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CTV News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
U.S. envoy to discuss long-term ceasefire with Israel after Lebanon commits to disarming Hezbollah
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, speaks during a press conference after his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) BEIRUT — The U.S. special envoy to Lebanon said Monday that his team would discuss the long-term cessation of hostilities with Israel, after Beirut endorsed a U.S.-backed plan for the Hezbollah militant group to disarm. Tom Barrack, following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, also said Washington would seek an economic proposal for post-war reconstruction in the country, after months of shuttle diplomacy between the U.S. and Lebanon. Barrack is also set to meet with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri, who often negotiates on behalf of Hezbollah with Washington. 'I think the Lebanese government has done their part. They've taken the first step,' said Barrack, who is also the U.S. ambassador to Turkey. 'Now what we need is for Israel to comply with that equal handshake.' Lebanon's decision last week to support a plan to disarm Hezbollah angered the Iran-backed group and its allies, who believe Israel's military should first withdraw from the five hilltops it has occupied in southern Lebanon since the end of its 14-month war with Hezbollah last November and stop launching almost daily airstrikes in the country. Naim Kassem, Hezbollah's secretary-general, has vowed to fight efforts to disarm the group, sowing fears of civil unrest in the country. Barrack warned Hezbollah that it will have 'missed an opportunity' if it doesn't back the calls for it to disarm. Aoun and Salam both want to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups, and have demanded Israel halt its attacks and withdraw from the country. Aoun said he wants to increase funding for Lebanon's cash-strapped military to bolster its capacity. He also wants to raise money from international donors to help rebuild the country. The World Bank estimates that Hezbollah and Israel's monthslong war in late 2024 cost US$11.1 billion in damages and economic losses as larges swaths of southern and eastern Lebanon were battered. The country has also faced a crippling economic crisis since 2019. Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press
LBCI
27-05-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Soaring war costs: Israel's mass reserve call-up deepens hostage crisis, sparks economic concerns
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Israel's approval of the enlistment of 450,000 reservists for a three-month deployment to achieve its objectives in the Al-Aqsa Flood war has heightened tensions, particularly among families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The move has prompted many of them to bypass the Israeli government and directly engage with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler, both of whom have reiterated that progress in negotiations is still possible in the coming days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially suggested a deal to secure the release of hostages would be completed within two days, only to walk back later in his statement, blaming Hamas for rejecting the proposal presented by Witkoff. However, sources familiar with the negotiations have indicated that the main obstacle remains Hamas' demand for guarantees to end the war—something Israel has yet to commit to. As the stalemate continues, the fate of 59 hostages, including 20 confirmed to be alive in Gaza, remains uncertain. Their families and numerous activists have intensified calls for an immediate halt to the war, citing both humanitarian concerns and the enormous financial burden of the ongoing military campaign. According to reports, the cost of the "Gideon Chariots" operation has reached approximately $5 billion. The new mass reserve mobilization is expected to add over $9 billion in expenses, raising alarm about the war's impact on Israel's already strained economy. Critics have accused the Netanyahu government of using massive defense spending as a political tool to maintain its hold on power. Further straining resources, Israel has decided to reopen a detention facility in the country's north—originally used to hold Lebanese detainees during the last war—in preparation for processing potentially hundreds of new Palestinian prisoners expected to be captured during the expanded military operation.
