Jerusalem: The United States urged its ally Israel to avoid Gaza-like military action in Lebanon, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it could face “destruction” like the Palestinian territory.
Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, vowed to keep bombing Hezbollah targets, a campaign that has killed more than 1,200 people since September 23, “without allowing them any respite or recovery.”
The comments came after a phone call between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, their first in seven weeks. The White House said Biden told Netanyahu to “minimize harm” to civilians in Lebanon, particularly in “densely populated areas of Beirut.”
“There should be no kind of military action in Lebanon that looks anything like Gaza and leaves a result anything like Gaza,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Netanyahu said in a video address to the people of Lebanon on Tuesday: “You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza.”
He added: “Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end.”
Biden and Netanyahu’s call had been expected to focus on Israel’s response to last week’s missile barrage by Iran.
Iran fired about 200 missiles at Israel in what it said was retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Most were intercepted by Israel or its allies.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: “Our attack on Iran will be deadly, precise and surprising. They will not understand what happened and how it happened.”
Biden has cautioned Israel against attempting to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, which would risk major retaliation, and opposes striking oil installations.
A Lebanese government source told AFP that Hezbollah had accepted a ceasefire with Israel on September 27, the day Israel killed Nasrallah.
But they said Israel’s response had torpedoed the plan, backed by Washington and its allies, and the Lebanese government had “had no contact with Hezbollah” since his death.
Hezbollah said its fighters were locked in clashes with Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, using rocket-propelled weapons to repel attempts to breach the border.
Two people were killed by suspected Hezbollah rocket fire in the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, while Israel intercepted two projectiles fired toward the coastal town of Caesarea, officials said.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least four people were killed in an Israeli strike on a village southeast of Beirut, an area so far largely spared from Israeli bombing.
Lebanon’s state civil defense body said an Israeli strike killed five of its personnel in the southern village of Derdghaiya.
Israel has intensified air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon since September 23, uprooting more than a million people, according to an AFP tally of official figures.
Its ground forces crossed into Lebanon on September 30 in response to Hezbollah rocket and artillery attacks over the past year that have forced tens of thousands of Israelis from their homes.
Israel’s military said Wednesday its troops “eliminated terrorists during close-quarter encounters and in aerial strikes” over the previous 24 hours, adding “100 Hezbollah terror targets were destroyed.”
Israeli operations have expanded from border areas in the interior to the southern section of Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast.
According to a toll from the Israeli army on Wednesday, 13 of its soldiers have died since ground operations inside Lebanon began.
Syrian state media reported an Israeli attack Thursday on the central provinces of Homs and Hama.
Off the coast of Yemen, a ship was struck and damaged by an “unknown projectile,” a British maritime agency said, following months of attacks by Hezbollah and Hamas allies, the Houthis.
Israel expanded an ongoing military operation around Jabalia in northern Gaza, where about 400,000 people are trapped, according to Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Lazzarini said on X there was “no end to hell” in the area and that “recent evacuation orders from the Israeli authorities are forcing people to flee again & again.”
The army surrounded Jabalia and its refugee camp at the weekend and shelled it on Wednesday, preventing the delivery of aid, Gaza’s civil defense agency said.
Washington said it was “incredibly concerned” about the humanitarian situation in north Gaza as Israel tightens its siege.
“We have been making clear to the government of Israel that they have an obligation under international humanitarian law to allow food and water and other needed humanitarian assistance to make it into all parts of Gaza,” said the State Department’s Miller.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 42,010 people in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry that the United Nations has described as reliable.
Israeli police said at least six people were wounded Wednesday, some seriously, in a stabbing rampage in the central Israeli town of Hadera.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli border police killed at least four Palestinians in the northern city of Nablus, Palestinian health authorities and Israeli security forces said.
In Beirut, many people are sleeping out in the streets after Israeli air strikes.
Ahmad, a 77-year-old who did not want to give his family name for fear of reprisals, said he had a message for Hezbollah.
“If you can’t continue to fight, announce you are withdrawing and that you have lost. There is no shame in losing,” he said.
But Raed Ayyash, a displaced man from the south of the country, said he hoped Hezbollah would keep fighting.
“We hope for victory, and we will never give up.”
US warns Israel not to repeat Gaza destruction in Lebanon
https://arab.news/9nmzh
US warns Israel not to repeat Gaza destruction in Lebanon
- Biden and Netanyahu’s call had been expected to focus on Israel’s response to last week’s missile barrage by Iran
Bahrain set to launch first locally developed satellite
- Project spearheaded by National Space Science Agency
MANAMA: Bahrain is set to launch Al-Munther on Saturday, its first domestically designed and developed satellite.
The project is spearheaded by the National Space Science Agency and marks a milestone for Bahrain’s space ambitions.
