Latest news with #AkramChehayeb
LBCI
4 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Military plan to be activated: Occupation of Gaza by Israel set to move forward
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Akram Chehayeb Israeli military and security institutions have failed to convince the political establishment to reverse the decision to occupy Gaza, as the army submitted to the demand to prepare a military plan and present it to the Cabinet within a few days. According to the Cabinet's demands, the plan faces two main challenges: ensuring the lives of living hostages and minimizing Israel's international standing. However, the Israeli army acknowledges that these demands cannot be fulfilled. The first phase of the plan includes recruiting at least 250,000 soldiers out of a total of 450,000. This is the first aspect that the army has not yet been able to implement. Next is to train and prepare the army to carry out large-scale military operations focused on Gaza City and the central camps, with the aim of closing access and supply routes, cutting off the city from its surroundings, and weakening Hamas forces from within. Another integral part of the plan is the establishment of protected humanitarian zones for the civilian population, in which 12 centralized food stations will be set up to distribute aid under Israeli supervision. At the same time, while there has been no breakthrough in the prisoner deal and no Israeli vision for the day after the war, behind-the-scenes moves are underway to appoint a Palestinian Authority governor of the Gaza Strip, Samir Hulileh, the former Secretary-General of the Palestinian government, who has expressed his agreement to the initiative. These moves are led by an Israeli-Canadian named Ari Ben-Menashe, who is registered in America as a "lobbyist" and aims to make the appointment under the auspices of the Arab League acceptable to Israel and the United States, and ultimately allow for a "day after" the war in terms of controlling Gaza. The plan includes the deployment of American and Arab troops in the Gaza Strip, recognition by the United Nations of the Strip's special status, leasing land from Egypt for an airport and seaport in Sinai, and obtaining rights to drill for gas off the coast of Gaza, among other things. Hulileh was quoted as saying that the first necessary step is for the parties to commit to a permanent ceasefire and end the war.
LBCI
02-08-2025
- Business
- LBCI
As fuel tax stalls, Lebanon hunts for new ways to pay military and security personnel
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Akram Chehayeb Before August 15, and possibly within a few days, Lebanon's Ministry of Finance will pay the approved grant for July to both active and retired military and security personnel, once it receives the payroll lists from the army command and security institutions. This grant, which amounts to approximately $30 million per month, was funded through the fuel tax approved by the government before the State Shura Council suspended its implementation a month after its approval. An active-duty soldier will receive 14 million Lebanese lira, while a retiree will receive 12 million. The number of active military personnel stands at 120,000, with retirees totaling around 82,000. The State Shura Council's decision canceled the tax, but the increase was not canceled. Therefore, the Ministry of Finance is facing a challenge in terms of securing alternative sources of funding to continue paying, and here lies the issue. The Ministry of Finance has pledged not to spend a single lira without guaranteed revenue. The ministry is committed to following the International Monetary Fund's advice, fearing that any wrong decision could jeopardize the signing of an agreement with the IMF. But what funding sources are available? Some propose increasing a specific tax on gasoline only, excluding diesel, especially since gasoline is not used by everyone. This tax hike does not require approval from parliament, but some MPs might oppose the measure. Alternative solutions include improving tax collection, encouraging tax compliance, and boosting revenue from customs and coastal property, which could provide alternative funding sources. The most important thing is to move away from relying on consumption taxes and instead adopt permanent and sustainable financing plans.
LBCI
23-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Israel speaks on Hezbollah's disarmament: Tom Barrack's approach sparks controversy
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Akram Chehayeb A soft tone won't lead to a resolution on disarming Hezbollah — that's how Israeli officials described the approach of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack in addressing Hezbollah's weapons in Lebanon. They viewed his recent statements as a retreat from the previously firm U.S. stance supporting Israel's demand for Hezbollah's disarmament. According to Israeli assessments, Hezbollah is not only rebuilding its military capabilities at a rapid pace but is also preparing for future confrontations with Israel and working to strengthen its foothold in Syria. These conclusions have prompted both the Israeli security and military establishments to propose a new plan aimed at redrawing borders and expanding Israeli control up to the Litani River. In Tel Aviv, Barrack's remarks were viewed as an implicit acknowledgement of Hezbollah as a legitimate political actor with a potential future role in Lebanon. The statements sparked speculation about renewed escalation and the possibility of an imminent confrontation — with some warning of a potential "Fourth Lebanon War." On the ground, the Israeli military announced it will continue targeting "all movements and attempts to violate the ceasefire, as it described them." The army also said it will maintain its presence in five Israeli-occupied positions of southern Lebanon, with units deployed along the border to monitor activity by land and sea.
