
US cannot 'compel' Israel to do anything, US special envoy says in Lebanon
Lebanon seeks US guarantees for Israeli troop withdrawal and halting strikes if Hezbollah begins disarming within four months.
Barrack clarified the US won't coerce Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament or impose sanctions for non-compliance.
Washington cannot "compel" Israel to do anything, US special envoy Thomas Barrack said in Beirut on Monday, in response to a reporter's question about Lebanese demands that the US guarantees a halt to Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory.
The US last month proposed a roadmap to Lebanon's top officials to fully disarm Hezbollah within four months, in exchange for a halt to Israeli strikes and a withdrawal of Israeli troops still occupying positions in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon has asked Washington to act as a security guarantor to ensure that Israel will pull out its troops in full and halt targeting operations against members of Hezbollah, if the armed group begins handing in weapons.
Asked about those guarantees, Barrack told reporters after a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam that the US "has no business in trying to compel Israel to do anything".
He also told reporters that the US was not forcing Lebanon to strip Hezbollah of its arms, or considering sanctions against Lebanese officials if Hezbollah is not disarmed.
Barrack said:
There's no consequence, there's no threat, there's no whip.
Barrack, a longtime adviser to US President Donald Trump, also serves as US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria.
He is making his third trip to Lebanon in just over a month to discuss the US roadmap, which covers the disarmament of non-state armed groups, long-awaited economic reforms, and better ties with Lebanon's neighbour, Syria.
Israel and Hezbollah fought a months-long war last year that ended with a US-brokered truce calling for both sides to halt fighting, for Israel to withdraw troops, and for Lebanon to be free of all non-state arms, starting with the southern region closest to the Israeli border.
While Hezbollah has handed in some weapons from depots in the country's south to the Lebanese army, Israel says the group is violating the ceasefire by attempting to re-establish itself.
Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel has breached the truce by continuing to occupy at least five vantage points in a strip of the Lebanese border, and carrying out strikes on what Israel says are Hezbollah members and arms depots.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Magazine
15 minutes ago
- Time Magazine
The Violent Gaza-ification of the West Bank
With all eyes on Gaza and on the fallout from Israel's war on five other fronts—Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Iranian militias in Syria and Iraq, as well as Iran itself—few have noted the unprecedented uptick in violence in the West Bank. Even the murder earlier in July of Saif Musallet, an American citizen, and the attack on CNN's Jeremy Diamond as he was on his way to visit the family of the slain American—both by violent West Bank settlers—did little to attract attention to what is an increasingly unstable tinderbox, fanned by convergence of troubling factors Although President Donald Trump's early January decision to lift sanctions on settlers sent the wrong message, a series of significant developments on the ground have triggered the dramatic increase in West Bank violence: Israeli extremists seizing what they see as an opportunity; their leaders using government platforms to provide support; the IDF looking the other way; and many Palestinian youth becoming radicalized. Looming over it all is the shadow of two of the most extreme leaders of the annexationist minority in Israel, entrusted, since late 2022, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with portfolios directly relevant to West Bank policies. One, Itamar Ben Gvir, a self-proclaimed Jewish Supremacist, controls the national police force. Since entering office, he has enacted a 'hands of' policy concerning Jewish settler terrorists, relaxed the prerequisites for owning weapons and, prioritizing West Bank settlers, launched a campaign for Israelis to arm themselves. The other, Bezalel Smotrich, employs his dual position as minister of finance and as a minister in the ministry of defense in the service of his three publicly declared objectives: rapid expansion of Jewish settlements, increase pressure on Palestinians to emigrate, and financially choking the Palestinian Authority to bring about its collapse. A third, Minister of Defense Israel Katz, added fuel to the fire on Nov. 22, 2024, by depriving the Shin Bet (Israel's Internal Security Agency) of a vital instrument in dealing with Jewish detainees: administrative detention. With settlers following legal advice not to cooperate with investigators and as evidence obtained by clandestine means cannot be used in an open court lest it exposes sources, court-supervised administrative detention has long proved essential in fighting terrorism—from extreme settlers or otherwise. Emboldened by their leaders' serving in such powerful positions, extremist settlers—by now organized and armed—have made the most of the situation as the Israeli public and the world at large focuses on Gaza. The result: The number of incidents involving armed settlers assaulting Palestinian villages has increased dramatically over the past three years, doubling during the first half of 2025 as compared to the same period the previous year. An additional factor relates to the IDF. Its manpower stretched to the limit, and the top brass