The craft, a 3U CubeSat, is the first satellite in the region to integrate artificial intelligence for onboard image processing, setting a new benchmark for technological innovation.
Equipped with advanced payloads, it features an Earth observation camera, a cybersecurity system, and a unique broadcast function that will transmit Bahrain’s national anthem and a message from King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa from space.
The satellite will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 550 km and is expected to have a two-year lifespan.
It is scheduled for launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex in California.
Al-Munther, which means herald or messenger, symbolizes Bahrain’s forward-looking vision and commitment to innovation, and highlights its dedication to building a sustainable space infrastructure, fostering research and development, and inspiring future generations to pursue advancements in science and technology.
Lebanon pushes social safety net plan
- Protecting the poor is essential for civic stability, prime minister tells major dialogue
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Friday the government’s top priority is to restore confidence in the country by prioritizing social policies and economic reforms.
The remarks came at an expanded meeting at the Grand Serail, Salam’s official residence, on social safety nets in Lebanon, under the theme “The Next Phase of Reform.”
The event, organized by Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed, drew numerous diplomats and officials from UN-affiliated agencies.
Salam underscored Lebanon’s profound ongoing social crisis, saying stability could not be maintained without addressing social issues.
He said poverty rates were already high before the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah, reaching a nationwide 44 percent.
Young children are the most vulnerable, with their poverty rates surging to unprecedented levels.
The prime minister added that food insecurity and limited access to healthcare remain significant risks.
In a statement, his government committed to establishing a comprehensive social protection system and to increase social spending.
According to the proposals, the government — through the Ministry of Social Affairs — will implement the National Social Protection Strategy. This involves strengthening social safety nets, including for those in poverty and needing disability support programs.
The government said it aims to ensure adequate healthcare coverage for the most vulnerable through primary healthcare centers, secure the minimum educational requirements for children and adolescents in public schools and vocational institutions, and support the poor in integrating into the labor market through economic inclusion programs.
Salam, who previously pledged that his government was committed to implementing reforms, reiterated on Friday his desire first to enact change in the National Social Security Fund.
“We are committed to ensuring the highest levels of transparency and accountability in our programs,” he said.
Currently, social assistance covers only 55 percent of Lebanon’s poor.
Approximately 800,000 Lebanese, or 166,000 families, receive support through the Aman program.
Around 20,000 people with disabilities benefit from a cash allowance program, and approximately 170,000 people receive emergency cash assistance.
Social Affairs Minister Sayed stated that her ministry aims to “expand direct cash support, strengthen ties with social services, build institutional capacity and infrastructure, and enhance coordination and system alignment.”
She added: “Due to the rising poverty rates following the recent war, the poor are facing severe food insecurity, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare.
“Children under the age of 5 are at the greatest risk, suffering from alarmingly high poverty rates and receiving the least coverage through social safety nets.”
Under the slogan “The government’s commitment to increasing social protection spending from the state budget,” Sayyed announced the launch of the reform workshop in collaboration with the prime minister’s office.
Her ministry will also activate the Social Safety Net Task Force to enhance collaboration among ministries and partners, improve internal systems, and upgrade development service centers.
It will also propose a Social Safety Nets Law to ensure the long-term viability of the reform efforts.
In a related move, Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine introduced the “Aqwa” program (Arabic for “stronger”) in collaboration with UNICEF.
This program aims to provide support and care for children who were injured during the recent war in southern Lebanon.
It will be implemented in partnership with the International Network for Aid Relief and Assistance and the Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund.
According to the Health Ministry, around 1,500 children have sustained severe and moderate injuries, many of whom require reconstructive surgeries and ongoing mental healthcare.
Nasreddine emphasized the immense suffering of these children, highlighting both the number and the severity of their injuries.
He underscored that the launch of the program is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding everything that the war has destroyed, both in terms of infrastructure and human lives.
“The program goes beyond traditional surgical interventions to encompass mental health services, physical therapy, and reconstructive surgeries, among other critical care for children under 18,” he added.
At the end of last February, UNICEF released a report revealing the devastating impact of the recent war on children, which affected almost every aspect of their lives. Many urgently require support to heal, rebuild their lives, and cope with the lasting effects of this conflict, the UN body said.
White House says Hamas making ‘very bad bet’ in Gaza talks
- “Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not,” a statement said
- “Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes“
WASHINGTON: The White House accused Hamas on Friday of making “entirely impractical” demands and stalling on a deal to release a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for an extension of the Gaza ceasefire.
“Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not,” a statement from the office of President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and the US National Security Council said.
“Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes,” it said, adding that Trump had already vowed Hamas would “pay a severe price” for not freeing hostages.
