English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For March 14/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?
Mark 03/01-12./"Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was
there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him
on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had
the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do
good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were
silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of
heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his
hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the
Herodians against him, how to destroy him. Jesus departed with his disciples to
the lake, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he
was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea,
beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples
to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush
him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to
touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and
shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he sternly ordered them not to make him
known.""
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on March 13-14/2026
The Martyrs of Ain Ebel: George, Elie, and Shadi to the Heavenly Mansions
Where there is no pain, nor sorrow, but life everlasting/Elias Bejjani/March 12,
2026
Elias Jradi: An Enemy of Lebanon and its People/Elias Bejjani/March 12/2026
Funeral Services for Three Young Men in Ain Ebel Attended by Local Residents
From Fox News/Video Link (English) for today Friday 13/March/2026/ war briefing
on war against Iran Mullahs Evil Regime, by, War Sec. Hegseth, Gen. Caine
From The National News/Video link to an importan English interview with
Political commentator Nadim Koteich
Pope Leo XIV Stresses Importance of Christian Presence in Lebanon and Building a
Culture of Peace
Apostolic Nuncio Inspects Christian Towns in the South: The Church Stands with
the Lebanese
Ministry of Health Daily Report: Death Toll Rises to 773
Growing Anger Toward Hezbollah for Dragging the Country Into a New War
Israeli Officials: We Responded to US Request Not to Bomb Beirut Airport
"US Dissatisfaction with Lebanon; Message Intended for Army Commander
Netanyahu Tasks Dermer with Managing Lebanon File
Israeli Army: Targeting Zrariyeh Bridge is a Message to the Lebanese State
Israeli Shells Hit UNIFIL Headquarters in South Lebanon
CAD 37.7 Million… A Message of Friendship and Support for the Lebanese People
Israel Extracting Its Agents from the Dahieh… Is the Ukrainian Embassy Involved?
Diplomatic Sources: Lebanon’s Situation is Extremely Dangerous and Worsening
Yedioth Ahronoth: How We Lost the Element of Surprise Against Hezbollah
Foreign Ministry: We Handed the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires a Memo Rejecting Any
Interference in Our Internal Affairs
Israel Threatens ‘Increasing Price’ for Lebanon as UN Urges Ceasefire
Israeli Evacuation Orders Affect 14% of Lebanon, NGO Says
UN Seeks $308 Million for Lebanon as War Displaces 800,000 People
Report: Lebanon’s Offer for Direct Talks with Israel Falls on Deaf Ears
Syria, Lebanon Test Ties Amid Regional Escalation
South Lebanon’s Communities: ‘The Arabs of 26?’
Lebanon Prepares for Possible Negotiations with Israel: Forming Delegation and
Coordinating with Syria
Israel Destroys Zrariyeh Bridge in South Lebanon, Carries Out Deadly Strikes
Australia Orders All 'Non-essential' Officials to Leave Lebanon
Lebanon says Israeli strike in south kills 12 medics
Hezbollah chief says group ready for ‘long confrontation’ with Israel
How Israel-Hezbollah war is displacing hundreds of thousands and pushing Lebanon
toward humanitarian disaster
'UN chief says ‘no longer the time of armed groups’ after meeting Lebanese
president
Bombing civilians to force displacement in Lebanon could amount to war crimes:
UN experts
Lebanon war intensifies as IDF strikes harder and Hezbollah escalates
attacks/David Daoud/FDD's Long War Journal/March 13/2026 |
Lebanon’s failure to disarm Hezbollah keeps doing greater damage/Hussain Abdul-Hussain/The
Hill/March 13, 2026
Lebanon at a Moment of Truth/An Open Letter to the President of the Lebanese
Republic
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues/LCCC website
Links to important news sites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on March 13-14/2026
Trump Threatens Iran Following New Wave of Attacks on Gulf States and
Israel
Iran’s New Supreme Leader Wounded, Likely Disfigured, Hegseth Says
Trump Administration Denounces CNN for Airing Messages from Iranian Leaders
US Braces for Potential Iranian Retaliatory Operations within its Borders
Assailant Dead after Ramming Vehicle into Michigan Synagogue
Report: Israel Targets Iranian Checkpoints Using Tip-Offs from Informants
Türkiye Says Third Ballistic Missile from Iran Shot Down
Iran Guards Vow ‘Stronger’ Response Than in January if New Protests Erupt
Iran Arrests Man Accused of Running Starlink Internet Network
Middle East War ‘Benefits No One and Harms Many’, Merz
Russian Missile Kills Three on Bus in East Ukraine
Russia Says It Doesn't See Iran Crisis Reducing US Interest in Ukraine Peace
Talks
US Wants to 'Divide Europe', EU's Kallas Tells FT
Six US Service Members Killed in Plane Crash Over Iraq
French Soldier Killed in Drone Attack in Iraq
Iraq PM Vows to Prevent Attacks After French Soldier Killed
Iran War Raises Concerns Over Impact on Suez Canal Traffic
News of the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the
other.
Links to important news sites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published
on March 13-14/2026
Spain's Pedro Sánchez and His Extremist Problem/Pierre Rehov/Gatestone
Institute./March 13, 2026
Iran Gets a New Supreme Guide/Amir Taheri/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Question: Why are the newer translations of the Bible missing verses?/GotQuestions.org/March
13/2026
The rise of ‘Khamenei II’ and what it might mean for the future of Iran/Abdulrahman
Al-Rashed/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Europe’s defense debate is missing the hardest question/Dr. Azeem Ibrahim/Arab
News/March 13, 2026
How Iran war may impact Turkiye-South Caucasus ties/Dr. Sinem Cengiz/Arab
News/March 13, 2026
X Platform Selected twittes for March 12/2026
on March 13-14/2026
The Martyrs of Ain Ebel: George, Elie, and Shadi to the
Heavenly Mansions Where there is no pain, nor sorrow, but life everlasting
Elias Bejjani/March 12, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152739/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2MiQS010DY
“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job
01:21)
In the solemnity of faith, and with a grief that constricts the sovereign hearts
pulsating with the love of Lebanon, we bid farewell today to a new constellation
of the Martyrs of the Cedars—martyrs of steadfastness, heroism, and faith. They
have watered with their pure blood the sacred soil of Southern Lebanon; the land
blessed by the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother Mary, which
witnessed the majesty of His first miracle in Cana of Lebanon, where He turned
water into wine to herald the joy of the Kingdom.
An Elegy of Martyrdom and Resilience: From Alma al-Shaab to Ain Ebel.
How grievous it is to depart from heroes in the prime of their giving, yet our
solace lies in the truth that they are “Children of Light” who rejected the
darkness. Days ago, we were afflicted by the martyrdom of Mr. Sami al-Ghafari in
the patriotic village of Alma al-Shaab—brother to the parish priest—followed on
the path of Golgotha by Father Pierre al-Raee in the village of Qlaiaa. Today,
the tragedy continues to unfold in the noble town of Ain Ebel with the martyrdom
of three of its youth in the flower of their youth: George Khreish, Elie Atallah
Dahrouj, and Shadi Ammar.
These men bore no arms; rather, they carried the tools to connect the world.
They were martyred while repairing the internet network to sustain their
people’s presence in their land, confirming that steadfastness is not merely a
slogan, but an daily act of faith. They were slain without guilt, save for being
“Heroes of Remaining” who refused displacement, clinging to the soil of their
ancestors, defying the machinery of death imposed by the Iranian occupation and
its terrorist instrument (Hezbollah), which holds Lebanon hostage to foreign
agendas and drags peaceful villages into a futile war in which the people of the
land have no say.
In the Presence of the Divine Word
We lift our prayers today, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends.” (John 15:13).
The three heroic martyrs—George, Elie, and Shadi—offered themselves as a ransom
for the survival of Ain Ebel, that its bells may continue to toll and its homes
remain inhabited. We echo the words of Saint Paul, who comforts us in our human
frailty:
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
(2 Corinthians 5:1).
They have been liberated today from the earthly tent of the body, burdened with
afflictions, to return to the bosom of the Heavenly Father as angels interceding
for us from above.
A Message of Sovereignty and Sorrow
The systematic displacement and wanton shelling befalling our border villages
are not mere “accidents of war,” but the result of shackling the nation to alien
axes that do not resemble us. We hold fully responsible those who have
desecrated our sovereignty and turned our frontline villages into ramparts for
their regional projects. The targeting of our youth is an attempt to break the
will to remain; but Ain Ebel, which drank from the cups of bitterness in the
past, shall not be broken today.
A Heartfelt Condolence
To the bereaved families, to the wives and children whose hearts are broken, and
to the mothers of the martyrs who offered their most precious treasures: we
offer our condolences with hearts wrung with pain, and we console our Church,
which bleeds with every martyr. May the passing of George, Elie, and Shadi be an
oblation for the resurrection of a sovereign, free, and independent Lebanon.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
To our people in the South, we pray for steadfastness and victory over the
machinery of death and subjugation.
Elias Jradi: An Enemy of
Lebanon and its People
Elias Bejjani/March 12/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152694/
Elias Jradi, who holds his seat in the Lebanese Parliament through fraud and
intimidation, is a long-standing leftist who believes neither in sovereignty nor
in faith. He stands against everything the “Land of the Cedars” represents—its
values, its message, its civilization, and its deep-rooted history of faith and
sacrifice.This individual was raised on the ideologies of Marx and Nasser; he is
blinded by a deep-seated hatred toward the West and its culture. Despite being
registered as a Christian, his political identity is entirely shaped by the
culture of political Islam—both Sunni and Shia—which traces its roots back to
Ottoman influence.Plainly speaking, there is no difference between him and the
likes of Arafat, Michel Aflaq, or the leaders of Hezbollah. He is a remnant of a
global leftist movement that is hateful toward everyone, and most dangerously,
toward itself. It is well known that the people of the Souther Lebanon did not truly elect him.
Instead, he was appointed by Hezbollah, utilizing an electoral law tailored to
serve their Iranian expansionist and terrorist agenda. He is a “Trojan Horse”
and a modern-day “Iscariot.” There is no credibility in any justification for
his actions, as his hostility toward Lebanon and its people is undeniable.
Though a physician by trade—an eye doctor, no less—he is spiritually and
politically blind. He has spent his career supporting the “militia” culture and
the lie of the “Resistance,” never showing a hint of remorse or professional
integrity. Characters like this Trojan Iscariot should be expelled from every place they
visit. His expulsion today from the heroic town of Qliaa was not a random act;
it was the rejection of a “devil” who came with arrogance to desecrate a land
that sanctifies freedom and remains loyal to its Lebanese identity and Christian
faith. Let evey patriotic Lebanese pray for mercy for the soul of Father Pierre
Al-Rai, a man who carried his cross with honor. He refused to compromise,
surrender, or kneel. He has ascended with his cross to the heavenly dwellings
that God has prepared for the righteous and the brave.
Funeral Services for Three
Young Men in Ain Ebel Attended by Local Residents
LCCC/March 13/2026
Funeral services were held today in the town of Ain Ebel for three young men who
were martyred Thursday afternoon. The victims were targeted by a drone strike
while they were on the rooftop of a building in the town.
The deceased have been identified as:
George Khreich
Elie Atallah Dahrouj
Shadi Ammar
The ceremony was attended by a gathering of townspeople who have remained in
their homes despite the ongoing conflict.
Based on available information regarding the situation in South Lebanon and the
specific events in Ain Ebel:
Circumstances of the Strike: The strike occurred during a period of intensified
aerial activity over the Bint Jbeil district. Local sources indicate the young
men were on the rooftop attempting to secure water tanks or check on property
damage when the missile struck.
Atmosphere of the Funeral: The funeral was marked by a sense of profound grief
and "steadfastness" (Soumoud). Mourners emphasized that the victims were
civilians and that Ain Ebel—a predominantly Christian town—has sought to remain
neutral and distanced from military activities.
Apostolic Nuncio’s Visit: This tragedy coincides with the visit of the Apostolic
Nuncio, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, to the region. Reports suggest the Nuncio
expressed his condolences to the families, echoing his message that the Church
stands with the residents of these border villages who are facing
"indiscriminate dangers."
Local Tensions: There is a heightened sense of anxiety in the town following
this incident, as residents fear that no area is "safe" regardless of its lack
of military infrastructure, a sentiment echoed by the recent IDF statements
regarding "messages to the Lebanese state" through infrastructure targeting.
From Fox News/Video Link
(English) for today Friday 13/March/2026/ war briefing on war against Iran
Mullahs Evil Regime, by, War Sec. Hegseth, Gen. Caine
من فوكس نيوز/إحاطة عسكرية حول الحرب مع إيران
لليوم الجمعة 13 آذار/2026بواسطة وزير الحرب الأميركي بيترهكثث والجنرال دان كين
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152755/
Fox Business & DWS news
FULL PRESSER: Pete Hegseth, Gen. Caine Warn Iran of More Strikes, Vow to Open
Strait of Hormuz|
Pete Hegseth briefing, Dan Caine Iran update, Operation Epic Fury March 2026,
Hegseth Caine Pentagon, US Iran war briefing, Iran naval warship sunk, US air
dominance Iran, ballistic missile destruction Iran, CENTCOM progress Epic Fury,
joint US Israel strikes, Iran conflict updates 2026, Defense Secretary Hegseth,
Joint Chiefs Caine, Middle East war briefing, live Pentagon news conference,
breaking defense Iran, torpedo sinking Iranian ship, regime infrastructure
targeted, U.S. military objectives Iran, regional escalation briefing
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American and Israeli forces have struck
more than 15,000 targets since the war with Iran began, declaring Tehran’s
military “devastated.” Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine warned
the campaign is intensifying, with the heaviest bombing yet and operations
targeting Iran’s military and Strait of Hormuz threats.
From The National News/Video
link to an importan English interview with Political commentator Nadim Koteich
He Explains in deatials his vision and expections to the ongoing American-Israel
war against the Evil and terrorist Iranian Mullahs regime
The National News/March 13/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152763/
Iran war could reach ‘decisive moment’ within weeks
Political commentator Nadim Koteich discusses the crisis, restraint in the Gulf
and why the UAE has faced attacks in the escalating conflict.
Pope Leo XIV Stresses
Importance of Christian Presence in Lebanon and Building a Culture of Peace
Al-Markazia/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
The Catholic Media Center released the following: "On March 12, 2026, at 10:00
AM, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received a delegation from the Coordination Office
between Mediterranean Churches and States at the Vatican. The delegation was
headed by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, President of the French Bishops'
Conference and Archbishop of Marseille. The meeting addressed the office’s
status, the situation in Mediterranean countries, and challenges regarding peace
education, aid for migrants and displaced persons, coexistence, and solidarity
within and outside the Church. His Holiness discussed the office’s primary
concerns, focusing extensively on the situation in Lebanon and the ongoing war.
Father Charbel El-Daccache, representing the Church of Lebanon in the office,
explained the country's current crisis and thanked the Pope for his prayers and
efforts for peace. Additionally, Ms. Rita Abi Hanna asked how wounded youth
suffering from war and instability can help others. In his remarks on Lebanon,
the Pope emphasized the importance of youth remaining in their land and
practicing Christian values—especially hope—to build a better future. He noted
that in his contacts with world leaders, all affirm the importance of the
Christian presence in Lebanon and the Middle East. He called for an end to the
war, urging the adoption of dialogue, reconciliation, and the building of a
culture of peace."
Apostolic Nuncio Inspects Christian Towns in the South: The
Church Stands with the Lebanese
Al-Markazia/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
The Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, conducted an
inspection tour of several Christian towns in the Marjayoun and Hasbaya
districts to provide moral support and encourage residents to remain steadfast.
The tour began in Deir Mimas and included stops in Qlaiaa, Jdeidet Marjayoun,
Ibl al-Saqi, Rachaya al-Fokhar, and Kawkaba. In
Qlaiaa, Borgia—accompanied by Father Samir Ghawi, President of Caritas Lebanon,
and Dr. Fouad Abou Nader, President of Nawraj—was welcomed by residents and
local officials. Speakers emphasized the residents' attachment to their land
despite the difficult circumstances. Archbishop Borgia expressed his admiration
for their courage, stating that the Church stands with all Lebanese people
during this difficult stage and that moral support is essential for all
residents of the region, regardless of their faith.
Ministry of Health Daily Report: Death Toll Rises to 773
NNA/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
The Ministry of Public Health's Emergency Operations Center released its daily
report on the Israeli aggression. The report stated that the total number of
martyrs from March 2 to March 13 reached 773, with 1,933 wounded. The number of
child fatalities rose to 103, with 326 children injured.
Growing Anger Toward Hezbollah for Dragging the Country
Into a New War
Al-Markazia | March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
In Beirut’s densely populated Aisha Bakkar neighborhood, grief is mixing with
growing anger toward Hezbollah following an Israeli strike. Many Lebanese
citizens blame the group for dragging the country into a new conflict. Randa
Harb, a local shopkeeper, told AFP, "Hezbollah must hand its weapons to the
state. Arms should only be in the hands of legitimate forces. Period."Following
over a year of restraint after the November 2024 ceasefire, Hezbollah launched
missiles and drones on March 2 in retaliation for the killing of former Iranian
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli attack in Tehran. Many Lebanese,
exhausted by economic crisis and previous wars, feel this is "not their war."
Since the escalation 13 days ago, Israeli strikes have killed 634 people and
displaced over 800,000. In the Christian-majority area
of Mar Mikhael, residents expressed similar frustrations. Tony Saab, 68,
criticized Hezbollah for making "reckless" decisions without considering the
country. Even within the Shia community, voices are rising against the war.
Lawyer Lina Hamdan noted that "no one wants this suicide," suggesting this war
could be a turning point for the party's future.
Israeli Officials: We Responded to US Request Not to Bomb
Beirut Airport
Al-Arabiya.net/ March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
Israeli officials reported via Channel 12 that Israel complied with a US request
to spare Rafic Hariri International Airport and its access roads. While a US
official claimed Israel pledged not to attack infrastructure, an Israeli
official denied such a blanket commitment. This comes after recent strikes in
central Beirut, including an attack on the Ramada Hotel targeting what Israel
claimed were "Iranian leaders.
"US Dissatisfaction with Lebanon; Message Intended for Army
Commander
Al-Markazia/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
Diplomatic sources told Al-Jadeed that while the international community is open
to negotiations, the US administration is frustrated by a lack of trust in
Lebanese political and military decisions. Sources indicate the US expected a
clearer narrative from the Lebanese Army regarding southern operations and
perceives the military as unable to confront Hezbollah. Reports suggest the US
intends to send a direct message to Army Commander General Rudolf Heikal
regarding this field reality.
Netanyahu Tasks Dermer with Managing Lebanon File
Al-Markazia/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
Israel's Channel 12 reported that former Minister Ron Dermer has been tasked by
PM Netanyahu to manage potential negotiations with the Lebanese government,
alongside his duties monitoring the Lebanon file during the war.
Israeli Army: Targeting Zrariyeh Bridge is a Message to the
Lebanese State
Al-Markazia/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
IDF Spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on "X" that the destruction of the
Zrariyeh Bridge on the Litani River—used by Hezbollah for movement—serves as a
message to the Lebanese State: Israel will strike any infrastructure used by
Hezbollah to target Israel.
Israeli Shells Hit UNIFIL Headquarters in South Lebanon
Al-Arabiya.net/ March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
Israeli shells fell inside the UNIFIL Nepalese battalion headquarters in Meiss
el-Jabal on Friday. This follows an incident last week where three Ghanaian
peacekeepers were wounded in Dhayra. Separately, the Lebanese Ministry of Health
reported that an Israeli strike on a healthcare center in Borj Qalaouiyeh killed
12 medical staff members, including doctors, paramedics, and nurses.
