Latest news with #UNIFIL
LBCI
13 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Macron to receive Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam in France
French President Emmanuel Macron will receive Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday, July 24, at the Élysée Palace, marking Salam's first official visit to France since taking office. The Élysée said the visit will reaffirm the deep-rooted friendship between France and Lebanon, as well as Paris' continued support for the Lebanese people. Discussions will focus on the country's security and stability, as well as the need to pursue critical economic reforms to restore Lebanon's full sovereignty and prosperity. The two leaders are also expected to address the need for full respect of the ceasefire, notably the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Talks will include ways to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces, bolster cooperation with the U.N. peacekeeping force UNIFIL, in which France plays an active role, and explore broader regional priorities. Macron and Salam will also discuss the significant challenges facing the Near and Middle East, including the impact of the wars in Gaza and Iran, as well as recent clashes in Syria.
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Parliamentary Committee meets UN Coordinator to discuss UNIFIL, border tensions, and aid conditions
The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expatriates held a meeting with the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, chaired by MP Fadi Alame and attended by committee members. Following the meeting, MP Alame stated: 'The purpose of the meeting was to clarify a number of key issues given the current circumstances, including the situation in South Lebanon and matters related to UNIFIL's role.' He added that there were also questions raised regarding the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate, and noted that the Lebanese state had already submitted a request for its renewal. He continued, 'The second topic we addressed was the situation on our eastern and northern borders, and what's happening in Syria and its potential impact on Lebanon, especially with the influx of displaced Syrians into the country. We also discussed how the United Nations could help in this regard.'' Alame emphasized, ''The third point focused on humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance. It was made clear that Lebanon might not receive reconstruction aid until issues related to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and its implementation mechanism are resolved, in addition to the need for reforms. She emphasized the importance of reform-related legislation.' He concluded, 'We also touched on regional developments and posed questions regarding the U.N.'s role. In conclusion, there was an expressed interest and hope that Lebanon would develop a national security strategy and strengthen its army, as this is essential to building a unified and stable Lebanon and fulfilling necessary obligations before any future developments.'
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Gazan Health Ministry official abducted by Israel; Two babies die of starvation, according to Gaza hospitals
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Tuesday of the "extremely high" risk of serious violations of international law following the expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza. "These Israeli airstrikes and ground operations will inevitably lead to further civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," Türk said in a statement. MP Walid Baarini said that "the proposal to deploy American, British and French forces in the occupied areas could be a solution" to ensure security on Lebanon's borders with its Syrian and Israeli neighbors. "This initiative could even be extended to the entire southern region under international coverage, thus ensuring lasting stability and preventing future aggression and conflicts. These troops could also replace UNIFIL if its renewal fails," the MP said on Platform X. In April, Walid Baarini declared himself "in favor of normalization with Israel." 13:53 Beirut Time The Israeli army "must stop" killing Palestinian civilians gathering at humanitarian aid distribution points in Gaza, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. " I made it clear that the Israeli army must stop killing people at distribution points" for humanitarian aid, she said on X after speaking with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. 13:18 Beirut Time A second missile fired from Yemen has crashed outside Israeli borders, according to a senior Israeli military official, whose comments were reported by The Times of Israel and Haaretz. No alert was triggered, as the projectile did not pose a direct threat, they said. 13:08 Beirut Time Israeli fighter jets are flying over several locations in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, according to L'Orient Today's correspondents. 13:07 Beirut Time In an interview with the Voice of All Lebanon (Sawt kil Lebnen) radio station, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said that Lebanon's final response to the American proposal for a lasting cease-fire will be presented to the government at an upcoming meeting. He clarified that no specific timetable was set for the restoration of the state's monopoly on arms. He also stated that cooperation with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack was positive, with a clear plan for the next stage, as well as support from the United States and countries friendly to Lebanon. 12:33 Beirut Time President Joseph Aoun stated that "the current phase is delicate and sensitive and requires unified positions that preserve the unity of Lebanon, its territory and its people, and protect its sovereignty and independence," during a meeting in Baabda with the spiritual leader of the evangelical community in Lebanon and Syria, Pastor Joseph Kassab. The president also said that Lebanon was continuing its contacts to avoid the country suffering the repercussions of the events that shook the region. 12:07 Beirut Time According to Haaretz, Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said during an assessment meeting with members of the General Staff that "the war in the Gaza Strip is one of the most complex the IDF has ever faced." 12:07 Beirut Time The Civil Defense announced that Israeli strikes killed 15 people on Tuesday in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army is expanding its operations around the city of Deir al-Balah. According to Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal, at least 13 people were killed and more than 50 injured in strikes on the al-Shati Palestinian refugee camp in northern Gaza. 12:07 Beirut Time The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said Tuesday upon his return from Gaza that the humanitarian situation was "morally unacceptable" in the Palestinian territory ravaged by more than 21 months of war. "We saw men waiting for hours in the sun, hoping for a simple meal," said Bishop Pizzaballa, the highest Catholic authority in the Holy Land. "This is morally unacceptable and unjustifiable," he said, adding that the Church and "the entire Christian community would never abandon them." 11:21 Beirut Time U.S. envoy Tom Barrack meets Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh. American envoy Tom Barrack upon his arrival at Ain al-Tineh. Israel abducted and arrested Marwan al-Hams, a senior official in Gaza's Health Ministry, outside the International Committee of the Red Cross field hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, the ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters. He said the head of field hospitals in the enclave was on his way to the ICRC hospital in the town of Rafah when an Israeli force "kidnapped" him after opening fire, killing one person and wounding another civilian nearby. Medics said the person killed was a local journalist who was filming an interview with Hams when the incident occurred. An ICRC spokesperson said the ICRC hospital had admitted and treated the injured in the incident but would not comment further on their condition to protect their privacy. He expressed "great concern about the security and safety" around the field hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 10:31 Beirut Time Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City announced Tuesday morning that it had received the remains of one person killed and 118 wounded, including women and children, while they were waiting to receive humanitarian aid in the southwest of the city, according to Haaretz. Also according to Haaretz, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported that two babies, one 40 days old, died of starvation Tuesday morning in the Gaza Strip. 09:57 Beirut Time Good morning. Thank you for joining us for our live coverage. Be sure to read the Morning Brief so that you are caught up with what has been happening. 25 countries condemn Israeli denial of humanitarian assistance in Gaza as death toll mounts: Everything you need to know this Tuesday The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, where it had carried out destructive strikes the day before against a port held by Houthi rebels. "Following the sirens that recently sounded in several areas of Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the Israeli army said on its Telegram account. According to Haaretz, warning sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and several parts of Israel before the announcement. In Gaza, the situation remains dire for the enclave's residents and for the staff of organizations trying to help them. The World Health Organization (WHO) said this morning that the Israeli army attacked its staff residence and its main warehouse in the Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah on Monday, compromising its field operations. The U.N. agency said the WHO staff residence was targeted three times, with airstrikes causing a fire, extensive damage, and endangering staff and their families, including children. "Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot and screened at gunpoint," the WHO said. Two WHO employees and two family members were arrested, according to a message posted by the organization on X. Three of them were later released, while one staff member remains in detention. "WHO demands the immediate release of the detained staff and protection of all its staff," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The WHO also said its main warehouse, located in an evacuation zone, was damaged on Sunday in an attack that caused explosions and a fire inside. Despite these attacks, the organization assured that it would remain in Deir al-Balah and would even strengthen its operations there. . @WHO 's staff residence in Deir al Balah, #Gaza, was attacked three times today as well as its main warehouse. Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were… — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) 09:57 Beirut Time Israeli tank fire killed at least 12 Palestinians and wounded dozens more in a tent encampment in western Gaza City, north of the enclave, local health officials said early Tuesday, quoted by Haaretz. According to rescuers, tanks stationed north of the Shati camp fired two shells at tents housing displaced families, killing at least 12 people. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to the reports, the newspaper reported. On the Iranian nuclear issue, the U.S. administration threatened Tehran with new strikes on Tuesday, in response to comments by the Iranian foreign minister, who stated on Fox News that his country intended to resume uranium enrichment. In a statement to Fox News, Abbas Araghchi said that the United States' primary objective – to prevent Tehran from further developing its nuclear program by blocking all its enrichment capabilities – was unlikely to succeed, despite threats of severe international sanctions. " We cannot abandon enrichment because it is an achievement of our scientists. And beyond that, it is now a matter of national pride," Araghchi said. "Our enrichment program is very dear to us." "Our facilities have been damaged – severely damaged," he said. "The extent of the damage is currently being assessed by our atomic energy organization. But to my knowledge, they are severely affected," specifying that enrichment capacity was currently shut down. Speaking on the Truth Social network, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on these statements. 'The damage is very significant, they are destroyed. Of course they are, exactly as I said, and we will do it again if necessary! ' Donald Trump wrote. 09:57 Beirut Time U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who arrived in Lebanon to discuss the issue of disarming Hezbollah, is due to meet with Nabih Berri today. Here is what you need to know about his visit. 09:57 Beirut Time The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack Tuesday targeting Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, where the army said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen. Houthi forces, who control large swathes of the country, carried out an operation against Ben Gurion Airport, "using a hypersonic ballistic missile," their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a statement.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
'Minor incident' between UNIFIL patrol and residents in Haris
SOUTH LEBANON — Vehicles from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrolling Monday in Haris (Bint Jbeil district) in southern Lebanon were briefly stopped by residents while patrolling. "It was a minor incident that was quickly resolved," UNIFIL deputy spokesperson Kandace Ardiel told L'Orient Today. According to her, one of the vehicles encountered a mechanical issue and had to be taken apart, which required spending some time on site. According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, the peacekeepers were accompanied by a unit of the Lebanese Army at the time of the incident. While southern Lebanon comes under near-daily Israeli fire — despite a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah — the region saw a rare moment of fragile calm on Monday. The agreement, brokered by the U.S. and France and in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, called for a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Yet, the Israeli army continues to occupy five positions, carries out frequent ground incursions, and conducts almost daily airstrikes. On the Lebanese side, the deal called for the gradual disarmament of Hezbollah, starting south of the Litani River in line with U.N. Resolution 1701 — a condition Hezbollah has firmly rejected. Over the past eight months, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 270 people. Tensions between U.N. peacekeepers and residents in the south — where Hezbollah maintains strong influence, have increased since the truce began. Friction often arises when UNIFIL convoys patrol without accompaniment by the Lebanese Army. Locals frequently block or confront these patrols, accusing the U.N. force of overstepping its mandate. According to Resolution 1701, UNIFIL is authorized to move independently within its areas of deployment. However, its operations fall under Chapter VI of the U.N. Charter, which limits the use of force. Hezbollah has long challenged UNIFIL's freedom of movement when not coordinated with the Lebanese Army. The Lebanese military, for its part, says it lacks the manpower to escort every U.N. patrol. Meanwhile, UNIFIL, along with the U.S., France, Lebanon, and Israel, is part of the international monitoring committee overseeing the cease-fire.
Lebanese Army
2 days ago
- Politics
- Lebanese Army
The LAF is reinforcing its deployment in the outskirts of Rmeich – Bint Jbeil in response to violations by the Israeli enemy
Sunday, 20 July 2025 The LAF Command - Directorate of Orientation issued the following statement: Various engineering and military vehicles belonging to the Israeli enemy crossed the technical fence and proceeded to carry out earthworks in the outskirts of the town of Rmeich – Bint Jbeil, in a blatant violation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement. In response, the LAF reinforced its deployment in the area to confront the enemy, and a patrol from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) arrived to document the violations, which forced the hostile forces to withdraw back into the occupied territory. The LAF Command continues to monitor developments at the southern border in coordination with UNIFIL.