consumed by tending to simultaneous challenges from several fronts, lower-rank commanders of units deployed to the West Bank are often reluctant to confront violent settlers, primarily because of the support they enjoy from senior government circles. Last, but hardly least: With West Bank Palestinians harassed by settlers day and night, Palestinian youth, who are being put at risk, find neither the IDF nor the nearly bankrupt Palestinian Authority protecting their families. Images of the endless suffering of Gazans add to the combustible mix. With no hope for a better future, certainly not independence—which the current Israeli government vehemently opposes—their elders, scarred by the pains of the Second Intifada, have no persuasive argument to dissuade them from repeating what the elders have long concluded was a mistake: armed resistance. Consequently, young West Bank Palestinians are increasingly inclined to join militant groups or form their own, and take to arms. Thus, Israeli extremists and radicalized Palestinians feed on each other, using each other to justify violence, killing innocents, vandalizing property, and risking a major conflagration in the process. 'Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of religion, race, or gender,' declared a recent urgent letter to Israel's Minister of Defense. Sent on behalf of Commanders for Israel's Security (CIS)—Israel's largest group of retired generals and diplomats, of which I am a member, it alerted the Minister to the dire consequences of 'organized Jewish groups…setting the area ablaze.' 'Resources must be mobilized,' we urged, 'so that those guilty of terrorism are apprehended, investigated, and swiftly brought to justice.' Although even the murder of an American citizen did little to change the dynamics, recent settlers' assaults on IDF soldiers deployed to protect them, might have. Even those who shamefully looked the other way when the victims were Palestinians—PM Netanyahu included—suddenly realized that this lawlessness could not be tolerated. 'No civilized country can tolerate violent and anarchic acts of burning a military facility, damaging IDF property and attacking security personnel by citizens of the country,' said Netanyahu. In contrast, opposition leader Yair Lapid described the events as 'Jewish terrorists, gangs of criminals, who feel backed by the (governing) coalition.' Time will tell whether this wakeup call triggers effective measures to end Jewish terrorism, which is as immoral as any other kind of terrorism. It also undermines Israel's security and legitimacy. What is certain, from my vantage point, is this: if it does not spark those measures, this cycle of violence will only lead to the Gaza-ification of the West Bank, with tragic consequences for both peoples and further destabilizing effects well beyond the Israeli-Palestinian arena.


CNN
15 minutes ago
- CNN
5 things to know for July 23: Lawmaker security, Gaza, Texas floods, Columbia University, Japan trade deal
In February, President Donald Trump made an aggressive push to reshape the Kennedy Center by firing its leader, naming a longtime confidant as interim executive director, dismissing board members appointed by Democrats and then appointing his own trustees who promptly elected him as chair. Now, House Republicans are trying to name the performing arts center's opera house after first lady Melania Trump. Here's what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day. The House of Representatives is increasing funding and resources for lawmakers to provide them with additional security options. The 'pilot program,' which is meant to assist lawmakers returning to their districts for the five-week recess, was created following the deadly attack on Minnesota state lawmakers in June. According to a release from the Committee on House Administration, House members will receive $20,000 to increase the security of their homes. An additional $5,000 per month will be disbursed to each lawmaker to pay for personal security through the end of the year. In 2024, the US Capitol Police investigated more than 9,000 threats against lawmakers, marking an 83% increase from the previous year. During that same period, Trump was targeted in two apparent assassination attempts. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has only worsened since Israel launched its blockade of aid last March, leaving millions of Palestinians facing starvation. Now, a coalition of international organizations says the blockade is also endangering the lives of doctors and aid workers. In a joint statement, more than 100 humanitarian groups called on Israel to restore the full flow of food, clean water and medical supplies to Gaza and agree to a ceasefire. The coalition warned that supplies were 'totally depleted' and that their organizations were 'witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.' International news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP), also announced plans to try and evacuate its remaining freelance staff from Gaza because they are starving and too weak to work. 'Without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die,' AFP's main journalist union said in a statement. Texas lawmakers will hold a special hearing today to investigate the state's response to the deadly flash floods that hit over the July 4th weekend. At least 135 people were killed in central Texas, including more than 100 in Kerr County, where children's camps and RV parks sat on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The joint select committee's inquiry will include testimony from officials in charge of managing the rivers in the area as well as the head of the Division of Emergency Management and members of the state police. The lawmakers are expected to seek details about flood planning, disaster preparedness and response and communications. 