CAD 37.7 Million… A Message of Friendship and Support for the Lebanese People
Al-Markazia/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
The Lebanese Embassy in Canada extended its deep thanks and gratitude to the
Government of Canada for the new humanitarian assistance package worth CAD 37.7
million, announced today by the Canadian Foreign Minister. This generous
initiative arrives at a critical moment for the Lebanese people, contributing to
the support of affected civilians and strengthening the efforts of humanitarian
partners on the ground. This support reflects the deep friendship between the
two countries and Canada’s constant commitment to standing by Lebanon during
difficult times. The Embassy thanked the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and all those who continue to support Lebanon in a spirit of partnership and
humanity.
Israel Extracting Its Agents from the Dahieh… Is the Ukrainian Embassy Involved?
Al-Modon/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
Al-Modon has learned that Israeli warplanes recently targeted a site in Beirut’s
Southern Suburb (Dahieh) where a group of Mossad collaborators were being held,
allowing some to escape. Reports indicate that among those who fled is Khaled
al-Aida, a Palestinian-Syrian national who holds Ukrainian citizenship.
Information suggests that Al-Aida contacted the Ukrainian Embassy and disclosed
his location. A car belonging to the Embassy subsequently picked him up, and he
is currently staying at the Embassy headquarters. Later, as a "smokescreen," the
Ukrainian Embassy contacted the General Directorate of General Security,
claiming a Ukrainian citizen had sought refuge after losing his documents and
required a "Laissez-passer" to depart via Beirut International Airport.
However, upon verifying the name, General Security found that a Lebanese
detainee, "Mohammad S.," had identified Khaled al-Aida as the mastermind of his
cell. Investigations revealed Al-Aida’s involvement in several high-stakes
security operations, including: Targeting
Infrastructure: Managing a cell during the 2024 "support war" to identify
Hezbollah facilities, including a bunker used by the late Secretary-General
Hassan Nasrallah.
Anniversary Bombings: Preparing for explosions during the first anniversary of
Nasrallah's martyrdom to target participants.
Assassination Plot: Collaborating with "Mohammad S." to plan the assassination
of the Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani,
at Beirut Airport using a red Jeep Wrangler equipped with a smart-app-controlled
automatic machine gun. According to Al-Modon, Israel
intended to frame terrorist organizations for these bombings to ignite
Sunni-Shia tensions. The Ukrainian Embassy's actions—treating a wanted Mossad
agent as an ordinary citizen and attempting to deceive Lebanese authorities—are
viewed as blatant interference, prompting calls for Foreign Minister Youssef
Rajji to summon the Ukrainian Ambassador.
Diplomatic Sources: Lebanon’s Situation is Extremely
Dangerous and Worsening
Al-Modon/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
Diplomatic sources from a European nation have warned that the situation in
Lebanon has reached a state of extreme danger. Speaking to Al-Modon, sources
stated that things are moving "from bad to worse" and that Israel has informed
the international community of its determination to invade Lebanon. Foreign
embassies in Lebanon have begun evacuating diplomats and their families
following Israeli threats that there are "no red lines" and that infrastructure
will be targeted. The sources added that Lebanon has fallen out of the
international spotlight as nations focus on the global repercussions of the
US-Iranian war. Reports suggest the era of "Hezbollah's weapons" is over and the
time for disarmament has come. Furthermore, the initiative launched by President
Joseph Aoun has reportedly failed to gain international traction, leaving
Lebanon to face its fate alone as the war continues with the goal of eliminating
Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Yedioth Ahronoth: How We Lost the Element of Surprise Against Hezbollah
Al-Modon/March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel is preparing to
expand the war against Hezbollah following the heavy rocket fire launched last
Wednesday. Military analyst Yossi Yehoshua noted that Israeli military
intelligence believes Hezbollah is seeking a confrontation that ends in a total
ceasefire, aiming to strip the IDF of the "freedom of action" it has enjoyed
since the end of Operation "Northern Arrows" a year ago.
Loss of Surprise
The report reveals that the IDF had prepared a plan months ago to deliver a
crushing blow to Hezbollah’s top leadership and fire systems. However, the
political echelon postponed the plan twice. When the current conflict with Iran
broke out, the IDF lost the element of surprise. Most aircraft and drones
were—rightly—allocated to the primary front in Iran.
Pushing Back the Missile Threat
Prime Minister Netanyahu is now weighing how to redistribute resources. Chief of
Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has already ordered the Golani Brigade to move from
Gaza to Lebanon to expand ground maneuvers. Currently, three divisional commands
are operating in the north, and a large-scale reserve mobilization may be
required. While Israel had five fixed defensive positions inside Lebanon before
the war, there are now 18 additional positions deeper in the territory, focused
on hunting down "Radwan Force" fighters. Israeli sources emphasize that
Hezbollah's decision to expand its fire proves the organization's autonomy,
leaving Israel no choice but to escalate its operations to prevent a new
"deterrence equation" from being established.
Foreign Ministry: We Handed the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires a
Memo Rejecting Any Interference in Our Internal Affairs
Al-Markazia/ March 13, 2026 (Translated by LCCC from Arabic)
The Iranian Chargé d'Affaires, Tawfiq Samadi, arrived at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs following a summons from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants,
Youssef Rajji. He was met by the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Ambassador Abd
al-Sattar Issa, who confronted him with a series of serious inquiries regarding
statements issued by the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon and Iran's representative to
the United Nations. Specifically, the Ministry addressed the Iranian claim that
the four individuals targeted in a hotel in the Hazmieh area held diplomatic
status and that their presence on Lebanese soil was known to and coordinated
with the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry categorically denied
these claims, labeling them as contrary to the truth. During the meeting, the
Secretary-General presented a list of examples proving Iran’s lack of respect
for Lebanese government decisions, the most recent being a statement by the
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding "joint operations" with
Hezbollah. The Secretary-General demanded official written responses to these
inquiries and other raised points. In the same
context, the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires was handed an official written memorandum
in which the Lebanese State informed the Iranian side of its absolute rejection
of any interference in its internal affairs. The memo reaffirmed Lebanon's full
commitment to the provisions of international law in their entirety—without
selectivity or double standards—and stressed that it will only accept relations
with Tehran based on equality and reciprocity, with the firm foundation being
the respect for the principle of non-interference in the affairs of other
states. This diplomatic escalation follows the earlier reports of Israeli
strikes on "Iranian leaders" in Beirut. Given the US-Iranian war context
mentioned in your previous reports, this move by Minister Youssef Rajji appears
to be an attempt by the Lebanese state to distance itself from being a
battlefield for foreign powers. Since you are in Canada, would you like me to
look into how the Canadian government or the UN is reacting to this official
Lebanese protest against Iran?
Israel Threatens ‘Increasing
Price’ for Lebanon as UN Urges Ceasefire
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
The Israeli defense minister vowed on Friday that Lebanon would pay an
"increasing price" in damage to infrastructure in the war with Hezbollah, while
the UN urged Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire.Lebanon was drawn into
the Middle East war last week when the Tehran-backegroup attacked Israel in
response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli
strikes. Israel on Friday destroyed a bridge over the Litani River between the
towns of Zrariyeh and Tayr Falsay, according to state media. The river bisects
southern Lebanon, from east to west. In a statement, the Israeli army described
the bridge as a "key crossing" for Hezbollah "from northern to southern Lebanon,
to build up its power and prepare for combat". The attack was the first on
Lebanese public infrastructure to be acknowledged by Israel since the start of
the Middle East war.
"This is just the beginning and the Lebanese government and the state of Lebanon
will pay an increasing price in damage to Lebanese national infrastructure used
by Hezbollah terrorists," the Israeli defense minister said on Friday. He said
Lebanon would suffer "loss of territory -- until it fulfills its central
commitment of disarming Hezbollah". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
said on Thursday he told the Lebanese government that "you are playing with fire
if you continue allowing Hezbollah to operate, in violation of your commitment
to disarm it".
Warning leaflets are dropped by the Israeli military over Beirut, Lebanon, 13
March 2026. (EPA)
- 'Stop the war' -
UN chief Antonio Guterres called on Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah to
"stop the war" at the start of a visit to Beirut on Friday, as Israel expanded
its strikes across the country."My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah
and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war," Guterres said. Guterres
launched a $308 million humanitarian appeal to support Lebanon as it responds to
the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people by the war.
Israeli strikes continued on Friday, including an attack that killed
eight people in the south Lebanese village of Mieh w Mieh near the port city of
Sidon, according to the health ministry. In the nearby
village of Irkey, Mohammad Taqi buried his four daughters, aged six to 13, who
were killed in an Israeli strike on Thursday along with five relatives. "The
Israeli enemy says every day that it is targeting infrastructure," he told AFP
at the funeral, his head wrapped in a white bandage and his face covered in
wounds. "Is this the infrastructure? Have you seen it?" he asked, gesturing to
his daughters' bodies. "I've lost four daughters. I don't have any others.
Zainab, Zahra, Malika and Yasmina," he said, adding that he had also lost his
parents, brother, nephew and brother-in-law in the same strike. This handout
picture released by the Lebanese Government Press Office on March 13, 2026,
shows Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (R) receiving United Nations Secretary
General Antonio Guterres at the government palace in Beirut. (Lebanese
Government Press Office / AFP)
- Propaganda leaflets -
Hezbollah also launched attacks against Israeli forces on Friday, as part of
what it said was a Quds Day operation. Quds Day is an annual demonstration in
support of the Palestinian cause in Iran, on the last Friday of the holy month
of Ramadan. Overnight Thursday into Friday, the Israeli army carried out new air
raids, targeting an apartment near Bourj Hammoud in Beirut's northern suburbs,
an area that had remained untouched by the war. An AFP
photographer saw an upper floor of the building with its facade shattered and
walls blackened by the strike. In the eastern town of Bar Elias, an air strike
targeted a local official from the Jamaa Islamiya group, killing his two sons,
state media said.Israel's army also renewed its evacuation warnings, including
for Beirut's southern suburbs. On Thursday, it had
issued a similar order to residents across a large area about 20 kilometers (12
miles) north of the Litani River. The order enlarges the zone in southern
Lebanon in which residents have been told to leave to cover more than 40
kilometers from the Lebanon-Israel border. Israeli planes dropped propaganda
leaflets over Beirut on Friday, causing loud booms. One of the leaflets,
addressed to the Lebanese people, said: "You must disarm Hezbollah, Iran's
shield" and "Lebanon is your decision, not someone else's".
Israeli Evacuation Orders
Affect 14% of Lebanon, NGO Says
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Over an eighth of Lebanon's territory is under Israeli orders for people to
leave their homes, an aid group said on Friday, while the United Nations
peacekeeping mission said Israeli ground troops were making incursions and
erecting roadblocks. Israel has been carrying out daily strikes on Lebanon since
March 2 when the Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to
avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in Tehran on the first day of the
US-Israeli war with Iran. Almost 700 people in Lebanon have died in Israeli
attacks and over 800,000 have been displaced. Israel's military says it has
targeted Hezbollah militants and Iranian forces. The Norwegian Refugee Council
said Israel's evacuation orders for southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut now
covered about 1,470 square kilometers or about 14% of the country. "Israel’s
mass evacuation orders have expanded to broad geographic directives, often
demanding immediate movement, creating panic and fear across communities that
strikes are imminent – even when they are not," said Maureen Philippon, NRC
Country Director in Lebanon. UN human rights chief Volker Turk has said the
blanket Israeli evacuation orders raise serious international law concerns.
NRC's office in Tyre, south Lebanon, was badly damaged, it said, with no
injuries. The Israeli military has carried out several strikes on Tyre since
March 2, including a Tuesday strike on what it described as a Hezbollah command
center in the area. The International Organization for
Migration's Mathieu Luciano told a Geneva press briefing that around 600
shelters had been set up across the country, with many of them almost full.
Hospitals are increasingly overstretched due to surging trauma cases, a World
Health Organization official added. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon told the
same briefing its operations had been limited by the ongoing hostilities which
injured two soldiers a week ago. Still, its troops had observed Israeli troop
incursions, saying they had travelled up to 7 kilometers inside Lebanon and
erected roadblocks restricting access.
“We are deeply concerned that the situation will deteriorate further," UNIFIL
spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said by video link from Lebanon.
UN Seeks $308 Million for Lebanon as War Displaces 800,000
People
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
The United Nations launched a $308 million flash appeal on Friday to help
Lebanon cope with the fallout of a war that has forced more than a seventh of
its population from their homes."Solidarity in words must be matched by
solidarity in action," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said as he
announced the campaign from Beirut.Israel launched an offensive against
Hezbollah last week after the Iran-backed Lebanese group opened fire on it on
March 2, saying it was avenging the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
Hezbollah has kept up daily rocket and drone attacks, while Israel has
expanded its ground operations and air strikes, bombing the capital on Thursday
along with other parts of the country on Friday. Nearly 700 people have been
killed in the attacks and more than 800,000 displaced by Israel's orders for
people to leave ever larger swathes of Lebanon. But
aid organizations say funding constraints have already forced them to ration
supplies and that substantial new contributions are essential. "We're only
targeting those who are really on the verge of starvation or in starvation,"
said Carl Skau, the World Food Program's deputy executive director. "There
isn't any more margin, so with needs going up, resources will have to come up -
and they can certainly not drop," Skau told Reuters.
'TIGHT FUNDING LANDSCAPE'
Humanitarian organizations say global crises have restricted their response in
Lebanon, a country already hit hard by a 2019 economic collapse, the 2020
Beirut port explosion and the 2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Skau said
the WFP fears donor governments will face new budget constraints following the
spike in global energy prices triggered by the Iran war. The UN's refugee agency
UNHCR last September said it had only received 25% of the resources required for
Lebanon in 2025, forcing it to slash cash assistance programs.
"The current spike or the current escalation of hostilities compounds an
already tight funding landscape," said Kirollos Fares, Lebanon country director
at humanitarian organization Medair. Aid group Solidarités International had
already seen a drop in both the number and size of grants, said Lebanon country
director Daniele Regazzi. “...Unless fresh money comes out, what we are
deploying now as emergency response...will be gone in the next roughly couple of
weeks," he said.
Report: Lebanon’s Offer for
Direct Talks with Israel Falls on Deaf Ears
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Israel has rebuffed a historic offer of direct talks from Lebanon, deeming it
too little too late from a government that shares its goal of disarming
Hezbollah but cannot act against the heavily armed Lebanese group without
risking a civil war. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed the state's
willingness to begin direct negotiations with Israel this week, seeking to
secure an end to the conflict that erupted on March 2 when Hezbollah entered the
regional war in support of its patron Iran.Two sources familiar with Aoun's
position said he has begun appointing a negotiating delegation and in some
private meetings, he went as far as to say he was ready to move toward
normalizing ties. "Everything is on the table," a third source familiar with his
position told Reuters, when asked about normalization. The Lebanese state's
stance reflects unprecedented levels of domestic opposition to Hezbollah's
status as an armed group: the government last week banned the group from
military activities. But with Hezbollah still wielding a powerful arsenal and
backed by a significant portion of Lebanon's Shiite community, carrying out the
order is easier said than done for a fragile Lebanese state now facing one of
its most precarious moments since the 1975-90 civil war. On Friday, Aoun told
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that he had not received a
response to his offer, according to a statement from the presidency.
LEBANON SEEN AS LACKING CREDIBILITY
Just a few years ago, such an offer from a Lebanese president would have been a
major diplomatic overture - and a chance for the United States to claim success
in ending nearly 80 years of hostilities between the two countries. But Aoun's
proposal generated little interest from either Israeli or US officials,
according to the two sources, a Lebanese official and two foreign officials. The
sources all said Lebanon's inability to rein in Hezbollah over the last year and
prevent the group's March 2 attack left Beirut with little credibility and
nothing tangible to offer at a negotiating table. Israel's Foreign Minister
Gideon Saar told the Times of Israel this week that his country was ready for
dialogue with the Lebanese government to normalize ties. "But the current
problem is that dialogue with the Lebanese government cannot stop the fire from
Lebanese territory," he said. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Danny
Danon told the UN Security Council this week that Israel could not negotiate
with Lebanon "while rockets are flying into our northern border." "The time has
come to decide: will Lebanon stick to declarations or actually act?" he said.
Lebanon's presidency, Israel's foreign ministry and the office of Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A State Department spokesperson said the US government regularly communicates
with its Lebanese counterparts and does not comment on private diplomatic
communications.
US SEES WINDOW AS CLOSED, OFFICIAL SAYS
Over the last year, Lebanese authorities have been treading carefully to
confiscate the group's weapons in the country's south. The moves would have
previously been unimaginable, when Hezbollah was at the zenith of its power and
exercised immense sway over Lebanon's multi-sectarian political system. The
measures have had mixed results. Hezbollah was still able to spend months
re-arming, even stationing new rockets in southern Lebanon as the Lebanese
army said it had secured full operational control of the area. After the new war
started, Lebanese authorities detained around 50 people for carrying arms
without a license in southern Lebanon and near Beirut, Lebanese security sources
told Reuters, saying the detained men were suspected of being Hezbollah members.
But several were swiftly released after paying a small fine, the sources said.
When Lebanon tried to reach out to US officials this week to make the offer on
negotiations, they were rebuffed, a Lebanese official said. "They said that 2025
was our window to confront Hezbollah and we didn't, so there's nothing they can
do now," the official said. Three people familiar with US policymaking on the
Middle East told Reuters that Washington also had little bandwidth to deal with
Lebanon given its current war on Iran and was allowing Israel to deal with
Lebanon as it saw fit.
WAR WITH ISRAEL, OR WAR AT HOME
Israel still wants to see Lebanese troops dismantle Hezbollah's rocket and drone
launch sites and seize the group's weapons, Danon told the Security Council.
The army has avoided directly confronting Hezbollah, worried about
inflaming tensions with the Shiite community and fracturing the army, which
split during Lebanon's 15-year civil war. "That is the
problem: Lebanon cannot deliver. And I understand that. This is a
multi-sectarian society and Lebanon cannot afford to declare war on a
community," the Carnegie Middle East Center's Michael Young told Reuters.
Syria, Lebanon Test Ties Amid
Regional Escalation
London/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Before a March 10 phone call between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss regional developments and their impact
on the security and stability of both countries and the wider region, it
appeared the two leaders had not been in direct contact since each assumed the
presidency a little over a year ago.
In the days before speaking with Aoun, al-Sharaa contacted several Lebanese
political figures. On March 6, he spoke with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and
former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt. On March 8, he called
Kataeb Party leader MP Sami Gemayel. During those calls, al-Sharaa expressed
“solidarity with the Lebanese people in these difficult circumstances Lebanon is
going through.”He said the reinforcement of the Syrian military presence along
the Syrian-Lebanese border on March 3 was intended solely to strengthen border
control and safeguard Syria’s internal security. He described the steps as
similar to measures taken along the Syrian-Iraqi border. The contacts came
against the backdrop of war in the region and broader regional developments, and
included discussions on the future of Syrian-Lebanese relations. Al-Sharaa
stressed the importance of continued coordination between the two countries.
According to the Kataeb Party’s official website, the call between al-Sharaa and
Gemayel took place in a positive atmosphere and included discussion of opening a
new chapter in bilateral relations. Al-Sharaa said ties between Syria and
Lebanon should rest on “mutual respect between the two states,” alongside
stronger economic cooperation and integration that serves the interests of both
peoples. However, the two days following the March 8
call triggered speculation that relations between the two countries were
strained because of current and past issues.
Al-Sharaa moved to dispel that speculation with a direct call to Aoun. The
following day, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken with both
leaders and welcomed the dialogue, saying “the coordination launched by the
Lebanese and Syrian leaderships is important” and that France would continue to
support it. Overall, the contacts have raised cautious optimism about neighborly
relations at a sensitive moment. Asharq Al-Awsat asked Syrian analysts how they
see relations between the two countries evolving in the near term amid ongoing
regional developments.
