Latest news with #GovernmentofLebanon
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan condemns Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon
ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan unequivocally condemned air strikes by Israeli forces on Beirut's southern suburbs and parts of southern Lebanon on 5 June 2025, Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement. These attacks, launched on the eve of Eid al-Adha, constitute a blatant violation of international law, sovereignty of Lebanon, and the ceasefire agreement of November 2024. The spokesperson added the reckless use of force threatens civilian lives, fuels regional instability, and undermines efforts for lasting peace. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of Lebanon, during this difficult time. We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations and ceasefire mediators, to take immediate action to hold Israeli occupying forces accountable and prevent further escalation, he remarked. Pakistan remains firmly committed to peace, justice, and the principles of international law. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Al Manar
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Era of Israeli Hostilities
Israeli attacks on residential areas in southern Beirut and its southern suburbs continue to recur, the most recent striking the densely populated neighborhood of Hay Madi early Tuesday morning. This latest assault adds to hundreds of ongoing attacks, constituting a breach of the 'Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities and Related Commitments Regarding the Enhancement of Security Arrangements and Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701,' which both parties committed to on November 27, 2024. Al-Akhbar's Omar Nashaba discusses in an article the hypocrisy apparent in Israel's violation of this 'Declaration'. The 'Declaration' affirmed that the United States and France recognize 'that Lebanon and Israel seek to bring about a sustainable end to the current escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line,' the writer cited the agreement. However, he wondered: 'Yet, with Israel's repeated hostilities, do the US and France still uphold this recognition? And is Israel genuinely willing to 'take steps to create conditions conducive to a permanent and comprehensive solution'? An examination of the commitments outlined in the declaration reveals that the Israeli aggression against Lebanon persists, while the Lebanese state has upheld all its obligations to the Americans and the French, Nashaba wrote. He then touched on the commitments the official text states: 'Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities in accordance with the commitments detailed below: (…) The Government of Lebanon will prevent Hezbollah and all other armed groups within Lebanese territory from carrying out any operations against Israel.' As confirmed by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Lebanese Army has deployed in the south, and Hezbollah 'will refrain from carrying out any operations against Israel.' In return, 'Israel' is expected to refrain from 'any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian and military targets, or any other state targets, within Lebanese territory, whether by land, air, or sea.' The second commitment in the text stipulates that 'Israel and Lebanon recognize the importance of Security Council Resolution 1701 in achieving lasting peace and security and commit themselves to taking the necessary steps toward its full implementation without any violations.' The declaration's wording suggests a phased process requiring 'necessary steps' toward implementation. Accordingly, since November of last year, the Lebanese Army has taken measures in this direction in compliance with the agreement, extending its full authority south of the Litani River. The third commitment involves subjecting 'any sales or supplies of arms and related equipment to Lebanon to monitoring and regulation by the Government of Lebanon in order to prevent the reconstitution and rearmament of non-state armed groups in Lebanon.' In line with this, the Army has confiscated weapons, conducted patrols, and set up checkpoints in the South, the Bekaa, and across Beirut and its southern suburbs. Since November 2024, the Lebanese Government has also committed to '(1) monitor and implement measures against any unauthorized entry of arms and related equipment into and through Lebanon…; (2) starting south of the Litani area, dismantle all facilities involved in the production of arms and related equipment and prevent the establishment of such facilities in the future; and (3) starting south of the Litani area, dismantle all infrastructure and military sites and confiscate all unauthorized weapons.' Implementation of these commitments appears gradual, as the wording suggests, with the Lebanese government required to begin enforcement south of the Litani River, according to Al-Akhbar's Nashaba. 'However, the text also clearly states that Lebanon must implement the agreement 'upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities.' Does this not mean that Israel's failure to adhere to a real unchallenged 'cessation of hostilities' obstructs the declaration's fulfillment?' the Lebanese writer, who is specialist with legal affairs wondered. He noted that 'Israel' argues that Lebanon's incomplete implementation of the declaration justifies its military attacks. 'Yet this reasoning does not apply to Tuesday morning's strike on Beirut's southern suburb. First, because the text obliges Israel to refrain from 'any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian and military targets,' in exchange for Lebanon preventing 'Hezbollah and all other armed groups on Lebanese territory from carrying out any operations against Israel.' Second, because Israel did not notify UNIFIL, the US, or France in advance (as required by the agreement) of the alleged Lebanese violations. ' Nashaba argued that while the declaration states that 'neither Israel nor Lebanon is restricted from exercising their inherent right to self-defense, in accordance with international law,' the US and France—two of the Zionist entity's staunchest allies—often disregard international law's constraints. 'Merely warning civilians to evacuate before an attack (which Israel failed to do before bombing Hay Madi neighborhood at dawn on Tuesday) does not suffice. International humanitarian law mandates the protection of civilians, distinguishing between military and civilian targets, ensuring proportionality to prevent excessive harm, and taking precautions to minimize damage. There is no doubt that Israel ignored these principles during its repeated 'hostile actions' amid the ceasefire,' the author concluded. * Article translated and edited by Al-Manar Hussein Moghniyah
