Author: Steven Sahiounie

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, following recent tensions over Macron’s call to halt arms exports to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu-Macron Phone Call Amid Tensions The phone call comes after Netanyahu strongly condemned Macron’s suggestion to stop sending weapons to Israel. Netanyahu warned that such a ban would benefit Iran and its allies, stating that restricting arms to Israel would only strengthen adversaries in the region. In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said: “The Prime Minister informed Macron that imposing an arms embargo on Israel would serve…

Under the directives of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and with the oversight of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has launched a nationwide relief campaign to support the Lebanese people. UAE’s “With You, Lebanon” Relief Initiative The campaign, titled “UAE With You, Lebanon,” will run from Tuesday, October 8, to Monday, October 21. It will involve participation from the general public, as well as government and private sector institutions. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed emphasized the UAE’s…

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed deep concern on Sunday regarding recent Israeli military activities near its mission site in Lebanon. UNIFIL’s Statement on Israeli Activities In an official statement, UNIFIL said: “We are deeply concerned about the recent activities carried out by the Israeli army near UNIFIL’s position 6-52, located southeast of Maroun al-Ras, within Lebanese territory.” UNIFIL added: “The Israeli army has been repeatedly informed about this ongoing situation through normal communication channels.” Serious Violation of Peacekeeping Mission UNIFIL emphasized the seriousness of this development, stating, “This is an extremely serious situation. It is unacceptable…

Israeli airstrikes hit multiple areas in the Gaza Strip, killing dozens of Palestinians and injuring many others. The Palestinian News Agency confirmed these tragic losses, with medical sources providing more details on the casualties. Civilians Suffer Heavy Losses Two Palestinians, including a young girl, died in airstrikes on Beit Lahia, north of Gaza, on Sunday night. Rescue teams reported several deaths and injuries after a mosque near Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, was hit early Sunday morning. Israel’s Military Confirms Strikes The Israeli army confirmed the strikes. In their statement, they explained that the Israeli Air Force targeted…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent call to stop arms supplies to Israel in its ongoing conflict against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. In a statement, Netanyahu said, “While Israel is fighting barbaric forces led by Iran, all respectful nations should firmly support Israel. Yet, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo on Israel. They should be ashamed.” Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is engaged in a multi-front war against groups backed by Iran. He added, “Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and…

Early Sunday morning, the Lebanese capital, Beirut, was rocked by violent Israeli airstrikes, primarily targeting the southern suburb, a stronghold of Hezbollah. Sources in Beirut reported that several buildings in the southern suburbs were hit by Israeli airstrikes, causing massive explosions and fires. Despite the intensity of the attacks, air traffic at Rafic Hariri International Airport continued without interruption, according to the same sources. Massive Explosions and Fires in Southern Beirut The Lebanese National News Agency confirmed that Israeli fighter jets carried out four extremely violent airstrikes on the southern suburbs and another on the Choueifat area, with ambulances rushing…

Hezbollah released a statement on Saturday evening, disclosing the losses sustained by the Israeli army since it launched its ground operation in southern Lebanon. The statement read: “In the past few days, since the Israeli enemy army declared the start of its ground operation toward southern Lebanese villages, the resistance has counted over 25 officers and elite soldiers killed, and more than 130 injured.” Hezbollah added that “the enemy has admitted to some of these figures, and the coming days will reveal what they have concealed from their public.” Ongoing Escalations in Southern Lebanon On Saturday evening, Hezbollah claimed responsibility…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On October 1, Iran fired 180 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, an Iranian General, and Hassan Nasrallah. According to the Jerusalem Post today, the Israel Defense Force reported that Israeli army bases were damaged in the attack.The region has now inched closer to a full-scale war not seen in the last 50 years. There are options for Iran should Israel decide to strike back in retaliation.The Middle East may be facing two different possible scenarios following the Iranian attack on Israel. The first possible scenario would envision the…

On Saturday, the Lebanese Army issued a security warning, accusing Israel of disseminating suspicious media content aimed at espionage or recruiting individuals. This comes nearly two weeks after Israel’s intensified airstrikes across various regions of Lebanon. In a statement shared on the platform X, the Lebanese Army cautioned, “The enemy is circulating media content on some social media platforms, including videos, links, and applications, to lure citizens into espionage sites or recruit them as agents.” The army urged citizens to avoid this content, which it labeled as a “security threat to the nation and society amid Israel’s ongoing plans against…

Spain’s King Felipe VI expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, describing the destruction in the region as “indescribable.” On Saturday, he called for an immediate end to the war, especially as the violence has now spread to Lebanon. During a meeting with the Spanish community in Jordan, King Felipe VI remarked, “At this moment, we are united by a profound desire for peace and dialogue,” as reported by the Jordan News Agency. He further stated, “The conflict that started over a year ago has brought us images of indescribable suffering and devastation in Gaza, which is now…