Palestinian refugees call for a ‘comprehensive dialogue with the Lebanese government'
'Resistance remains faithful to its principles and vision. Our unity and resistance are essential pillars to thwart the occupation's plans,' Mara said, according to the National News Agency (NNA, official). 'Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are committed to security and stability and are calling for a comprehensive dialogue with the Lebanese government to address various issues,' he added. He also noted that 'the great sacrifices made by our people reflect the level of brutal Israeli terrorism, as well as our people's attachment to their land and identity.'
On Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah opened a front in support of Hamas against Israel by firing rockets into northern Israel from southern Lebanon. After a year of cross-border attacks and weakening Hamas, the Israeli army concentrated its operations in Lebanon, conducting intense strikes mainly on Hezbollah strongholds. Despite the cease-fire reached last November, Israel continues strikes in Lebanon and maintains a presence at five locations it considers strategic. Lebanese authorities recently requested the army to develop a plan to disarm the party, a decision Hezbollah contests.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Libnan
2 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
U.S. envoy: Israel must 'comply' after Lebanon's 'first step' to disarm Hezbollah
U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Barrack said Monday that it is now Israel's turn to comply with the cease-fire agreement reached last November to end the war with Hezbollah. File Pool photo by Anthony Behar/UPI BEIRUT, Lebanon – U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Barrack said Monday that it is now Israel's turn to comply with the cease-fire agreement reached last November to end the war with Hezbollah , now that Lebanon has taken 'the first step' toward disarming the Iran-backed militant group. Barrack, who met with Lebanon's top officials in Beirut, hailed the cabinet for endorsing earlier this month the objectives of a U.S.-proposed plan to disarm Hezbollah and for tasking the Army with preparing a plan to enforce a state monopoly on weapons by the end of the year. 'This is a Lebanese decision that requires Israel's cooperation,' he said after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace. He added, 'There's always a step-by-step approach, but I think the Lebanese government has done their part; they've taken the first step… Now what we need is Israel to comply with that equal handshake.' Asked whether Israel is then expected to stop its violations and pullout from occupied parts of south Lebanon, Barrack said this was 'the next step,' noting the need for Israel's 'participation' and for an economic plan 'for prosperity, restoration and renovation of everybody.' 'You can't just take something and not give anything,' he said. Israel refused to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance with the U.S.- and French-brokered cease-fire agreement of Nov. 27, retaining five strategic positions and continuing to strike suspected Hezbollah sites, resulting in the deaths of additional operatives and civilians. Despite the Lebanese Army taking control of most Hezbollah positions and facilities, pushing the group away from the Israeli border, and preventing any military presence south of the Litani River, Israel continued to insist on Hezbollah's complete disarmament. Hezbollah, significantly weakened during the 14-month war and reportedly having lost the bulk of its military capabilities, refrained from retaliating against Israel's continued attacks but refused to yield to pressure to fully disarm, insisting it would not do so as long as Israel violates the cease-fire accord. Barrack clarified that there has been 'no American proposal to Israel and they have not negated anything,' explaining that Washington has been discussing first with Lebanon to know its position and was in the process of holding the same discussions with Israel now. He tried to assure Lebanon's Shiite community, saying Hezbollah was part of the Shiite population who 'have to see what is in store for them; what's the option and what's a better alternative than the alternative they have.' He expressed optimism 'to see progress on all sides' in the next few weeks, saying it would mean 'a better life for the people' and 'at least the beginning of a roadway to a different kind of dialogue' in the region. Lebanon's decision to set a timeline for Hezbollah disarmament was mainly motivated by the risk of another devastating war with Israel and of losing well-needed funds to rebuild its war-devastated regions. President Aoun told Barrack that 'the other parties' would need to adhere 'to the contents' of the plan agreed upon with Washington; secure greater support for the Lebanese Army and accelerate the internationally backed efforts to launch the reconstruction process in the war-ravaged areas. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who also met the U.S. envoy, emphasized the need for the U.S. to assume its responsibility in pressuring Israel to halt its hostile actions, withdraw from the five occupied points, and release Lebanese detainees captured during the war. Salam stressed the importance of renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon at the end of this month, highlighting its role in reinforcing stability and assisting the Lebanese Army in extending state authority in the south. He, moreover, called for a clear international commitment to convening a conference to support reconstruction and economic recovery in Lebanon, which the World Bank has estimated at $11 billion, while Lebanese officials put it at more than $14 billion. House Speaker Nabih Berri , Hezbollah's main ally who negotiated the November 2024 cease-fire accord on its behalf, asked Barrack about Israel's commitment to the agreement and withdrawal from south Lebanon, saying: 'This is the gateway to stability in Lebanon and an opportunity to begin the reconstruction process in preparation for the return of residents to their towns.' The Hezbollah-Israel war, which killed and wounded more than 21,500 people, displaced over 1.2 million people, damaged or destroyed nearly 64,000 buildings and disrupted education for hundreds of thousands of students, according to a U.N. report. (UPI)
Al Mayadeen
3 hours ago
- Al Mayadeen
Barrack: Lebanese decision requires cooperation on part of "Israel".
