatitudes the Patriarchs and heads of Eastern Churches, the Apostolic
Nuncio, Their Excellencies the bishops, superior generals, ministers, members of
parliament, the Army Commander, and other dignitaries, alongside this faithful
multitude flocking from Lebanon, the patriarchal domain, and the diaspora
countries. You have all come to celebrate the work of God in a person who
surrendered himself entirely to Divine Providence, until he became a luminous
sign in the history of the Church and the homeland. Today, we do not elevate a
human being to earthly glory, but rather bear witness to the glory wrought by
God in him, for holiness is not an honor granted by the earth, but a gift
bestowed by God upon those who live the Gospel faithfully to the end.
It is a day written with letters of gold and light in the registry of the
Church, and its echo is preserved in the memory of Lebanon. 'The glory of
Lebanon has been given to him' (Isaiah 35:2). In this Patriarchal See in Dimane—built
by the Blessed Patriarch Mar Elias Boutros Huwayek in 1905, which walked in his
footsteps, heard his prayers, witnessed his tears, and accompanied his
struggle—we gather today to announce with joy and jubilation that the Church has
elevated him to the rank of the Blessed, long after the faithful have known him
as a father, shepherd, intercessor, and a man of Divine Providence. It is a
moment of thanksgiving and praise, glorifying God who works in His saints and
raises witnesses to His Gospel in every era, illuminating the paths of peoples
and leaving to generations a legacy of faith, hope, and charity.
In this historic celebration, we are delighted to welcome, in the name of the
Maronite Church, His Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, personal envoy of His
Holiness Pope Leo XIV to proclaim Patriarch Elias Huwayek Blessed and write his
name among the Blessed in the registry of the Universal Church. He comes bearing
the love of the Holy Father and sharing with us the joy of this blessed day.
Your Eminence, your presence among us is a sign of the deep communion linking
the Maronite Church to the Church of Rome, and a token of love and appreciation
from Pope Leo for our Church, which has remained throughout its history
steadfast in its fidelity to the Catholic faith and a witness to Christ in this
beloved East.
Congratulations to our Maronite Church, to the Maronites in Lebanon, the
patriarchal domain, and the diaspora. Congratulations to the Universal Church.
Congratulations to the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family,
daughters of the Blessed Patriarch Huwayek. Congratulations to Lebanon, which
has birthed this spiritual and national stature. For God willed that from this
land should shine forth a man who lived by a single motto: 'My God, Your Will Be
Done,' transforming his surrender into a glory for the Church, a blessing for
Lebanon, and a hope for generations. In the history of the Church, there are
many men; in the history of Lebanon, there are great men. But Patriarch Elias
Boutros Huwayek combined in his person the vigilance of a shepherd, the wisdom
of a leader, the heart of a father, and the faith of a saint.
He was a man of God; God was the axis of his life, the purpose of his mission,
and the source of his strength. He lived his famous motto: 'My God, Your Will Be
Done,' never seeking glory for himself, but rather the glory of God and the
welfare of humanity, filled with boundless mercy. Every decision he made was the
fruit of prayer, and every stand he took was anchored in conscience and faith,
rooted in integrity, justice, and humility.
He was a man of Divine Providence. He believed that God guides the Church and
peoples, and thus he never knew despair, even in the darkest phases. When famine
struck Lebanon, he did not stand idly by watching human suffering; in 1916, he
opened the doors of Dimane, Bkerke, and the monasteries to the hungry and needy,
even mortgaging some of the patriarchal properties. When asked who would
compensate, he replied with the confidence of a believer: 'God will provide.'
Thus, he was dubbed the Patriarch of the Poor and Oppressed.
He was a man of vision and homeland. He saw Lebanon as a message before it was
an entity, and he believed that the human being is its most precious wealth.
When the first Lebanese delegation to the Paris Peace Conference failed, the
Lebanese of all confessions gathered in Bkerke and mandated the Patriarch to
head the second delegation on July 15, 1919, after which he dispatched a third
delegation headed by his Patriarchal Vicar General, Bishop Abdullah Khoury.
Thus, he carried the cause of Lebanon to the Peace Conference in Paris, defended
his people's right to freedom and dignity, and recovered the territories severed
from it by the Ottoman Empire, earning the rightful title of the Patriarch of
Greater Lebanon, and having his name inscribed among those who contributed to
the birth of the modern Lebanese state. A former Muslim minister, Rachid Derbass,
said of him: 'His holiness is established by two miracles: first, the creation
of the Lebanese entity, which he wrested from the womb of the Franco-British
agreement; and second, the resilience of this entity for over a century' (Rachid
Derbass, article in Al-Dustour newspaper, July 19, 2026: His Holiness is
Established by Two Miracles: The Creation of the Entity and Its Resilience).
In 1926, the Patriarch approved the Constitution and formulated its philosophy:
harmony in diversity, and the necessity of protecting the identities and
particularities of all Lebanese components—meaning the sectarian system as a
communal framework for diverse components that pledged to live peacefully
together in harmonious diversity within a consensual democratic state (Father
Prof. George Habika, lecture: Greater Lebanon and the Philosophy of Harmonious
Diversity in the Political Thought of Patriarch Elias Huwayek).
He was a man of the Church, working for its spiritual, educational, and social
revival. He founded the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family
(1895), believing that education and mission are two sides of the same coin. He
encouraged schools, missions, and acts of mercy, viewing the Church not as an
institution preserving the past, but as a mother building the future.
He established a patriarchal agency in Paris (1890), the Maronite School in Rome
(1891), the Patriarchal Vicariate in Egypt (1904)—which became an independent
eparchy—and the Patriarchal Vicariate in Jerusalem (1893). During his tenure,
the three Massabki martyr brothers were beatified (1925), and the causes for
canonization of Saint Charbel, Saint Rafqa, and Saint Nehemiah Al-Hardini were
opened (1928).
He was a man of Marian faith. He loved the Virgin Mary with a child's love for
his mother, working to construct the Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine in Harissa in
1905 and inaugurating it in 1907 to be a beacon of prayer and hope for all
Lebanese. His name is also linked to the prayer: 'O Mary, Queen of Mountains and
Seas,' which became a hymn raised by the Lebanese to their heavenly mother
generation after generation.
Such was Patriarch Huwayek: a praying shepherd, a loving father, a wise builder,
and a leader who saw beyond his time. Consequently, he transformed into a school
of faith, a luminous page in Church history, and a living conscience in the
history of Lebanon.
Today, as the Church elevates him to the rank of the Blessed, it proclaims to
the world that a life lived for God, serving humanity, and loving the homeland
is a life worthy of being an example for generations and a light illuminating
the path for anyone wishing to make faith a power to build humanity and the
homeland.
Great is God in His saints!"
Gift to President Aoun
Following the Divine Liturgy, Mother Superior Marie Antoinette Saadeh presented
a symbolic gift to President Aoun: a cedar tree carved from Lebanese rock
embodying the features of the new Blessed and carrying one of his relics. She
said:
"To God be the glory, first and last. We offer praise and thanksgiving for this
heavenly grace poured upon us as a homeland, a church, and a congregation. We
thank His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for declaring our Founding Father, Patriarch Mar
Elias Boutros Huwayek, Blessed on the altars of the Maronite Church, represented
among us today by His Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the
Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
To our father, shepherd, and head of our Church, Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros
al-Rahi, our thanks for presiding over this liturgical celebration. To Your
Excellency the Patriarchal Vicar General, Bishop Hanna Alwan, Postulator of the
Cause, for his vigilance and follow-up on the file until its crowning day.
And to you, Your Excellency President Joseph Aoun, our thanks and prayers for
your efforts in service of the sovereignty of our beloved homeland,
Lebanon—'Greater Lebanon' in land, people, history, and holiness. From the
cedars of the Lord, we present to you a cedar carved from Lebanese rock,
embodying the features of the new Blessed and carrying a relic of his, to
accompany, protect, guide your decisions, and direct your steps for the good of
our homeland and its people."
Following a procession of the relics of Blessed Huwayek among the faithful for
blessings, a dinner was held on the occasion in the gardens of the patriarchal
domain.
Meeting Between President Aoun and Patriarch al-Rahi
Before the beatification ceremony, President Aoun met with Patriarch al-Rahi at
the patriarchal domain in Dimane, in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio and
Syrian Catholic Patriarch Mar Ignatius Youssef III Younan. The meeting covered
the latest developments, and President Aoun briefed Patriarch al-Rahi on the
results of his official visit to Washington, his summit meeting with U.S.
President Donald Trump at the White House, and his talks with the U.S. Secretary
of State and other officials.A private closed-door meeting followed between
President Aoun and Patriarch al-Rahi to further discuss recent developments,
after which they moved to the Grand Salon, where President Aoun, the First Lady,
and Patriarch al-Rahi met with several metropolitans and bishops. Prime Minister
Salam and his spouse joined them upon their arrival in Dimane.
