Latest news with #MariellaSuccar
LBCI
21-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
No exit until 'Hamas falls': Israel escalates war in Gaza
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar Following the failure of the latest round of negotiations for a hostages swap deal, Israel escalated its military campaign in Gaza. The operation, dubbed "Operation Gideon's Chariots" by the Israeli military, has entered a more violent phase marked by intensified bombing, mass displacement, and attempts to seize as much territory in the Gaza Strip as possible. This escalation comes as Washington and other mediators continue efforts to bridge the gap between Hamas and Israel, but Israeli officials see these efforts as futile. The Israeli army, relying on the deployment of five military divisions and tens of thousands of troops, has begun displacing residents from northern Gaza. According to Israeli statements, the goal is to "clear" the area of Hamas fighters. These operations mirror previous campaigns carried out over the past 18 months of war, none of which have achieved their stated objectives. This time, Tel Aviv's stated goal is clear: not to leave Gaza until Hamas is eliminated, the area is disarmed, and a post-war governance plan is in place. In addition to military force, the Israeli army is reportedly using humanitarian aid access as a weapon of war. Under a policy described as "a one-way ticket," civilians who leave their homes in search of aid from designated centers are not allowed to return, enabling the army to ensure that areas it plans to occupy are emptied of residents. Inside Israel, this military strategy is facing growing internal opposition—especially following the announcement that negotiations have failed, a development seen as abandoning the 58 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Meanwhile, the army is continuing efforts to recruit more reservists in preparation for a long-term occupation of the Gaza Strip, which military planners estimate will take at least two years to establish a governing structure that excludes Hamas.
LBCI
05-05-2025
- Business
- LBCI
IMF awaits action: Lebanon urged to pass banking, fiscal reform bills
Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Mariella Succar A large delegation from the International Monetary Fund is expected to arrive in Lebanon later this month to begin discussions on the country's stalled financial reforms. On one front, Parliament is reviewing a draft law on banking sector restructuring. On the other hand, the government is working on a financial gap law to identify losses and assign responsibility. Observers following the talks say Lebanon must pass both laws by July at the latest, as the IMF's fall meetings are scheduled for October. The official Lebanese delegation is expected to present these two laws during the sessions. According to information obtained by LBCI, the Central Bank, under the guidance of Governor Karim Souaid, has begun drafting the financial gap law. Recent amendments to Lebanon's banking secrecy law have granted the Central Bank access to bank accounts and the holdings of major depositors, enabling it to obtain key financial data. These steps are essential to defining the scope of restructuring, calculating the financial gap, assigning responsibility, and determining how to recover deposits. The Finance and Budget Committee, headed by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, is set to accelerate discussions on the restructuring law in preparation for joint committee review and a general vote. The draft will serve as a basis for gathering feedback from all relevant stakeholders—including the banks. Sources indicated that neither local nor international backers of the reform will accept legislation that goes against their interests. This also applies to the financial gap law. Lebanon can no longer afford delays in passing these two bills, which are seen as prerequisites for reviving the banking sector. If approved, the laws could help the sector attract investment, draw cash currently held outside the banking system, and curb the cash economy. However, banking sources said that lenders have yet to be consulted on the financial gap legislation. Questions remain about whether the restructuring and financial gap laws will be merged or kept as separate pieces of legislation.
LBCI
02-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Israel's airstrikes in Syria: Protecting Druze or expanding territory?