'We need to find out what happened. We need to know for us to go forward and make sure that we prevent the loss of life on the scale,' said José Menéndez, a Democratic state senator who will be on the joint select committee. Columbia University has sanctioned more than 70 students for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. According to a source familiar with the disciplinary action, around 80% of those students received suspensions, expulsions or degree revocation. The punishments were announced as the school works behind the scenes to get the Trump administration to restore its federal funding. Earlier this month, CNN reported that Columbia was on the verge of striking a deal that would require it to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement, implement changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, boost transparency in hiring and admissions efforts, and take other steps to improve security for Jewish students. In return, the university would regain access to over $400 million in federal funding the Trump administration stripped away earlier this year. After months of negotiation, President Trump announced a trade agreement with Japan on Tuesday night. The deal will see US importers pay 15% 'reciprocal' tariffs on Japanese goods exported to the states. The 15% rate will also extend to Japanese autos and car parts, putting the country at an advantage over other major vehicle exporters, which have faced a 25% levy on automotive sector exports since April. Additionally, Japan will invest $550 billion in the US, Trump said. 'This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs — There has never been anything like it,' he posted on his social media site. In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hailed the deal as 'the lowest figure to date for a country that has a trade surplus with the United States.' GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. The decade-old policy helped customers save some extra cash. Not anymore. The beverage company hopes its new soda will appeal to consumers who buy sparkling waters and hydration drinks. The onstage fight that ended last year's tour has taken a new turn. The stars reveal why fans have had to wait for more than 20 years for another movie. The Black Sabbath frontman, who died on Tuesday at 76, was remembered as a 'pioneer' and 'dear friend.' 74That's how many counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon Fernando Ramirez is facing in connection with a car crash outside a Hollywood nightclub over the weekend that injured at least 37 people. 'These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.' — Patrick Rodenbush, spokesman for former President Barack Obama, after President Trump made allegations of treason and sedition during an Oval Office meeting. 🌤️ Check your local forecast to see what you can expect. In case you've always wanted to take a closer look at our host star without going blind. Today's edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN's Andrew Torgan.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Iranian officials claim Israel behind series of mysterious fires, explosions
Iranian authorities are hesitant to openly accuse Israel of involvement, fearing it could force them into a position where they would have to retaliate, according to the report. Iranian officials quietly claim that many of the recent mysterious explosions and fires that have broken out in the last two weeks were acts of sabotage by Israel, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian government officials believe these acts of sabotage come directly from Israel, but, according to the report, are not permitted to discuss it publicly. In public, officials have claimed the events are coincidences or attributed them to old infrastructure. NYT cited three Iranian officials, including a member of the IRGC, who said they believe that many of the fires were "acts of sabotage." However, the officials did not provide evidence to back up suspicions, and NYT noted that officials who spoke publicly blamed gas leaks, garbage fires, and old infrastructure for the explosions. Iranian authorities are hesitant to openly accuse Israel of involvement, fearing it could force them into a position where they would have to retaliate, according to the report. Mahdi Mohammadi, the senior advisor to Iran's head of Parliament, said, 'If anyone thinks we are dealing with linear events that we can predict, they are naïve, We are not even in a cease-fire now; we are in a fragile suspension, and any minute it can end, and we are back at war.' The report also cited a European official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity and who deals with Iranian affairs, and he also believed that the attacks were sabotage and suspected Israel was behind the fires. Mossad says they will continue to operate in Iran These claims follow the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, including the Mossad's promise to continue intelligence operations within Iran, leading regime officials to believe Israel is behind the incidents. Mossad chief David Barnea, in a rare public address following the war with Iran, said, "We will be there, just as we have been up to now." A Persian-language X/Twitter account that styles itself as Israel's Mossad, but has never been publicly acknowledged by the agency, addressed the explosions in a post. "Explosion after explosion. Someone needs to check what's going on there. Too many random incidents are happening."