'Erosion of American support for Israel evident for 15 years': American policy expert
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Nahar Net
12 hours ago
- Nahar Net
US criticizes French release of Georges Abdallah
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 July 2025, 12:11 The United States bas criticized the release from a French prison of pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, who spent more than 40 years behind bars for the alleged killings of two diplomats, one of them American. Abdallah was detained in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for his alleged involvement in the murders of U.S. military attache Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris. Earlier this month, a French appeals court ordered Abdallah's release on the condition that he leave French territory and never return. He left a prison in southwest France on Friday and later arrived in his hometown in Lebanon. "The United States opposes the French government's release and expulsion to Lebanon of convicted terrorist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement on social media. "His release threatens the safety of U.S. diplomats abroad and is a grave injustice to the victims and the families of those killed. The United States will continue to support the pursuit of justice in this matter," she added. While Abdallah had been eligible for release since 1999, his previous requests were denied as the United States -- a civil party to the case -- had consistently opposing his leaving prison. Abdallah, who is Lebanese of Maronite Christian heritage, has always insisted he is not a "criminal" but a "fighter" for the rights of Palestinians, whom he said were targeted, along with Lebanon, by the United States and Israel.
Nahar Net
12 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Barrack: Government and Hezbollah need to fully commit and act now
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 July 2025, 12:33 U.S. envoy Tom Barrack on Sunday warned that 'the credibility of Lebanon's government rests on its ability to match principle with practice.' 'As its leaders have said repeatedly, it is critical that 'the state has a monopoly on arms,'' Barrack added, in a post on X. 'As long as Hezbollah retains arms, words will not suffice. The government and Hezbollah need to fully commit and act now in order to not consign the Lebanese people to the stumbling status quo,' the U.S. envoy said. He attached an English-language news story from the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper to his post. The story is titled 'Lebanese President Acknowledges 'Slow Progress' in Talks with Hezbollah on Disarmament'. Below is the full text of the news story as published by Asharq al-Awsat: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun acknowledged on Friday that negotiations with Hezbollah over its weapons are ongoing, though progressing slowly. Speaking amid heightened tensions along the southern border with Israel, Aoun emphasized that dialogue is being conducted directly with Hezbollah, not through a formal security committee, and expressed cautious optimism over a gradual breakthrough. 'There is some responsiveness to the ideas we're discussing, even if things are moving at a slow pace,' said Aoun, stressing that neither party desires war, which would carry severe consequences for all sides. His remarks come as Hezbollah issued its first public response to the recent visit by US envoy Tom Barrack, rejecting the American proposal focused on centralizing arms under the Lebanese state. Hezbollah insisted it is only concerned with implementing UN Resolution 1701, which calls for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory and a cessation of hostilities. Aoun reiterated Lebanon's demand for Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and withdraw from the remaining five occupied hills in the south, noting that full army deployment remains hindered in areas still under Israeli control. During his visit to Beirut this week, Barrack pushed for a 'monopoly of arms' by the Lebanese state, declaring that the US will only support Lebanon if its government commits to ensuring that only official forces carry weapons. In a statement, he reinforced that Hezbollah, in its entirety, is viewed by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization, with no distinction between its political and military wings. He added that the responsibility now lies with Lebanon's political leadership and army to seize this opportunity and build a future free of Hezbollah's grip. Hezbollah MP Ihab Hamadeh dismissed the American initiative, affirming that the group is aligned with the stance of parliament and ally Speaker Nabih Berri and will only engage within the framework of Resolution 1701. He acknowledged a general agreement on the principle of state monopoly over arms, but argued that this must be accompanied by a comprehensive national defense strategy, especially in light of ongoing Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, targeting South Lebanon throughout the week. On Friday, an Israeli drone strike killed a Hezbollah member in Bint Jbeil, while other raids reportedly hit weapons depots and rocket launch sites. Tensions escalated further when an Israeli soldier shot a Lebanese civilian near the border. In response to repeated attacks, residents of the border town Aita al-Shaab issued a strongly worded statement condemning the government's inaction and warning that they may resort to self-defense. 'Security is not a luxury; it is our right,' the statement read.
Nahar Net
14 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Aid trucks begin entering Gaza from Egypt as Israel declares 'tactical pause'
Aid trucks had begun entering the Gaza Strip from Egypt on Sunday, AFPTV footage showed, as Israel announced a "tactical pause" in parts of the devastated territory to allow deliveries. Egyptian state-linked media had earlier confirmed the movement of convoys, sharing footage of trucks at the border area. Trucks crossing the Rafah border however cannot enter Gaza directly as the Palestinian side of the crossing was seized by the Israel military last year and has been badly damaged. Instead, they must detour a few kilometers to the nearby Kerem Shalom (Karam Abu Salem) crossing, which is controlled by Israel. There, they are inspected before being allowed into southern Gaza. AFP footage showed large trucks loaded with white sacks moving through the Egyptian side of the Rafah gate. Some trucks displayed the logo of the Egyptian Red Crescent, while others had the Emirati flag, with signs reading: "United Arab Emirates – Humanitarian Aid to Gaza – Water Support Projects in Gaza." The Israeli military said Sunday the daily pause in the enclave, running from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, would apply only to specific areas, including Al-Mawasi, Deir el-Balah, and parts of Gaza City, where Israeli troops are not currently operating. It added that secure routes had been opened across the enclave to facilitate United Nations and other aid convoys. The move comes amid mounting international pressure over Gaza's worsening hunger crisis. Israel began air-dropping food into the territory, following similar announcements from the UAE and UK. However, humanitarian officials remain skeptical. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warned air drops were "expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians". Israel insists it is not restricting aid and claims some UN agencies are failing to distribute supplies already inside Gaza. But relief organizations accuse the military of limiting access and creating dangerous conditions near distribution centers. On Saturday, Gaza's civil defense agency said over 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes and shootings, including some waiting for aid.