Foundations of the relationship
Bassam Barabandi, a Syrian analyst and former diplomat based in Washington, said
Damascus approaches relations with Lebanon on several foundations. First is
non-interference in Lebanon’s internal politics. Second is border security,
particularly preventing Hezbollah from operating inside Syria or transferring
weapons through Syrian territory, as well as halting drug smuggling through
Syria, which requires direct cooperation with Lebanon. Third is the issue of
Syrians held in Lebanese prisons, which he said is under discussion. Barabandi
said contacts between the two sides, including the call between al-Sharaa and
Aoun, produced understandings on several issues, notably mutual non-interference
in internal affairs and handling files related to Syrian fugitives in Lebanon
and Syrian refugees. He noted that Lebanon’s political system requires
engagement with multiple actors, since the president is only one part of a
broader governing structure. Communicating Syrian assurances or positions,
therefore, requires outreach to different political leaders.
In that context, al-Sharaa contacted Gemayel to thank him for efforts
aimed at accelerating solutions for Syrians detained in Lebanon, and in
recognition of his political weight among Christians. The Syrian president also
contacted Jumblatt, Lebanon’s top Druze leader.
Further contacts with other figures could follow if needed, Barabandi said.
He added that the Syrian government supports steps taken by the Lebanese
government regarding Hezbollah, particularly efforts related to disarming the
group.
Expanding dialogue
Jumaa Mohammed Laheeb, director of research and studies at the Syrian Future
Movement, said the current dynamic between Damascus and Beirut reflects a dual
reality: relatively advanced security and political coordination alongside
political uncertainty. That uncertainty is most evident in sensitive files,
particularly those related to detainees, he said. In that context, al-Sharaa’s
call with Salam can be understood. Laheeb said the call and Syria’s expression
of support for Lebanon amid the regional escalation focused on two main issues:
border control and reassuring the Lebanese government that Syrian military
deployments aim to strengthen control within Syrian territory rather than stoke
tensions in Lebanon. Such communication reflects effective operational channels
between the two governments, particularly after understandings reached in recent
years on smuggling and border crossings. But those channels alone cannot resolve
politically and historically sensitive files such as detainees and the missing,
he said. Laheeb said the Lebanese presidency sits at the center of complex
domestic balances involving Hezbollah’s influence, as well as Christian, Sunni
and Druze segments. Al-Sharaa’s initial reluctance to call Aoun directly — while
opening communication with figures such as Jumblatt and Gemayel — reflects a
Syrian effort to broaden the range of Lebanese actors it engages with. Damascus
appears to be seeking greater regional legitimacy by opening dialogue with
forces opposed to Hezbollah’s dominance, he said. But key decisions on issues
such as detainees, refugees and border security still pass through domestic
circles in which Hezbollah retains considerable influence.The detainee file, he
said, remains a bargaining chip rather than a purely humanitarian priority,
leading to delays and partial solutions rather than a comprehensive settlement.
Testing relations with Damascus
Syrian researcher Ahmad Abazid said Damascus does not want to become involved in
the current war or intervene militarily against Hezbollah. However, he said the
Syrian government has, from the outset, made support for the Lebanese state a
cornerstone of its relationship with Lebanon, alongside what he described as
genuine hostility toward Hezbollah. For that reason,
he said, it is natural for Damascus to support Aoun’s initiative to disarm the
group. At the same time, Abazid argued Hezbollah would be the weaker side in any
confrontation with the new Syrian army. The history of relations between the
group and Syrian opposition would likely push many fighters to confront
Hezbollah if such a battle emerged, he said. He also pointed to rising tensions.
Hezbollah said Syrian territory had been used as the launch point for a second
Israeli operation in the Lebanese town of Nabi Sheet in the Bekaa Valley.
Shortly afterward, the Syrian army said Hezbollah had fired artillery shells at
the Sarghaya region in western Syria. Abazid said the escalation could reflect
two possible dynamics. One is an Iranian attempt to spread instability across
the region during the current war to increase pressure on all sides,
particularly Arab states. The other is that Hezbollah feels threatened by the
Syrian side, especially as Lebanese actors have refrained from launching
military initiatives against the group and after remarks by US envoy Tom Barrack
suggesting possible Syrian intervention in Lebanon.
South Lebanon’s Communities:
‘The Arabs of 26?’
Mustafa Fahs/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
The bangs of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburb interrupted an
evening discussion about the future of our country after the war. Even so, the
barrage of updates about strikes in the south, and the mass evacuation orders
that have nearly emptied out the region south of the Litani River, and the
transformation of villages south of Sidon in the ghost towns, were far more
critical and explosive issues questioned that evening at a table of mostly
composed of Southerners. At that moment, the Lebanese orchestra conductor, Mr.
Lubnan Baalbaki, who hails from the border village of Adaisseh, which had been
completely destroyed during the previous war, he raised the “question of
return.”“Have we, those of us from south of the river—become the “Arabs of “26,”
or “the Lebanese refugees,” he asked? He was making a reference to the fate of
the Palestinians after the declaration of the Israeli state split them into two
groups: the “Arabs of ’48” (or the “Palestinians of the interior”), and the much
more numerous others who have not returned since- the “refugees of ’48.”Amid his
temporary displacement, which may become an exile in the future, the Israeli
army killed the priest of the southern town of Qlayaa, Father Pierre al-Rahi,
and residents of Christian villages such like Alma al-Shaab and Rmeish were
given evacuation orders. There are also fears that evacuation orders could
extend to what remains of the villages of Kfar Shouba, al-Arqoub, and Marjeyoun,
emptying the south.
If some are allowed to remain or return in the future, they would become “the
Arabs of ’26” or “Lebanese of the interior.” Indeed, this is the first time that
communities in the South face an existential threat. It is the first time they
fear they may not be allowed to remain. Between 1948 and the invasion of 1978,
the inhabitants of the border towns faced not threat to their ability to stay in
their community, and even with the 1978 invasion and the establishment of the
security belt around these towns, many remained in their areas. Indeed, even in
the 1982 war, when the Israelis reached Beirut, the southerners did not leave
their regions. Something entirely different is
underway currently: instead of a “war in support of Gaza,” we are seeing a “war
in support of Tehran. In other words, from a “war of destruction” in to a “war
of suicide.” Both wars were pretexts the Israelis did not even need in order to
implement the plans they had begun pursuing before the previous war. Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his desire to expand the buffer
zone, moving deeper the current seven kilometers inside Lebanese territory,
which would mean the annexation of new territory south of the Litani River.
Within the first seven kilometers, Israel would not allow for the return of
residents. The potential repercussion of further expansion, which is difficult
to fathom given the scale of the evacuation warnings, the destruction, along the
trajectory of Israel’s advance, raise serious fear that we could lose vast
regions south the river, that they could be entirely destroyed, depopulated, or
occupied. That is Netanyahu’s plan. The question,
then: Do the six rockets that Hezbollah fired at Israel, given their strategic
insignificance, measure up to the existential threats now facing the southerners
and all Lebanese? Rockets that served as nothing more than a pretext for a long
Lebanese exile.Returning to Mr. Baalbaki and the house of his father (the
painter Abdel Hamid Baalbaki) that the family he lost in the previous war, it
was less a family home than a museum of Southern and Lebanese cultural and
artistic heritage. It was part of our collective memory and archive. Today, we
are threatened with losing everything: our past, our present, and our future.
Most of us left carrying very little. We left memories hanging on walls that
could be leveled to the ground and countless items that could become rubble. We
even forgot to take with us, as the Palestinians who left with the hope of
returning one day had, the keys to our homes.
Lebanon Prepares for Possible
Negotiations with Israel: Forming Delegation and Coordinating with Syria
Beirut: Caroline AkoumAsharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Lebanon has started to make preparations ahead of the possibility of holding
direct negotiations with Israel, based on an initiative proposed by President
Joseph Aoun to end Israel’s war on Lebanon. Diplomatic and political contacts
have also been intensifying amid the rapid developments in Lebanon and the
region.Aoun held a joint telephone call with his Syrian President Ahmed
al-Sharaa and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday to address the
developments. They agreed to keep channels of communication open to follow up on
issues, said the Lebanese presidency.
For his part, Macron underscored the importance of coordination launched by the
Lebanese and Syrian leaderships, saying France will continue to support it.
Sharaa backs the Lebanese authorities’ efforts to reclaim full control of its
territories.Macron called on Israel to cease its attacks on Lebanon, while
accusing Hezbollah of making a “major mistake in dragging Lebanon into a
confrontation with Israel.”Ministerial sources close to the presidency told
Asharq Al-Awsat that the call was made at Macron’s request, who believes that
negotiations should cover various paths and should not be limited to just talks
between Lebanon and Israel. They should also include
negotiations between Syria and Israel, border issues and pending affairs between
them. Negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, Syria and Israel and between all
three could lead to connected results, especially over the border, notably the
Shebaa Farms. Lebanon has yet to receive a receptive response from the concerned
parties, particularly Israel and the United States, which should sponsor any
possible talks. Regardless, the sources told Asharq
Al-Awsat that Lebanon has kicked off steps to engage in negotiations with
Israel. It has started to form a delegation that will head to Cyprus should
negotiations get a green light. The delegation will include Ambassador Abdel
Sattar Issa, who was chosen by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to represent Sunnis,
former Ambassador Simon Karam, who will represent Maronites, Shawki Abou Nassar,
who will represent the Druze. Discussions are underway to name an Orthodox
representative.No Shiite has been named to the delegation, said the sources,
with parliament Speaker Nabih Berri refusing to name one. He instead said that
the Mechanism committee should handle talks until a ceasefire is reached. On the
diplomatic level, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi received a telephone call from
Hamish Faulkner, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa at the British
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to discuss the situation in Lebanon. Faulkner
expressed his country’s solidarity with Lebanon, saying it was ready to offer
humanitarian support and work with the concerned parties towards a ceasefire.
Raggi also received a similar phone call from his Spanish counterpart Jose
Manuel Albares.
Israel Destroys Zrariyeh Bridge in South Lebanon, Carries
Out Deadly Strikes
Beirut: Asharq Al Awsat/13 March 2026
The Israeli military has destroyed a key bridge on the Litani River in south
Lebanon as it carried out deadly strikes across the country. The military’s
Arabic spokesman posted on X that the bridge destroyed in the village of
Zrariyeh was used by Hezbollah fighters to move between the areas south and
north of the river. The military added that Hezbollah forces near the bridge
fired rockets into Israel during the current Israel-Hezbollah war.
It appeared to be the first time in the current campaign against
Hezbollah that the Israeli military acknowledged it had targeted civilian
infrastructure. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike early Friday hit a car in Jnah, a
coastal neighborhood in southwestern Beirut, and killed one person, the Lebanese
health ministry said. Separately, an Israeli strike hit an apartment in the
Nabaa neighborhood, leaving it engulfed in flames, local media reported.
Nabaa lies on Beirut’s northern outskirts within the densely populated Burj
Hammoud district. No casualties were immediately reported. It was the first time
such an area has been struck in this conflict or during the 2024 war between
Hezbollah and Israel.
Following the strikes, the Israeli army said it had targeted a Hezbollah member
in Beirut. Both neighborhoods are far from the southern suburbs of Beirut, which
the Israeli military has declared unsafe and issued evacuation notices for. Also
Friday, an Israeli strike in eastern Lebanon that was targeting an al-Jamaa
al-Islamiya official killed two people. Lebanon’s
state-run National News Agency said the early strike on an apartment in the
eastern village of Bar Elias wounded Youssef Dahouk, a local official with
al-Jamaa al-Islamiya and two others. The agency said Dahouk’s two sons were
killed in the strike.
Over the past two years, Israel has targeted officials with al-Jamaa
al-Islamiya. Authorities in Lebanon say 800,000 have
been forced from their homes. More than 600 have been killed. Hezbollah said
early Friday that it had fired several rocket salvos toward northern Israel and
Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
Australia Orders All 'Non-essential' Officials to Leave
Lebanon
Asharq Al Awsat/13 March 2026
Australia has ordered all non-essential officials in Lebanon to leave,
Canberra's foreign minister said Friday, after issuing the same command to
diplomats in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. In a post on X, top diplomat
Penny Wong said they had been ordered to depart due to the "deteriorating
security situation", AFP said. "Essential Australian officials will remain
in-country to support Australians who need it," she added. The warning came
hours after Canberra issued the same order to officials in Israel and the United
Arab Emirates. Canberra has said there are about 115,000 Australian nationals
across the Middle East, of whom about 2,600 have returned home. "We urge
Australians in the Middle East to leave if you can and if it's safe to do so,"
Wong said. "Don't wait until it's too late. It may be the last chance for some
time." The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 that
killed its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggered a war in the Middle East.
Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as
Gulf states like the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. Officials said 14 people had been
killed in Israel since the start of the Iran war. Inside Iran, its health
ministry said this week that more than 1,200 people have been killed. Hundreds
more people have died in Lebanon. Australia backed the
US-Israeli strikes as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear
weapons. And Canberra said this week it would deploy a long-range military
reconnaissance plane to the Gulf to protect civilians.
Lebanon says Israeli strike in
south kills 12 medics
AFP/March 13, 2026
BEIRUT: An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed a dozen medical staff at a
clinic, Lebanese health authorities said Saturday, after Iran-backed Hezbollah’s
leader said his group was ready for a long confrontation with Israel. Lebanese
health authorities said the strike killed 12 doctors, paramedics and nurses
working at a health care center in the town of Burj Qalawiya, following another
strike on the town of Sawaneh that left two paramedics affiliated with Hezbollah
and its ally Amal dead. Israel on Friday destroyed a bridge over the Litani
River between the towns of Zrariyeh and Tayr Falsay, according to Lebanon’s
state-run National News Agency. The river bisects southern Lebanon, from east to
west. In a statement, the Israeli military described
the bridge as a “key crossing” for Hezbollah “from northern to southern Lebanon,
to build up its power and prepare for combat.”The attack was the first on
Lebanese public infrastructure to be acknowledged by Israel since the start of
the Middle East war. “This is just the beginning and the Lebanese government and
the state of Lebanon will pay an increasing price in damage to Lebanese national
infrastructure used by Hezbollah terrorists,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel
Katz said on Friday. He said Lebanon would suffer “loss of territory — until it
fulfils its central commitment of disarming Hezbollah.” Lebanon was drawn into
the Middle East war last week when the Tehran-backed militant group attacked
Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Friday his group was ready for a long
confrontation with Israel, as the latter threatened to make Lebanon pay an
“increasing price” in damage to infrastructure. “We have prepared ourselves for
a long confrontation, and God willing, they (Israelis) will be surprised on the
battlefield,” Qassem said in his second televised address since the latest war
began. “This is an existential battle, not a limited or simple battle.”Earlier
this week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun offered to negotiate directly with
Israel, but on Friday he said he had not received a response. The Israeli
military bombed several roads in southern Lebanon on Friday, according to the
official National News Agency, blocking access from the north of the Litani
River and from the Bekaa valley, an eastern area Hezbollah uses to transport
weaponry. The NNA also reported that Israeli shells hit a United Nations base
hosting Nepali peacekeepers in the southern town of Mays Al-Jabal.
A spokesperson for the UN secretary-general said they were aware of the
reports and would provide further information “as soon as possible.” The Israeli
military did not immediately comment on the incident.
‘Stop the war’
UN chief Antonio Guterres called on Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah to
“stop the war” at the start of a visit to Beirut on Friday. “My strong appeal to
those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war,”
Guterres said. Guterres launched a $325 million humanitarian appeal to support
Lebanon as it responds to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people by
the war. Israeli strikes had continued on Friday, including an attack that
killed eight people in the south Lebanese village of Miyeh w Miyeh near the port
city of Sidon, according to the health ministry. In the nearby village of Irkey,
Mohammad Taqi buried his four daughters, aged six to 13, who were killed in an
Israeli strike on Thursday along with five relatives. “The Israeli enemy says
every day that it is targeting infrastructure,” he told AFP at the funeral, his
head wrapped in a white bandage and his face covered in wounds. “Is this the
infrastructure? Have you seen it?” he asked, gesturing to his daughters’ bodies.
“I’ve lost four daughters. I don’t have any others. Zainab, Zahra, Malika and
Yasmina,” he said, adding that he had also lost his parents, brother, nephew and
brother-in-law in the same strike.
Propaganda leaflets
Hezbollah also launched attacks against Israeli forces on Friday, as part of
what it said was a Quds Day operation. Quds Day is an annual demonstration in
support of the Palestinian cause in Iran, on the last Friday of the holy month
of Ramadan. Israel’s military also renewed its evacuation warnings, including
for Beirut’s southern suburbs, and launched several strikes on the area
according to the NNA. On Thursday it had issued a similar warning, expanding the
evacuation zone in southern Lebanon to reach more than 40 kilometers from the
Lebanon-Israel border. Israeli planes also dropped leaflets over Beirut on
Friday.
One of the leaflets, addressed to the Lebanese people, said: “You must disarm
Hezbollah, Iran’s shield” and “Lebanon is your decision, not someone else’s.”At
least 12 medical personnel were killed in an Israeli strike on a health care
center in the town of Borj Qalaouiya in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese
state news agency reported on Saturday, citing the health ministry. The
health ministry said the death toll was preliminary, with rescue operations
underway to search for missing persons. The strike comes amid escalating Israeli
military activity in Lebanon. Earlier on Friday, Israeli warplanes dropping
propaganda leaflets over Beirut caused a number of loud booms in the sky,
terrifying residents of the capital. AFP correspondents in Beirut heard four
successive booms at short intervals, before clouds of paper leaflets appeared
high in the air, as observed by AFP's photographer. One of the leaflets that was
dropped, addressed to the Lebanese people, said: "You must disarm Hezbollah,
Iran's shield," and "Lebanon is your decision, not someone else's."The leaflet
included a QR code, along with the phrase: "Unit 504 is working to secure the
future of Lebanon and its people."
Unit 504 is an Israeli military intelligence unit. Leaflet drops are a tactic
also used in Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Israel
Katz on Friday said Lebanon will suffer increasing damage to its infrastructure
as Israel targets Hezbollah, after the military destroyed a bridge over the
southern Litani river. "This is just the beginning and the Lebanese government
and the State of Lebanon will pay an increasing price in damage to Lebanese
national infrastructure used by Hezbollah terrorists due to terrorist activity
and launches at the State of Israel," Katz said at a meeting with army top
brass.
Hezbollah chief says group ready for ‘long confrontation’
with Israel
AFP/March 13, 2026
BEIRUT: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday his group was ready for a
long confrontation with Israel, as the two sides fought another war in Lebanon
which he considered “existential.”“We have prepared ourselves for a long
confrontation, and God willing, they (Israelis) will be surprised on the
battlefield,” Qassem said in his second televised address since the latest war
began, adding that “the enemy’s threats do not frighten us.”“This is an
existential battle, not a limited or simple battle.”Lebanon was drawn into the
Middle East war last week when the Tehran-backed militant group attacked Israel
in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in
US-Israeli strikes. Israel, which had kept up its strikes in Lebanon even before
the war despite a 2024 ceasefire, has since launched air raids and sent ground
troops into border areas.
Qassem said his group “will not allow the enemy to achieve its goal of
eliminating our existence and controlling Lebanon, and we will remain an
impenetrable barrier against it.”“This is our country and we will not allow
anyone to control its destiny, its decisions, and how its children live. We are
fighting and we are confident of victory.” His speech came as Israel threatened
to make Lebanon pay an “increasing price” in damage to infrastructure and launch
wider ground operations if Beirut does not disarm Hezbollah.
Qassem called on the Lebanese government to “stop making free
concessions, as this makes the enemy more greedy and prolongs the war” and to
reverse its latest decisions. Beirut banned
Hezbollah’s military and security activities last week, after its attack on
Israel triggered the latest war. The move follows a 2025 government decision to
disarm the group.
