Israeli airstrikes target Lebanon's Iqlim al Tuffah region
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L'Orient-Le Jour
7 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
The mayor of a town on the southern Lebanese border comes under Israeli fire
The Israeli army opened fire toward the mayor of Mari, Salmane Abou al-Alaa, while he was inspecting the border area of Abbasieh, reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Muntasser Abdallah. 'During a tour I was conducting with members of the Southern Council to inspect the border village of Abbasieh, the Israelis deliberately fired near us, forcing us to halt our tour and leave the area,' the elected official told our publication. These shootings come as the Israeli army continues to violate the truce concluded nearly nine months ago between Israel and Hezbollah. In this context, an Israeli drone dropped a sonic bomb on the town of Kfar Kila in the Marjayoun district and on the village of Ramieh in the Bint Jbeil district on Saturday. Another Israeli drone targeted an excavator on the outskirts of Aitaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district, near the town of Blida. Katz confronts Aoun On another note, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz sent 'a direct message' to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday. 'We consider you, along with the Lebanese government, directly responsible for maintaining Lebanon's sovereignty and implementing the cease-fire agreement. We will not return to the situation that prevailed before Oct. 7 and will continue to act forcefully against any violation,' he emphasized, shortly after the Israeli army carried out strikes in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Army, General Rodolphe Haykal, inspected on Friday the site of last Saturday's explosion at a weapons depot in the Sour district, which had killed six soldiers. 'The army has no option but to continue fulfilling its duty in the face of repeated aggressions by the Israeli enemy, as safeguarding the homeland is a sacred mission for which sacrifices are required,' he stressed. Recently, the Lebanese authorities tasked the Lebanese Army with developing a plan to disarm Hezbollah, a decision strongly contested by the party.
LBCI
11 hours ago
- LBCI
UNIFIL renewal talks progress as Lebanon hosts US officials: Here's what we know
Report by Nada Andraos, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian On the issue of renewing the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, diplomatic contacts are intensifying between Beirut and key capitals ahead of Morgan Ortagus' visit to Beirut on Sunday, accompanied by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack. Lebanon plans to deliver a clear message rejecting any changes to the peacekeeping force's mandate, insisting it remain as it was set in last year's renewal decision. The Lebanese position is based on two factors: UNIFIL's mission and its funding. Beirut has been in continuous contact with both the French and American sides, alongside a meeting held in Paris two days ago between the U.S. and France dedicated to discussing the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate. France, as the 'penholder' on Lebanon at the U.N. Security Council, is playing a key role. According to reports, Washington had insisted, until the Paris meeting, on introducing changes to the resolution and to UNIFIL's tasks. It is still unclear how the United States will respond to Lebanon's stance, though Beirut is counting on initial signs suggesting possible flexibility in Washington's position, which could be reflected during Ortagus and Barrack's visit. Britain, like France, supports keeping the mission unchanged. Lebanon will tell the American visitors that it is firmly committed to its position and that the Lebanese army will remain ready to work alongside UNIFIL in the south to ensure no incidents occur between the peacekeepers and local residents. Sources confirmed to LBCI that Lebanon will emphasize three key points to the U.S. officials. The first is that UNIFIL is a vital necessity for the south and a cornerstone in implementing Resolution 1701, strengthening the Lebanese army's deployment along the border. The second is that the Lebanese state plans to increase troop numbers in the south by 4,500 soldiers, after having already added 1,500 earlier, bringing the total to around 10,000 by the end of this year. This expansion requires ongoing coordination with UNIFIL. The army has completed the first recruitment and training phase and is preparing for the second. The third is that UNIFIL is not only a military or security force, but also plays an essential social and humanitarian role, providing health care, education, and employment opportunities. This is especially critical after Israeli attacks destroyed most social and health centers in the south. Many Lebanese families, from the south and beyond, rely on jobs created by UNIFIL. As for funding, sources said that if Washington insists on cutting its contribution to U.N. agencies, including UNIFIL in Lebanon, Arab and European states are expected to step in and cover the shortfall. European officials have already assured all parties of their commitment to maintaining UNIFIL's presence, mandate, and budget without any reduction.
LBCI
11 hours ago
- LBCI
US stops visitor visas for people from Gaza
The U.S. State Department on Saturday said it was halting all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza while it conducts "a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days." Reuters