Official Circles Remember Huwayek
NNA/ July 25, 2026 (Google translation from Arabic)
Official circles marked the beatification of Patriarch Elias Huwayek in Dimane
to highlight his spiritual grace and national mission. On this occasion,
President General Joseph Aoun addressed the Lebanese residents and expatriates
with the following statement:
"We gather today at a unifying spiritual and national milestone, offering thanks
to God for the grace of beatifying one of the greatest sons of this homeland,
Patriarch Elias Huwayek, who was not merely a shepherd to his church, but a
father to the very idea of Lebanon.
The proclamation of his beatification affirms that holiness and patriotism can
unite in the journey of a single person who saw in the service of God a service
to humanity, and in the service of the Church a mission for the homeland.
Patriarch Huwayek, who occupied the patriarchal seat for thirty-two years, never
separated his faith from his struggle; rather, he fueled his struggle with faith
for the establishment of a free and sovereign Lebanese state.
This great patriarch stood at a delicate historical crossroads when the destiny
of the East was being drawn in international political corridors. He carried the
cause of Lebanon to the Peace Conference and then to the League of Nations in
1919, demanding his people's right to independence and statehood, undeterred by
the difficulty of the wager or the weight of responsibility.
With the firmness of a shepherd and the awareness of a statesman, Huwayek stood
alongside General Gouraud on September 1, 1920, the day the State of Greater
Lebanon was proclaimed, inscribing his name alongside the founders of this
entity throughout history: from Emir Fakhreddine al-Maani II and Emir Beshir
Shehab II to Youssef Bey Karam. Huwayek was the link that completed the
trajectory toward the modern state.
His struggle was not that of a sect defending itself, but that of a homeland
embracing everyone. He was the one who said: 'I am for all the Lebanese.' With
these simple words, he sketched the image of the Lebanon he desired: a
definitive homeland for all its sons, across their diverse sects and
affiliations, not a homeland for one faction over another.
The proclamation of Patriarch Huwayek's beatification at this time—coinciding
with the centenary of the promulgation of the Lebanese Constitution—is not a
mere transient coincidence, but rather a sign of Divine Providence that
accompanied Lebanon at its foundational moments and continues to accompany it
today in its trials and challenges. The patriarch who helped place Lebanon on
the map of nations returns today, from his place among the saints, to remind us
that this homeland's mission is greater than its crises, and its foundational
idea deserves to be preserved and defended as he defended it yesterday.
Let us draw from the life of this holy patriarch the meaning of steadfastness in
times of volatility, the meaning of faith in Lebanon when faith in it weakens
among many. Let us make this day an occasion to renew our covenant with the idea
he championed: Lebanon as a land of coexistence and a civilizational message
between East and West.
In the name of Lebanon—president and people—I express my highest gratitude and
appreciation to His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff Pope Leo XIV for his decision
to declare the beatification of Patriarch Huwayek, honoring all of Lebanon
through one of its righteous sons. I extend heartfelt congratulations to His
Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch, the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of
the Holy Family, and all sons of the Maronite Church and Greater Lebanon
wherever they are, at home and in the diaspora.
Patriarch Huwayek lived and died by his saying: 'O God, make me live and die in
Your good pleasure.' May his beatification today be a call for all of us to
live, as he lived, for Lebanon and in God's good pleasure.
Long live Lebanon, free, sovereign, and independent."
Statements by Political Figures
Former President Michel Sleiman: Stated that the Vatican's decision to beatify
Patriarch Elias Huwayek, founder of the State of Greater Lebanon, serves as a
practical confirmation of the famous saying of Saint John Paul II: "Lebanon is
more than a country, it is a message." He added that this beatification carries
a moral call for the Lebanese to adhere to a unified Lebanon as stipulated in
the preamble of the Constitution and the implementation of the Taif
Agreement—particularly clause (i)—rejecting partition, division, or settlement,
and supporting the state's efforts to emerge from the repercussions of war and
fragmentation.
Former President Michel Aoun: Wrote on X: "With the beatification of Patriarch
Elias Huwayek, the Church honors a shepherd who lived Christian virtues
heroically... Greater Lebanon, in Huwayek's vision, was never a project of
expansion or hegemony, but a homeland embracing all its sons, protecting
freedom, preserving pluralism, and founded on partnership and coexistence."
MP Melhem Khalaf: Stated that the beatification of Patriarch Huwayek is not a
mere transient ecclesiastical event, but a deeply significant national milestone
proving that the founding fathers were right in their vision that Greater
Lebanon is a free, sovereign project rooted in dignity and diversity within
unity.
MP Sami Gemayel (Kataeb Party Leader): Wrote on X: "It is no coincidence that
the beatification of Patriarch Elias Huwayek comes at this stage. As Lebanon
undergoes a fateful labor, it invokes a patriarch who witnessed its initial
birth, perhaps as a reminder that nation-building always begins with vision,
faith, and courage."
MP Nadim Gemayel: Wrote on X: "With the beatification of Patriarch Elias Huwayek,
hope is renewed that Lebanon will remain faithful to its mission and Christians
steadfast in their land, bearing the message of faith and freedom."
MP Elias Hankash: Wrote on X: "Let church bells ring, and let Maronites,
Christians, and Lebanese around the world rejoice at the beatification of
Venerable Patriarch Elias Huwayek... He made faith a service, patriotism a
message, and Lebanon a cause worth fighting for."
MP Neemat Frem: Tweeted from Dimane: "When heaven speaks, all doubts fall away.
The beatification of Patriarch Elias Huwayek at this moment is a message from
heaven that Greater Lebanon was not a historical mistake, but a project blessed
and continuously blessed by God."
MP Said Asmar: Wrote on X: "Blessed Patriarch Elias Huwayek embodied a faith
translated into love for humanity and the homeland... His name will remain a
beacon of hope reminding generations that serving God, humanity, and Lebanon is
the path to holiness."
MP Simon Abi Ramia: Wrote on X: "On my way from Ehmej to Dimane... I realized
that Lebanon may not be large in area, but it is great in its message, its
diversity, the faith of its people, and its great men who made its history."
MP Nada Boustani: Wrote on X: "Today the founder of Greater Lebanon is
beatified. Huwayek did not just draw borders; he built the will of a people
refusing to be subjugated. Greater Lebanon was founded on partnership and
national unity."
MP Raji Saad: Considered that the beatification affirms the sanctity of the land
of cedars for the Catholic Church and the importance of Greater Lebanon in its
diversity amidst major regional changes, calling for adherence to Huwayek's
message of a sovereign, independent state backed by a single army and state
authority.
Former MP Amal Abou Zeid: Stated on X that Huwayek's beatification in Dimane
honors the man who carried the cause of Greater Lebanon to the world,
summarizing his vision in his famous phrase: "My sect is Lebanon."
Armenian Catholic Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian: Following the events
from Jakarta, Indonesia, he hailed the beatification as an ecclesiastical and
national grace bringing hope to Lebanon and the Universal Church, praising the
high-level official participation led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime
Minister Nawaf Salam.
Monsignor Estephan Frangieh: Emphasized that the parish of Zgharta-Ehden is
preparing to participate in this historic event, noting Huwayek's special
historical ties to Ehden and Youssef Bey Karam, and affirming that Greater
Lebanon is a homeland for all Lebanese based on love and partnership.
Mayor of Jounieh / Amchit (Joseph El Khoury): Emphasized the spiritual and
national meanings of the beatification, offering a message of hope not to
despair in difficult times, recalling Huwayek's historic ties to Amchit and his
foundational educational works.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on 25-26 July/2026
US military says it redirected 12 ships trying to break Hormuz blockade
Arab News/July 26, 2026
RIYADH: The US military on Sunday said it had redirected 12 commercial vessels
trying to run its blockade of Iranian ports. In a post on X, the Central
Military Command said US forces disabled two ships that refused to comply, and
boarded two more “to ensure total compliance.”Earlier on Saturday, US forces
“completed a verification boarding aboard Comoros-flagged M/T Charminar in the
Arabian Sea, and the tanker is now continuing its journey,” CENTCOM said.
It added that US forces disabled on July 24 the Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in
the Gulf of Oman “after the crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple
times and ignored repeated warnings. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, meanwhile, said Saturday that their forces stopped
four ships attempting to transit the strategic Strait of Hormuz. “Four vessels
that had intended to transit through the southern area of the Strait of Hormuz
via an illegal and unsafe route were stopped over the past 24 hours after
warning shots were fired by the IRGC Navy,” the IRGC said in a statement quoted
by state television, adding that the ships had “altered course.”The US blockade
is aimed at ships on their way to or coming from Iran’s ports, while Iran’s
military is targeting oil tankers using a route hugging the Omani coast to
traverse the strait and avoiding the route designated as “legal” by Tehran.