Hamas has agreed to proposal presented by mediators Egypt and Qatar: Egyptian official source to Reuters The proposal includes path to reach a comprehensive deal to end war: Egyptian official source to Reuters Temporary suspension of military operations will see exchange of Palestinian prisoners in return for release of half of Israeli captives held in Gaza: Egyptian official source to Reuters Latest Gaza ceasefire proposal includes temporary suspension of military operations for 60 days, Egyptian official source to Reuters Senior Palestinian source to Al Mayadeen: The proposal stipulates the release of all children and women Senior Palestinian source to Al Mayadeen: In exchange for every body of an Israeli killed, 10 Palestinian bodies will be released Senior Palestinian source to Al Mayadeen: The proposal stipulates opening the Rafah crossing in both directions, in accordance with the previous agreement Senior Palestinian source to Al Mayadeen: The United Nations and its agencies, as well as the Red Crescent and international organizations operating in Gaza are the sides that receive and distribute aid Senior Palestinian source to Al Mayadeen: The aid includes fuel, water, electricity, hospital and bakery rehabilitation, and rubble removal equipment Senior Palestinian source to Al Mayadeen: Aid will be sent to the Gaza Strip immediately after the agreement enters into force in intensive and coordinated quantities, in accordance with the January 19, 2025, agreement
Nahar Net
3 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Aoun stresses 'step-for-step' approach with Israel
by Naharnet Newsdesk 18 August 2025, 13:01 President Joseph Aoun said in an interview that U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's paper 'became a Lebanese paper' after Lebanon 'introduced its remarks to it.' 'It will not become in effect before Lebanon, Syria and Israel agree to it. The second matter that we emphasized is the 'step-for-step' principle, because if any step is not implemented, the step that matches it will not be implemented in return,' Aoun told Al-Arabiya television. He added that he had to choose between two options: 'I either agree to the paper and tell the world that I performed my duty and that they now have to perform their duty in obtaining Israel approval of it, or I don't agree and then Israel would increase its attacks and Lebanon would become isolated economically.' 'None of us can respond to the attacks. And if anyone has a third choice that can lead to Israel's withdrawal, the liberation of the captives, border demarcation and the economy's revival, let them come forth and propose it,' Aoun said. Noting that Hezbollah's arms are a 'domestic affair' and that 'state institutions are concerned with addressing this matter,' the president added that he believes that 'no one in the Lebanese state across the country has a problem with arms monopolization.' Aoun also stressed that his concern is 'not to move Lebanon from one axis to another,' but rather to 'restore Lebanon, end its isolation and achieve security, prosperity and stability.' 'I don't have a political or electoral ambition not a party to be concerned about, I'm only concerned about Lebanon and I have an occupation in the South that I want to get rid of. I also want to finalize border demarcation with Syria, not to move the country from one axis to another,' the president went on to say.