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar Israel has maintained the pretext of defending Syria's Druze community as justification for its airstrikes and expansion on Syrian territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have stated that the targeting of a military position near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus was a warning to President Ahmed al-Sharaa to prevent further attacks on Druze communities. Meanwhile, security and military officials have called for a clear strategy regarding Syria. Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered the reinforcement of southern areas with additional military forces, announcing that the army is deployed and prepared for both attack and defense. Security sources have revealed that Israel plans to seize control of Druze villages in southern Syria and annex them to Israel, similar to the annexation of the Golan Heights. The idea of granting the Druze equal rights as Israeli Druze is still a topic of debate, while some have argued for intensifying strikes on Syria, even suggesting the assassination of President Al-Sharaa. On the Druze front within Israel, several protests and road closures have taken place in areas with a significant Druze population, particularly among those serving in the Israeli military. Druze soldiers have threatened to enter Syria to defend their co-religionists if Israel does not act. Some argue that Israel's actions in Syria are not genuinely aimed at protecting the Druze and have sent messages to Netanyahu and decision-makers to reconsider their approach. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Druze soldiers in the Israeli army are organizing a special unit to enter Syria for the protection of the Druze community. Israel has also opened its borders to facilitate the transfer of wounded Syrian Druze, with five injured individuals arriving at Ziv Hospital in Safed for treatment on Thursday evening. The Druze leadership in Israel, along with its spiritual leader Muwaffaq Tarif, is coordinating military efforts inside Syria with Israeli political and military leadership. This comes amid heightened threats from decision-makers to expand the army's presence and establish a larger security zone in Syria, with no clear timeline for withdrawal.
LBCI
02-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Syria caught between Israeli airstrikes and US demands amid escalating internal unrest
Report by Petra Abou Haidar, English adaptation by Mariella Succar The Israeli strike early Friday near the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus is being seen as a clear escalation in regional tensions. The strike was not merely a military operation but is being interpreted as one of several political messages directed at the Syrian government by Israel, backed by the United States. Although tensions had eased late Thursday in Suwayda province villages and Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya in the Damascus countryside following meetings between Druze community representatives and Syrian officials, the calm did not last long. Clashes erupted in several Druze-majority villages near the Syrian-Jordanian border after armed militants attempted to infiltrate the area and targeted it with mortar shells and heavy machine gun fire. Syrian forces responded by deploying reinforcements between Suwayda and Daraa. The Israeli airstrike near the Syrian Presidential Palace further escalated the situation. It was coupled with a warning from Israel that it would not tolerate threats to the Druze community or the deployment of Syrian forces south of Damascus. Analysts believe the United States is closely aligned with Israel's approach as the situation evolves. Washington is pressuring President Ahmed al-Sharaa's administration to meet a series of demands as a condition for opening the door to normalized relations and the potential partial lifting of U.S. sanctions. These demands include the destruction of any remaining stockpiles of chemical weapons, the expulsion of foreign fighters from the country and preventing them from holding leadership roles in government, the appointment of a liaison officer to assist in locating missing American journalist Austin Tice, and granting the United States permission to carry out 'counterterrorism strikes.' Faced with these pressures, Al-Sharaa finds himself in a difficult position—caught between the heavy demands of the United States and significant internal challenges, including sectarian violence and questions of local legitimacy.
LBCI
28-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
After Beirut's southern suburbs strike, Israel weighs new strategy to contain Hezbollah threat
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar The Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday has heightened fears in Israel of a potential Hezbollah retaliation, according to Israeli assessments. Military officials warned against downplaying the reactions that followed the operation, which coincided with the Israeli army reinforcing its deployment along the border and in nearby towns while stepping up surveillance of Lebanon under the pretext of preventing Hezbollah from strengthening its military capabilities. In a cabinet evaluation session held after Sunday's operation, decision-makers praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats against Hezbollah and his statements about ensuring the return of northern residents to their towns. Meanwhile, some sources claimed that Iran continues its efforts to support and reorganize Hezbollah. Northern residents, for their part, resumed protests against the army and government decision-makers, while security and political officials argued that Israel must revise its strategy to solidify its status as the regional power capable of managing multiple fronts according to its own policy. In light of renewed calls to prioritize the northern front, a policy paper was presented to decision-makers proposing several steps. The paper emphasized the need to urge Washington to accelerate the full deployment of the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon as a necessary step before Israel withdraws from the five strategic points it has occupied. It also called for ensuring Israel's continued freedom of action against what Israeli officials described as "existing and evolving threats." Additionally, the paper recommended securing a permanent border demarcation as part of a comprehensive agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv, which would include the disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for Israeli concessions related to disputed border areas. Former National Security Council member Orna Mizrahi noted that the Lebanese government's limited ability to meet all of these demands requires Israel to pursue these goals gradually and in full coordination with the United States.