Yemeni air force strikes Houthi missile, drone launch sites in Marib, al-Jawf:
Officials
Al Arabiya English/25 July/2026
The Yemeni government air force on Saturday carried out airstrikes on Houthi
missile and drone launch sites and arms depots in the Marib and al-Jawf
provinces along the front line with the Iran-aligned group, two Yemeni military
officials said. The officials said the strikes were among the first offensive
operations launched by the Yemeni government against the Houthis amid renewed
violence in the more than decade-old conflict. With Reuters
Netanyahu to meet Trump at White House on Tuesday
Agence France Presse/25 July/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump at
the White House on Tuesday, the Israeli leader's office said. Since Trump's
return to office last year, the two have already met six times, most recently on
February 11 in Washington. But this visit comes at a time when disagreements
between them over the handling of the war with Iran have occasionally spilled
into public view. "As part of the visit, the prime minister will meet with
President Trump at the White House on Tuesday and attend the funeral service for
Senator Lindsey Graham, a friend of Israel," Netanyahu's office said, adding
that he would depart for Washington on Monday. The two leaders were closely
aligned when Trump returned to the White House, launching a joint war against
Iran in late February that both sides initially hailed as a success. Netanyahu
has often described Trump as "the greatest friend" Israel ever had in the White
House. But their alliance has shown signs of strain in recent months,
particularly over whether to keep up military pressure on Iran or seek a
diplomatic solution. "We get along very good. (Netanyahu) knows who the boss
is," Trump said earlier this month in a phone interview with Axios, referring to
himself. Relations between the two leaders reached a low point in April during
negotiations on an initial US-Iran ceasefire -- which has since collapsed --
with Trump unleashing profanity-laced tirades against his Israeli ally.
'Very difficult guy' -
Trump had been seeking to wind down hostilities in Lebanon, where Israel's
continued military campaign against Hezbollah was proving an obstacle to the
Iran talks. But hours before the ceasefire deal was signed, Netanyahu launched
fresh attacks, provoking broadsides from Trump in the press."Are you f-ing
crazy? What are you f-ing doing? I helped you stay out of jail," Trump said he
told Netanyahu during a tense exchange, according to an interview with the New
York Post.Trump later described Netanyahu as a "very difficult guy" in another
interview. Netanyahu downplayed the exchanges as "tactical disagreements",
saying they both were aligned on the goals of disarming Hezbollah and preventing
Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."We can disagree in the morning, and by the
afternoon, we have common action," he added.Netanyahu's visit comes months
before Israeli national elections in which he plans to seek another term. Recent
polls show Netanyahu trailing, with public anger still lingering over his
government's failure to prevent Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, which
sparked the Gaza war.
Palestinians bury four killed in West Bank clash with
Israeli settlers
Agence France Presse/25 July/2026
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank village of Tell on Saturday buried four
men killed during a clash with Israeli settlers in the village the previous day,
local officials said. "Families of the four martyrs held a common funeral early
this morning, around 1:00 am (2200 GMT), but the army restricted who could
attend and only about 30 people were able to be there," Walid Zidan, head of the
Tell village council, told AFP. Violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has
surged since the Gaza war began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
On Friday, about 20 Israelis from a nearby settlement entered the village and
clashed with residents of Tell defending their property, Zidan told AFP. A
Palestinian villager seized an Israeli's weapon and shot dead one settler,
leading an emergency response team from a nearby settlement to rush to the scene
and more gunfire that left four Palestinians and a second Israeli dead, the
Israeli military said. Israeli forces closed gates and checkpoints throughout
the West Bank, severely obstructing movement, AFP journalists reported. By the
time of the funeral, movement was still restricted, and Zidan told AFP that the
military was still present in the village Saturday morning, having detained 51
residents for questioning, and released just six. Ghassan Daghlas, the governor
of the Nablus region, which includes Tell, attended a funerary prayer at the
Nablus hospital where the bodies were before the funeral in Tell. "Daghlas
participated in the funeral procession of the martyrs from the village of Tell,
amid a large public turnout of residents from the village and across Nablus
Governorate," his office said in a statement. An AFP journalist at the hospital
reported the four deceased Palestinians' bodies were laid on stretchers and
wrapped in Palestinian flags while friends and relatives said their good-byes.
Ahmed Ramadan, father of one of the deceased, told AFP at the hospital he did
not know his son was dead until he reached the medical facility. "I was asked to
go to the hospital... and when I arrived, I found my son had been killed, two of
my nephews also been killed, and a fourth nephew died as well," he said.
Ismail al-Saifi, another resident of Tell, told AFP the settlers' presence in
the village was not an isolated incident, and that locals decided to fight back
on Friday. "The young men bravely confronted them to defend their homes and
lands, which was only natural given the frequency of these attacks," Saifi said.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, but in recent years the number of
settlements in the Palestinian territory -- which are illegal under
international law -- has soared. Excluding east Jerusalem, more than 500,000
Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank, home to around three million
Palestinians. Israeli figures show that at least 48 Israelis, including
civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or
during Israeli military operations since the start of the Gaza war. According to
an AFP tally based on data from the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli
soldiers or settlers have killed at least 1,094 Palestinians, including both
militants and civilians, over the same period.
UN chief urges support for Syria on first visit since
before war
Agence France Presse/25 July/2026
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged international support
for Syria on Saturday as he visited the country, which is in transition
following years of war and the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.
Guterres is the first U.N. chief to visit Syria since his predecessor Ban Ki-moon
in 2009, two years before the start of Syria's civil war which went on to kill
more than half a million people before the new Islamist authorities took power
in December 2024. "I have just arrived in Damascus for a visit of solidarity. My
message is clear: The U.N. stands with Syria at this pivotal moment and I appeal
to the international community to spare no effort to support the people of Syria
as well," Guterres said on X. State media reported that Guterres met President
Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace after visiting Damascus' Old City,
with images appearing to show him at the famed Umayyad Mosque. Foreign Minister
Asaad al-Shaibani had earlier received the U.N. chief and his accompanying
delegation at Damascus airport. Since Sharaa took power, the international
community has urged the new Islamist authorities to build strong and effective
institutions and establish a governance system that includes all components of
Syria's multi-ethnic, multi-confessional country society. Guterres "will
emphasise that the opportunity now is not only to recover from conflict, but
also to lay the foundations for a future for Syria that will be more stable,
more inclusive and more prosperous for all Syrians", his spokesman Stephane
Dujarric said ahead of the visit. He will also "reaffirm the role of the United
Nations is to accompany and support the Syrian people on this journey", Dujarric
added.
Civil society
Guterres is set to meet representatives of Syrian civil society and
non-governmental organisations supporting women's issues, and to visit a U.N.
peacekeeping force that has been stationed in south Syria's Israeli-occupied
Golan Heights since 1974. After Assad's overthrow, Israel sent troops into the
U.N.-patrolled buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the
Golan, and has carried out strikes and repeated incursions deeper into Syrian
territory. Israeli officials have said they intend to keep forces in a "security
zone" in southern Syria, where they seek a broader demilitarised zone. Despite
tensions between the neighbours, Israel and Syria's new authorities have held
several rounds of direct talks and have agreed to establish an
intelligence-sharing mechanism, though the move has failed to halt Israeli
military activity. Syria's war shattered the country's infrastructure and pushed
millions of people to flee internally and abroad. Since Assad's ousting, some
1.9 million internally displaced people and 1.7 million refugees from abroad
have returned, according to the U.N., while around 5.5 million people remain
displaced inside the country and another six million overseas. With many Syrians
living in poverty, an estimated 15.6 million people require humanitarian
assistance. Several senior U.N. officials have visited Syria since Assad's fall,
including rights chief Volker Turk and UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi,
while a U.N. Security Council delegation of ambassadors made its first-ever
visit to Syria late last year. Sharaa last year made a landmark visit to the
U.N. where he became the first Syrian president in decades to address the body's
General Assembly.
Houthis say hit Saudi Arabia as Trump weighs harder Iran
strikes
Agence France Presse/25 July/2026
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed a missile attack on Saudi Arabia on
Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump mulled fresh strikes on the Islamic
republic in the deepening Middle East war. Houthi media said the rebels targeted
the Saudi City of Jizan on the Red Sea and Saudi's civil defense issued warnings
in the area on the kingdom's southwest coast as well as in Yanbu to the north. A
post by Ansarollah media on Telegram said the strike had sparked fires and a
video circulating on social media, and verified by AFP, showed dark clouds
rising above a refinery belonging to Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco in Jizan.
Earlier, the Iran-backed group accused US ally Saudi Arabia of a "dangerous
escalation" after Riyadh struck Houthi targets on Friday. A Yemeni security
source told AFP a naval base in the port city of Hodeida and a military camp on
Kamaran island were among the Saudi targets. The renewed exchange of fire
between the U.S. and Iranian allies signals the emergence of a new front in the
Middle East war following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran at the end of
February. Faiza, a 36-year-old mother of two and Hodeida resident, told AFP the
strikes were like "the sound of loud thunder", explaining she had heard three
distinct explosions.
