TEHRAN: Iran was to impose a nightly curfew on Tuesday on businesses in Tehran and other big cities and towns while Lebanon was preparing for a two-week nationwide lockdown later this week as both countries battle a major surge in coronavirus infections.
Restaurants and nonessential businesses in Tehran and 30 other cities were ordered to close at 6 p.m. for one month, to keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and to slow the worsening outbreak, which has killed more than 39,000 — the highest toll in the Middle East. Iran has set single-day death records 10 times over the past month, a sign of how quickly the virus is spreading.
The announcement of new limits on Tehran’s bustling cafes and shops, the strictest since a brief nationwide business shutdown in April, reflects the growing sense of urgency among officials. In a first, Iranians’ phones lit up on Monday with a personal appeal from Saeed Namaki, the health minister.
“Do not leave your house for as long as you can and stay away from any crowded places,” his text read. “Coronavirus is no joke.”
Yet in the face of a steep economic decline, Iran continues to avoid a tougher lockdown. The country is already squeezed by unprecedented American sanctions reimposed in 2018 when the Trump administration withdrew from Tehran’s nuclear accord with world powers. Iran’s currency has plunged to new lows in recent weeks, hurting millions of destitute citizens.
Authorities may introduce other targeted measures, like a nighttime ban on through traffic on streets to keep Iranians from going to parties, Tehran Governor Anoushiravan Bandpay said.
As Iran’s infection rate soars and strains hospitals, the debate over the government’s response to the virus has grown heated. Medical officials this week lambasted the government’s refusal to shut down the hard-hit capital, which they say is the only hope for containing the virus’ spread.
“The lack of a lockdown in Tehran is a disaster,” said Mino Mohraz, a member of the country’s coronavirus task force, according to local media.
“Usually countries that do not listen to health officials face problems,” she added. “A good example is the United States.”
Hosseinali Shahriari, who heads a parliamentary health committee, sent a letter Tuesday to President Hassan Rouhani demanding that he impose a centralized lockdown up to 30 days in all provincial capitals, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
In Lebanon, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the lockdown will begin on Saturday and last until the end of the month.
Lebanon has broken daily records in recent weeks, straining the country’s medical sector where intensive care units are almost full and cannot take more cases. The World Health Organization says 1,527 health workers have tested positive since the first case was reported in Lebanon in late February.
The Lebanese announcement came despite harsh criticism by business sectors that have been suffering for more than a year as the country passes through its worst economic and financial crisis.
The head of Lebanon workers union, Bechara el Asmar, warned on Monday the effects of a complete lockdown “will be catastrophic for workers and economic activities.” Daily laborers cannot afford to stay at home, he said.
Aya Majzoub of the Human Rights Watch said the crisis has thrown more Lebanese below the poverty line, adding that the government is obliged to ensure that everyone has adequate food, water, health care, and other basic needs, “including when the population is subject to stay-at-home orders.”
Tiny Lebanon has registered 95,355 cases and 732 deaths of the virus but the real numbers are believed to be much higher. Those numbers began rising quickly following a massive Aug. 4, blast at Beirut’s port that killed and wounded many and caused damage worth billions of dollars.
Many intensive care units meant for coronavirus cases have been used to treat thousands of injured in the port explosion.
“We have reached a very critical period regarding the spread of the virus and we are left with no other alternatives,” Diab said, suggesting the lockdown could be extend. “”We are worried that we might reach a point where people die in the streets with no places available at hospitals.”
Over the past weeks, dozens of Lebanese towns of villages were locked down but the move did not stop the virus. Some sectors have been exempted, including flour mills, bakeries, banks and clinics.
Meanwhile, virus cases continue to climb in Sudan, where on Tuesday the health ministry announced that Acting Health Minister Ossama Abdel-Rahim, along with two other senior health officials, had contracted COVID-19 and were experiencing symptoms. They’re the latest government officials to be infected in the East African country, which has reporteded some 14,000 cases, although testing remains limited.