How Israel-Hezbollah war is displacing hundreds of
thousands and pushing Lebanon toward humanitarian disaster
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/March 13/2026
BEIRUT: The number of displaced people seeking shelter across Beirut is rising
sharply as Israeli military operations against Hezbollah intensify across
Lebanon, deepening fears of an emerging humanitarian crisis. Lebanon was drawn
into the regional conflict last week when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response
to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli
strikes on Feb. 28. Since then, Israeli forces have expanded evacuation warnings
to areas deeper inside Lebanon, signaling the possibility of further military
incursions. Authorities say the displacement is growing at a staggering pace.
Officials at the Disaster Risk Management Unit expect the total number of
displaced people to exceed one million, with tens of thousands not yet
registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Fadi Baghdadi, a member of the
Disaster Risk Management Unit, told Arab News: “The number of displaced people
in Beirut has reached 49,600, comprising 11,248 families spread across 150 state
schools that have opened their doors to them.”Figures from the UN refugee agency
also highlight the scale of the crisis.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said the number of registered displaced people had
reached 759,300 as of Thursday evening, adding that “the rate of displacement is
rising by approximately 100,000 people a day.”Meanwhile, Minister for Social
Affairs Haneen Al-Sayed said “the number of registered displaced persons has
exceeded 822,000, spread across 592 shelters.”UNHCR warned that the situation in
Lebanon is heading toward “a humanitarian disaster that is worsening as aerial
bombardment continues and the number of families forced to leave their homes
increases.”A tour of several shelters in Beirut revealed the strain already
showing in these makeshift refuges. Schools converted into shelters are packed
with families from southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. People
sleep in corridors, halls and even entrance lobbies, using sheets and towels to
carve out small private spaces. Facilities are rudimentary. In many shelters
there is no hot water for bathing, even as cold weather sets in and overnight
temperatures are expected to fall to freezing. For many families, the upheaval
is painfully familiar.
“This is the second time we have been displaced from our homes and we do not
know what lies ahead,” Fatima Al-Mukdad, 55, who joined her brothers and their
families after shelling intensified around her home in Haret Hreik, told Arab
News at a school in Ras Al-Nabeh.
Fatima described the particular hardships facing women in the crowded centers,
saying they cope largely “by supporting one another,” while describing their
lives as “miserable, despite the availability of food, but there are other
needs.”Others are struggling with health problems and the sudden dislocation of
everyday life. Abeer, 33, said she had developed an eye infection after catching
a virus in the shelter. Displaced from Burj Al-Barajneh, she fled her home in
her pajamas with her family during the sudden Israeli bombardment of southern
Beirut and is now trying to find a doctor in an unfamiliar part of the city.
Farah, 35, whose company has halted operations after closing its branch in the
southern suburbs of Beirut, said the war has left her entire family without
work. Speaking from a shelter in the Al-Basta neighborhood, she described the
psychological toll of the conflict. “We all need psychologists. We’re crying all
the time, living under constant stress. The reconnaissance aircraft hovering
over our heads right now won’t leave the skies, which is putting us in a
terrible mental state.
“I am not with Hezbollah, nor did I want what has happened to happen. This is a
war that has been forced upon us, and logic dictates that we have reached a
stage where we must say: enough. “We are hated by everyone. Everyone is fighting
us. We are suffering humiliation, which is the hardest feeling of all, and we do
not know what lies ahead. This is not just my opinion, but that of many like me;
those who do not reveal their feelings are either afraid or convinced by the
partisan narrative so as not to feel they have been deceived.”She said tensions
can run high inside the shelters themselves.
“There are limits to expressing one’s views in the shelters; we share rooms, and
there are daily clashes between people. Talking about politics is of no use
right now. What’s needed is hot water, drinking water, clean food and a sense of
security.
“In this war, relief funds are not available, so services are different from
what they were in the previous war. I cannot think about tomorrow. I want to go
back to my home and for this nightmare to end.” Some shelters have also seen
individuals identifying themselves as members of Hezbollah monitoring who enters
and questioning the identities of displaced families. Lebanese Prime Minister
Nawaf Salam acknowledged the anxieties felt by those forced from their homes. He
said he “respects and understands the concerns many of you have. For you are
paying, albeit indirectly, the price of a war you did not choose.
“I assure you that there will be no retreat from our position on regaining
control over decisions regarding war and peace, and ending this new adventure of
military support, from which we have gained nothing but more victims,
destruction and displacement.”
Israel renewed its strikes on Beirut on Thursday, with Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu warning that if the Lebanese government did not disarm Hezbollah,
Israel would do the job “on the ground.”“You are playing with fire,” Netanyahu
said in comments directed at Lebanese authorities. Referring to the Lebanese
government’s stated commitment to disarm the Iran-backed group, Netanyahu added:
“If you do not do so, it is clear that we will.”
The human toll of the conflict continues to mount. Israeli strikes have killed
at least 773 people since March 2, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, which
reported 1,933 wounded, including 103 children.
Children make up a large share of the displaced. UNICEF estimates that 285,600
children have been forced from their homes and warned of “the risk of further
displacement as a result of continuing air strikes on southern Lebanon, Beirut,
and the Bekaa.”
The agency also pointed to the disruption caused by sudden evacuation orders,
noting that some areas recently hosting displaced families — including Haret
Saida and Tyre — have themselves been ordered to evacuate, triggering secondary
displacement.
At least 570 internally displaced people and many residents were forced to leave
immediately, with some families sleeping in the open due to a lack of available
accommodation. Across the country, 344 public schools have been converted into
shelters, according to the Ministry of Education. With occupancy rates already
at 92 percent, the move has disrupted schooling for more than 72,000 pupils in
morning classes and 39,000 more in the evening. Aid groups say the crisis is
unfolding against the backdrop of Lebanon’s long-running economic collapse.
“Needs are growing amid limited capacity and an economic crisis that has been
ongoing for seven years,” Ziad Abdul Samad, executive director of the Arab NGO
Network for Development, told Arab News.
“The fundamental problem lies in the loss of funding for the government and
civil society organizations, as well as weak infrastructure.” He added:
“Organizations are drawing on their own funds, in agreement with donors, to
provide relief, but this is not enough.
“The main problem is also that there is no enthusiasm among organizations to
work again to help people, given that less than a year and a half has passed
since they provided relief following a previous war.” Many displaced families
are reluctant to move far from their homes, even when shelters elsewhere are
available.Workers unload aid supplies as the first aid shipment from the
European Union and UNICEF arrives at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport
on March 10, 2026. (Reuters)
“They are staying on the streets and refusing to go to shelters outside Beirut
and Mount Lebanon, because they want to remain close to their homes in the
southern suburbs of Beirut,” Abdul Samad said. “There is a general feeling of
alienation and that they have been left to their own devices.” He said the
government was doing what it could within limited resources, and that the
humanitarian air and sea bridge opened between Lebanon and international
partners was a positive step, but warned that the scale of needs remained
overwhelming. In an effort to mobilize international support, UN Secretary
General Antonio Guterres on Friday launched a $325 million humanitarian appeal
to help Lebanon respond to the crisis. “I am pleased to join all of you today as
we launch a Flash Humanitarian Appeal of $325 million to support the people of
Lebanon,” Guterres said during a conference attended by representatives of UN
agencies and donor countries at the Lebanese prime minister’s office. The
appeal, he said, “will sustain and expand life-saving assistance over the next
three months — including food, clean water, health care, education, protection
and other vital services.”Guterres also issued a direct plea to the warring
parties.
“My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a
ceasefire to stop the war,” he said. “This is no longer the time of armed
groups. This is the time of strong states.”
UN chief says ‘no longer the time of armed groups’ after
meeting Lebanese president
Ephrem Kossaify/Arab News/March 13, 2026
NEW YORK: The UN secretary-general on Friday called for a strong Lebanese state
with a monopoly on the use of force after meeting with President Joseph Aoun.
“This is no longer the time of armed groups,” Antonio Guterres said. “This is
the time of strong states.”
Speaking after the meeting in Beirut, he said: “My strong appeal to both
parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop war and pave the
way to find a solution.”Such a solution, he added, should allow Lebanon to
emerge as a sovereign state with full territorial integrity and with state
institutions controlling the use of force. Guterres had landed earlier in Beirut
on a solidarity visit “as a friend of the Lebanese people,” telling reporters:
“It’s in difficult moments that friendship and solidarity are essential.” He
said he is aware of the “enormous” suffering by the Lebanese as the Muslim holy
month of Ramadan coincides with the Christian season of Lent. “These should be
moments of peace, these should be moments of solidarity,” he added.
“Unfortunately, Lebanon was dragged into a war that is not a war that its people
would be willing to have.”He said: “I sincerely hope that in my next visit to
Lebanon, I’ll be able to visit a Lebanon in peace, a Lebanon where the state has
the monopoly of the use of force and where its territorial integrity is fully
reestablished”
Bombing civilians to force displacement in Lebanon could amount to war crimes:
UN experts
Ephrem Kossaify/Arab News/March 13, 2026
NEW YORK: UN independent experts warned on Friday that a rapidly escalating
displacement crisis in Lebanon could spiral into a humanitarian emergency after
intense Israeli airstrikes and evacuation warnings forced tens of thousands of
civilians to flee their homes. The experts stressed that civilians must never be
treated as targets or collateral damage, noting that attacks against civilians
or civilian objects, including homes and essential infrastructure, are strictly
prohibited under international humanitarian law. They said in a statement that
ordering civilians to evacuate does not absolve parties to a conflict of their
legal obligations. “Warnings must be effective, civilians must have a genuine
possibility to reach safety, and those displaced must be ensured adequate
protection and assistance,” they added. The experts cautioned that when homes
are destroyed, communities are shattered and return is rendered impossible,
displacement risks becoming a long-term human rights crisis rather than a
temporary protective measure. “Forced displacement may also amount to crimes
against humanity and war crimes under international law,” they said.
“Within days, tens of thousands of civilians have once again been forced
to flee their homes, many with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.”More
than 700,000 people have been displaced across Lebanon since attacks began in
early March, including about 200,000 children, with more than 100 villages in
the south affected. The experts include Francesca
Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied
Territories; Paula Gaviria, UN special rapporteur on the human rights of
internally displaced persons; and George Katrougalos, UN independent expert on
the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order. Thousands of
displaced Lebanese are seeking refuge in public buildings, schools and
overcrowded shelters, while others have spent nights in cars or along roadsides
as they fled bombardment and evacuation warnings, the experts said. “Behind
every number is a family terrified and forced to flee in fear,” they said,
warning that collective shelters are filling rapidly, essential services are
under strain, and many people remain on the move without adequate protection or
assistance. “Without urgent support, the situation
risks deteriorating into a full-scale humanitarian emergency,” they added. The
experts described Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon as a “flagrant violation” of
the UN Charter, international humanitarian law and human rights law, and said it
must cease immediately. “The Israeli invasion violates Lebanese national
sovereignty, only serves to destabilise the region further, and pushes all
actors away from a political resolution, which is the only path to solve this
crisis,” they said, adding that the attacks appear to form part of a broader
pattern of assaults against civilian populations in the region, and calling for
an international investigation into their causes and impacts.
The experts urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law,
protect civilians and allow safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, stressing
that accountability is essential and warning that impunity continues to fuel the
crisis in the Levant.
Lebanon war intensifies as IDF
strikes harder and Hezbollah escalates attacks
David Daoud/FDD's Long War Journal/March 13/2026 |
The renewed Lebanon war, now just over a week old, has witnessed a gradual
intensification of attacks by Israel and Hezbollah between March 8 and 11, with
both sides making clear their current disinterest in de-escalation or a
ceasefire. Hezbollah has expressed its commitment to continue fighting,
including by pledging loyalty to Iran’s new supreme leader, and Israel has
intensified its operations as part of what it expects to be a long war.
Simultaneously, the government of Lebanon has yet to match its
pronouncements regarding disarming Hezbollah with equally tough enforcement, and
the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has openly defied Beirut’s orders to do so.
Map instructions: Click the top-left icon or an icon on the map to open
the Map Key and adjust the map’s zoom as desired. Click the top-right icon to
open a larger version of the map. Lebanese government inaction continues as the
military defies Beirut’s order to disarm Hezbollah
Lebanese officials have continued expressing their strong displeasure with
Hezbollah’s decision to reignite the conflict with Israel and defiance of
Beirut’s orders to stand down and disarm. On March 8, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
declared Lebanon’s readiness to resume negotiations with Israel while
reiterating that Hezbollah’s military activities “were no longer tolerable.”
Salam, however, did say that the state would not seek confrontation with the
group. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was even blunter the next day, issuing two
statements criticizing Hezbollah for violating its commitment to neutrality and
“seeking Lebanon’s collapse through war and chaos” while calling on the LAF to
seize its weapons. He also called for direct Israeli-Lebanese negotiations,
under international auspices, with the narrow goal of achieving a durable
ceasefire and security arrangements rather than a durable peace and
normalization of relations.
Several Lebanese officials have also explicitly accused Hezbollah of launching
the March 1 attack on the Royal Air Force Base in Akrotiri, Cyprus.
These Lebanese government statements, however, have been coupled with
little practical follow-through. In part, this inaction owes to the decision of
the LAF to defy Beirut’s orders under instruction by Commander Rodolphe Haykal.
In a February meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham, Haykal declined to
describe Hezbollah as a terrorist organization absent such a prior declaration
by the Lebanese government. However, Beirut’s March 2 ban on Hezbollah’s
military activities and orders to the LAF to pursue the group’s disarmament have
had little impact on Haykal, who has used “the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and
its citizenry” to justify the LAF’s continued inaction. Implicitly addressing
the government, Haykal said:
The [LAF’s] Command adopts [its own] decisions in accordance with the current
complex circumstances, prioritizing preserving both Lebanon and its unity and
the military establishment […] which exerts every effort to maintain domestic
stability and unity. The army stands at an equal distance from all Lebanese and
deals with them from its position as a focal point of national consensus.
Haykal added that this “sensitive juncture” meant that the
solution—implicitly to the question of Hezbollah’s arms—“is not military alone,”
instead requiring a “coordination and integration” of the LAF’s efforts with
“various political and official levels to strengthen national unity and overcome
challenges.” This statement, implicitly stating that the LAF would not confront
Hezbollah, effectively reiterated Haykal’s reported position during a March 2
session of the Lebanese cabinet.
In practice, this refusal has led to the reversal of even the minimal action the
LAF took last week to advance the Lebanese state’s monopoly over arms. For
example, Al Arabiya reported that Lebanon’s Military Tribunal has released
detained alleged Hezbollah fighters on $20 bail. Presumably, these released
detainees were from among the 27 gunmen that the LAF said it arrested last week
as they crossed its checkpoints. Underscoring growing
Lebanese paralysis, Lebanon’s parliament delayed May’s legislative elections by
two years while Beirut continued looking for foreign solutions to its
predicament. For example, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi, known for his hawkish
pronouncements on Hezbollah, called on the Vatican to pressure Israel to halt
operations in south Lebanon’s Christian villages.
Meanwhile, the impact of the war in Lebanon has continued to grow. Almost
700,000 Lebanese have been internally displaced over the past week, with over
100,000 in organized shelters. As of the time of this writing, 634 Lebanese
citizens have been killed and 1,586 wounded since the fighting between Israel
and Hezbollah resumed. Lebanon’s Health Ministry is
not publicly separating civilians from fighters in the overall casualty count,
and Hezbollah is, characteristically, not officially announcing its dead. The
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in its latest claims on the matter, has estimated
that it has killed 190–200 militants from Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon.
Hezbollah shows no signs of backing down
Hezbollah, which spent months preparing for this conflict, has remained defiant.
This sentiment was expressed most clearly by Mohammad Raad, who heads the
group’s Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc, on March 9. Raad defended
Hezbollah’s decision to keep fighting and attacked the Lebanese government’s
recent decision to call for the group’s disarmament. He said that Hezbollah’s
inaction during 15 months of ongoing Israeli attacks, coupled with Lebanon’s
effort to monopolize arms, had only invited more demands and aggression from
Israel.
Raad also reiterated Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem’s March 4 claim
that the group’s opening salvo on March 2 had not ignited the renewed conflict
but was a warning stripping Israel of the element of surprise and preempting a
broader, premeditated attack. He also insisted that “resistance remains the only
option.” Qassem, meanwhile, sent recently elected Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba
Khamenei a letter declaring Hezbollah’s continued “covenantal commitment” to the
Islamic Republic under his leadership.
On the domestic front, Hezbollah’s Lawyers Union described any attempt to arrest
the group’s fighters as “high treason.” Additionally, The Jerusalem Post,
quoting an anonymous informed source, reported that Hezbollah had instructed its
members to confront any LAF attempt to impede the group’s military operations or
activities. Hezbollah’s military actions have matched
its defiant rhetoric. The group has intensified rocket attacks against Israel,
firing more frequent and larger salvos at the northern part of the country, and
claimed repeated direct clashes with Israeli ground troops in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has also claimed attacks fired deeper into Israel using “sophisticated
weapons”—a possible euphemism for precision-guided missiles.
Israel expects an extended conflict in Lebanon
Israel has confirmed that weapons fired by Hezbollah have reached the country’s
center. On March 9, Hezbollah missiles fired at Gush Dan lightly wounded sixteen
people. As of the time of this writing, no Israelis have been killed by
Hezbollah attacks.
The IDF clarified the next day that an “isolated failure” allowed two Hezbollah
missiles to impact central Israel without interceptions or warning sirens.
Meanwhile, Israel’s assessment that Hezbollah and Iran are not coordinating
attacks appears to be changing, with Reuters, quoting an unnamed “senior Israeli
defence official,” saying that Hezbollah and Iran carried out their “first
coordinated attack” since the start of the war on the evening of March 11.
These developments are only likely to harden the Israeli assessment that
the conflict with Hezbollah will likely outlast the war with Iran. Addressing
the Lebanon front, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on March
11, “We are not close to the end.” Israel has also
intensified its campaign in Lebanon while widening its geographical footprint.
Hezbollah’s nerve center in Beirut’s southern suburbs remains in Israeli
crosshairs. However, the Israeli Air Force has also carried out targeted
killings in other, previously immune, areas of Lebanon’s capital.
On March 8, Israeli aircraft targeted a room in the Ramada Plaza Hotel
building in Rawsheh, which is in predominantly Sunni west Beirut. The IDF
claimed its targets were “key commanders in the Iranian IRGC’s Quds Force’s
Lebanon Corps in Beirut” who were operating in Lebanon. It later named them as
commanders from both the Lebanon and Palestine Corps:
Majid Hosseini, the official responsible for the Lebanon Corps’ funds transfers,
including to Hezbollah
Alireza Biazar, the Lebanon Corps’ head of intelligence
Ahmad Rasouli, an intelligence officer with the Palestine Corps
Hossein Ahmadlou, a Lebanon Corps intelligence operative responsible for
collecting intelligence on Israel
Abu Ahmad Ali, a clear nom de guerre for Hezbollah’s representative to the
Palestine Corps
Iran’s UN Ambassador has confirmed the deaths of the first four figures.
On March 11, Israel conducted another targeted killing in West Beirut, this time
in the predominantly working-class Sunni neighborhood of Aysha Bakkar.
Conflicting reports indicate that the target was Hamas member Ahmad Abdallah or
an office belonging to the Islamic Group, the Lebanese branch of the Muslim
Brotherhood. Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood are known to cooperate and even
have an overlap in operatives, which may explain the contradictory reports. The
Islamic Group reportedly denied its offices had been targeted.
In addition to its expansion of airstrikes, the IDF has also reportedly widened
the footprint of its ground forces in southern Lebanon. However, the conflict
has yet to become a full ground incursion.