Zawya
10-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
World Bank estimates Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction needs at $11bln
Washington: Reconstruction and recovery needs following the conflict that affected Lebanon are estimated at USD 11 billion, according to a Lebanon Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) 2025report released by the World Bank that assesses damage, losses, and needs in ten sectors across the entire country, covering the period from October 8, 2023 until December 20, 2024. Of the USD1 1 billion in reconstruction and recovery needs, the report estimates that USD 3 to 5 billion will need to be publicly financed, including USD 1 billion for the infrastructure sectors (energy; municipal and public services; transport; and water, wastewater and irrigation). While USD 6 to 8 billion will require private financing, mostly in the housing, commerce, industry, and tourism sectors. The Lebanon RDNA was conducted in response to a request from the Government of Lebanon to assess the impact across ten key sectors: Agriculture and Food Security; Commerce, Industry, and Tourism; Education; Environment and Debris Management; Energy; Health; Housing; Municipal and Public Services; Transport; and Water, Wastewater, and Irrigation, said the World Bank today. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( The Peninsula Newspaper
LBCI
27-01-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
White House extends Lebanon-Israel agreement to February 18 amid delayed withdrawal and border tensions
The White House announced that the ''agreement'' between Lebanon and Israel had been extended until February 18, following Israel's failure to meet the deadline for withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon. In a brief statement, the White House clarified that "the agreement between Lebanon and Israel, overseen by the United States, will remain in effect until February 18, 2025." The White House added, ''The Government of Lebanon, the Government of Israel, and the Government of the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023.'' The brief statement did not explicitly mention the ceasefire, which has become increasingly uncertain after Israeli forces killed 22 people on Sunday, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry, as hundreds of Lebanese attempted to enter southern border towns and villages still under Israeli military control. Additionally, the White House statement made no mention of France, which, alongside the United States during the presidency of Joe Biden, worked to secure the ceasefire agreement on November 27.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hamas agrees to release hostage Arbel Yehud to preserve fragile peace with Israel
Hamas has agreed to release hostage Arbel Yehud from Gaza on Thursday, easing the first major crisis of the Middle East ceasefire deal. Israel had complained that Ms Yehud, a civilian, was supposed to be released last Saturday, prompting a tit-for-tat exchange that threatened to derail the fragile peace settlement. However, a statement from the Israeli prime minister's office late on Sunday evening confirmed that following 'strong and determined' negotiations led by Benjamin Netenyahu, a total of three hostages are to be released on Thursday. Ms Yehud, Agam Berger, a soldier, and one more prisoner will all be freed, in exchange for Israel allowing Palestinians to return to the northern part of the strip on Monday, the prime minister's office confirmed on Telegram. Under the agreement, a further three hostages are to be released on Saturday, and Hamas will release a list confirming the status of all the hostages who are to be freed under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, the readout said. It added that Israel 'will not tolerate any violation of the agreement', in a warning to Hamas about further breaches. Under the Gaza ceasefire deal, female civilians are to be freed first, followed by female soldiers, the elderly, and those with health conditions. Israel had expected Ms Yehud to be released last Saturday, but four Israeli soldiers were released instead. When Hamas responded that she was to be released the following Saturday, Israel halted plans to allow Palestinians to travel to northern Gaza. Hamas then warned of 'repercussions' if Israel continued to block Palestinians from returning to their homes, with each side accusing the other of having breached the terms of the ceasefire deal. Ms Yehud will be part of the third round of hostages to return home after Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag, who were kidnapped from the Nahal Oz military base in the Oct 7 attacks, were released on Saturday. The first three female Israeli civilians were set free last weekend. Hamas' decision to release soldiers instead of civilians raised concerns among Israelis about the condition of the remaining civilian hostages. Negotiations over the latest hostages are understood to have been brokered by Qatar, after Hamas said late on Sunday that it had handed over the list of Israeli hostages to the mediators. Qatar confirmed the agreement laid out by Mr Netanyahu in a statement late on Sunday. The ceasefire's first phase runs until early March and includes the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. News that negotiations remain on track came as Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire deal until February 18. 'The Government of Lebanon, the Government of Israel, and the Government of the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023,' the White House said. Donald Trump was reportedly 'thrilled' by the news of the upcoming hostage release. Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump's Middle East envoy, hailed the work of Qatar and Israel in the talks and said it was 'wonderful' news, adding: 'I talked to the president about it and he was thrilled about it.' According to The Times of Israel, he said that if today's negotiations were an indication of the two sides' ability to overcome 'blips', there is reason to be positive about the ceasefire holding.
