Latest news with #EdmondSassine
LBCI
20 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
UNIFIL faces local pushback in Lebanon's south amid Israeli calls to end mission — what's next for the force?
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Amid Israeli calls to oppose the renewal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) mandate in the country's south and end its mission in August, a series of incidents and protests has emerged in southern villages. Local residents have objected to UNIFIL patrols operating in their neighborhoods and on their land without accompaniment by the Lebanese army. Why, then, is UNIFIL conducting patrols and missions without the army? Or, put differently: If the presence of the army helps ease tensions between UNIFIL and the Hezbollah-supportive population, why isn't the army always present? According to Lebanese sources, UNIFIL carries out daily joint operations with the army but also conducts separate patrols and missions on its own. The limited number of army personnel in the south does not allow for the accompaniment of all UNIFIL patrols, and Resolution 1701 grants the U.N. peacekeeping force the right to move independently. Most UNIFIL patrols, whether or not accompanied by the army, do not result in incidents. The sources add that local objections often stem from specific actions UNIFIL carries out — such as entering private property or filming homes — actions that typically do not occur when the army is present. Trust between the local population and UNIFIL remains low, especially as it frequently conducts operations near Hezbollah-affiliated villages and facilities and sometimes brings media crews along. Meanwhile, it is seen as doing little in practice to confront Israeli violations or enforce the ceasefire. The recurrence of incidents involving specific units has led some Lebanese observers to suggest that there may be an internal push within UNIFIL to assert its role and presence, even in the face of local objections. This could serve to build momentum for modifying the mission ahead of its renewal in two months, aligning with Israeli efforts to end or alter the current UNIFIL mandate. According to the same sources, the current Israeli pressure to terminate the mission resembles the kinds of pressure applied in past years as the renewal deadline approached each August. This time, it is being framed as part of a broader push on Lebanon and Hezbollah to accept a change in UNIFIL's role — particularly in light of the new reality following the war, the losses Hezbollah has sustained, its military pullback from south of the Litani River, and the dismantling of its infrastructure in the area. While several sources confirm that Hezbollah has not decided to escalate or intentionally provoke recent incidents with UNIFIL, the group insists that UNIFIL's activities must be carried out in coordination with the Lebanese army.
LBCI
7 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Arida border reopens, offering Syrian families a way home after months of closure
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Mariella Succar The reopening of the Arida border crossing between Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday offered a long-awaited chance for Syrian families to return home, more than six months after Israeli airstrikes forced its closure. In the dusty strip of land separating the two countries, scenes of reunion and anticipation played out as families gathered on their way back to Syria. Arida, the second-largest land crossing between Lebanon and Syria, had been closed since November 26 following Israeli strikes on the area. At 7 a.m. Tuesday, traffic resumed—and quickly picked up speed in both directions. The crossing is a crucial route for Syrians seeking to return home while avoiding lengthy and costly detours. It's also essential for Lebanese travelers heading between northern Lebanon and Syria's coastal towns. The road damaged in the November strikes has been patched with compacted earth, and Syrian authorities have outfitted the crossing with temporary facilities to welcome travelers returning for the Eid holidays. Passenger halls on the Syrian side saw steady movement, with border officials processing entries and exits throughout the day. Though the reopening went smoothly overall, at least one woman was unable to complete her journey due to issues with her paperwork. Reconstruction efforts at the site are ongoing, and the crossing will remain open through the holiday period. Of the three border posts linking northern Lebanon and Syria, Arida is currently the only one in operation.
