Lebanon court sentences man to death for UN peacekeeper killing
The judicial official, speaking anonymously, stated that the court issued its ruling late Monday, imposing the death penalty on the primary defendant, Mohammad Ayyad. The sentence was delivered in absentia, as Ayyad had been released from custody in November 2023 for health reasons and failed to attend subsequent trial sessions.
Four other individuals received combined fines and lighter sentences after surrendering to the court hours before the session, while a fifth was acquitted. The 2022 incident marked a rare escalation in tensions between UNIFIL patrols and Hezbollah supporters, though such clashes are typically contained swiftly by Lebanese authorities.
UNIFIL, comprising around 10,000 peacekeepers from nearly 50 nations, operates as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel, primarily along the southern border. Hezbollah has previously denied involvement in the attack. - AFP
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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Bravery under fire: Malbatt praised for professionalism in Lebanon
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon have earned praise for their professionalism under fire when Israel attacked the country last year. Armed Forces Joint Forces Commander Lieutenant-General Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin said he was never more proud of his men as he reflected on the Malaysian Battalion's (Malbatt) service in southern Lebanon under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil). "During the 'Northern Arrow' (by the Israeli Defence Forces) escalation in September 2024, our troops swiftly activated bunker drills and coordinated with Unifil to maintain zero casualties despite cross-border exchanges. "Two months later, in November, an Israeli airstrike caused collateral damage to a Unifil convoy, injuring several Malaysian peacekeepers. "Our rapid medical evacuation and continued mission focus drew praise from the UN and troop-contributing nations," Zahani said, noting that these incidents reinforced the importance of discipline and rapid response protocols. HOLDING THE LINE He said Malbatt operated under the mandate of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which called for monitoring the cessation of hostilities, supporting Lebanese armed forces deployments and ensuring its area of responsibility was free from hostile activity. Zahani said Malbatt had adopted stringent force-protection measures to safeguard personnel in a demanding threat environment. "Troops remain in fortified encampments and bunker drills are activated whenever cross-border hostilities spike. All patrols and logistical movements are suspended under Unifil directives to minimise exposure. "Regular checks on defensive structures and rapid-access shelters ensure immediate lockdown capability against indirect fire or drone incursions," Zahani said. He said under Unifil's mandate, Malbatt operated with strictly defensive rules of engagement. "Troops may return fire only if directly attacked. Offensive operations remain prohibited. We embed this principle through live-simulation, ensuring split-second decision-making under stress. "This clarity is vital in a theatre marked by multiple actors and asymmetrical threats." EYE ON THREATS, HEART WITH COMMUNITIES Zahani said intelligence and coordination were central to Malbatt's readiness. "The battalion's intelligence cell collated inputs from Unifil's Joint Operations Centre, the Lebanese armed forces and civilian informants. "Frequent 'snap' briefs are also held to update commanders on signs of Hizbollah escalation, Iranian drone flights, or suspected proxy-force staging areas." He said daily video-teleconferences with Unifil Sector West and adjacent battalions ensured rapid dissemination of new directives, including no-movement orders and escalation thresholds. While force protection was critical, Zahani added that civil-military engagement remained the cornerstone of Unifil's mandate. "Our engineers partner with municipal councils to repair schools and water systems in Marakah, Tibnin and surrounding villages. "Periodic town halls are also held to explain Unifil's peacekeeping objectives to residents, reducing the risk of agitators exploiting grievances," he said. Zahani added that this trust-building helped maintain early warning networks and blunt militia influence. MODERNISATION AND STRATEGIC READINESS In response to escalating risks along the Israel-Lebanon border, Zahani said the armed forces had modernised Malbatt's capabilities. "We replaced our ageing Condor armoured vehicles with 20 Turkish-made Panthera 4×4 platforms in 2023. These offer higher mobility, remote weapon station capability and improved troop protection. "Further upgrades are already in motion. By mid-2026, Malbatt will add 60 High-Mobility Light Tactical Vehicles (HMLTVs) to its fleet, enhancing agility and enabling rapid repositioning along the volatile Blue Line," Zahani said, referring to the 120km section of the southern Lebanese border that Unifil oversees. "These acquisitions are part of a broader plan to strengthen survivability and operational flexibility in one of the UN's most complex theatres." He said Malbatt had