Hamas said earlier on Friday it was ready to free an Israeli-American hostage and the remains of four others, after the Palestinian militants and Israel resumed indirect Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
Witkoff presented a “bridge” proposal in Qatar on Wednesday to extend the first phase of the truce to mid-April if Hamas releases living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
“Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this ‘bridge’ would have to be implemented soon — and that dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire,” it added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asked if the United States was prioritizing the release of the American hostage, said: “We care about all the hostages.”
“We’re acting like this is a normal exchange, this is a normal thing that happens. This is an outrage. So they should all be released,” Rubio told reporters after Group of Seven talks in Canada.
“I’m not going to comment on what we’re going to accept and not accept, other than that all of us — the whole world — should continue to say that what Hamas has done is outrageous, it’s ridiculous, it’s sick, it’s disgusting,” he said.
UK Royal Navy busts drug smuggling using drones for first time
- Arabian Sea operation intercepts $6.9m worth of drugs
- HMS Lancaster operates out of Bahrain
LONDON: The UK’s Royal Navy has used drones to foil drug smuggling for the first time as part of an operation in the northern Arabian Sea.
The crew of HMS Lancaster spotted suspicious boats using new Peregrine miniature helicopters that are controlled remotely, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.
Operators of the drones detected the two boats side by side at night, and a Wildcat helicopter was dispatched to inspect the vessels at a closer distance.
The crew on the helicopter saw a small fast boat and a dhow, with packages being transferred onto the latter.
After HMS Lancaster arrived to intercept the vessels, $6.9 million worth of drugs were discovered despite the crew of the small boats attempting to dump the packages.
The Peregrine is 3 meters long and has a flight time of up to five hours. It is the first remote-controlled helicopter operated by the Royal Navy and can transfer data, radar information and imagery back to warship control rooms.
It has radically improved the navy’s ability to carry out drug busts, a source told the Telegraph.
HMS Lancaster, which has operated out of Bahrain for more than two years, was in the region as part of the international Combined Task Force 150. The coalition aims to clamp down on illegal activity in the Middle East.
Head of the Daesh in Iraq and Syria has been killed, Iraqi prime minister says
- “The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,” Al-Sudani said
- Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani focused on the historic ties between the two countries
BAGHDAD: The head of the Daesh in Iraq and Syria has been killed in Iraq in an operation by members of the Iraqi national intelligence service along with US-led coalition forces, the Iraqi prime minister announced Friday.
“The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,” Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Abdallah Maki Mosleh Al-Rifai, or “Abu Khadija,” was “deputy caliph” of the militant group and as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world,” the statement said.
A security official said the operation was carried out by an airstrike in Anbar province, in western Iraq. A second official said the operation took place Thursday night but that Al-Rifai’s death was confirmed Friday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
The announcement came on the same day as the first visit by Syria’s top diplomat to Iraq, during which the two countries pledged to work together to combat Daesh.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein said at a news conference that “there are common challenges facing Syrian and Iraqi society, and especially the terrorists of Daesh.” He said the officials had spoken “in detail about the movements of Daesh, whether on the Syrian-Iraqi border, inside Syria or inside Iraq” during the visit.
Hussein referred to an operations room formed by Syria, Iraq, Turkiye, Jordan and Lebanon at a recent meeting in Amman to confront Daesh, and said it would soon begin work.
The relationship between Iraq and Syria is somewhat fraught after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. Al-Sudani came to power with the support of a coalition of Iran-backed factions, and Tehran was a major backer of Assad. The current interim president of Syria, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, was previously known as Abu Mohammed Al-Golani and fought as an Al-Qaeda militant in Iraq after the US invasion of 2003, and later fought against Assad’s government in Syria.
But Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani focused on the historic ties between the two countries.
“Throughout history, Baghdad and Damascus have been the capitals of the Arab and Islamic world, sharing knowledge, culture and economy,” he said.
Strengthening the partnership between the two countries “will not only benefit our peoples, but will also contribute to the stability of the region, making us less dependent on external powers and better able to determine our own destiny,” he said.
The operation and the visit come at a time when Iraqi officials are anxious about an Daesh resurgence in the wake of the fall of Assad in Syria.
While Syria’s new rulers — led by the Islamist former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham — have pursued Daesh cells since taking power, some fear a breakdown in overall security that could allow the group to stage a resurgence.
The US and Iraq announced an agreement last year to wind down the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Daesh group by September 2025, with US forces departing some bases where they have stationed troops during a two-decade-long military presence in the country.
When the agreement was reached to end the coalition’s mission in Iraq, Iraqi political leaders said the threat of Daesh was under control and they no longer needed Washington’s help to beat back the remaining cells.
But the fall of Assad in December led some to reassess that stance, including members of the Coordination Framework, a coalition of mainly Shiite, Iran-allied political parties that brought current Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani to power in late 2022.