LBCI
05-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Rocket fallout: Lebanon advances with Hamas handovers, tensions ease
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Hamas has handed over a second suspect to the Lebanese army's Intelligence Directorate, who is suspected of involvement in the rocket attacks launched from southern Lebanon toward Israel on March 22 and 28. These attacks gave Israel a pretext to carry out raids in the south and Beirut's southern suburbs, resulting in casualties. According to sources, the second suspect was handed over to Beirut. His initials are Y.B. The handover took place hours after Hamas delivered the first suspect on Sunday at the Ain al-Hilweh camp. The handover of the two suspects follows decisions made by the Higher Defense Council and Hamas' commitment during meetings on Saturday to hand over four fugitive suspects involved in the rocket attacks within 48 hours. Two additional suspects remain to be handed over and are believed to be hiding in the el-Buss and Rashidieh camps in southern Lebanon. LBCI has learned that Hamas is committed to handing them over. However, some logistical issues delayed the simultaneous handover of all suspects. The process is moving forward positively, with a commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the suspension of military and security operations, as well as the continued handover of the remaining suspects. While sources confirmed that one of the suspects is a Sheikh who has not yet been handed over, they assured that this would not impede the handover process, as Hamas has upheld its commitment. The group involved in the rocket attacks consists of six individuals. With the handover of the second suspect, the total number of detainees involved in the rocket launch operation rises to four. Two were detained by the Lebanese General Security and the Lebanese army following the attacks, while two others remain at large. Among the detained suspects, two are considered the main planners of the attacks.
LBCI
03-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
From rocket launch to arrests: How Lebanon traced attackers to Hamas network
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Lebanese security agencies have identified members of Hamas as being behind the recent rocket attacks launched from South Lebanon on March 22 and 28, which Israel used as a pretext for retaliatory airstrikes on South Lebanon and Beirut that killed several people. According to security sources, four suspects have been arrested, and four others remain at large, reportedly hiding in the Palestinian refugee camps of Ain al-Hilweh, Rashidieh, and El-Buss. All eight individuals are believed to be affiliated with Hamas. Despite earlier attempts by Lebanon's military intelligence to secure their handover, the group did not cooperate until recently. Sources said Hamas acknowledged the group's affiliation but claimed the rocket attacks were conducted independently and did not represent an official decision by the movement. Following the Supreme Defense Council's recommendations, the Director General of General Security, Major General Hassan Choucair, summoned Hamas representative in Lebanon, Ahmad Abdel Hadi, to a meeting attended by Army Intelligence Chief Brigadier General Tony Kahwaji. Abdel Hadi was formally notified that Hamas must cease all military or security operations on Lebanese territory. Abdel Hadi pledged Hamas' full commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, laws, and national security. He assured authorities that the four fugitives would be handed over within 48 hours. Security officials detailed how the suspects were apprehended. After the rocket launches, General Security detained a man whose fingerprints matched those found on one of the launch pads recovered by the Lebanese Army. Subsequent joint operations led to the arrest of two more suspects. The investigation expanded when army intelligence foiled a third rocket launch attempt during a raid on an apartment in the Zahrani area near Sidon. During the operation, several rockets and launchers were seized. The arrested suspects later confessed to the involvement of four others hiding in refugee camps, all allegedly linked to Hamas.
LBCI
28-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Beirut's southern suburbs targeted for the third time after ceasefire: Israel sends political messages
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi For the third time, Israeli forces have attacked Beirut's southern suburbs. The first strike came with a prior warning following rocket fire from South Lebanon, accompanied by Israeli claims of drone activity in the area. Three days later, Israel carried out the assassination of Hezbollah commander Hassan Bdeir in the same district. On Sunday, Israeli forces issued a sudden evacuation order targeting what was later identified as a hangar, claiming it stored Hezbollah's precision missiles. This latest strike is part of a larger pattern, with 3,028 documented violations between November 27, 2024, and Monday, April 28, 2025. The rate of violations has averaged more than 20 per day, reflecting what observers describe as a continuous, fragmented war waged by Israel on Lebanese soil, with little regard for the ceasefire agreement, the ceasefire monitoring committee, or the countries guaranteeing the accord. Observers see three key messages behind the attacks on the southern suburbs. First, Israel seeks to entrench its right to intervene in Lebanon, invoking U.S. guarantees that allow it to interpret the right to self-defense under the agreement according to its own terms. Second, the attacks send a signal to the Lebanese government, particularly in light of President Joseph Aoun's call for Israel to withdraw from five occupied points along the border so that Lebanon can assume complete security control and Speaker Nabih Berri's insistence that Hezbollah's arms should not be surrendered before Israel fulfills its obligations—tasks that Lebanon views as Washington's responsibility to enforce. Third, by striking Beirut's southern suburbs, Israel appears intent on replicating its strategy along the border: preventing reconstruction, deterring the return of displaced residents, and disrupting social, economic, and security stability. Through these measures, Israel aims to foment dissent within Hezbollah's stronghold.