American disinterest in Lebanese pronouncements continues
The United States reportedly remains unmoved by Lebanese officials’ requests for
it to intervene with Israel on Lebanon’s behalf. Reports indicate that US
Ambassador Tom Barrack, who had previously handled the Lebanon file, bluntly
rebuffed Lebanese government entreaties to mediate with Israel. There would be
nothing relevant to discuss, Barrack said, unless Lebanon “stop[s] with the
bullshit” on disarming Hezbollah. US President Donald Trump sounded a softer
note on March 11.
“We love Lebanon. We love the people of Lebanon, and we’re working very hard.
We’ve gotta get rid of … Hezbollah has been a disaster for many years,” Trump
said.
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2026/03/analysis-lebanon-war-intensifies-as-idf-strikes-harder-and-hezbollah-escalates-attacks.php
**David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
Lebanon’s failure to disarm
Hezbollah keeps doing greater damage
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/The Hill/March 13, 2026
To end its devastating war with Israel, Lebanon pledged to disarm Hezbollah
under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. After signing the Cessation of
Hostilities in November 2024, Beirut stalled for 15 months, until Hezbollah
fired six rockets at Israel on Mar. 1. The Lebanese cabinet then banned
Hezbollah’s military activity, but it was too late: Israel resumed operations
against the pro-Iran militia. Reasons for Lebanon’s failure include weak
security forces, no real political will, and endless excuses.
The Lebanese Armed Forces teeter on the brink of collapse. Qatar funds their
payroll and the U.S. supplies their rudimentary equipment, but soldiers often
have to moonlight as nightclub bouncers and Uber drivers to survive.
Their logistics verge on the farcical: troops in the field frequently beg
civilians for drinking water or scraps of food, knocking on doors wherever they
deploy. Since the 1991 end of Lebanon’s civil war, first the Assad regime and
later Hezbollah itself barred the Lebanese military’s intelligence branch from
gathering any information on the pro-Iran militia.According to Lebanese sources,
serious efforts only began about a year ago. Building intelligence networks
demands patience, cultivating sources and forging connections. Until recently,
the Lebanese Armed Forces groped blindly when confronting Hezbollah, often
relying on scraps of intelligence funneled to it by Israel.Even worse. Hezbollah
maintains its own formidable intelligence apparatus, relentlessly monitoring the
Lebanese military, profiling each officer and gauging his stance toward the
so-called “resistance.” Those deemed sympathetic earn promotions.
Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Rodolphe Haykal himself is widely believed to
have received Hezbollah’s tacit clearance. Perhaps this explains why, before
every planned Washington visit, the official Lebanese Armed Forces X account
posts statements laced with condemnations of the “Israeli enemy” or “Israeli
aggression” — a ritual signal to Hezbollah that the army chief remains loyal to
anti-Israel rhetoric, even as he courts Israel’s foremost ally. Beirut and the
Lebanese Armed Forces routinely lament their overstretched mandate: to guard the
porous Syrian border to the north and east, secure seaports and the airport,
manning checkpoints, and conducting nationwide policing. This dilutes an already
undersized force, leaving it dangerously exposed against a far better-armed
Hezbollah.
The Lebanese regular military lacks the raw strength to impose its authority on
the militia by force alone. Still, this military weakness offers no
justification for Lebanon’s deeper failure to shame, vilify, and isolate
Hezbollah as both a political party and an armed force.
The 2005 Cedar Revolution proved that such resolve is possible. After three
decades of Syrian occupation, Christians, Druze, and Sunnis united in a
groundswell that overwhelmed Assad’s forces and their Hezbollah allies. Even
Hassan Nasrallah’s charisma could not prevent the expulsion of Syrian troops.
That 2005 triumph demonstrated that, with broad domestic consensus and global
backing, even absent full Shia participation, Lebanon could compel Hezbollah to
yield. Replicating that “March 14 moment,” however, has proven elusive.
Hezbollah quickly fractured the alliance by co-opting Michel Aoun’s Christian
bloc, elevating him to the presidency and dismantling the March 14 coalition.
(He bears no relation to the current president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun.)
Aoun’s bloc remains insular and self-serving, unwilling to forge genuine
partnerships. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt remains risk-averse, reluctant to defy
his longtime friend and Hezbollah ally Speaker Nabih Berri. Sunnis remain
fragmented, incapable of unified action against the so-called “resistance.”
Lebanon’s sectarian system compounds the paralysis. The state interacts with
citizens almost exclusively through each sect’s patriarchs, so Beirut never
directly engages the Shia community — it does so only through Hezbollah and
Berri. This frames every confrontation not as state versus militia, but as other
sects versus Shia, entrenching divisions rather than transcending them.
To mask this political bankruptcy, successive Lebanese governments deflect blame
outward. In Arab political culture, no scapegoat proves handier than Israel.
Beirut inverted the ceasefire sequence: instead of disarming Hezbollah first,
prompting Israel to halt its enforcement actions and withdraw from five southern
hilltops, Lebanon demanded the world to pressure Israel to stand down and
retreat first, thus preserving Hezbollah’s pretext for “resistance.”
This tactic echoes the Lebanese playbook from 1993 to 2000. Whenever Israel
sought security guarantees for withdrawal from south Lebanon, Beirut insisted
that ongoing occupation justified Hezbollah’s arsenal and cross-border war.
Remove the occupation, Lebanese leaders argued, and the excuse vanishes, forcing
Hezbollah to disarm.
Israel complied, unilaterally withdrawing in 2000 without any agreement. Yet in
2026, Hezbollah remains heavily armed, ostensibly to “defend” Lebanon against
imagined Israeli designs. Since the 1969 Cairo Agreement — when Lebanon ceded
its sovereignty to Palestinian, and later pro-Iran militias waging war on Israel
from Lebanese soil — the country has failed to produce any coherent plan to
reclaim control. Lacking will and capacity, Lebanon left Israel no choice: to
dismantle Hezbollah’s threat on its northern border through decisive, unilateral
action.
War between Israel and Hezbollah is back, and Lebanon has to bear the brunt of
destruction. This would have been avoidable, had the state done its job.
**Hussain Abdul-Hussain is the author of “The Arab Case for Israel” and a
research fellow at The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
Lebanon at a Moment of Truth/An
Open Letter to the President of the Lebanese Republic
Beirut: March 13, 2026
His Excellency General Joseph Aoun
Your Excellency,
Lebanon today stands at one of the most dangerous moments in its modern history.
The ongoing war between Hezbollah and the State of Israel on Lebanese territory
is no longer merely a limited military confrontation; it has become a clear
manifestation of a deep sovereignty crisis that the Lebanese state has been
experiencing for years. The question that now imposes
itself on both the Lebanese people and the Lebanese state is simple in its
wording but profound in its implications:
Who holds the authority over decisions of war and peace in Lebanon?
The Lebanese Constitution is clear on this matter. The Taif Agreement,
which rebuilt the Lebanese state after the civil war, was equally clear in
calling for the disbanding of all Lebanese and non‑Lebanese militias and the
restriction of arms to the Lebanese state alone.
United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Lebanon also reaffirm
this principle, particularly resolutions:1559 (2004)- 1680 (2006)- 1701 (2006)
These resolutions clearly call for:
- The extension of the authority of the Lebanese state over all its territory.
- The exclusive possession of arms by the legitimate institutions of the
Lebanese Republic.
- The disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non‑Lebanese militias.
However, the reality in Lebanon today clearly demonstrates that these
commitments have not yet been implemented and that the Lebanese state does not
exercise full sovereignty over decisions of war and peace.
Your Excellency,
You have launched a political initiative calling for direct dialogue with the
State of Israel in order to address outstanding issues and promote stability.
This initiative reflects an important recognition of the gravity of the moment
Lebanon is facing.
Yet this initiative has not, so far, translated into concrete progress or
succeeded in breaking the political and military deadlock that places Lebanon at
growing risk.
At the same time, recent deliberations within the United Nations Security
Council regarding Lebanon have once again emphasized the necessity of the full
implementation of the international resolutions related to Lebanese sovereignty
and the extension of state authority over the entire territory of Lebanon.
Your Excellency,
The reality that can no longer be ignored today is that the Lebanese state is
currently unable to enforce its monopoly over arms or exercise full control over
the decision of war and peace.
The continuation of this situation threatens not only Lebanon’s stability but
also the very existence of the Lebanese state as a sovereign state.
Therefore, national and historical responsibility requires an honest
acknowledgment of this reality.
We call upon Your Excellency to take a courageous national step by:
- Immediately convening the Council of Ministers to address the issue of
national sovereignty and the monopoly of arms.
- Adopting an official position acknowledging the current limitations of the
Lebanese state in fully exercising its sovereignty.
- Addressing the United Nations Security Council and the international community
regarding their responsibilities toward Lebanon.
- Requesting international measures to ensure the implementation of Security
Council resolutions concerning Lebanon, including mechanisms under Chapter VII
of the United Nations Charter if necessary to restore the full authority of the
Lebanese state over its territory.
Your Excellency,
Recourse to international legitimacy does not represent a surrender of
sovereignty. In certain historical moments, it may become the only path to
protecting and restoring it.
Lebanon now stands before a historic choice: Either the Lebanese state regains
its full sovereign authority, or the country continues as an open arena for
regional conflicts beyond the control of its own people.
Respectfully,
TONI NISSI
President - Committee for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council
Resolutions on Lebanon
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues/LCCC website
The just war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran and its
proxies—devils, terrorists, drug traffickers, and mafia networks—continues
relentlessly and will not stop before their complete defeat.
To follow the news, below are- links to several
important news websites:
National News Agency (Lebanon)
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
MTV Lebanon
https://www.mtv.com.lb/
Voice of Lebanon
https://www.vdl.me/
Asas Media
https://asasmedia.com/
Naharnet
https://www.naharnet.com/
Al Markazia News Agency
https://almarkazia.com/ar
LBCI (English)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/en
LBCI (Arabic)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Janoubia Website
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Kataeb Party Official Website
https://www.kataeb.org
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports
And News published
on March 13-14/2026
Trump Threatens Iran Following New Wave of
Attacks on Gulf States and Israel
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Iran launched multiple attacks early Friday on Gulf Arab states, including
dozens of drones at Saudi Arabia, following warnings from its new supreme leader
about hosting American bases, and US President Donald Trump threatened major new
retaliation. “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today," Trump wrote
in a social media post. “Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer,
missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have
been wiped from the face of the earth.”The comments came the day after Iran's
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to “not refrain from avenging the blood”
of Iranians killed, and warned Gulf Arab nations to shut US bases, saying the
notion of American protection was “nothing more than a lie.”Intense airstrikes
landed around Iran’s capital, Tehran early Friday, just before rallies were to
begin for the annual Quds Day event in support of the Palestinians. Israel said
its air force had hit more than 200 targets in Iran over the past 24 hours,
including missile launchers, defense systems and weapons production sites. With
growing global concerns about a possible energy crisis and no end to the war in
sight, the price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, remained
stubbornly over $100 per barrel as Iran kept its stranglehold on shipping
through the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which a fifth of
the world's oil transits on its way from the Arabian Gulf to the open seas.
Brent prices have spiked as high as about $120 per barrel and are currently some
40% higher than when Israel and the United States attacked Iran on Feb. 28 to
start the war. Iran has been attacking ships that try to transit the strait, and
Khamenei's comments — his first to the public since being named to replace his
father, who was killed during the first day of the conflict — said Iran would
continue to block the waterway. In Iraq, recovery efforts were underway after an
American KC-135 refueling plane went down, according to US Central Command. And
a French soldier who was stationed in the north of the country was killed in an
attack, the French president said Friday.
Iran launches new attacks on Gulf Arab countries
Iran has been attacking oil and other infrastructure around the Gulf region, and
on Friday Saudi Arabia that it had downed nearly 50 drones sent in multiple
waves throughout the early morning hours. In Oman, two people were killed when
two drones crashed in an industrial area in the region of Sohar, the Oman News
Agency reported. Sirens also sounded in Bahrain warning of incoming fire, and in
Dubai black smoke billowed from an industrial area after a blaze authorities
said was sparked by debris from an interception. A building at the Dubai
International Financial Center also sustained damage when hit with debris from
what authorities described as a “successful interception.”The DIFC is an
economic free zone for banks, capital traders and wealth managers, home to
exclusive restaurants and nightclubs for the city-state’s elite. Iran said
earlier this week that it would target banks and financial institutions after an
airstrike hit a bank in Tehran. Nearly 60 people were wounded in northern Israel
after Hezbollah said it had fired several rocket salvoes toward the area and at
Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Almost all the injuries were described as
very minor. One person was killed in southwestern Beirut in an Israeli strike,
according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, and another attack hit an apartment
in the capital, leaving it engulfed in flames. Following the attacks, the
Israeli army said it had been targeting a member of Iran-linked Hezbollah. In
eastern Lebanon, a strike on an apartment wounded a local official with the
Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and killed his two sons, the state-run
National News Agency reported. Israel for the past two years has targeted
officials with the group, known as al-Jamaa al-Islamiya or the Islamic Group.
More than 600 people have been killed in Lebanon since the fighting began, the
Health Ministry has reported and nearly 800,000 have been internally displaced,
according to the UN refugee agency. Iranian authorities say more than 1,300
people have been killed there, and Israel has reported 12 deaths. The US has
lost at least seven soldiers while another eight have suffered severe injuries.
In his Friday morning post, Trump said that "we are totally destroying the
terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise."“They’ve been
killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th
President of the United States of America, am killing them,” Trump said. “What a
great honor it is to do so!” The US military said American forces have now
struck more than 6,000 targets since the operation against Iran began, including
more than 30 minelaying vessels.
Iran’s New Supreme Leader Wounded, Likely Disfigured,
Hegseth Says
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded and likely disfigured, US
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday, questioning Khamenei's ability to
govern after nearly two weeks of US and Israeli attacks on Iran. No images have
been released of Khamenei since an Israeli strike at the start of the war that
killed much of his family, including his father and wife. His first comments
came in a statement read out by a television presenter on Thursday. In the
statement, he vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and called on neighboring
countries to close US bases on their territory or risk Iran targeting them.
"We know the new so-called not so supreme leader is wounded and likely
disfigured. He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there
was no voice and there was no video. It was a written statement," Hegseth told a
briefing. "Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a
written statement? I think you know why. His father - dead. He's scared, he's
injured, he's on the run and he lacks legitimacy." An Iranian official told
Reuters on Wednesday that the newly appointed supreme leader was lightly
injured, but was continuing to operate, after state television described him as
war-wounded. Hegseth was joined by General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, at a briefing in which they emphasized US military strikes to
knock out Iran's missile and drone capabilities and its navy.
'NO QUARTER'
During the briefing, Hegseth said that the United States would show no mercy in
the war.
"We will keep pressing, keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for
our enemy," Hegseth said. "No quarter" is the refusal to spare the life of
someone who has expressed their intention to surrender - something prohibited by
law. "International humanitarian law prohibits the use of this procedure, that
is, ordering that there shall be no survivors, threatening the adversary
therewith, or conducting hostilities on this basis," according to the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Hegseth has moved to reshape
the top ranks of the military justice system, replacing the judge advocates
general for the Army, Navy and Air Force. The United States has carried out
strikes against more than 6,000 targets in Iran over the past 14 days. Almost
two weeks of US-Israeli bombings have killed around 2,000 people in Iran. A US
official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Pentagon was sending
an additional warship, along with the Marines on board, to the Middle East. The
Pentagon has previously said additional troops would be heading to the region.
But despite the US attacks on Iran, more Iranian drones were reported flying
into Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman. Additionally, six US service
members were killed on Friday when a US military refueling aircraft crashed in
western Iraq, in an incident the US said involved another aircraft but was not
the result of hostile or friendly fire.
Since the US and Israel started carrying out strikes against Iran on February
28, 11 US troops have been killed.
Trump Administration Denounces CNN for Airing Messages from Iranian Leaders
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
The Trump administration denounced CNN on Thursday for airing a portion of the
new Iranian supreme leader's public statement, the second time in three days
that he's targeted the network for reporting on how the regime is responding to
the American attacks.
The attack illustrated the care news outlets must take in reporting during
wartime, and the responsibilities of American journalists to report the
perspective of countries its government views as enemies. It also exposed
inconsistencies. The message of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during his first
public statement since he succeeded his father, who was killed in an Israeli
airstrike, was widely available elsewhere. The White House said on social media
that “fake news CNN just aired four straight minutes of uninterrupted Iranian
state TV, run by the same psychotic and murderous regime that prided itself on
brutally slaughtering Americans for 47 years.” Earlier CNN interview criticized
by Trump's communications leader Two days earlier, White House communications
director Steven Cheung took issue with CNN anchor Erin Burnett's interview with
Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator. Burnett asked Mousavian
what he had been hearing about the Iranian government's interest in having talks
with the United States. There wasn't much, he said. “Ever notice how CNN just
regurgitates quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists?” Cheung
wrote on X. “Total disgrace. They have become the murderous Iranian Regime's
version of Pravda,” he said, referring to the official newspaper of the former
Soviet Union. CNN did not address Cheung's statement but did respond to the
White House attack on Thursday. It noted that CNN, Sky News and Al Jazeera also
showed portions of the Iranian leaders’ statement live. “The world is watching
with anticipation which direction this war will take,” CNN said. “Purported
remarks from Iran's new supreme leader are a critical component in helping
audiences understand where this conflict is heading and were aired for their
obvious news value.”Other news outlets, including The Associated Press, sent out
alerts on what Khamenei said. His vow to keep up attacks on other Arab countries
in the region and plans to choke off the world's oil supply were headlines. The
New York Times led its website with a story on the speech in its immediate
aftermath, later writing that the speech “was an early indication of how the new
supreme leader would approach the war, as well as how he would lead the
country.”CNN has long been a favored target of President Donald Trump, dating
back to his first term. It's a particularly vulnerable time for the network with
Paramount Global's agreement to purchase CNN's parent company, Warner Bros.
Discovery, raising questions about its future editorial independence. CNN showed
a news anchor reading a portion of Khameini's remarks in Farsi, with an English
translation. It did not air them in full. After the speech, correspondent Nick
Paton Walsh gave a debrief to anchor Kate Bolduan, noting how the non-appearance
of the leader — reportedly injured in an air attack — was as important as what
he said. “We were waiting to see the face of the man to have proof of his health
and survival,” Walsh said, “and they've not met that moment. Instead, a
handwritten message, it seems, that mostly reiterates things we kind of already
knew.”A social media message board for Iran's point of view The Tech
Transparency Project has reported that several Iranian leaders and institutions
maintain verified accounts on X, formerly Twitter, owned by Trump ally Elon
Musk. CNBC said Thursday that Khamenei has one of them, and an X account with
his portrait posted the text of his remarks, available in Farsi and in an
English translation.
Even though Khamenei's father is dead, an account with his portrait was active
on Thursday, mainly reposting messages from his son. “The revenge we have in
mind is not just because of the martyrdom of the illustrious Leader of the
Revolution,” read one message posted Thursday. “Every member of the nation
martyred by the enemy is a separate case that demands we seek revenge.”X is
officially blocked in Iran, though many use a virtual private network to bypass
restrictions. A message sent to the platform on Thursday was not immediately
returned.
There's a long history of journalists seeking interviews with world leaders,
even when they are regarded as enemies of the United States. Most notable was
“60 Minutes” correspondent Mike Wallace's interview with Iran's Khomeini in
1979, when that country was holding Americans hostage. Thursday's remarks by
Iran's new supreme leader were absolutely newsworthy and legitimate for CNN to
air them, said Jane Ferguson, a veteran international correspondent and founder
of the journalism platform Noosphere. It's not the job of government leaders to
pick apart what CNN is reporting, she said.