also introduced specialised capabilities, such as explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams and women's engagement modules. "These units not only address evolving operational requirements — from neutralising improvised explosive threats to fostering trust with local communities — but also reinforce the multidimensional nature of peacekeeping under the UN mandate." Training and readiness were also prioritised, Zahani said, as all personnel would go through an eight-week Force Integration Training (FIT) programme in Port Dickson before deploying to Lebanon with Malbatt. "This covers peacekeeping doctrine, cultural awareness, and scenario-based drills aligned with UN standards." He added that diplomatic coordination remained central to sustaining mission credibility. "Malaysia maintains a permanent liaison with the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO) in New York to ensure real-time alignment of operational priorities with Malaysia's foreign policy principles — multilateralism, civilian protection and peaceful conflict resolution. "This strategic outlook was reinforced at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin in May, where Malaysia pledged to deploy an additional infantry battalion, EOD teams and police units for future missions. "This underscores Malaysia's long-term investment in robust, multidimensional peace operations and its continued role as a trusted troop-contributing nation," Zahani said.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
US envoy meets Israeli hostage families amid Gaza war tensions
TEL AVIV: US envoy Steve Witkoff met with distraught relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza on Saturday, amid growing concerns over their survival nearly 22 months after Hamas's October 2023 attack. The meeting took place as international pressure mounts for a resolution to the conflict. Witkoff was greeted by hundreds of protesters in Tel Aviv, some applauding while others pleaded for assistance. Videos circulating online captured the emotional scene, with families chanting 'Bring them home!' and 'We need your help.' The envoy later held a closed-door discussion with representatives from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The gathering followed Witkoff's visit to a US-backed aid station in Gaza, where he assessed efforts to deliver food to the war-torn Palestinian territory. 'The war needs to end,' said Yotam Cohen, whose 21-year-old brother Nimrod remains captive. 'The Israeli government will not end it willingly. It has refused to do so.' Of the 251 hostages taken during the initial Hamas assault, 49 are still believed to be in Gaza, with 27 declared dead by Israeli authorities. After the meeting, the Forum released a statement confirming Witkoff's personal commitment to securing their release, alongside US President Donald Trump. Hamas intensified psychological pressure on families by releasing a second video of hostage Evyatar David, 24, appearing emaciated in a tunnel. His family condemned the footage as 'vile propaganda,' accusing Hamas of deliberate starvation. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot denounced the video as 'despicable,' urging unconditional release and Hamas's disarmament. Ceasefire negotiations mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar collapsed last month, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under domestic and international scrutiny. Meanwhile, UN agencies warn of famine in Gaza, with over two million civilians at risk. Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir rejected claims of intentional starvation, calling them 'deceitful accusations.' However, displaced Gazans like Modallala Dawwas reported severe malnutrition, with her daughter's weight plummeting from 25kg to 10kg. The conflict has claimed 1,219 Israeli lives, mostly civilians, and over 60,332 Palestinian lives, per Gaza's health ministry. Recent Israeli strikes killed 34, including five near a food distribution site. - AFP
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Red Cross invited to inspect detainees
The Royal Thai Army has extended an invitation to international bodies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to inspect Cambodian soldiers currently held in Thai custody. This move comes in response to accusations from Cambodia alleging that Thailand subjected its captured soldiers to inhumane treatment prior to their repatriation following a recent ceasefire agreement. Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, dismissed Cambodia's claims yesterday as 'distorted accusations'. He clarified that while a ceasefire had been abruptly implemented, the armed conflict has not yet genuinely concluded. Therefore, under international law, the military's process of temporary detention remains permissible under the Geneva Conventions. 'The Royal Thai Army has a plan and is fully prepared to invite international organisations such as the ICRC to observe the well-being of the detained prisoners of war,' Maj-Gen Winthai stated. He affirmed that Thailand's procedures are 'completely within the framework' of the Geneva Conventions. The Thai side, he stressed, is committed to conducting all its operations strictly under international rules. — The Nation/ANN