'Back to strikes'
"I didn't want to believe that we had gone back to strikes," she added. Yemen's
Houthis have been at war with the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed
government since 2015 in a devastating conflict that has killed hundreds of
thousands and triggered a major humanitarian crisis. However, fighting in the
poverty-stricken Arabian peninsula country had been largely been frozen since a
UN-negotiated truce in 2022. This week the Houthis announced a maritime blockade
of the top oil producer, hitting Saudi tankers in the Red Sea. The threat to
shipping comes in parallel to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has
become the central flash point between Tehran and Washington amid renewed
hostilities between the two sides. On Saturday, the U.S. did not announce
strikes on Iran for the first time after 13 nights of consecutive bombardments
against the Islamic republic. Trump said he had not yet decided whether to
launch major strikes on Iran, hours before the escalation between Saudi Arabia
and Yemen, because Tehran was now getting "serious" in talks with Washington.
"No I haven't," Trump told journalists in the Oval Office when asked if he had
made a decision on hitting Iran hard."Look, we're talking to them right now. I
think they're getting more and more serious as the days go by, for maybe the
obvious reason."
'Tipping point' -
Trump said Iran had a choice between making a deal or facing a "much higher
level" of strikes, after nearly two weeks of U.S. attacks that have left an
April ceasefire in tatters. The war that Trump once predicted would last four or
five weeks is now nearing its fifth month, and is weighing on the Republican's
approval ratings ahead of crucial U.S. midterm elections in November. Trump
added that he did not know what the "tipping point" would be for a decision, but
reiterated that his red line would be if Iran was close to developing a nuclear
weapon. The United States says it is carrying out the strikes to stop Iran
closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with strikes on U.S.
bases that have killed four service members. The Iranian military said Friday it
had carried out attacks targeting U.S. military assets in Bahrain, Jordan and
Kuwait. Iran's Revolutionary Guards, meanwhile, said they had targeted an Amazon
data centre in Bahrain, according to state media, though neither the U.S. tech
giant nor Bahrain has commented on the claim. There was also no confirmation
from the United States of any targeting of its facilities or personnel.
'We will rebuild' after France fires: Macron
LBCI/25 July/2026
President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday France would rebuild after the
devastating fires that have swept parts of the country's south, forcing tens of
thousands of evacuations. "We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will be there
for as long as is needed," he said in a post on X. AFP
Israel kills senior Hamas-led police official in Gaza,
medics say
Reuters/25 July/2026
An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed the head of the Hamas-led police force
in the northern Gaza Strip, Brigadier-General Abdel-Nasser al-Maqadma, the
Hamas-run interior ministry and medics said. Al-Maqadma, one of at least five
Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, was also known as the
governor of the northern Gaza Strip. He was killed in the Sheikh Radwan area
north of Gaza City, medics said. The Israeli military said he was also part of
Hamas’ military wing. Israel has killed dozens of members of the Hamas-led
police force, including senior officials, in the past months, accusing many of
them of being members of the Hamas armed wing who posed imminent threats to
Israel and its forces inside Gaza. Hamas says Israeli attacks on the police
force and its headquarters are intended to sow chaos and anarchy in the enclave
and violate the US-brokered October ceasefire.
Medic, high school student also among Saturday’s dead
Another Israeli strike on Saturday killed a Palestinian medic in the Nuseirat
refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, medics said. They added that a police
officer wounded by an Israeli airstrike last week had died on Saturday. The
Israeli military didn’t immediately comment on the incident.
An Israeli airstrike also killed two people in a house in Khan Younis, in the
south of the enclave, medics said. The Israeli military said the strike targeted
a militant. Later on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike, also in Khan Younis, killed
Khaled al-Breim, a high school student, taking Saturday’s death toll to at least
five.
Relatives said al-Breim was killed as he sought to bring sweets to distribute to
relatives and friends who had flocked into his family home to offer their
congratulations as he had just concluded high school and was preparing for
university. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the student’s
death. The latest deaths add to a toll of more than 1,180 Palestinians, mostly
civilians, killed by Israeli attacks since an October ceasefire between Israel
and Hamas militants took effect, according to Gaza health officials. Hamas does
not usually disclose its losses. The truce halted full-scale fighting but has
not ended near-daily Israeli strikes. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by
militants in Gaza over the same period.
Peace talks stalled
Mediators including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States have been trying
to advance US President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the conflict in Gaza,
which calls for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawals, but there has been
little sign of progress in the efforts.
The war began when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200
people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s
subsequent offensive has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, say Gaza health
officials. Israel effectively controls an estimated 64 percent of the tiny
coastal Strip, bombarded to ruins by Israel’s two-year military assault that
followed the 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2
million people now live on a tiny strip of land, mainly in makeshift tents or
damaged buildings and facing dire conditions, under Hamas control.
UN chief Guterres in Syria slams 'unacceptable' situation
around Golan Heights
AFP/25 July/2026
UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday said the situation around Syria’s Golan
Heights was unacceptable, as Syria’s foreign minister urged Israeli forces to
withdraw from a UN-patrolled buffer zone where they deployed in 2024. “What is
happening in the region around the Golan Heights is totally unacceptable,”
Guterres told a press conference alongside Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani,
who called for an “immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal” from the area
where they had advanced. Guterres arrived in Syria on Saturday on the first
visit by a chief of the global body since before the country’s civil war
erupted, state media reported. During the three-day visit, Guterres is set to
reaffirm support for Syria’s transition, more than a year and a half after the
new authorities led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa overthrew longtime ruler Bashar
al-Assad after more than 13 years of war.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani received Guterres “and his accompanying
delegation at Damascus international airport,” state news agency SANA reported.
He is the first UN chief to visit Syria since Ban Ki-moon in 2009, two years
before the start of Syria’s civil war which went on to kill more than half a
million people before Assad’s overthrow in December 2024. Since Sharaa took
power, the international community has urged the new authorities to build strong
and effective institutions and establish a governance system that includes all
components of Syria’s multi-ethnic, multi-confessional country society. Guterres
“will emphasize that the opportunity now is not only to recover from conflict,
but also to lay the foundations for a future for Syria that will be more stable,
more inclusive and more prosperous for all Syrians,” his spokesman Stephane
Dujarric said ahead of the visit. He will also “reaffirm the role of the United
Nations is to accompany and support the Syrian people on this journey,” Dujarric
added.
‘Defining moment’
UN special envoy to the country, Claudio Cordone, said earlier this week that
Guterres would “reaffirm the United Nations commitment to supporting the Syrian
government and the Syrian people at this defining period in Syria’s
history.”Guterres is to meet Sharaa, who last year made a landmark visit to the
UN where he became the first Syrian president in decades to address the body’s
General Assembly. The UN chief is also set to meet representatives of Syrian
civil society and non-governmental organizations supporting women’s issues, and
to address the new transitional parliament, which held its first session earlier
this month. He is also set to visit a UN peacekeeping force that has been
stationed in south Syria’s Israeli-occupied Golan Heights since 1974. After
Assad’s December 2024 overthrow, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer
zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan, and has carried out
strikes and repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory. Israeli officials
have said they intend to keep forces in a “security zone” in southern Syria,
where they seek a broader demilitarized zone.
Despite tensions between the neighbors, Israel and Syria’s new authorities have
held several rounds of direct talks and have agreed to establish an
intelligence-sharing mechanism, though the move has failed to halt Israeli
military actions which have been condemned by the UN and members of the
international community. Several senior UN officials have visited Syria since
Assad’s fall, including rights chief Volker Turk and UN nuclear watchdog head
Rafael Grossi, while a UN Security Council delegation of ambassadors made its
first-ever visit to Syria late last year.
Yemen leadership council chief slams Houthis for ‘gambling
with interests’ of its people
Al Arabiya English/25 July/2026
Rashad al-Alimi, the President of the Yemeni Leadership Council slammed on
Saturday the Iran-backed Houthi militia for “gambling with the interests of
Yemeni people.”Al-Alimi said that the militia group’s escalation serves the
Iranian agenda and does not benefit Yemen’s residents, calling it “a waste of
time and a drain on Yemen's capabilities.” The Yemeni government also pledged to
work with the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen and protect the
waterways. Earlier, the Coalition said that Houthi military sites in Yemen's
Hodeidah province had been targeted. The Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki
confirmed that the targets that were destroyed were linked to the threat to
commercial ships in the Red Sea. He added that the port of Hodeidah was not
targeted, adding that they remain open to maritime navigation.
