Israeli Overflights Stir Fear in Beirut
Recent low-altitude flights and sonic booms from Israeli jet fighters over Beirut have instilled fear among the city's inhabitants, serving as stark reminders of the fragile nature of the current ceasefire. These flights have not been confined to the capital; they have extended to the Matn district in Mount Lebanon and segments of the Bekaa region near the Syrian border, as reported by Lebanon's state news agency, NNA.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Withdrawal Deadline
Local citizens are holding onto hope that Israeli forces will withdraw from southern Lebanon as the American-backed ceasefire deal, brokered on November 27, 2024, approaches its deadline. The official date for the complete removal of Israeli soldiers is set for February 18, 2025.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly declared his country's intention to maintain troops at five border points, aiming to establish a buffer zone to deter any resurgence of Hezbollah's presence. Reports indicate that Netanyahu is seeking endorsement from American
President Donald Trump for this extension
Lebanese officials have categorically denied any acceptance of Israel's request to allow soldiers to remain in the south. President Joseph Aoun stated on Wednesday that there is "no truth" to reports suggesting the government agreed to this demand. As part of the arrangement that ended hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, thousands of Lebanese army soldiers were to be deployed to the south, and Hezbollah was expected to decrease its presence in the area.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has affirmed his government's commitment to implementing all international obligations, including United Nations Resolution 1701, which mandates that the Lebanese armed forces be the sole defenders of the nation.
Hezbollah’s Post-Ceasefire Challenges
Currently, Hezbollah is confronting significant challenges following the loss of numerous young fighters and its prominent leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2024. A Hezbollah delegation, led by MP Mohammad Raad, on Thursday extended an invitation to President Joseph Aoun to attend the funerals of the slain leader and his successor, Sayyed Hashem Safieddine. The funeral is scheduled for February 23, 2025.
The country is now placing its faith in Lebanon's national army to protect them if the situation with Israel deteriorates. The recent offensive resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths in Lebanon, including many civilians, and led to the displacement of more than 1.2 million residents, according to Lebanese authorities. It also caused billions of dollars in destruction and damage.
Many Lebanese blame Hezbollah for the devastation inflicted upon them after months of heavy bombing by Israeli planes, although the Shia community, which suffered the most, still largely supports the militant political movement.
The ceasefire has been a defining moment in Hezbollah's militant activities. The group can no longer act with impunity against Israel, irrespective of the official Lebanese government's position.
The party is now preparing for a new phase in its political history and is experiencing a crisis of purpose. Historically, it emphasized the slogan, "Army, People, Resistance." However, this equation appears to be finished, at least for now.
The Champions League match between Qarabağ FK and Chelsea has finished 2–2 at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku....
Dutch smartphone maker Fairphone is entering the U.S. market, betting on growing demand for repairable and sustainable devices as right-to-repair legi...
The detention of Israel’s former military Advocate General has been extended until Friday as investigators probe a video leak showing soldiers alleg...
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday instructed senior officials to prepare proposals for potential nuclear weapons testing, following Presid...
Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Adminis...
The Lebanese government must fulfill its commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Sunday.
Lebanon’s permanent mission to the United Nations will submit an “urgent complaint” regarding airstrikes conducted by Israel on Saturday in a southern economic zone, which caused civilian casualties and substantial property damage.
The U.S. has approved $230 million in aid for Lebanon’s armed and internal security forces, aiming to strengthen state control as pressure mounts on Hezbollah to disarm.
An Israeli drone strike killed five people, including three children and their father, all U.S. citizens on Sunday in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. Two others were wounded, including their mother, in what Lebanese officials condemned as a blatant attack on civilians.
The Champions League match between Qarabağ FK and Chelsea has finished 2–2 at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku.
Brussels airport, Belgium's busiest, reopened on Wednesday morning after drone sightings during the previous night had resulted in it being temporarily closed, although some flights remained disrupted, its website said.
Israel’s top military legal officer Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned last week, has been arrested over the leak of a video showing soldiers brutally assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military prison.
Russia remains in constant contact with Venezuela over tensions in the Caribbean, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to boost mutual investment and deepen economic cooperation with Russia, as Moscow faces growing Western sanctions and trade pressure.
Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, met with Stephen Doughty, UK Minister of State for Europe, Northern America and Overseas Territories.
Kaja Kallas says Türkiye's ties with the European Union are vital for the bloc, despite ongoing membership talks.
The Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL) hosted the screening of a documentary by AnewZ dedicated to the Belt and Road Initiative and the rising importance of the Middle Corridor in the global economy.
As part of his official visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov held separate meetings with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and President of the National People’s Assembly Ibrahim Boughali.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation of heads of member institutions of the Arab Coordination Group on November 5.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment