Source: BBC
Security & Justice
Hezbollah Calls for Reassessment by State and Military Amid Alarming Developments in Southern Lebanon
The Lebanese Army condemned Israel’s continued violations of the ceasefire agreement, citing an Israeli military incursion into southern Lebanon on Thursday. According to the army, Israeli forces entered several southern areas, including Qantara, Adchit al-Qusayr, and Wadi al-Hujeir, violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and exacerbating tensions in the region.
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Lebanese Officials Fear Collapse of Fragile Ceasefire
Lebanese officials are increasingly concerned about the potential collapse of the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, citing continuous Israeli violations. Security and political sources in Beirut told The National that the country is bracing for a worst-case scenario just one month after the truce took effect and a month before it is set to transition into a permanent ceasefire.
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Opinion
Are Syria’s New Authorities Against the Iranian Axis?
Everyone is searching for clues about the possible foreign policy of the new Damascus regime, especially concerning Iran. If it turns out to be against Iran, this would be a significant development and could potentially change the face of the region.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Strong Rebound on Markets for Lebanon Eurobonds
TRADERS IN THE LOCAL MARKET HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE LEBANESE POUND IS GAINING GROUND ON THE DEMAND CURVE AS LEBANON EUROBONDS ARE WITNESSING A GROWTH CURVE
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Sports
Ronaldo to Run for Brazil Federation Presidency
Brazil legend Ronaldo has announced he will run for the presidency of the country's football association and wants to "recover the prestige" of the national team.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Wednesday 18 October 2023 18:14:00
Biden Backs Israel's Account of Deadly Gaza Hospital Explosion
US President Joe Biden has said a deadly blast at a Gaza hospital appears to have been caused by Palestinian militants, backing Israel's account of the incident as he visits the country.
Mr Biden, who landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, said he was "deeply saddened and outraged" by the explosion.
Israel's military said it was caused by a failed Palestinian rocket launch.
But Palestinian officials said an Israeli air strike hit the hospital.
Health officials in Gaza have said almost 500 people were killed in the explosion, but no death toll has been confirmed.
Mr Biden's high-stakes visit has been overshadowed by the blast at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital on Tuesday evening, which has further inflamed tensions and sparked protests across the region.
He landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday where he was greeted warmly by Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, before the pair hosted a joint news conference.
"I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday," Mr Biden said.
"Based on what I've seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you," he told Mr Netanyahu. "But there's a lot of people out there not sure so we have to overcome a lot of things."
Mr Biden was later asked by reporters what led him to conclude that Israel was not responsible, and said: "The data I was shown by my defence department."
In the news conference, he reiterated his support for Israel and condemned the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on 7 October that left 1,400 people dead.
At least 3,000 people have been killed in retaliatory Israeli strikes on Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.
Mr Biden had planned to travel from Israel to Jordan to meet King Abdullah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, but that leg of the trip was cancelled after the hospital blast on Tuesday.
Jordan cancelled the meeting and condemned what it called "a great calamity and a heinous war crime". The White House, meanwhile, said the decision had been "made in a mutual way" and Mr Biden would call Mr Abbas and Mr Sisi on his return flight to the US.
The US president is expected to meet the Israeli war cabinet later on Wednesday.
He will ask "tough questions" to better understand Israel's war aims and objectives in Gaza, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
"He'll be asking some tough questions but he'll be asking them as a friend," Mr Kirby told reporters, adding that the US would stress the need for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and the obligation to avoid civilian casualties.