“We've always faced this,” she said, about when reporters interview leaders or
other figures hostile to American interests. “This has been a bit of low-hanging
fruit for awhile.” Historian Douglas Brinkley of Rice University said that it's
unfair for CNN to be singled out in this instance. He, too, believes it is
newsworthy to learn what leaders of an adversary are thinking, but it's
important to make sure that journalists are careful. “You have to be leery of
being used as a propaganda tool by the Iranian regime,” he said. “On the other
hand, knowing what the enemy is saying and looking for a sign of a peace
offering or a nuance is important ... It's a difficult balance.”
US Braces for Potential Iranian Retaliatory Operations within its Borders
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Fears have grown in the US that Tehran could activate “sleeper cells” or carry
out unconventional retaliatory attacks on American soil as Washington and Tel
Aviv continue their war against Iran. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday
that his administration knows where the Iranian sleeper cells are and is
monitoring all of their members. The statement appeared aimed both at reassuring
the public and sending a warning to Iran. Still, the tone contrasts with more
cautious assessments from US security agencies, which say the threat remains
potential rather than imminent or specific.
Security agencies on alert
Trump’s remarks followed earlier comments in which he said the situation was
“under control” and that authorities were “watching everyone” of the suspected
sleeper cells.
While the president sought to link the issue to immigration, security agencies
have adopted a more measured approach. A US intelligence assessment issued after
the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that Iran and its
proxies could resort to selective attacks inside the United States, though
large-scale assaults are considered less likely. Officials see a higher
probability of cyberattacks or smaller operations carried out by limited
networks or sympathetic individuals. The Department of Homeland Security has
similarly assessed that Iran and its proxies could pose a threat through
targeted attacks inside the United States. Against that backdrop, Kash Patel,
director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced on Feb. 28 that the
bureau had placed its counterterrorism and intelligence teams on “maximum
alert.”The move included mobilizing additional security resources and
emphasizing that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces nationwide are working
around the clock to detect and disrupt potential threats. Such measures
typically involve heightened surveillance of high-priority suspects, expanded
use of confidential sources, reviews of technical intelligence tools and closer
coordination between federal and local authorities.
Drone concerns in California
One development that drew attention in recent days was the disclosure of a
confidential FBI bulletin circulated through the Los Angeles Joint Regional
Intelligence Center before the outbreak of the war. The notice warned that Iran
might attempt to retaliate for US attacks by launching drones from ships at sea
targeting California. According to a security bulletin reviewed by Reuters, the
FBI distributed the warning last month to law enforcement agencies, citing
information collected in late February suggesting Iran could plan a surprise
drone attack launched from a vessel offshore if Washington carried out strikes
against it. The bulletin, however, contained no specific information on timing
or targets and described the scenario more as a potential ambition than a
confirmed operational plan. It also said no further details were available
regarding how such an attack might be carried out or who might be involved.
Details of the bulletin emerged publicly as the war, which began with US and
Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, entered its twelfth day.
Vigilance but no imminent threat
California authorities sought to balance caution with reassurance. Governor
Gavin Newsom said the state was aware of the warning and was coordinating
closely with federal and local agencies while preparing for worst-case
scenarios. He stressed that no credible or imminent threats had been identified.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie delivered
similar messages, saying no specific threat had been detected but that
coordination with federal authorities was ongoing. Local police departments
across the state said they had been informed of a higher risk environment and
urged residents to report suspicious activity.
Past incidents
Previous cases have heightened US concerns. In July 2021, the Justice Department
revealed a plot linked to an Iranian intelligence network to kidnap journalist
and activist Masih Alinejad from New York and forcibly take her to Iran. In
March 2025, a federal court convicted two leaders of an Eastern European
organized crime network in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting Alinejad on behalf
of actors linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. They were sentenced in
October that year to 25 years in prison each. Another defendant involved in
surveilling Alinejad and planning her killing in New York was sentenced in
January 2026 to 15 years in prison.
Assailant Dead after Ramming Vehicle into Michigan Synagogue
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
A 41-year-old man was killed Thursday after ramming his pickup truck into a
synagogue on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, causing a blaze and triggering
a huge police response. US media reported the assailant had recently lost family
members in an Israeli strike in Lebanon, as part of the ongoing Middle East war,
AFP said. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security identified the
assailant as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, who was born in Lebanon, came to Detroit in
2011 on a visa granted to spouses of US citizens, and became a US citizen
himself in 2016. Security guards opened fire on Ghazali after he smashed a truck
through the doors of the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Oakland
County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told reporters. At a news conference Thursday
evening, Bouchard said no synagogue staff or children were hurt in the attack,
but 30 law enforcement officers were "taken to the hospital for smoke
inhalation" after the evacuation efforts. Earlier he said one security guard was
injured by the assailant's truck. The FBI will investigate the incident "as a
targeted act of violence against the Jewish community," Jennifer Runyan, special
agent in charge of the federal agency's Detroit field office, told reporters
Thursday. Law enforcement has not yet publicly detailed a motive. US President
Donald Trump called the attack "terrible."A neighbor told the Detroit Free Press
newspaper Ghazali "recently lost family in an Israeli strike in Lebanon."
A source in Michigan's Lebanese American community also told CBS News the strike
occurred "roughly 10 days prior" and "killed several of his family members,
leaving him devastated."The attack comes amid heightened security across the
United States following the launch nearly two weeks ago of the US-Israeli war on
Iran, a conflict that has since broadened to the Middle East. In Lebanon,
authorities on Thursday said 687 people have been killed by Israel's attacks,
while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said those strikes were "expanding."The
synagogue attack also came on the same day as a shooting at Old Dominion
University in Norfolk, Virginia, which FBI Director Kash Patel said was being
investigated as "an act of terrorism." Patel, in a post on X, said the
university attack left one person dead and two others wounded. "The shooter is
now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued
him," he said.That suspect was later identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a
former member of the National Guard who pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to
provide material support to the ISIS extremist group.
Single assailant -
Bouchard said the Michigan assailant rammed the Temple Israel building with his
vehicle and then drove down a hallway, where he was engaged by security guards.
"We can't say what killed him at this point, but security did engage the suspect
with gunfire," the sheriff said.
He added that the assailant appeared to be alone in the vehicle and that police
dogs were checking the car for explosives. "It's been complicated because
there's some fire," he said. "We're through an abundance of caution, clearing
the vehicle for IEDs or any explosives."
Smoke could be seen billowing from Temple Israel, one of the largest Reform
Judaism congregations in the country, after the attack.
'Shocked'
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned what she called a "heartbreaking"
attack.
"Michigan's Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in
peace," she said. "Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan."Bouchard
said Oakland County law enforcement will boost vigilance, and had already been
on high alert since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran nearly two weeks
ago. "We've been talking for two weeks about the potential, sadly, of this
happening," Bouchard said. "So there was no lack of preparation."
Report: Israel Targets Iranian Checkpoints Using Tip-Offs
from Informants
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Israel has launched a new phase of its assault on Iran, targeting checkpoints
manned by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) based on tip-offs from
informants on the ground, a source briefed on Israel's military strategy told
Reuters. The targeting of checkpoints secured by IRGC personnel suggests an
intensification of Israel's efforts to weaken Iran's elite forces as it carries
out joint aerial bombardment with the United States. Israel says its war
objectives include destroying Iran's military and nuclear capabilities but also
"creating the conditions" for Iranians to overthrow their government, though
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said this is an uncertain prospect. There
has been no sign of organized dissent while the country is under attack, and
no sign of Iran's rulers relinquishing power. On Thursday, Israel's military
said it had struck checkpoints in Tehran operated by the Basij, a part-time
paramilitary force under IRGC control that is often used to quell protests
inside Iran. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were
not authorized to speak publicly, said informants on the ground in Tehran had
passed intelligence to Israel on the locations of three checkpoints that were
struck in the past three days. The source was not able to confirm whether these
included the Basij positions mentioned by the military. The use of informants to
identify checkpoint locations was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Türkiye Says Third Ballistic Missile from Iran Shot Down
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Türkiye's defense ministry on Friday said a ballistic missile from Iran had been
shot down in Turkish airspace by NATO forces, the third such incident of the
Middle East war. "A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish
airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the
eastern Mediterranean," a ministry statement said. Hours earlier, sirens sounded
at Türkiye's southern Incirlik airbase, a key NATO facility where US troops are
stationed just outside the southern city of Adana, state news agency Anadolu
reported. NATO air defenses shot down a first ballistic missile fired from Iran
on March 4, with a second intercepted on Monday. Adana residents were woken by
sirens at 3:25 am (0025 GMT), several posting footage of a fast-moving object in
the night sky that appeared to be on fire, the Ekonomim business news website
reported. Defense news site SavunmaSanayiST said they could be "fragments of a
third ballistic missile" or of the interceptor, which would have caught fire
upon entering the atmosphere. Iran's embassy in Ankara immediately denied any
involvement, saying "no projectile" had been fired towards Türkiye, but experts
said it was unlikely. "The first one you can explain it away, the second one
possibly, but the third? No. This cannot be accidental," Sinan Ulgen, senior
fellow with Carnegie Europe told AFP. This leaves Ankara in a real bind," he
added, saying Türkiye would have to find some kind of "low-threshold way to
respond".
"In a way, the Gulf countries have not responded but Türkiye's political and
military culture is different. It's a matter of demonstrating deterrence to
Iran, so that things don't escalate further," he said.
Patience not 'limitless' -
Security sources quoted by local media said Ankara had acted with caution to
avoid being drawn into the war. But one of them also said Türkiye did not have
limitless patience and wouldn't "hesitate to take the necessary punitive
measures". Monday's incident prompted Washington to close its consulate in Adana
and urge all US citizens to leave southeastern Türkiye. Incirlik is an important
NATO facility used by US troops for decades. It also hosts military personnel
from Spain and Poland, its website says. Experts say it also houses 50-60
US-owned tactical nuclear weapons.
US troops are stationed at Kurecik base in Malatya where they man an
early-warning radar system NATO describes as a "key element" of its missile
shield that can detect Iranian missile launches. Although Ankara has
categorically denied radar data has ever been used to help Israel, its presence
has rattled Tehran. On Tuesday, Türkiye said a Patriot missile defense system
was being deployed in Malatya just days after NATO moved to strengthen its
"alliance-wide ballistic missile defense posture". Just hours before the third
missile was intercepted, Türkiye's transport minister said a Turkish-owned ship
had crossed the Strait of Hormuz with Iran's permission, without saying when.
The crucial shipping route has been almost totally closed to traffic since the
war began.
Iran Guards Vow ‘Stronger’ Response Than in January if New
Protests Erupt
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the country's military,
warned on Friday that any new protests against the authorities would be met with
a stronger response than in January, when several thousand people were killed.
"The evil enemy, failing to achieve its field battle goals, is once again
pursuing the instillation of fear and street riots," the Guards said in a
statement broadcast on TV, promising "a stronger blow than on January 8" in the
event of new unrest. The warning comes two weeks into Iran's war with the United
States and Israel in which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says one of
the aims is to "create, for the Iranian people, the conditions to bring down"
the Iranian government. US President Donald Trump has also called for Iranians
to rise up and overthrow their government. In December, protests against the
high cost of living in Iran turned into a broad protest movement against the
authorities. It reached its peak on January 8 with what Iranian authorities
called "riots" blamed on "terrorists" working on behalf of Israel and the United
States. The official death toll from Iranian authorities stands at more than
3,000, with the government saying the vast majority were members of security
forces or passers-by.
NGOs based abroad have accused the security forces of deliberately firing on
demonstrators. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the United
States, says more than 7,000 people were killed.
Iran Arrests Man Accused of Running Starlink Internet
Network
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
thorities have arrested a man accused of leading a network that sold access to
the internet via Starlink terminals, a technology that is banned in Iran, the
ISNA news agency reported on Friday. Iran has been digitally sealed off from the
rest of the world by a complete internet blackout since the start of the Middle
East war. To get around those restrictions, some Iranians have turned to
Starlink terminals from the US company SpaceX, which connect to the internet via
satellites. Doing so is a criminal offence in Iran punishable with prison time.
"A 37-year-old man, who had put in place a network in several provinces of the
country to sell access to the unrestricted internet via Starlink, has been
arrested" in Shiraz, ISNA reported, citing a deputy police commander for Fars
province. It did not say when the arrest took place. Iranians were previously
placed under an 18-day internet blackout in January, the longest so far, amid
anti-government protests during which thousands were killed.At the time, the
authorities managed to disrupt the operation of Starlink terminals. Under
Iranian law, people found guilty of "the use, transportation, purchase or sale
of electronic internet communication devices such as Starlink" used to access
banned content can be jailed for up to two years in prison.
Middle East War ‘Benefits No One and Harms Many’, Merz
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday that the Middle East war must end
"as soon as possible" as the conflict "benefits no-one and harms many
economically, including us". Asked whether Europeans should make direct contact
with Iran to ask for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, Merz said: "We are
making every effort to end this war... all diplomatic channels are being
used."Speaking at a press conference in Norway alongside his Norwegian and
Canadian counterparts Jonas Gahr Store and Mark Carney, Merz stressed that
Germany shared the "important goals of the United States and Israel". "Iran must
not threaten Israel and other neighbors," Merz said, adding that Tehran's
nuclear and ballistic missile programs must end and that the country "must stop
supporting terrorism at home and beyond".However, Merz added that "with each day
of war, more questions arise than answers" and that "a convincing plan is
needed" on conducting the war. "We are witnessing a dangerous escalation. Iran
is indiscriminately attacking states in the region, including close partners and
allies of our own country, Germany," the chancellor said. "The Strait of Hormuz
has become impassable. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms.
"We have no interest in an endless war," Merz added. "We need a perspective for
a peaceful order now."
Russian Missile Kills Three on Bus in East Ukraine
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
A Russian strike in eastern Ukraine on Friday killed three people on a bus near
the embattled town of Kupiansk, which Moscow's army is battling to recapture,
investigators said. The wider Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, was partly
occupied when Russian forces invaded in February 2022, but was largely liberated
by Ukraine months later. "Three people were killed as a result of the strike:
the bus driver and two passengers," local investigators announced. The bus was
near the village of Nova Oleksandrivka when it was hit by an Iskandr missile,
they added. Investigators posted images of a red bus with its windows blown
out.There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, which claims its forces do
not target civilians. Peace talks spearheaded by the United States aiming to
halt more than four years of fighting have been derailed by the US-Israeli war
with Iran. Russia's invasion sparked the bloodiest war in Europe since World War
II, forcing the displacement of millions and leaving hundreds of thousands of
soldiers and civilians dead on both sides.
Russia Says It Doesn't See Iran Crisis Reducing US Interest in Ukraine Peace
Talks
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Russia is not concerned at this point that the Iran crisis will reduce US
interest in mediating peace talks on Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry
Peskov said on Friday. "No, there are no such concerns at this time; our
contacts with our American counterparts provide no grounds for such doubts,"
Peskov told reporters in response to a question. Russia is expecting a new
round of negotiations, but has nothing to announce yet on the timing, he said.
US Wants to 'Divide Europe', EU's Kallas Tells FT
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the US wants to "divide
Europe" and doesn't "like the European Union" in an interview published by the
Financial Times on Friday, after more than a year of turmoil in transatlantic
relations. "What I think is actually important for everybody to understand is
that the US has been very clear that they want to divide Europe. They don't
like the European Union," Kallas told the FT. US President Donald Trump has
repeatedly targeted the European Union in his second term, imposing tariffs on
member countries and others and talking about annexing Greenland - a move that
could effectively end the NATO alliance. This week, Trump's administration
launched trade investigations into the EU and other countries, including
China, India, Japan, South Korea and Mexico, over what it said were unfair
trade practices. Under the investigation, the countries could face new tariffs
by this summer, after the US Supreme Court tore down much of Trump's tariff
program last month. Kallas said the United States' approach to the EU echoed
tactics used by the bloc's adversaries, according to the FT. EU countries
should not be looking to deal with Trump bilaterally, she said, and instead
should deal with him together, "because we are equal powers when we are
together," the FT reported. On defense, however, Kallas said the bloc needed "to
buy from America because we don't have the assets or the possibilities or the
capabilities that we need," adding that Europe needed to invest in its own
defense industry.
Six US Service
Members Killed in Plane Crash Over Iraq
Asharq Al Awsat/March 13/2026
All six crew members aboard a US military KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed
in western Iraq are confirmed to have been killed, the US military said on
Friday. The US military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday,
in an incident the military said involved another aircraft but was not the
result of hostile or friendly fire. The deaths add to the seven US service
members who have already been killed as part of US operations against Iran
which began on February 28. "The circumstances of the incident are under
investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or
friendly fire," a statement from US Central Command said. A US official told
Reuters that the second aircraft involved in the crash, which landed safely, was
also a military refueling aircraft known as the KC-135. The United States has
deployed a large number of aircraft into the Middle East to take part in
operations against Iran and the incident highlights the risk of not just
operations, but of refueling aircraft in the air. The KC-135, built by Boeing
in the 1950s and early 1960s, has served as the backbone of the US military's
air refueling fleet and is critical to allowing aircraft to carry out missions
without having to land. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of
Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for downing the US military
refueling aircraft. Reuters reported on Tuesday that as many as 150 US troops
have been wounded in the US-Israeli war on Iran. News of the crash comes the
same day two US sailors were injured after the USS Gerald Ford suffered a
non-combat-related fire on board. The first seven US troops were killed when a
drone slammed into a US military facility in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. President
Donald Trump and other senior officials have warned the Iran conflict will
result in more US military deaths as Tehran retaliates against US and Israeli
strikes.
French Soldier
Killed in Drone Attack in Iraq
Asharq Al Awsat/13 March 2026
France’s president said Friday that a French soldier has been killed in a drone
attack in Iraq. The attack targeted Erbil in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region,
President Emmanuel Macron said on the social platform X. Macron identified the
soldier as Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Battalion of Chasseurs
Alpins from Varces. “To his family, to his brothers in arms, I want to express
all the affection and solidarity of the nation,” Macron said. “Several of our
soldiers have been wounded. France stands by their side and with their loved
ones.”France said earlier that six soldiers were hurt in a drone attack in
Erbil. French troops are in Iraq as part of a multinational counterterrorism
mission supporting local forces in their fight against ISIS militants.
Iraq PM Vows
to Prevent Attacks After French Soldier Killed
Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani vowed on Friday to prevent attacks
after the killing of a French soldier in an attack in the autonomous Kurdistan
region.Sudani expressed his "solidarity" with France in a phone call with French
President Emmanuel Macron. He said that "the necessary measures will be taken to
prevent the recurrence of such incidents", and an investigation will be
conducted into the attack. The president of Iraq's Kurdistan region Nechirvan
Barzani, in a call with Macron, also expressed his condolences and called for
the Iraqi government to "set limits on outlaw groups".
Iran War
Raises Concerns Over Impact on Suez Canal Traffic
Issam Fadel/Asharq Al Awsat/13 March 2026
The Iran war has sparked growing concern in Egypt over its potential impact on
navigation through the Suez Canal, one of the country’s most important sources
of national income. Experts say the conflict has already begun affecting traffic
through the strategic waterway as security risks for ships increase. Recent
reports indicate that several major global shipping companies—including
Denmark’s Maersk, France’s CMA CGM, and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd—have suspended the
transit of some vessels through the canal. The head of the Suez Canal Authority,
Admiral Osama Rabie, expressed hope that regional stability would return soon,
warning that escalating tensions could have serious repercussions for maritime
transport and global supply chains. In a statement issued Thursday, Rabie said
the authority has moved to upgrade its maritime and navigational services and
introduce new activities designed to meet customer needs in both normal and
emergency circumstances. These include ship maintenance and repair services,
maritime rescue operations and marine ambulance services, alongside continued
modernization of the authority’s fleet of marine units.