Iran, Lebanon to impose lockdowns, curfews as virus surges
https://arab.news/yd2qj
Iran, Lebanon to impose lockdowns, curfews as virus surges
- Restaurants and nonessential businesses in Tehran and 30 other cities were ordered to close at 6 p.m. for one month
Europe’s tough talk on Gaza belies its thirst for Israeli weapons
- Israeli defense ministry figures show exports of weapons to Europe surged in 2024
- European leaders have voiced growing anger over Gaza atrocities and threatened sanctions
LONDON: European leaders may recently have taken a tougher stance against Israel over the devastating Gaza war, but that is not reflected in their desire for Israeli weapons.
Israel’s arms exports increased by 13 percent in 2024 to a record $14.8 billion, an increase largely attributed to growing demand in Europe, according to Israel’s defense ministry figures released Wednesday.
Europe was the largest buyer, making up 54 percent of sales, a sharp increase from a 35 percent share in 2023.
Israel is among the top 10 largest arms exporters in the world and while it is dwarfed by the United States in terms of volume, its defense industry is one of the most technologically advanced.
European countries have increased defense spending to counter the threat from Russia and after pressure from the Trump administration to provide a greater contribution to the NATO alliance.
The figures show European demand has become a key new market for Israel, but there are signs that increasing opposition from countries like the UK, France, Germany and Italy to the Gaza war are affecting sales.
On Tuesday, Spain canceled a $325 million deal for anti-tank missile systems that were to be built by a subsidiary of an Israeli company. A government spokesperson said: “The goal is clear … a total disconnection from Israeli technology.”
Israel’s largest foreign defense deal was signed in September 2024 — to build an Arrow missile defense system for Germany at the cost of $4.3 billion. The system is expected to be delivered this year.
Yet even Germany, traditionally one of Israel’s closest allies, has started to condemn Israel’s Gaza operation, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying it “can no longer be justified.”
Israeli defense ministry officials are concerned that European countries may cancel further contracts or impose sanctions on Israeli defense companies, The Times of Israel reported.
Last month, the UK, France and Canada threatened “concrete actions” against Israel if it did not halt its military operation in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the territory.
The UK also paused negotiations on a free trade agreement with Israel.
The shift in stance from countries that were previously among Israel’s staunchest supporters came after Israel imposed a two-month blockade on food and humanitarian aid to Gaza’s desperate population and ramped up its military operation in the territory.
The killing of dozens of Palestinians congregating to access food aid from a controversial new distribution system has led to further rounds of strongly worded condemnation from European and global leaders.
The defense ministry export figures show that since the war started in October 2023, Israel has managed to continue growing its arms industry while at the same time carrying out operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria.
The numbers show the next biggest market for arms exports was the Asia-Pacific region with 23 per cent of the purchases. Arab countries that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords made up 12 percent.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the all-time record in defense exports were the “direct result” of the military campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.
“The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner to it,” Katz added.
The ministry said that nearly half the deals were for air defense systems, missiles, and rockets, an increase of 12 percent from 2023.
About 9 percent of the sales were for vehicles, while satellite and space systems, electronic warfare systems, and manned aircraft and avionics, amounted to 8 percent each.
More than half of the deals were worth more than $100 million each.
Europe’s governments have also faced pressure to cut back arms sales to Israel
Israel’s military exports are dwarfed by the military aid it receives from the US, which was estimated at nearly $18 billion for the 12 months after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack.
During the attack, 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages seized. Israel’s resulting military operation in Gaza has killed more than 54,000 people, mostly women and children, and sparked a humanitarian disaster.
Lebanese interior minister vows high levels of cooperation with UNIFIL
- UN chief appoints new head of mission for peacekeeping force
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar emphasized his country’s commitment to cooperating with the UN peacekeeping mission, particularly “during this critical phase.”
Hajjar’s comments were made during a meeting with Gen. Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, the head of mission and force commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL.
In a significant development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday named Maj. Gen. Diodato Abagnara to succeed Lazaro.
Guterres expressed his gratitude to Lazaro for his dedication and leadership of UNIFIL during a particularly challenging period the mission has faced.
Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the number of UNIFIL troops was increased from 200 to 15,000 following the 2006 war.
The number of peacekeepers was eventually reduced to 10,058, made up of troops from 50 countries.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate on Aug. 31, amid increasing calls to restructure the peacekeepers’ role and responsibilities to better align with the current situation in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement.
During the conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, which lasted from October 2023 until a ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2024, UNIFIL faced a series of targeted attacks from Israel. The Israeli government accused UNIFIL of “failing to carry out its duties in the area of deployment.”
UNIFIL also came under Hezbollah fire during the Israeli ground offensive.
Incidents of UNIFIL patrols being intercepted and even attacked by residents in towns within their area of deployment increased.
These incidents occurred under the pretext that the forces were “not accompanied by the Lebanese Army,” despite UNIFIL’s assertion that “all its patrols are coordinated with the army.” Additionally, Hezbollah seemed to have a role in these civilian interceptions.
During his meeting with Lazaro, Hajjar reaffirmed the ongoing cooperation between the Lebanese state and the international forces stationed south of the Litani River in implementing Resolution 1701 in all its provisions.
Hajjar during the meeting underlined Lebanon’s commitment to the highest levels of cooperation with the mission.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, several Israeli army Hummer vehicles advanced toward the orchards of Al-Wazzani town, where they remained for some time before withdrawing. Later, the Israeli forces launched seven mortar shells at the western outskirts of Al-Wazzani.
Specialized units of the Lebanese army moved and detonated a missile left behind by previous Israeli air raids in the Marjayoun region of southern Lebanon.
Syria seizes weapons, missiles bound for Lebanon
- Officials in Al-Qusayr find items hidden in vegetable crates on truck
- Operation came after ‘meticulous’ planning, interior ministry says
BEIRUT: Syrian officials seized a shipment of weapons and ammunition, including guided anti-tank missiles, as they were being smuggled into Lebanese territory, the Ministry of Interior said on Thursday.
The haul, which was concealed inside a truck, was confiscated by officials from the Directorate of Internal Security in Al-Qusayr. The city is about 15 km from the Lebanese border, opposite the northern Bekaa villages which are a Hezbollah stronghold.
The operation was carried out “after meticulous monitoring and carefully choosing the right time and place,” the ministry said.
Images it published showed large quantities of crates that had been used to conceal the illicit cargo. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and the ammunition and weapons confiscated.
“Syrian authorities have intensified their security efforts in recent weeks, successfully combating weapons smuggling across the border, especially in areas close to Lebanon,” the ministry said.
“Significant quantities of light and medium weapons were seized in Al-Qusayr, some of which had been buried in farms and agricultural fields. A shipment of Grad missiles intended for smuggling out of the country was also confiscated.”
It said also that the Directorate of Internal Security in Nawa, located in the Daraa countryside, had “carried out a raid during which a quantity of light and medium weapons was seized and individuals involved in storage and smuggling were arrested.”
Last week, officials from the Syrian and Lebanese sides met in Damascus to discuss measures agreed on in earlier talks to curb smuggling along the border between the two countries.
Al-Qusayr served as Hezbollah’s military headquarters during its 2013 intervention in the Syrian war, after its residents were forced to flee to Lebanon.
Israeli court sentences widow of Walid Daqqa to house arrest
- Sanaa Salameh Daqqa accused of online incitement
- Walid Daqaa died in Israeli custody last year
LONDON: Sanaa Salameh Daqqa, the widow of Palestinian political prisoner Walid Daqaa who died in custody last year, has been sentenced to 10 days’ house arrest by an Israeli court in Hadera.
Daqqa, who lives in the Israeli village of Baqa al-Gharbiyye, was arrested in occupied East Jerusalem last week on a charge of online incitement following a demand by Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir for her to be deported.
The court on Thursday sentenced her to 10 days of house arrest at her mother’s home in Tira and imposed a travel ban and bail of 20,000 shekels ($5,700), the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
However, Sanaa remains in custody, as Israeli police are expected on Friday to appeal the court’s decision to release her.