Coalition Joint Forces Command announces strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s
Hodeidah
Al Arabiya English/25 July/2026
The Coalition Joint Forces Command said it launched attacks against Houthi
military sites in Yemen’s Hodeidah late Friday. Despite Houthi claims, the
Coalition said it targeted military sites and not the Port of Hodeidah. A
statement from the Coalition affirmed that all ports in the governorate remained
open to shipping. The targets that were destroyed were linked to threats against
commercial shipping in the Red Sea, according to the Coalition. This comes
shortly after a Saudi vessel was attacked in the Red Sea on Friday. This was at
least the second such attack on a Saudi vessel this week.
Iraqi air defenses down drone near US consulate in Erbil
Reuters/25 July/2026
Iraqi air defenses shot down a drone near the US consulate in the Kurdistan
Region capital of Erbil on Saturday, security sources told Reuters.
France detains six over suspected plot targeting synagogue
Reuters/25 July/2026
Six people have been held in custody and are expected to face charges over a
foiled attack earlier this month that allegedly targeted a synagogue in the
Paris suburb of Sarcelles, the French anti-terrorism prosecutor said on
Saturday. The six suspects, whose identities were not disclosed, were arrested
after about 300 people were evacuated from Sarcelles on July 12 when a
suspicious vehicle was found near the synagogue.The prosecutor said that the
plot was linked to extremism.
Ukraine says it hit Russian warship and ships used for Iran-linked military
cargoes
Al Arabiya English/25 July/2026
Ukraine’s forces struck a Russian warship and vessels used for transporting
Iran-linked military cargo in the Caspian Sea, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
said on Saturday. “We also achieved very strong results with long-range strikes
in the Caspian Sea – including vessels used in military cargo shipments
involving Iran,” he said on X. Ukrainian security services referred to the two
cargo vessels as Port Olya 2 and Begey in a post on Telegram. Furthermore, they
said that Ukrainian drones have struck the Filanovsky oil platform belonging to
Russia’s Lukoil in the Caspian Sea. With Reuters
Modi’s education minister quits as Indian youth protesters
claim victory, end protest
Reuters/25 July/2026
Indian youth protesters called off weeks of demonstrations and celebrated in the
streets on Saturday after the education minister quit and Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s government bowed to demands including calls to fix a
cheating-prone exam system. The worst political crisis of Modi’s third term in
office had peaked this week when thousands of protesters marched on parliament,
with police using tear gas to control them. Young voters form a critical base of
his Bharatiya Janata Party. But youths calling themselves “cockroaches” had
taken to the streets since late June, after national exam papers were leaked
forcing a resit which affected 2 million students and galvanized anger about the
lack of prospects for young Indians. The resignation of Education Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan, the students’ primary demand, came as a surprise because
Modi has a reputation for refusing to act under pressure.
Modi’s party faces key state elections next year. Similar youth-led protest
movements brought down governments in neighboring Sri Lanka, Nepal and
Bangladesh in recent years. Celebrations erupted at the Jantar Mantar protest
site in the capital Delhi, with thousands of youngsters chanting victory slogans
and dancing. The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, which
spearheaded the demonstrations, said it would end its protests. “We have done
it,” said Abhijeet Dipke, CJP’s founder, to loud cheers at the site. Youngsters
shouted “Jai Hind”, a patriotic slogan meaning “Victory to India,” as the
national anthem played on loudspeakers and sweets were distributed. Roads around
the central business district of Connaught Place near the protest site were shut
amid celebrations and a swelling crowd of thousands of protesters. Health
Minister J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, a junior minister in Modi’s office, held
a joint press conference with two CJP spokespersons after another round of talks
following Pradhan’s resignation.
Protest leaders urge supporters to withdraw peacefully
Nadda said the government had accepted all demands of the protesters, which
included reforms in the exam system, dropping police cases filed against
protesters and compensating families of students who died by suicide after the
exam paper leaks. “The Cockroach Janta Party declares that we withdraw the
agitation in good faith,” CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said. “All the demands
raised by our team have been accepted, therefore we request protesters to
withdraw and peacefully go home,” spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka added. “The bottom
line is we have won, your struggle, hard work, and patience have paid off,”
Ranka told cheering crowds at Jantar Mantar on returning from the talks, and
urged them to withdraw peacefully. Opposition parties had echoed the demands of
the youth and disrupted the monsoon session of parliament for the entire week,
threatening key legislation planned by the government.
Scenes of police using tear gas to control protesters had also fueled public
anger, although authorities defended their actions saying they were only
enforcing the law.
Pradhan announced his resignation in a post on X. “Considering the situation
that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national
forces do not take advantage of this situation ... I have sent my resignation
letter to the Prime Minister,” Pradhan wrote. “I deeply respect the aspirations,
feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth.”
Mobile internet restored, metro stations opened
The protesters had demanded his resignation over leaks of the national medical
school entrance test paper in May, which led to the cancellation of results and
a retest which affected 2 million students.The protests also reflected growing
anger in India over job scarcity and government accountability. Pradhan’s
resignation is “a victory of peace, patience & perseverance,” activist Sonam
Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike for 26 days to support the youth movement,
wrote on X. After news of his resignation, federal authorities restored access
to the mobile internet around the protest site, after blocking it for most of
the week. Delhi Metro rail stations in and around the area that were closed for
much of four days this week were also opened. “Young generation is here. This is
a win for the constitution,” protester Tluanga Ralte said, walking with a copy
of the Indian constitution at the protest site after Pradhan’s resignation. “We
are not a lazy generation.”Pradhan, 57, a senior member of Modi’s Bharatiya
Janata Party and the son of a veteran BJP leader, had been education minister
since 2021. Pradhan, who in the past was mentioned as a potential BJP president,
is only the second minister to resign following a scandal since Modi came to
power in 2014. M.J. Akbar resigned as junior foreign minister in October 2018 to
fight allegations of sexual harassment made by more than a dozen women during
India’s #MeToo movement.
The Latest LCCC analysis & editorials from
miscellaneous sources published
on 25-26 July/2026
President Trump, Liberate Iran. Then
You Will Truly Be One of History's Greatest Heroes ...The Winning Strategy for
Iran: Unconditional Surrender
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/July 25, 2026
President Donald Trump has a winning strategy on Iran. The military campaign
should not stop until Iran's regime delivers an unconditional surrender, as
Germany and Japan did in World War II.House Speaker Mike Johnson should be
cautious about telling Trump to "wrap it up." The US strikes on Iran have been
as breathtaking as they were overdue – and massively complex. What would the
world look like today if in 1942 the US and its allies had been told to "wrap it
up"?
Trump should not listen to anyone who tells him to slow down or ease up. The
Gulf Arabs are being hit hard again -- presumably to induce them to rush to
Trump to beg him to negotiate so that the strikes will stop.
The Iranian regime is now playing another card, signaling that it "wants to
talk." Of course it does. The United States should insist only on unconditional
surrender.
Iran's pattern is clear: escalate, absorb strikes, then call for talks by
mediators from Qatar, Oman, Pakistan or other Muslim Brotherhood allies that are
trying to buy Iran time.
Any pause risks resetting the conflict in Iran's favor.
Close coordination with Israel is indispensable. As America's most trusted and
capable ally in the region, Israel shares core strategic interests: neutralizing
Iran's nuclear threat, tackling terrorism, and ensuring long-term regional
stability. Israeli intelligence has repeatedly demonstrated deep infiltration of
the Iranian regime and understanding of its inner workings. No other partner
comes close to matching this alignment.
President Trump, liberate Iran. Then you will truly be one of history's greatest
heroes.
President Donald Trump has a winning strategy on Iran. The military campaign
should not stop until Iran's regime delivers an unconditional surrender. House
Speaker Mike Johnson should be cautious about telling Trump to "wrap it up." The
US strikes on Iran have been as breathtaking as they were overdue – and
massively complex. What would the world look like today if in 1942 the US and
its allies had been told to "wrap it up"?
When confronting the task of eradicating the Iranian regime — the world's top
state sponsor of terrorism and enthusiastic violator of human rights — it is
essential to go in with all options on the table: economic sanctions, military
operations, and political isolation all working in concert. The Nazi regime
under Hitler, for instance, was not defeated through proportionate responses or
limited engagements. The WWII Allies committed to total victory, dismantling the
machinery of aggression, root and branch. The same principle applies today.
President Donald Trump has a winning strategy on Iran. The military campaign
should not stop until Iran's regime delivers an unconditional surrender, as
Germany and Japan did in World War II.
Against Iran's ideologically driven theocracy, which has spent decades exporting
violence, funding proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, and
oppressing its own people, pauses, ceasefires and restraint are recipes for
perpetual conflict. Iran uses the hiatus to rearm and rebuild, then resumes
further escalation.
What was required, as the Trump Administration saw after two months of misguided
diplomatic efforts, was to end the era of impunity.
The American strikes on Iranian military sites over the past two weeks have been
a strong and necessary step. It would be heroic if Trump could at last liberate
Iran from the regime that Senator John Fetterman has called "a 47-year-old war
crime."
