Latest news with #IsraelAttacks
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lebanese president steps up calls for Hezbollah to disarm
By Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stepped up his calls for Hezbollah to disarm on Thursday, suggesting failure to do so would give Israel an excuse to continue attacks and saying the issue would be on the agenda of a cabinet meeting next week. The comments reflect mounting pressure over the issue of Hezbollah's arms, which has loomed over Lebanon since the Iran-aligned group was pummeled in a war with Israel last year. Washington wants Hezbollah disarmed - a demand echoed by the Beirut government as it aims to establish a monopoly on weapons. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Wednesday that calls for its disarmament served only Israel. The Israeli military said in a statement it had on Thursday struck infrastructure used to produce and store weapons in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, as well as in the south of the country, including an explosives manufacturing site it said was used to develop Hezbollah weaponry. Israel killed many Hezbollah commanders and thousands of its fighters last year, while also destroying much of its arsenal. In a speech to army officers, Aoun said the government would next week discuss Lebanon's amendments to a U.S. roadmap to disarm Hezbollah, deemed a terrorist group by Washington. Lebanon's counter proposal demands an immediate halt to Israel's attacks, its withdrawal from positions held in the south, the establishment of state control over all Lebanon and the disarmament of armed groups including Hezbollah, he said. Aoun urged all parties "to seize this historic opportunity ... and push for the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the army and security forces". He said the government would set a timeframe to implement the steps. Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, was the only Lebanese group allowed to keep its weapons at the end of the 1975-90 civil war on the grounds it needed them to fight Israeli troops who occupied the south but withdrew in 2000. Hezbollah's arsenal has long divided Lebanese, with critics saying it has undermined the state and dragged Lebanon into conflicts. Washington has been pushing Lebanon to commit to disarming Hezbollah before talks can resume on halting Israeli military operations, Reuters reported earlier this week. Hezbollah has so far refused, though the group has been considering scaling back its arsenal. 'PRETEXTS FOR AGGRESSION' Addressing Hezbollah and its followers but without naming them, Aoun called on those who "have faced the aggression" to "rely solely on the Lebanese state". "You are too honorable to risk the state-building project, and too noble to provide pretexts for an aggression that wants to continue the war against us," he said. The U.S. proposal delivered in June would require Hezbollah to disarm within four months in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli troops occupying several posts in south Lebanon, and a halt to Israeli air strikes. Hezbollah had already relinquished a number of weapons depots in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army in line with a U.S.-brokered truce designed to end last year's war. Aoun said the proposals to be discussed next week include seeking $1 billion annually for 10 years to support the army and the security forces and plans for an international conference to later in the year to support reconstruction efforts. Solve the daily Crossword
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese President Steps up Calls for Hezbollah to Disarm
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stepped up his calls for Hezbollah to disarm on Thursday, suggesting failure to do so would give Israel an excuse to continue attacks and saying the issue would be on the agenda of a cabinet meeting next week. The comments reflect mounting pressure over the issue of Hezbollah's arms, which has loomed over Lebanon since the Iran-aligned group was pummeled in a war with Israel last year. Washington wants Hezbollah disarmed - a demand echoed by the Beirut government as it aims to establish a monopoly on weapons. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Wednesday that calls for its disarmament served only Israel. The Israeli military said in a statement it had on Thursday struck infrastructure used to produce and store weapons in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, as well as in the south of the country, including an explosives manufacturing site it said was used to develop Hezbollah weaponry. Israel killed many Hezbollah commanders and thousands of its fighters last year, while also destroying much of its arsenal. In a speech to army officers, Aoun said the government would next week discuss Lebanon's amendments to a US roadmap to disarm Hezbollah, deemed a terrorist group by Washington. Lebanon's counter proposal demands an immediate halt to Israel's attacks, its withdrawal from positions held in the south, the establishment of state control over all Lebanon and the disarmament of armed groups including Hezbollah, he said. Aoun urged all parties "to seize this historic opportunity ... and push for the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the army and security forces". He said the government would set a timeframe to implement the steps. Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, was the only Lebanese group allowed to keep its weapons at the end of the 1975-90 civil war on the grounds it needed them to fight Israeli troops who occupied the South but withdrew in 2000. Hezbollah's arsenal has long divided Lebanese, with critics saying it has undermined the state and dragged Lebanon into conflicts. Washington has been pushing Lebanon to commit to disarming Hezbollah before talks can resume on halting Israeli military operations, Reuters reported earlier this week. Hezbollah has so far refused, though the group has been considering scaling back its arsenal. 'PRETEXTS FOR AGGRESSION' Addressing Hezbollah and its followers but without naming them, Aoun called on those who "have faced the aggression" to "rely solely on the Lebanese state". "You are too honorable to risk the state-building project, and too noble to provide pretexts for an aggression that wants to continue the war against us," he said. The US proposal delivered in June would require Hezbollah to disarm within four months in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli troops occupying several posts in south Lebanon, and a halt to Israeli air strikes. Hezbollah had already relinquished a number of weapons depots in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army in line with a US-brokered truce designed to end last year's war. Aoun said the proposals to be discussed next week include seeking $1 billion annually for 10 years to support the army and the security forces and plans for an international conference to later in the year to support reconstruction efforts.
Zawya
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa condemns Israeli attacks on Damascus and its announcement that it will continue to occupy Southern Syria
South Africa strongly condemns Israel's latest attacks on the Syrian capital Damascus, on 16 July 2025, on the Syrian Ministry of Defence and air strikes near the Presidential Palace, which are a flagrant violation of the country's territorial integrity and international law. Israel's announcement on 17 July 2025, that it will continue to occupy Syrian territory south of the capital Damascus is a serious threat to Syria's sovereignty. Israel's redeployment of forces in the Golan Heights, its occupation of Quneitra near the Golan Heights, and its airstrikes on Suwayda, Daraa, and in the centre of Damascus are a military escalation that threatens security and stability in the country and the region. The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has called on Israel to cease any violations of Syria's sovereignty and respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. South Africa concurs with the UN Secretary-General, who also condemned Israel's 'escalatory airstrikes' and called for an immediate de-escalation of violence and measures to facilitate humanitarian access. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
NHK
29-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Iran holds state funeral for those killed in Israeli attacks
Iran's state-run television says Teheran was the site of a state funeral on Saturday for more than 60 people who were killed in recent Israeli attacks that began on June 13. Crowds filled the main square and streets in the capital to mourn the dead, who included high-ranking military figures and nuclear scientists. A large number of national flags were displayed, and many people were holding photos of the victims. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not make an appearance. He is believed to remain under heavy guard since Israel reportedly planned to target him. Some people said they came to the funeral to show the enemy that they are united. Others said they wanted the ceasefire to be observed, but if it is not, stronger retaliation should be carried out.
CNN
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Could The Iran Nuclear Attacks Backfire? - Amanpour - Podcast on CNN Podcasts
Could The Iran Nuclear Attacks Backfire? Amanpour 58 mins The primary goal of Israeli and American attacks on Iran was to remove the country's "existential" nuclear threat. But what if the attacks have the opposite effect, motivating the Iran to pull of the non-proliferation treaty and resume their nuclear program covertly? In parliament, Iranian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. This means that Iran would halt inspections, reporting and oversight activities. Iran always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful. For some perspective, we bring you Christiane's 1995 report on her visit to Iran's earliest nuclear power plant in Bushehr. Also on today's show: Gary Samore, former White House Coordinator for Arms Control; Elaine Sciolino, author of "Adventures in the Louvre"; Mark Henson, Dir. of Federal Advocacy and Government Affairs, The Trevor Project