Early impact on canal traffic
International transport expert Osama Aqil said the war’s effect on the canal had
been evident since the first days of the conflict. “Current indicators show that
canal traffic has declined by about 50 percent since the war began,” Aqil told
Asharq Al-Awsat. He attributed the drop to rising security risks and higher
insurance premiums imposed on vessels passing through the region. Aqil warned
that the impact could deepen if the conflict drags on. Even after hostilities
end, he said, it may take considerable time for shipping traffic to return to
normal.
“International shipping groups that divert their vessels to the Cape of Good
Hope route will likely sign contracts for the alternative passage,” he said.
“Ending those arrangements and redirecting ships back through the canal will
take time.” Before the latest tensions, the Suez Canal had been showing signs of
recovery following an earlier setback caused by Houthi attacks on commercial
vessels in the Red Sea linked to the war in Gaza. In January, the Suez Canal
Authority said navigation statistics showed a “noticeable improvement” during
the first half of the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Rabie said at the time that
indicators pointed to improving revenues as some shipping lines resumed using
the canal after conditions stabilized in the Red Sea.
Wider threat to global trade
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has also warned about the impact of
regional tensions on shipping in the Red Sea. During a meeting in Cairo earlier
this month with Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group, Sisi said Egypt
had lost roughly $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to the Gaza war,
according to the Egyptian presidency. Aqil said the Iran war could affect not
only the canal but global trade more broadly, which he said has already shown
signs of slowing. “If the conflict continues, transport costs will rise, which
will push up prices for many goods and commodities,” he stated. Suez Canal
revenues dropped sharply in 2024, falling 61 percent to $3.9 billion, compared
with about $10.2 billion in 2023. Security risk management expert Major General
Ihab Youssef noted that the continuation of the war poses a threat to global
navigation, not only to the Suez Canal.
Egypt secures ships along the canal and up to the limits of its territorial
waters, he remarked. However, vessels traveling to and from the waterway must
still pass through areas affected by military operations in the Gulf region and
the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, prompting many shipping companies to reroute vessels
around the Cape of Good Hope. “Any closure of the Strait of Hormuz would further
increase the risks of transit, particularly if the war is prolonged,” Youssef
said.
News of
the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other. The
news is abundant, fragmented, and difficult to keep track of as it evolves
constantly. For those wishing to follow the course of the war, the following are
links to several television channels and newspapers:
Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper
https://aawsat.com/
National News Agency
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Al Arabiya/Arabic
https://www.alarabiya.net/
Sky News
https://www.youtube.com/@SkyNewsArabia
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Markazia
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Hadath
https://www.youtube.com/@AlHadath
Independent Arabia
https://www.independentarabia.com/
The Latest
LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on March 12-13/2026
Spain's Pedro Sánchez and His Extremist Problem
Pierre Rehov/Gatestone Institute./March
13, 2026
"Spain, as you know, does not have nuclear bombs... We alone cannot stop the
Israeli offensive." Critics rightly interpreted the remark as a chilling
admission that if Spain did have nuclear bombs, it would have used them against
Israel. That a European head of government uttered such a threat against the
Middle East's only democracy speaks volumes about the moral rot at the heart of
Sánchez's government.
Sánchez's posture is hardly accidental. It flows directly from the fragile
coalition that props up his Socialist Party government. To remain in office, he
depends on the even further-left Podemos, a party born of radical activism...
A former high-ranking Venezuelan official cooperating with America's DEA has
confirmed that Caracas and Tehran coordinated efforts to fund emerging
radical-left forces in Europe, with Podemos as a prime target. The goal: weaken
Western alliances from within by nurturing anti-American, anti-Israeli voices.
A European government that blocks a vital operation against Iran while
maintaining alliances with movements historically tied to Iranian and Venezuelan
influence networks has placed itself outside the democratic consensus.
When a NATO member obstructs action against a regime sworn to the destruction of
America and Israel, the question is no longer whether influence exists. The
question is how far it reaches — and how much damage it has already done and is
planning to do.
"Spain, as you know, does not have nuclear bombs... We alone cannot stop the
Israeli offensive." Critics rightly interpreted Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's
remark as a chilling admission that if Spain did have nuclear bombs, it would
have used them against Israel. That a European head of government uttered such a
threat against the Middle East's only democracy speaks volumes about the moral
rot at the heart of Sánchez's government. Pictured: Sánchez (center) in Palos de
la Frontera, Spain on March 6, 2026. (Photo by Cristina Quicler/AFP via Getty
Images)
When the United States and Israel launched their joint operation against the
Iranian regime this month, the geopolitical map of the Middle East shifted
within hours. Iran's leadership, strategic targets, command centers of the
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, ballistic missile launchers and nuclear
facilities have been targeted in coordinated strikes aimed at dismantling
Tehran's terror machine.
Yet there have been unexpected obstacles — not in Tehran, but in Madrid. Prime
Minister Pedro Sánchez's government flatly refused to authorize the use of
Spanish airspace or the joint bases at Rota and Morón for American forces. For
decades, these installations have been vital logistical hubs for US military
operations in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. This time, Madrid said no.
President Donald Trump reacted with fury, warning of serious economic
consequences for a NATO ally that chose to obstruct a critical operation against
one of the world's most dangerous regimes. The White House message was blunt:
when the US confronts a regime openly dedicated to America's destruction and
which is responsible for decades of terrorism, "neutrality" is not neutrality —
it is a political choice that aids the enemy.
Spain's refusal was no isolated incident. It was the logical climax of a long
ideological trajectory that has turned the Sánchez government into one of the
most hostile to the US and Israel in Europe.
Madrid's Growing Hostility Toward Israel
Under Sánchez, Spain has repeatedly accused Israel of "disproportionate" and
even "genocidal" responses to Hamas while staying noticeably silent on Iran's
central role in arming and directing this terrorist group. Spain has also
championed diplomatic initiatives to isolate Israel internationally, tolerated
and sometimes echoed BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) rhetoric, and blurred
the line between policy criticism and outright hostility toward the Jewish
state. Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that Madrid's language now
mirrors narratives promoted not by democratic partners, but by regimes that
openly call for Israel's elimination.
The hostility reached a new low in September 2025, when Sánchez announced a
total arms embargo on Israel — banning all exports and imports of defense
equipment and dual-use technology — and prohibited ships or aircraft carrying
fuel or military material bound for Israel from using Spanish ports or airspace.
In the same speech, he openly lamented Spain's military limitations: "Spain, as
you know, does not have nuclear bombs... We alone cannot stop the Israeli
offensive." Critics rightly interpreted the remark as a chilling admission that
if Spain did have nuclear bombs, it would have used them against Israel. That a
European head of government uttered such a threat against the Middle East's only
democracy speaks volumes about the moral rot at the heart of Sánchez's
government.
The Coalition That Keeps Sánchez in Power
Sánchez's posture is hardly accidental. It flows directly from the fragile
coalition that props up his Socialist Party government. To remain in office, he
depends on the even further-left Podemos, a party born of radical activism whose
founders have long been entangled in troubling financial networks linked to
regimes hostile to the West — in particular Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and
Nicolás Maduro.
The Venezuela Connection: CEPS, Millions from Chávez and the Bolivarian Project
in Europe. The epicenter of the links between Podemos and Venezuela is the
Centro de Estudios Políticos y Sociales (CEPS), the foundation where key Podemos
founders — Pablo Iglesias (responsible for strategic analysis), Juan Carlos
Monedero, Íñigo Errejón and others —worked for years. CEPS openly advised
leftist Latin American governments, including Chávez's Venezuela.
According to official records from Spain's Ministry of Culture (Registro de
Fundaciones), CEPS received at least 3.7 million euros from the Venezuelan
government between 2002 and 2012 — often representing over 80% of its annual
income in certain years. Investigative reports and leaked documents (including
one signed by Venezuelan Finance Minister Rafael Isea in 2008) push the total to
7.16 million euros between 2003 and 2011, earmarked for "advisory services,"
policy analysis, and — crucially — the promotion of the Bolivarian movement in
Spain and Europe.
A former high-ranking Venezuelan official cooperating with America's DEA has
confirmed that Caracas and Tehran coordinated efforts to fund emerging
radical-left forces in Europe, with Podemos as a prime target. The goal: weaken
Western alliances from within by nurturing anti-American, anti-Israeli voices.
Direct payments to individuals have also been alleged. UDEF investigations
pointed to $272,325 allegedly paid to Pablo Iglesias in 2014 via an offshore
account in the Grenadines linked to the Venezuelan regime (though these claims
led to a 2025 Supreme Court ruling against OkDiario for defamation, the
underlying financial patterns via CEPS remain undisputed). Other founders like
Carolina Bescansa, Jorge Lago and Ariel Jerez reportedly received $142,000
through subcontracts tied to Venezuela's state-owned oil and gas company. CEPS
quietly ceased operations in 2016 amid mounting scrutiny. Podemos has
consistently denied any illicit funding, instead framing the payments as
legitimate consulting fees for academic and advisory work. Yet the scale, the
timing (peaking just before Podemos' 2014 launch) and the beneficiaries raise
unavoidable questions: was this mere intellectual exchange, or seed money for a
political project designed to echo Venezuela's "anti-imperialist" rhetoric in
the heart of the European Union?
The Venezuelan link is not isolated — it intersects directly with the Iranian
network, forming a Caracas-Tehran axis that funneled resources to the same
ecosystem.
The Deep Iranian Penetration: HispanTV, Millions in Cash, and a Propaganda
Machine
The Iranian connection is structural and documented by multiple police
investigations. The central vector was HispanTV, the Spanish-language propaganda
channel created and fully funded by the Iranian regime to spread its narrative
across Spain and Latin America. The Iranian businessman in charge of its Spanish
operations, Mahmoud Alizadeh Azimi, also controlled the production company 360
Global Media (later renamed Ziba Talents).
According to reports, between 2012 and 2015 alone, approximately 9.3 million
euros were injected from Iran into 360 Global Media through 16 shell companies
suspected of money laundering. The funds arrived via 67 suspicious transfers,
mostly routed through opaque jurisdictions to bypass sanctions. Police sources
estimated that 25% of these Iranian funds — 2.4 million euros, or between
600,000 and 700,000 euros per year — was diverted to the "audiovisual
communication network" of Podemos: direct payments to Pablo Iglesias, his
closest collaborators, and the production companies they controlled.
Iglesias himself hosted and directed the flagship program Fort Apache on
HispanTV. Official police figures: 93,000 euros paid to him personally between
2013 and 2015 through 23 separate transfers from the Iranian-linked company.
Even more damning: in February 2025, new judicial documents revealed that
Iglesias continued to invoice the same Iranian producer in 2016—12,600 euros in
six payments between February and July—after he had already become a deputy in
the Spanish Congress. The mechanism was as simple as it was effective: inflated
invoices for "production services" that allowed Tehran to channel money
discreetly to its European political allies.
Podemos has always denied any wrongdoing, calling the revelations "politically
motivated smears" by the right. Yet no court has ever cleared the party of these
massive financial flows. The pattern remains: millions of euros from the Iranian
regime — and parallel flows from Venezuela — landed precisely in the pockets and
production companies of the men who founded Podemos and who later became the
kingmakers of the Sánchez government.
From Ideology to Foreign Policy
By the time Sánchez formed Spain's governing coalition, anti-American and
anti-Israeli positions had moved from the fringes to the heart of government
policy. Spain now frames its stance as "principled multilateralism" while
displaying selective outrage: furious condemnation of Israel's self-defense,
striking leniency toward the Iranian regime, and silence on Venezuela's
dictatorship. The refusal to let American forces use Spanish bases during the
current Iran operation is therefore not a sudden surprise — it was the
predictable outcome of years of ideological and financial capture.
When Anti-Zionism Becomes Something Else
In parts of Europe's radical left, Israel is no longer merely criticized; it is
portrayed as a uniquely illegitimate, colonial, genocidal entity. Within this
worldview, Tehran's explicit calls for Israel's destruction were downplayed as
mere rhetoric. Sánchez's nuclear weapons remark perfectly illustrates how
anti-Zionism can slide into something far darker: the open fantasy of possessing
weapons of mass destruction to coerce the Jewish state. When the prime minister
of a NATO member state publicly regrets not having nuclear weapons to "stop
Israel," the mask slips. What remains is not diplomacy, but a dangerous
alignment with the eliminationist camp.
A Strategic Question for the Western Alliance
None of this proves direct corruption inside Sánchez's inner circle, but the
convergence of ideological sympathy along with documented millions of euros from
Tehran and Caracas flowing into his coalition partners' networks, and concrete
policy decisions that undermine the West is impossible to ignore. A European
government that blocks a vital operation against Iran while maintaining
alliances with movements historically tied to Iranian and Venezuelan influence
networks has placed itself outside the democratic consensus.
For the US, this is unacceptable. For Israel, it is alarming. For Europe, it
raises a question that is actually existential: how deeply have the ideological
and financial tentacles of Tehran and Caracas penetrated the continent's
political class?
Spain's decision is more than a diplomatic spat. It reveals how far the shadow
of the ayatollahs — and their Bolivarian allies — now stretches into the heart
of the Western alliance. When a NATO member obstructs action against a regime
sworn to the destruction of America and Israel, the question is no longer
whether influence exists. The question is how far it reaches — and how much
damage it has already done and is planning to do.
Finally, frightened by the prospect of the measures promised by Trump,
particularly regarding the threat of tariffs, the Sánchez government has
temporarily abandoned ideology in favor of a provisional form of rationality:
Spanish airspace — however late and, to borrow Trump's remarks, "after we've
already won" — is once again open to US forces.
*Pierre Rehov, who holds a law degree from Paris-Assas, is a French reporter,
novelist and documentary filmmaker. He is the author of six novels, including
"Beyond Red Lines", "The Third Testament" and "Red Eden", translated from
French. His latest essay on the aftermath of the October 7 massacre " 7 octobre
- La riposte " became a bestseller in France. As a filmmaker, he has produced
and directed 17 documentaries, many photographed at high risk in Middle Eastern
war zones, and focusing on terrorism, media bias, and the persecution of
Christians. His latest documentary, "Pogrom(s)" highlights the context of
ancient Jew hatred within Muslim civilization as the main force behind the
October 7 massacre.
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Iran Gets a New Supreme Guide
Amir Taheri/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
“He is injured but alive!” That is the message that Islamic Republic authorities
passed on about the newly anointed “Supreme Guide” Mojtaba Khamenei who survived
an Israeli air attack that claimed the lives of his parents and his wife at the
start of the current war.
Speculation about Mojtaba succeeding his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a new
dynastic twist isn’t new. It started almost 10 years ago when a campaign was
launched to designate Ali Khamenei as “the Imam” rather than a mere ayatollah.
That campaign was inspired by the fact that the 12 imams of duodecimal Shiism
owe their position to their bloodline unlike traditional Islam that bestows the
title of imam on learned theologians regardless of their bloodline. The buzz
about Mojtaba as his father’s successor was amplified when - at a public
gathering attended by Khamenei - a mullah referred to Mojtaba as “agha-zadeh,” a
title reserved for sons of grand ayatollahs. A visibly annoyed Ali Khamenei
retorted that Mojtaba was an “agha-zadeh” but an “agha” in his own right. After
that, official media was ordered to use the title of “ayatollah” when mentioning
Mojtaba.
In a sense, Mojtaba deserved that title more than his father who by getting
involved in politics wasn’t able to complete the classical theological studies
that could take 20 years.
Nor did the late “Supreme Guide” publish a “risalah” or thesis required for
claiming the title of mujtahid (religious guide). Ali Khamenei lacked another
“must” of ayatollah-ness: endorsement by four recognized “marja al-taqlid”
(source of emulation).
Mojtaba fulfils those qualifications. How he obtained them is a different
matter. Thus, he could have thrown in his turban in any competition for the
position of “Supreme-Guide.” However, had the issue been raised under normal
circumstances I doubt that he would have sailed so smoothly to the top of the
ladder. There would have been a dozen or more contenders with stronger claims to
the top slot.
But these are not normal circumstances in Iran.
Claiming the top turban is a gamble that not many wish to make. Official
accounts of how Mojtaba was “elected” admit that 15 percent of the members of
the Assembly of Experts, the body that has the task of choosing the” Wali al-
Faqih,” didn’t vote for him. Moreover, the assembly was already incomplete
because nine of its 88
members who had died have not been replaced. Of the 81 remaining members several
couldn’t be traced because of complications caused by the war. At least two
refused to offer their candidacy. As far as we know, the final list put to a
vote through cyberspace consisted of three names including that of Mojtaba.
Would it be impertinent to suggest that Mojatba may owe his rise to the top to a
war triggered by those who killed his father?
At any rate, Mojtaba could be seen as the only logical choice by a regime shaken
by war and internal dissension.
His first advantage is name-recognition, something that none of the others
mentioned as possible leaders enjoyed. A little known new “Wali al-Faqih” would
have needed time - maybe years to secure the recognition needed for claiming
authority.
Mojtaba’s second advantage is that though he didn’t have an official position,
he was his father’s favorite son, intimately involved in or informed about all
key aspects of policy for at least the past 15 years. Thus, he can, if and when
he recovers from his injuries, quickly join the process of decision-making in a
shaken system.
His third advantage is that he has full knowledge of the Khomeinist political,
military and business nomenclature, the few hundred big players in the system.
Finally, compared to his father, he has the advantage of having a broader
knowledge of the outside world. The late Khamenei spent most of his life in a
cocoon, first as a theological student and then as a minor political activist in
Mash’had extended by a two-year internal exile in Iranian Baluchistan followed
by a sudden jump to become a member of Khomeini’s Revolutionary Council. Within
a couple of years, he rose from Deputy Defense Minister to the presidency of the
Islamic Republic, largely because, without undervaluing his rhetorical talents,
he was just available.
Being caged in pubic positions, Khamenei was unable to gain direct
understanding of the outside world. As president he visited a few countries,
notably North Korea, Serbia and Zimbabwe. As “Supreme Guide” he seldom stepped
out of his cocoon in Tehran. In time, he was surrounded by a few dozen members
of the “yes-sir” tribe, some of whom for more than 30 years. Mojtaba, in
contrast, has traveled all over Iran to establish a personal network of social,
political and business contacts. He has learned English, been a frequent visitor
to London, kept a keen eye on global media and made investments in various
Western counties. Many ask whether he is more of a hardliner than his father.
The answer is that his father started as a “moderate” compared to the firebrands
of the time like Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi, but became a hardliner when
he realized that one cannot be a moderate in an immoderate system.
He realized that in today’s chaotic world one can brag, bully and brutalize at
will without hitting a hurdle. He also knew that he could always do what he
called “heroic backtracking” when and if anyone seriously defied him.
Mojtaba takes the reins - if he does - at a time that being a hardliner is no
longer cost-free as there are people prepared to kill you in your bunker
regardless of international law and convention about sovereign immunity.
For the leftover ruling elite in Tehran, Mojtaba is the most logical choice. The
elite knows that at some point it will have to trim its sails if not actually
raise the white flag to survive in what T.S Eliot called “living and half
living.”A little known new “Supreme Guide” wouldn’t have fitted the role of
salesman for anything resembling surrender. In 1988 no one in Iran could have
accepted the humiliating end of the war with Iraq, no one but Ayatollah
Khomeini.
My guess is that the late Khamenei who designed the current Samson Option had
also envisaged some kind of “heroic backtracking” from the brink. Now that he
isn’t there, his son inherits that mission. None of the midgets left under the
limelight in Tehran has the stature to do so. Whether or not he will then become
the scapegoat for the midgets remains to be seen.
Question: Why are the newer translations of the Bible
missing verses?