House Speaker Mike Johnson should be cautious about telling Trump to "wrap it
up." The US strikes on Iran have been as breathtaking as they were overdue – and
massively complex. What would the world look like today if in 1942 the US and
its allies had been told to "wrap it up"? With all due respect, the speaker
should kindly help the administration to "finish the job." If he is anxious
about the upcoming midterm elections, he might recall that Americans like
winners, not quitters.
Trump, while offering Iran's leaders as many off-ramps as humanly possible --
even announcing what his next moves would be -- has tried, futilely, to give
Iran's leaders every chance to make a deal, although we should rejoice that it
was not Vice President JD Vance's disastrously misbegotten Islamabad Memorandum
of Understanding, which was basically a capitulation to the regime's demands.
The American military operations are successfully degrading the regime's
capabilities. Trump's leadership stands out as the strongest and most realistic
on Iran.
When one of Iran's proxies, Yemen's Houthis, attacked two commercial ships in
the Red Sea on July 22, Trump informed Iran that it, too, would be held
accountable.
Trump is also deploying one of his most potent "golden winning cards" which
should be expanded: strikes on critical infrastructure and especially on members
of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
This approach echoes the Allied strategy in World War II. When confronting Nazi
Germany, the Allies did not limit themselves to battlefield engagements.
Similarly, against Imperial Japan, the U.S. targeted not just military bases but
cities and supply lines, to break both the capacity and the will to fight. These
operations were overwhelmingly powerful — far beyond anything the Axis powers
had anticipated. The enemy had gambled on limited Western resolve; instead, they
faced total commitment. Surrender followed.
The lesson is that when facing a tyrannical regime bent on domination,
tit-for-tat exchanges only prolong the agony.
Trump should not listen to anyone who tells him to slow down or ease up. The
Gulf Arabs are being hit hard again -- presumably to induce them to rush to
Trump to beg him to negotiate so that the strikes will stop.
The Iranian regime is now playing another card, signaling that it "wants to
talk." Of course it does. The United States should insist only on unconditional
surrender.
Iran's pattern is clear: escalate, absorb strikes, then call for talks by
mediators from Qatar, Oman, Pakistan or other Muslim Brotherhood allies that are
trying to buy Iran time.
Iran's goal, as seen in its repeated pattern of the last months, if not years,
is to regroup and resume destabilizing the region once pressure eases. Trump is
doing perfectly by maintaining momentum. The US operations must continue without
pause until Iran offers unconditional surrender. Any pause risks resetting the
conflict in Iran's favor.
Similar to how Israel has applied sustained pressure on Hamas, Hezbollah, and
other Iranian proxies — targeting leadership, military infrastructure, and
supply lines — the U.S. must impose comparable intensity on both Iran and the
Houthis. This sends a powerful message for global security: attacking commercial
ships and sponsoring terrorism carry unbearable costs.
Iran will likely enlist its allied third-party mediators to push for
de-escalation while secretly rebuilding military capabilities. Watch for Iran's
games.
Close coordination with Israel is indispensable. As America's most trusted and
capable ally in the region, Israel shares core strategic interests: neutralizing
Iran's nuclear threat, tackling terrorism, and ensuring long-term regional
stability. Israeli intelligence has repeatedly demonstrated deep infiltration of
the Iranian regime and understanding of its inner workings. No other partner
comes close to matching this alignment.
Trump has proven to be the strongest and most effective leader to confront the
Islamic Republic of Iran in its 47-year history. No previous administration
dared to challenge it with such resolve. His first demand of unconditional
surrender was correct, and it should remain the position now. Sustained pressure
must continue on the regime itself and its network of proxies. There can be no
let-up. Iran's forces of destruction cannot be allowed to survive and later
regroup. They must be comprehensively dismantled to secure lasting peace and
stability.
President Trump, liberate Iran. Then you will truly be one of history's greatest
heroes.
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a political scientist, Harvard-educated analyst, and
board member of Harvard International Review. He has authored several books on
the US foreign policy. He can be reached at dr.rafizadeh@post.harvard.edu
Follow Majid Rafizadeh on X (formerly Twitter)
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22732/liberate-iran-unconditional-surrender
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Has Iran gone bankrupt, prompting the Houthis to act?
Huda Raouf/Independent Arabia/July 25, 2026 (Google translation
from Arabic)
The final equation appears complex. Iran wants to maintain the Strait of Hormuz
as a bargaining chip, the Gulf states want to reduce their dependence on it, and
the United States wants to guarantee freedom of navigation without being drawn
into an open war. Amid these conflicting calculations, the Red Sea and Bab
el-Mandeb become extensions of the Hormuz conflict, not only as a struggle over
maritime routes, but also as a struggle over who has the power to shape the
economic and energy map of the Middle East in the coming decades. The
fundamental problem in the current confrontation between Iran and the United
States is that both sides possess leverage, but neither has the capacity to
achieve a decisive victory. This could transform the current conflict into a
protracted war lasting for years, similar to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Furthermore, US President Donald Trump appears to be prioritizing the midterm
elections over the current situation. In such a context, the world's nations may
begin searching for alternative energy routes, and the global economy may adapt
to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, similar to the repercussions it experienced
during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war. Iran considers its
only remaining strategic asset—the Strait of Hormuz—to be threatened with losing
its significance. Consequently, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea have
emerged as new arenas of conflict, particularly with the escalating Houthi
attacks against Saudi-linked shipping. Has Bab el-Mandeb become an extension of
the Hormuz conflict?
Although Tehran consistently asserts that the security of the Strait of Hormuz
is linked to the security of the entire Gulf region, one of Iran's strategic
concerns is the success of the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the
UAE, in developing alternative routes that reduce reliance on the Strait of
Hormuz. This would diminish the geopolitical leverage the strait holds for Iran.
The importance of the Strait of Hormuz stems from its role as the primary
transit point for approximately one-third of the world's seaborne oil trade.
Massive quantities of crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass through it daily,
destined for Asian and European markets. Tens of thousands of ships, including
oil tankers, container ships, and cargo vessels, also transit the strait
annually, making its significance extend beyond the energy sector to global
trade as a whole. Therefore, any threat to close the strait or disrupt
navigation within it would create an immediate international crisis. However,
Iran also recognizes that continuing to use Hormuz as a geopolitical weapon
could prompt other countries to accelerate their search for alternative routes.
Herein lies Iran's dilemma. Tehran's strategic power is not solely tied to its
military capabilities, but also to its geographic location, which grants it
influence over one of the world's most vital energy routes. If the Strait of
Hormuz loses its strategic importance, a portion of this power will erode. In
recent years, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have invested in infrastructure projects
aimed at partially bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia developed the
East-West pipeline, which transports oil from the Eastern Province to the port
of Yanbu on the Red Sea, while the UAE developed export facilities at the port
of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman. This is a strategic attempt to mitigate
vulnerabilities, providing producing nations with room to maneuver should the
strait be threatened. Saudi ports on the Red Sea have become a Gulf trade hub
since the conflict with Iran led to the disruption of shipping traffic through
Hormuz. From Iran's perspective, a prolonged war and closure of the Strait of
Hormuz could be counterproductive, potentially prompting the world to invest
more heavily in alternatives that would reduce the strait's future centrality.
Why are the Houthis moving in Bab al-Mandab?
In this context, the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea and their declared
targeting of ships linked to Saudi Arabia can be understood as part of a broader
equation that transcends the internal Yemeni conflict. Bab al-Mandab represents
one of the most important potential alternatives for trade and energy traffic
should shipping through the Strait of Hormuz be disrupted. Recent years have
demonstrated the strait's ability to influence global markets, especially after
previous Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, which prompted many shipping
companies to reroute their ships away from the Red Sea. Therefore, exerting
pressure on Bab al-Mandab achieves two potential objectives: first, preventing
the Red Sea from becoming a safe alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. If Saudi
Arabia and the UAE can utilize Red Sea routes more efficiently, Iran's ability
to use Hormuz as leverage will diminish. Second, it sends a strategic message to
the Gulf states and the United States that any attempt to counter Iranian
influence in the Gulf will face pressure in other arenas.
Al-Zaidi Asks Iran for Help in Controlling Weapons... The Revolutionary Guard:
No!