Walid Daqaa died in Israeli custody in April 2024 after spending 38 years in custody. His body remains held by Israeli authorities.
International community has duty to help achieve a Palestinian state, UN chief tells Arab News
- Antonio Guterres’ comments come ahead of a global summit this month, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, on the implementation of a 2-state solution
- The alternative, a single-state solution in which Palestinians are expelled or forced to live on their land without rights ‘would be totally unacceptable,’ he says
- Guterres also pays tribute to 168 UN workers killed in action in 2024, including 126 UNRWA employees, describing it as the deadliest year for UN personnel
NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday told Arab News that the international community has a duty to do everything in its power to pursue a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and to bring about the conditions that can make it happen.
“It is absolutely essential to keep alive the two-state solution perspective, with all the terrible things we are witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank,” he said.
“And for those who have doubts about the two-state solution, I ask what is the alternative? Is it a one-state solution in which either the Palestinians are expelled or the Palestinians will be forced to live on their land without rights? That would be totally unacceptable.
“I firmly believe that it is the duty of the international community to do everything to keep the two-state solution alive and then to materialize the conditions to make it happen.”
His comments came as Saudi Arabia and France prepare to co-chair a global conference this month in an attempt to hasten the implementation of a two-state solution and end decades of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
The effort gained further international support this week amid worsening conditions in Gaza as a result of Israel’s continuing intensification of military operations following the collapse in March of a previous ceasefire agreement with Hamas, and its decision to block humanitarian aid from entering the territory.
These actions have resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths, the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, further mass displacements, and severe risk of famine, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, an initiative that aims to improve food security analysis and decision-making.
The devastating toll of Israel’s resumed assault on Gaza has sparked international anger, and Arab representatives have said the upcoming conference must look beyond mere diplomacy and deliver tangible steps on a path toward peace.
Speaking at a meeting of the UN General Assembly this month in preparation for the forum, Saudi Arabia said official recognition of the State of Palestine was a “strategic necessity” as “the cornerstone of a new regional order based on mutual recognition and coexistence.”
It added: “Regional peace begins with recognizing the State of Palestine, not as a symbolic gesture but as a strategic necessity.”
The high-level conference, scheduled to take place from June 17 to 20 at the UN headquarters in New York, aims to urgently adopt concrete measures to achieve the implementation of a two-state solution.
Palestine is officially recognized by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states and has held the status of nonmember observer state within the organization since 2012, but has not been granted full membership.
More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israeli authorities unleashed its military operations in Gaza following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel in October 2023.
On Wednesday, Guterres led a solemn tribute to 168 UN workers killed during 2024, describing the ceremony as not only a moment of mourning but a call for global reflection on the dangers faced by humanitarian workers. Of those who were honored, 126 were killed in Gaza and all but one of them served with the UN Relief and Works Agency.
Guterres said 2024 was the deadliest year for UN staff in the organization’s history and added: “More than one in every 50 UNRWA staff in Gaza has been killed in this atrocious conflict. Some were killed delivering life-saving aid, others alongside their families, and others while shielding the vulnerable.”
Families of the fallen were present at the annual memorial ceremony, during which Guterres described those who lost their lives as “extraordinary individuals, each one a story of courage, compassion and service.”
He emphasized the enduring commitment of UN workers despite growing global instability and said: “They do not seek recognition. They seek to make a difference. When conflict erupts, they work for peace. When rights are violated, they speak out.”
Guterres condemned the targeting of humanitarian workers and civilians in conflict zones and warned against what he called a growing tolerance for impunity.
“We will not accept the killing of UN personnel, of humanitarians, journalists, medical workers, or civilians as the new normal,” he said. “There must be no room for impunity.”
Despite increasing criticism of international institutions and growing shortfalls in funding for aid, Guterres said the dedication of UN staff remains unwavering.
“In a world where cooperation is under strain, we must remember the example set by our fallen colleagues,” he added.
He pledged to uphold the core values of the UN, stating: “We will not waver in our principles. We will not abandon our values. And we will never, ever give up.”