GotQuestions.org/March 13/2026
Answer: If you compare the King James and New King James Versions with the newer
translations (e.g., the New International Version, English Standard Version,
Christian Standard Bible, New Living Translation, etc.), you will notice that
several verses are entirely missing from the newer translations. Examples of
missing verses and passages are Matthew 17:21, John 5:4, Acts 8:37, and 1 John
5:7. Another example is Mark 16:9–20, although that passage is always placed in
the text or in footnotes. In addition to the few missing verses, there are
numerous words and phrases that are missing from newer translations. Why do
these translations omit these verses, phrases, and words? Are the newer
translations taking verses out of the Bible, as some claim?
No, the newer translations are not removing verses from the Bible. Rather, the
newer translations are attempting to accurately present what the biblical
writers originally wrote, and that means leaving out anything that was not part
of the original text. Any content “missing” in newer translations is believed by
most scholars to not have been in the Bible to begin with.
The KJV was translated in AD 1611; the New Testament translators of the KJV used
a Greek manuscript called the Textus Receptus. Since that time, many biblical
manuscripts have been discovered that predate the Textus Receptus, and these
older manuscripts, in theory, are likely to be more accurate. In their research,
Bible scholars and textual critics have discovered some differences between the
Textus Receptus and the older manuscripts. It seems that, over the course of
1,500 years, some words, phrases, and even sentences were added to the Bible,
either intentionally or accidentally. The “missing verses” mentioned above are
simply not found in some of the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. So, the
newer translations remove these verses or place them in footnotes or in brackets
because the translators believe they do not truly belong in the Bible.
For example, John 5:4 is included in the KJV, but in the NKJV the verse has a
footnote attached explaining that it is not found in many Greek texts; the NASB
includes the verse in brackets; the NIV places the verse in a footnote, so John
5:4 is “missing” in the actual text. The disputed portion is this: “waiting for
the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons
into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring
up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he
was afflicted” (John 5:3–4, NASB).
Here is a possible explanation of how John 5:4 ended up in the Bible: a scribe
is writing out John 5, in which Jesus visits the pool of Bethesda: “Here a great
number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One
who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years” (John 5:3–5). But then
the scribe gets to verse 7, as Jesus speaks to the man about his desire to be
healed, and the man says, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water
is stirred” (verse 7). The scribe considers the man’s reference to “stirred”
water as a source of possible confusion, as John does not expound on it. So the
scribe writes a quick note in the margin to explain why the invalid was waiting
for “stirred” water—an angel came down at certain times to make something
special happen. The scribe’s notation was an attempt to aid the reader in
understanding Scripture. But then, as more and more copies of that manuscript
were made, the scribe’s marginal note was transferred from the margin and
inserted into the actual text as part of the passage. It may be that the later
copyist misconstrued the intention of the marginal note: instead of being a
commentary of sorts, the note was seen as the scribe’s attempt to correct a
mistake, inserting a verse he had accidentally left out. Thus, what the scribe
meant as a helpful gloss resulted in John 5 expanding by one verse.
It is important to remember that the verses in question are of minor
significance. None of them change in any way the crucial themes of the Bible,
nor do they have any impact on the Bible’s doctrines—Jesus’ death and
resurrection; Christ’s being the only way of salvation; and the doctrines of
heaven and hell, sin and redemption, and the nature and character of God. These
doctrines are preserved intact through the work of the Holy Spirit, who
safeguards the Word of God for all generations. It is not a matter of the newer
translations missing verses, and it is not a matter of the KJV translators
adding to the Bible. It is a matter of determining, through careful research and
textual science, what content was most likely part of the original manuscripts
of the Bible.
The rise
of ‘Khamenei II’ and what it might mean for the future of Iran
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 13/2026
Talk of restoring the shah’s monarchy has surged since the start of the
US-Israeli war against Iran two weeks ago, more than at any time since the fall
of the Pahlavi regime in the late 1970s. Estimates suggest about one-third of
Iranians support the return of Reza Pahlavi, the shah’s son, though such figures
are debated. Some believe the true number might be even higher, driven by the
failure of the current religious system. Yet Iran might instead be heading
toward a different form of hereditary rule; Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the
late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed by a strike in the early stages of the
conflict, has reportedly been chosen over other religious figures as his
father’s successor. The rise of “Khamenei II” leads to a similar outcome: it
might not be a monarchy but it is still hereditary rule, one that lacks the
traditional legitimacy associated with dynastic succession.
Most likely, this is an attempt to resolve the crisis facing Iran’s
institutional religious system, which suffers from having multiple competing
centers of decision-making and overlapping authority. The state is governed by
several bodies that emerged during different stages of the regime’s development.
These include the Assembly of Experts, the Guardian Council, the Expediency
Discernment Council, the Supreme Council of the Religious Seminaries, and the
Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. Alongside them stand powerful
decision-making centers such as the Office of the Supreme Leader and the Supreme
National Security Council.Above all is the most influential force, the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has evolved from merely implementing decisions
into a partner in shaping them.
The accumulation of these institutions has marginalized state bodies considered
“legitimate” under the constitution, such as the presidency and the government.
Over time, other countries came to realize that presidents such as Mohammed
Khatami, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani had gradually become little more
than public faces for the other forces that truly govern this large, influential
and potentially dangerous state in the region. These competing centers of power
and internal political struggles had long threatened to create dangerous
divisions that could endanger the republic, posing risks to the regime’s
survival no less serious than the threat now posed by war itself.
Within less than a decade, several key pillars of the system have disappeared or
been sidelined. Mehdi Karroubi and Mir-Hossein Mousavi remain under house arrest
after playing roles in street protests against the late supreme leader. Former
president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died, and his family believe he was poisoned.
Ahmadinejad, said to be highly popular among the public, was punished and
marginalized, as was Rouhani. President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash
in 2024. And in 2020, rising star Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC’s
Qud’s Force, was killed by a US drone strike.
In addition, a long list of military leaders have vanished from the scene as a
result of last year’s war against Israel and the current conflict.
Within less than a decade, several key pillars of the Iranian system have
disappeared or been sidelined. If hereditary leadership within the religious
establishment continues, and the new supreme leader survives Israeli targeting,
Iran might shift the concept of velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the Islamic
jurist) toward a different system of rule centered largely on the personality of
the leader. Such nonmonarchical hereditary rule is not unique in the world;
North Korea has been ruled by three members of the Kim family for more than
seven decades, and Cuba was governed for years by the Castro family.
In Tehran, the ruling religious establishment appears to have reached the
conclusion that this is the way to proceed because it had arrived at a dead end
and found itself increasingly pressured by public discontent. The rise of
Khamenei II might become the rope that pulls the regime back from the brink, if
it chooses to transform into a peaceful civilian system. At present, however,
the system remains both religious and military in nature.
It is widely rumored that Mojtaba is more hard line than his father and the
region may need to prepare for a more turbulent and chaotic era. But this might
be little more than speculation; we should not rely solely on the brief
biography of a largely unknown figure to judge him.
The region itself is also changing, compared with the era of his father,
especially in light of the war fought last year and the current conflict.
In fact, Ali Khamenei himself was more hard line than his predecessor, Ayatollah
Khomeini, despite claims to the contrary. It was Khamenei who built Iran’s
modern system of extremism. During his rule, the Revolutionary Guard expanded
into vast military and economic institutions with extensive external networks.
The concept of regional proxy forces emerged, turning groups such as Hezbollah
in Lebanon, Iraqi militias, the Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade, and the Houthis in
Yemen into forward military arms of the republic. Iran’s nuclear program also
took shape during his tenure. Khamenei was known for his rigidity. Khomeini, by
contrast, had agreed to end the war with Saddam Hussein, a decision he famously
described as “drinking poison,” reflecting his sense of political realism.
Khamenei, however, insisted on pressing ahead with all of his projects despite
their failure to achieve the intended goals. This continued until the events of
Oct. 7, 2023, which became the final straw and he ultimately pushed forward with
a confrontation against the Trump administration despite the massive US military
buildup off Iran’s shores. Does this mean Khamenei II will follow exactly in his
father’s footsteps or choose a different path? Both possibilities remain open,
given that he lived and worked at the center of power. But that does not
necessarily mean he will simply replicate his father’s approach, especially in
light of the new conditions created by war and the shifts in Iranian public
sentiment that preceded it.
Europe’s defense debate is missing the hardest question
Dr. Azeem Ibrahim/Arab News/March 13, 2026
For much of the past year, European leaders have been engaged in a renewed
debate about “strategic autonomy.” From Brussels to Paris, policymakers are
discussing whether Europe should build a more independent defense capability,
sometimes framed in terms of a future European army. The conversation has gained
urgency as the US continues its long-signaled strategic pivot toward the
Indo-Pacific and asks European allies to shoulder a greater share of their own
security. Yet this debate is missing the most difficult question. The real
challenge is not institutional design, procurement budgets or command
structures. It is whether European societies are politically prepared to sustain
the human cost of modern warfare. The war in Ukraine has offered a sobering
reminder of what high-intensity conflict between industrial powers actually
looks like. According to Western intelligence estimates, Russia has suffered
well over 300,000 casualties since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Ukrainian casualties are also extremely high. While exact figures remain
contested, the losses run into the hundreds of thousands.
These numbers are not unusual by historical standards. They are, however,
politically extraordinary for modern European democracies. The US lost about
58,000 troops during the entire Vietnam War, a figure that produced years of
domestic political upheaval. The UK lost about 456 personnel during the 20-year
campaign in Afghanistan, which itself generated sustained political scrutiny. By
comparison, the daily casualty rates in the Ukraine war often exceed what
Western societies experienced during entire months of their most recent
conflicts. This reality exposes a fundamental tension at the heart of Europe’s
defense debate. Military capability is not simply a function of budgets and
equipment. It ultimately depends on political legitimacy and the willingness of
citizens to accept the costs of war.
Across Europe, defense spending has increased significantly since Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine. NATO members collectively spent more than $1.3 trillion on
defense in 2024. European NATO members alone spent more than $380 billion, the
highest level in decades. Germany has established a €100 billion ($115 billion)
special defense fund, while Poland is planning to spend about 4 percent of gross
domestic product on defense, one of the highest levels in the alliance. Military
capability ultimately depends on political legitimacy and the willingness of
citizens to accept the costs of war.
These investments are necessary and long overdue. For decades, many European
states allowed their armed forces to atrophy under the assumption that
large-scale war on the continent had become unthinkable. Rebuilding military
capability will take years, if not decades. But financial commitments alone
cannot solve the deeper political problem. In democracies, public opinion
ultimately shapes military strategy. Casualties must be explained, justified and
politically sustained. Governments cannot simply absorb losses indefinitely
without facing electoral consequences.
This is where the idea of a supranational European army runs into profound
difficulties. Defense policy is inseparable from national sovereignty because it
involves the decision to risk citizens’ lives. While European states may
cooperate extensively on procurement and logistics, the final decision to send
troops into combat remains a national political choice.
The EU already struggles to maintain coherence on foreign policy. Member states
frequently disagree on sanctions, diplomatic strategy and relations with major
powers such as China. Expecting these same governments to agree on the
deployment of a unified military force in high-casualty conflicts stretches
political credibility. Democratic accountability further complicates matters. If
European troops were deployed under a centralized EU command and suffered
significant casualties, who would ultimately be responsible? National voters
would expect answers from their own governments, yet the strategic decisions
might have been made in Brussels by institutions that voters cannot directly
remove from office. This accountability gap is not a theoretical problem. It
reflects the reality that military legitimacy still rests overwhelmingly with
national political systems. Citizens expect their elected leaders, not distant
bureaucracies, to make life-and-death decisions about war. The manpower question
also looms large. Many European armed forces face chronic recruitment shortages.
Germany’s Bundeswehr has struggled for years to meet its personnel targets.
Britain’s armed forces have fallen to their smallest size since the Napoleonic
era. France maintains a capable military but its active personnel total remains
modest relative to the scale of potential continental threats. Citizens expect
their elected leaders, not distant bureaucracies, to make life-and-death
decisions about war. Even if European defense budgets rise substantially,
rebuilding large armies in societies that have grown accustomed to peace will be
politically difficult. Conscription has largely disappeared across Western
Europe and reintroducing it would provoke intense political debate.
All of this suggests that Europe’s defense future will remain anchored in NATO
rather than in an entirely new institutional framework. NATO provides something
that no alternative structure currently can: an integrated command system,
decades of operational experience and, crucially, the strategic umbrella of the
US.America still accounts for roughly two-thirds of NATO’s total defense
spending. Its logistical capacity, intelligence infrastructure and strategic
nuclear deterrent remain central to the alliance’s credibility. Even as
Washington encourages Europeans to take greater responsibility, it is unlikely
to abandon the alliance that has underpinned transatlantic security for more
than 70 years. None of this means that Europe should remain passive. On the
contrary, European states must continue strengthening their military
capabilities, investing in defense industries and improving operational
coordination. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of ammunition
stockpiles, air defense systems and resilient supply chains. But strategic
realism requires recognizing that defense is ultimately a political project as
much as a military one. Institutions can be built. Budgets can be increased.
Weapons can be procured. What cannot be easily manufactured is the political
consensus required to sustain the costs of major war. Until European leaders
confront that reality directly, the debate about a European army will remain
largely theoretical.
For now, NATO remains the only structure capable of providing credible
collective defense on the continent. Strengthening that alliance, rather than
attempting to replace it, remains the most practical path forward for European
security.
**Dr. Azeem Ibrahim is the director of special initiatives at the Newlines
Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington. X: @AzeemIbrahim
How Iran war may impact Turkiye-South Caucasus ties
Dr. Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/March 13, 2026
After more than three decades of tensions, a relative calm has been achieved in
the South Caucasus — a region long dominated by intense rivalry between
Azerbaijan and Armenia and among global powers, namely Russia and the West. Last
August, Baku and Yerevan agreed to put aside their war and take steps toward
diplomacy, focusing on economic cooperation. But this fragile stability today
faces a new risk as the escalating US-Israeli war with Iran brings new tensions
to their doorstep.
The South Caucasus states were already navigating a difficult security
environment due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Now, the Iran war appears to
be spreading beyond the Gulf region, raising serious concerns for them.
On March 5, drones struck near an airport and exploded close to a school in
Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave, which borders Iran. Azerbaijani authorities
claimed the drones originated from Iran, while Tehran denied any involvement. In
response, Baku announced it was withdrawing its diplomatic personnel from Iran
and ordered its armed forces to full combat readiness, placing them at the
highest level of mobilization.
The incident raised fears that it could spill over and turn into a broader
regional confrontation. Iran immediately moved to damage control mode. President
Masoud Pezeshkian called his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, and
emphasized that Iran was not involved in the Nakhchivan incident and that it was
investigating the matter. Following this conversation, Aliyev announced plans to
provide humanitarian assistance to Iran.
Like Azerbaijan, Armenia will be forced to navigate mounting pressure while
trying to preserve a delicate diplomatic balance.
Azerbaijani authorities lifted the restrictions on cargo crossings that had been
imposed on the day of the drone attack and trucks loaded with food, medicine,
water and other essential supplies were dispatched from Baku. Turkish diplomacy
also likely contributed to the easing of tensions, as Ankara is well aware that
Iran is unlikely to open a new front in the South Caucasus. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
warned that the war risks spreading to other regions, including the South
Caucasus, and said Turkiye would take all necessary steps to deter the conflict
from drawing in additional states.
Armenia also shares a border with Iran and maintains significant economic and
energy ties with Tehran. A prolonged war would place Yerevan in a difficult
position, as it faces similar risks from debris or misfires along its southern
frontier. Like Azerbaijan, Armenia will be forced to navigate mounting pressure
while trying to preserve a delicate diplomatic balance.
Following the Nakhchivan incident, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry posted on
social media to thank several states for their support. In the post, Armenia’s
flag was displayed among those of other states. On the day of the incident,
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone conversation with his
Azerbaijani counterpart. Both ministries released statements on the discussion.
The Armenian statement highlighted the ministers’ mutual concern and emphasized
the importance of avoiding actions that could further escalate tensions. It
added that the two ministers stressed the need to maintain regional stability
and security and underscored the goal of achieving lasting peace between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani statement noted that the Nakhchivan incident had
also been discussed, though this detail was absent from the Armenian statement.
The following day, Mirzoyan spoke to his Turkish counterpart. This call was
significant because, when Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace framework last
August, Turkiye was the most supportive state, seeing the deal as a potential
boost to its own efforts to normalize relations with Yerevan. As a close ally of
Azerbaijan, Turkiye has been pursuing a normalization process with Armenia,
which is gradually progressing in a positive direction. For example, Turkish
Airlines on Thursday launched its first direct flight service between Istanbul
and Yerevan, although the two states still lack formal diplomatic relations.
It is possible that we may see closer coordination among Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Turkiye in response to the ongoing war.
Given these achievements in Armenia’s relations with both Turkiye and
Azerbaijan, Ankara will try to avoid these dual peace processes being disrupted
by the ongoing war. Ankara does not want to see Baku, Yerevan or itself drawn
into the conflict. Historically, Azerbaijan has leaned closer to Israel and
Armenia than to Iran, but recent statements indicate a strong desire to remain
uninvolved in the war. The war could even pave the way for closer relations
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. After decades of territorial disputes, the two
neighbors last year agreed to end hostilities, normalize relations and respect
each other’s territorial integrity. This agreement began to break a
long-standing impasse in the South Caucasus and created an opportunity for a
broader framework of regional cooperation, one that Turkiye, Armenia and
Azerbaijan are keen to protect from the fallout of the war.
Therefore, it is possible that we may see closer coordination among Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Turkiye in response to the ongoing war. For the first time in
their history, neither Turkiye and Armenia nor Armenia and Azerbaijan view each
other as adversaries. All three states are prioritizing diplomacy over
confrontation. Although the process remains fragile, the commitment is visible
in the diplomatic tone they have adopted toward one another and toward Iran. For
instance, all three capitals have expressed condolences over the death of Iran’s
supreme leader and have called for de-escalation near their borders. This was a
significant attempt to signal their neutral position in the war.
However, concerns over the potential spillover of the war into the South
Caucasus remain. To navigate the crisis and preserve regional stability, Ankara,
Yerevan and Baku may need to move closer together, adopting cautious neutrality
while working to prevent the conflict from spreading to their region.
* Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s
relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz
X Platform Selected twittes for
March
12/2026
Narendra Modi
Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian,
to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the
escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to
civilian infrastructure.
The safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered
transit of goods and energy, remain India’s top priorities. Reiterated India’s
commitment to peace and stability and urged for dialogue and diplomacy.
Carole Zouein
At a time when others avoid taking a clear stance,
MP Fouad Makhzoumi is calling for a ban on Hezbollah in both its military and
political wings, stressing that there is no distinction between the two. He also
calls for the dismissal of Hezbollah ministers from the government, arguing that
they cannot remain part of the government while acting against it. In addition,
he demands the immediate summoning of the Iranian ambassador. with the
possibility of declaring him persona non grata.
Iran International English
Scoop: Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri receives more
than $500,000 per month from the Islamic Republic in order to support Tehran's
interests and those of its allied group Hezbollah in Lebanon, informed sources
told Iran International.
https://iranintl.com/en/202603124202
Bassam Barabandi بسام بربندي
•Reports claim hundreds of Iranian IRGC and intelligence officers
obtained Lebanese passports since the 1990s.
•The issue is described as a major security threat to Lebanon and Arab
countries.
•Lebanese MP Ghada Ayoub has filed a legal complaint requesting an
investigation.
•A serious probe could reveal passports issued to Iranian officers and some
Houthi leaders under Lebanese identities.”
Stealth Medical
Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri receives more than
$500,000 per month from the Islamic Republic in order to support Tehran's
interests and those of its allied group Hezbollah in Lebanon, informed sources
told Iran International.
Alberto Miguel Fernandez
Six million dollars a year from Iran for Lebanese parliament
speaker Nabih Berri. I wonder who else is on the re