Laura Yamin/Al-Markazia/July 25, 2026 (Google translation from
Arabic)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Tehran on Thursday at the head of a
high-level government delegation. He met with Iranian President Masoud
Pezeshkian and a number of Iranian officials. According to the official
announcement, the visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and
discussing energy, trade, transportation, and agriculture, in addition to
regional developments and ways to support stability. On the economic front, the
energy sector emerged as a key topic, especially since Iraq still relies heavily
on Iranian gas to operate several power plants, while the electricity grid faces
a chronic crisis that worsens during the summer. According to a statement issued
by the Iranian presidency, both sides emphasized the need to expedite the
implementation of previously signed agreements between the two countries,
considering it a fundamental step to advance bilateral relations and achieve
common interests. They also stressed the importance of further utilizing
available potential in the political, economic, trade, transit, energy, and
regional cooperation sectors. Al-Zaydi stated that the visit aimed to discuss
issues of concern to both countries and the region, affirming that "our security
is intertwined" and that Iraq would not permit any threat to Iran to emanate
from Iraqi territory. While the economic aspects and the themes of partnership
and cooperation were the focus of public discussion during the visit, the most
significant aspects remained confidential and were discussed behind closed
doors, according to diplomatic sources speaking to Al-Markazia. Al-Zaidi arrived
in Iraq after a series of key events and decisions in which he participated and
which he made, most notably his decision to disarm the Iranian-backed militias
in Iraq and give them until the end of September to hand over their weapons
voluntarily, and his decision to fight corruption that affected heads close to
Iran and constituted a blow to the smuggling and theft operations that benefited
the Iranian economy, and also after he visited Washington as his first foreign
destination after taking office, where he reiterated from the White House his
determination to restrict weapons. According to the sources, these were the most
prominent issues that al-Zaydi discussed in Iran, where he asked them to
cooperate with Iraqi decisions and facilitate their implementation by requesting
their factions to respond to the Iraqi authority. He conveyed an American
sentiment that obstruction would have consequences for Iran, just as it was held
responsible for the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea. This could also expose
these factions to military strikes and targeting, potentially dragging Iraq into
the ranks of countries ablaze in the region, something Baghdad does not want. By
saying that Iraq will not accept being a launching pad for threatening Iran, al-Zaydi
seemed to be saying, "It would be best if Iran stopped everything that threatens
Iraq." While the Iranians, especially the Revolutionary Guard, show no intention
of cooperating, at least at the present time, the sources say that al-Zaydi did
what he could, but he sensed that the Iranians are now in a different place and
do not want to make any concessions, neither on the nuclear file nor on the
issue of their proxies and influence in the region, including in Iraq, the
sources conclude.
Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program and the hard questions
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al-Awsat/July 25, 2026
There is much that can be said about the Saudi nuclear agreement with the US,
whether in terms of its strategic value, political implications, potential
risks, cost, economic and scientific importance or military utility.
Among the criticisms leveled against US President Donald Trump is that he favors
Saudi Arabia at the expense of the supreme interests of the US. The facts,
however, indicate otherwise. The deal itself is considered, from the perspective
of US state institutions, part of those supreme interests, and has been
negotiated by three US presidents and four successive administrations.
The first Trump administration, in 2017, initiated contacts and granted American
companies the necessary licenses to negotiate with the Saudi side, but the
process faltered due to the unfulfilled expectations of both parties.
Subsequently, the administration of former President Joe Biden agreed to resume
negotiations, elevating them to a higher political level, before the Oct. 7
attacks led to their suspension. Last year, the negotiations were revived during
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s historic visit to Washington.
Ten years of technical, legal, and political negotiations represent a long
history that leaves no room to claim the agreement was rushed due to the war
with Iran, or that the Trump administration ignored supreme American interests.
Nevertheless, opposing voices remain in Washington due to political,
ideological, or electoral considerations.
What is meant by supreme interests here? Washington realizes that Riyadh is
moving forward with its nuclear project, and that refusing to cooperate would
prompt Riyadh to search for an alternative partner, whether in Europe, China, or
Russia. This would weaken American influence and potentially risk losing a
strategic partner the US is keen to maintain over the next two decades. From
this perspective, the agreement constitutes a cornerstone of the strategic
relationship between the two countries, rather than just a commercial deal.
The same logic applies to the Saudi side. It is also in Riyadh’s interest to
maintain its partnership with the major global power. One can understand the
skepticism of some regarding the value of this relationship, given that the US
has not achieved a halt in Iranian attacks in the current war. Regardless of
differing assessments, this war has proven Washington’s readiness to activate
the concept of defending its supreme interests, rather than retreating from
them.
The war is not yet over, and it represents a significant test of American
resolve. Two days ago, Congress approved about $100 billion in additional
financial allocations to support military operations, reflecting a continued US
commitment. Conversely, the war has also exposed the limits of China’s role,
despite it being Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, highlighting the
difference between economic influence and the willingness to shoulder security
burdens.
The Saudi nuclear project remains important in its own right, even if political
readings miscalculate the outcomes of the relationship. More than 10 years ago,
the Kingdom made a decision to diversify its energy sources, and the nuclear
program is one of the pillars of Saudi Vision 2030 to support the medical,
industrial, electricity generation, and scientific research sectors.
Washington realizes that Riyadh is moving forward with its nuclear project, and
that refusing to cooperate would prompt Riyadh to search for an alternative
partner, whether in Europe, China, or Russia.
Why is Saudi Arabia pushing toward building a nuclear program, which has a “high
cost,” rather than using oil? Because it is a larger and more widely applicable
energy source.
In terms of cost, the Carnegie Center estimates that Iran has paid nearly half a
trillion dollars attempting to build its nuclear project since the 1990s, with
estimates taking into account economic sanctions and the high cost of
procurement and clandestine construction. This is an astronomical figure, yet
the project has still not been realized.
These losses were not due to construction costs themselves, but rather resulted
from political decisions made by Tehran. Its nuclear program, like its military
programs, is not aimed at generating electricity, but is instead a tool for
regional influence and hegemony. For this reason, its facilities were
established in secret, with large parts of them buried under mountains. As US
Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked: “If the program is peaceful, why is it
hidden underground?”
Among the factors that reinforced the Saudi push toward nuclear energy are its
growing discoveries of uranium ore during recent exploration operations within
the Vision 2030 project. Preliminary results indicate uranium reserves
sufficient to cover the needs of the two planned reactors throughout their
operational lifespan.
Of course, we cannot discuss any nuclear project while ignoring a frightening
scenario, which is Iran’s success in producing a nuclear weapon.
We cannot compare Saudi Arabia to geopolitically stable countries such as
Sweden. We live in a jungle and a region with the highest levels of tension in
the world. Looking at the current war, the bets on Iran’s rationality have
proven wrong. It has targeted the shipping of seven countries in the Strait of
Hormuz and launched missile and drone attacks against eight regional countries,
even though they have not taken part in the war. It has also targeted vital
facilities, such as power plants, desalination stations, and airports. If this
is the behavior of the Tehran regime without a nuclear weapon, it is only
natural that anxiety about it would intensify should it acquire one in the
future. The question remains: Could the peaceful Saudi nuclear project turn into
a gateway for a military program? The current agreement is based on building
civilian reactors and transferring American technology for peaceful purposes
under strict US controls.
Nevertheless, the theoretical question remains: What if we wake up one morning
to the announcement that Iran possesses a nuclear weapon? Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman has previously stated that the Kingdom would then seek to achieve a
deterrent balance. It is important to distinguish here between a civilian
nuclear program and strategic deterrence options, as possessing a nuclear
capability for deterrence does not necessarily require converting the civilian
program itself into a military one; rather, different pathways and choices exist
to achieve that.
**Abdulrahman Al-Rashed is a Saudi journalist and intellectual. He is the former
general manager of Al-Arabiya news channel and former editor-in-chief of Asharq
Al-Awsat, where this article was originally published. X: @aalrashed
Bab Al-Mandab Strait blockade — the risks to global shipping
Jonathan Gornall/Arab News/July 26/2026
LONDON: The fears of many came to fruition as, following further Houthi attacks
on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the Iran-backed Yemeni militia entered the
war by imposing a blockade on the Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
The aim was a further tightening on global oil supplies already being exercised
by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz and the target was clear: Saudi Arabia and its
oil exports. By Thursday, oil prices had hit $100 a barrel for the first time
since May.
The Saudi-led Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in
Yemen announced it had “executed a firm, resolute and proportionate military
response” to the Houthi’s “reckless, cowardly act” and said it was “adding this
terrorist act to a long list of marine crimes and terror acts in one of the most
important International Sea Lines of Communication.”
The Houthi’s so-called “Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center” announced
its intention in an email to global shipping companies which warned that “to
avoid the risks associated with violating the ban decision, we strongly
recommend that your company exercise due diligence and the utmost care in all
its dealings and ensure that no vessel voyages are conducted to or from Saudi
ports, as any such activity would expose the violating vessels to sanctions.”
Any ships that ignored the ban “may be subject to targeting in any location
within the operational reach.”
According to Reuters, the Houthi blockade is being imposed in response to a
direct request from Iran. Maritime risk company Marisks said tanker operators —
and insurers — should regard the threat as a “credible escalation, not routine
rhetoric.”
By Wednesday, ASPIDES, the European Union’s naval operation in the region,
advised “merchant vessels linked to Israeli, US or Saudi interests (to) avoid
transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until the threat level decreases.”
Ship-tracking data showed that several vessels heading south from Saudi ports on
the Red Sea made sudden U-turns. One was the tanker Rodos, which had left for
India from the Saudi crude oil terminal of Al-Muajjiz, just south of Yanbu.
Anther ship, carrying vehicles from China to Jeddah, changed course in the Gulf
of Aden.
Then, late Wednesday, the Houthis attacked the Saudi-owned Encelia, a 250-meter
oil-products tanker, causing a fire in the bow. There was no confirmation of a
Houthi claim that a second ship had been hit. On Thursday, ASPIDES claimed a
small victory, releasing a photograph it said showed merchant vessels transiting
the Red Sea safely under the protection of the Italian frigate Bergamini.
But, as US forces began a 12th night of attacks on Iran, US President Donald
Trump warned: “If they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible, in that
the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment
will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis themselves.”
On Saturday, Saudi air defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and a
drone fired from Yemen, aimed at oil refineries in Yanbu. Recent history
suggests the presence of coalition naval assets in the Red Sea will have limited
impact on Houthi maritime disruption.
The Houthis have, on and off, attacked shipping in the Red Sea since November
2023 when they seized the Galaxy Leader, a tanker linked to Israeli ownership.
The following month, missile and drones attacks began, and many major energy and
shipping companies began rerouting ships to avoid the possibility of attacks.
Within a month, almost 90 percent of container shipping, accounting for up to 15
percent of global maritime trade, had vanished from the Red Sea. According to a
June 2024 assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency, “alternate shipping
routes around Africa add about 11,000 nautical miles, 1-2 weeks of transit time,
and approximately $1 million in fuel costs for each voyage.”
Nevertheless, it added: “For many shipping companies, the combined costs of crew
bonuses, war risk insurance (roughly 1,000 percent more than pre-war costs), and
Suez transit fees make the additional time and financial costs traveling around
Africa less expensive by comparison.”
In December 2023, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational
naval mission in the Red Sea, which was joined in February 2024 by warships from
the EU’s Operation ASPIDES.
These have had only limited success. According to an analysis by the Washington
Institute for Near East Policy, there were 18 confirmed attacks on commercial
ships transiting the Bab Al-Mandab Strait prior to the launch of Prosperity
Guardian in December 2023.
But, despite the presence of the US and EU warships, the attacks continued over
the following year with an average of almost 10 a month. At least two ships were
sunk and half a dozen others were damaged. The Houthis paused attacks on ships,
other than those it linked to Israel, when the Gaza ceasefire took effect in
January 2025. Attacks were resumed again in March this year and now seem likely
to be stepped up once again if ships fail to heed the latest warnings. Closure
of the Bab Al-Mandab Strait is clearly designed to frustrate Saudi efforts to
bypass the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has cut global oil supplies
by about a fifth.
Thanks to its East-West Pipeline, Saudi Arabia has been able to partially bypass
the bottleneck by pumping some 7 million barrels a day from its east coast
oilfields across to Yanbu, which is closer to the Suez Canal than to the Houthi-threatened
southern entrance to the Red Sea.
Until March this year, exports from Yanbu averaged less than a million barrels a
day. This jumped in mid-March to over 2.5 million, and since then has regularly
exceeded 4 million. Most has been southbound, to China, India, and South Korea,
through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
If the strait is closed to Saudi traffic, tankers could go north and transit
through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean. But that, say maritime experts,
is not the simple solution it appears to be.
It is, said Cyril Widdershoven, a senior maritime, energy and geopolitical
analyst at Blue Water Strategy, “at first glance an elegant option ... but the
reality is more complicated.”
Writing on industry site Oilprice.com on Friday, Widdershoven explained that
cargoes bound for Europe or the US can go through the Suez Canal “without major
complications.”
AFP Infographic
But the biggest consumers of Saudi oil are in Asia. Having to route these
tankers north through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, west along the
Mediterranean and then south down the west coast of Africa, rounding the Cape of
Good Hope before finally heading east toward Asia, is possible, “but not without
creating new bottlenecks, longer transit times and significantly higher costs
for global energy markets.”
There is also a technical snag.
The most economical way of transporting oil is aboard very large crude carriers,
enormous ships each capable of carrying up to 2 million barrels of oil, reducing
per-barrel costs through the economies of scale.
The problem is the Suez Canal is not deep enough to allow a fully loaded VLCC to
pass through. The solution to this has been Egypt’s Suez-Mediterranean pipeline,
which runs from Ain Sokhna at the head of the Red Sea to the Sidi Kerir terminal
on the Mediterranean at Alexandria.
Crude oil is unloaded from VLCCs at Ain Sokhna, allowing the ships to pass
through the canal, and reloaded at Alexandria. But SUMED’s maximum capacity of
about 2.5 million barrels a day is not enough to make up for a sudden
substantial increase in oil flow from Yanbu.
Selected Face Book & X tweets
on 25 July/2026
Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו
My wife Sarah and I mourn the passing of Zehava Shaul z"l, the mother of Sgt.
Oron Shaul z"l.
For over a decade, we maintained a personal and close connection with the Shaul
family, accompanying their persistent and courageous struggle to bring Oron back
home.
Zehava never gave up for a moment; even after the passing of her husband Herzl
z"l, she bore the pain with extraordinary spiritual strength and acted out of
boundless maternal love and selfless devotion that inspires awe. After long
years, Oron was brought to a grave in Israel through the brave actions of the
IDF and Shin Bet; Zehava merited to bid him farewell and see him laid to eternal
rest in our land, which he loved and for which he gave his life.
I will forever remember our moving conversation after we succeeded in bringing
Oron home. Together we recited the verse that had accompanied her hopes all
those years: "And there is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your
children shall return to their border."
Together with all the House of Israel, Sarah and I embrace Aviram and Ofer, her
sons, and the entire dear Shaul family, and share in their profound grief.
May her memory be a blessing.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський
I will instruct our intelligence to share with our partners the information we
have regarding Russia’s new assistance to the Iranian regime. Since the
beginning of July, we have recorded active Russian satellite surveillance of the
Gulf states and U.S. military facilities located there. These images
subsequently appear in Iran. At the same time, there is a clear correlation
between Russia’s satellite imagery of these sites and Iranian strikes – both
before the attacks, in preparation for them, and afterward, to assess the damage
inflicted.
On July 19 and 20 alone, four air bases fell within the area of interest of
Russian satellites – two in Bahrain, one in Jordan, and one in Kuwait. The
purpose is clear. None of us in the world should turn a blind eye to one very
simple fact: evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further.
Russia must be stopped. This war must be stopped. Pressure on the aggressor must
work.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Hezbollah has organized an info-op campaign claiming that the Lebanese military
that controls Beirut Airport has conspired to allow the Christian party the
Lebanese Forces smuggle arms.
The campaign is total bogus aimed at justifying continued Hezbollah's armament.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Saudi Arabia's normalization with Israel has nothing to do with Palestinians. It
is about Saudi erroneous self-perception and collective delusion of grandeur,
that peace with Israel is a net win for Israel, and therefore the Jewish state
must sweat for it. Perhaps this was true until 2000, but since then, it is Saudi
Arabia that would be the net winner from peace with Israel. The Saudis can't
make a ragtag militia open a 20-mile wide waterway whose closure is going to
suffocate Saudi oil exports. And Riyadh still thinks the world rotates around
it. Wake up and smell the coffee already.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Hezbollah thinks that it can make the Israeli and global demand for the
disarmament of the Iranian proxy militia go away by having an inter-Lebanese
dialogue that promises “state monopoly over arms.” Hezbollah never tires of this
lie and is often surprised why the world stopped believing it. Maybe try to read
“the boy who cried wolf” (or been promising to disarm since 2000).
ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz
@Israel_katz
Yair Golan, the opposition's prospective defense minister who accused IDF
soldiers of "murdering Palestinian babies in Gaza as a hobby" and created a
horrific blood libel around the world (and has since been banned from entering
IDF bases), is standing today in the city square and cursing Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and me, inciting against the Jewish settlement in Judea and
Samaria and thereby fanning the flames for Palestinian murderers to attack them
and IDF soldiers—just as he did in Gaza—and promising them to destroy the Jewish
settlement—the very settlement that protects Israel's major population centers
and makes an immense contribution to the War of Independence through the devoted
service and heroic battles of its sons. Since I took office as Defense Minister,
there has been an 80% drop in terror attacks in Judea and Samaria due to a
resolute, correct, and unprecedented security policy—one that I am leading
together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF—including the
evacuation of the terror camps in Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm in northern
Samaria that served as Iranian terror battalions in the heart of Israel. The
same goes for Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza: The IDF controls security zones that
protect Israeli settlements and IDF soldiers against jihadist elements—exactly
the opposite of what Golan and his opposition colleagues support.
We will continue to lead a resolute and aggressive security policy for the
security of the State of Israel—and they will continue to vilify and give the
enemy a tailwind, and the public will decide and judge.