Tag Archive for Lebanon

| March 30, 2014
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Nasrallah: Hezbollah stronger now than before 2nd Lebanon War

 

Shi’ite group head says he’s not seeking war with Israel, but warns that if Israel attacks Lebanon, it risks a powerful response from Hezbollah.

By and Reuters

 

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned in a speech Saturday that the Shi’ite group is stronger, more skilled and better-equipped than it was before the Second Lebanon War, but stressed that he does not intend to initiate an attack on Israel or be dragged into a war.

A Syrian refugee girl holds pictures of Syria's President Assad and Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

A Syrian refugee girl holds pictures of Syria’s President Bashar Assad and Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, southern Lebanon, March 18, 2014. – Photo: Reuters

However, Nasrallah, whose speech was broadcast to supporters via a television link from a secret location in South Lebanon, warned of a harsh response if Israel tried to attack Hezbollah or Lebanon. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| March 16, 2014
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IDF Opens Fire on Terror Suspects On Lebanese Border with Israel

On same day Lebanese gov’t gives its citizens free hand against Israel, suspects suspiciously approach border, but then quickly flee from IDF gunfire.

By Ari Yashar

 

IDF soldiers fired at suspected terrorists who approached the Israeli-Lebanese border on Saturday.

“A certain number of suspects approached the Israel-Lebanon border. Soldiers fired in the air to warn them away, and they moved off,” reported an IDF spokeswoman, adding that no one was injured in the exchange.

A local Arab resident claimed to AFP that the suspects who approached the fence were shepherds who neared the border “by mistake.”

The incident follows an intense day Friday, in which terrorists set an explosive on the border, detonating it near an IDF border patrol. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| March 16, 2014
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Lebanese gov’t passes policy allowing citizens to “resist Israeli occupation”

 

Lebanon’s policy unites Sunni gov’t, with Shi’te Hezbollah fighters by showing gov’t support for Hezbollah to step up its warfare against Israel.

By REUTERS
 

 

Lebanon’s new government agreed to a compromise policy statement on Friday that fell short of explicitly enshrining the militant group Hezbollah’s role in confronting Israel but which would give all citizens the right to resist Israeli occupation or attacks.

Hezbollah members carry mock rockets.- Photo: REUTERS/Ali Hashisho

Hezbollah members carry mock rockets. – Photo: REUTERS/Ali Hashisho

The agreement on the compromise language came after weeks of dispute brought the government to the verge of collapse, and now paves the way for Prime Minister Tammam Salam to put his government to a vote of confidence. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| March 3, 2014
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Lebanese Military Officials: Hezbollah Probably Behind Mt. Hermon Rocket Attack

Multiple military sources, told The Daily Star that the rocket attack on Mt. Hermon was most likely staged by Hezbollah in retaliation for last week’s airstrikes.

By Elad Benari

 

Hezbollah was likely behind a rocket attack near an IDF post in Mount Hermon early Saturday morning, security and military sources told Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star on Sunday night.

Hezbollah members rally in Beirut in Nazi salute - Photo: Reuters

Hezbollah members rally in Beirut in Nazi salute – Photo: Reuters

The officials said that the attack was Hezbollah’s retaliation for alleged Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets near the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Two rockets were fired at Israel in the attack, and no injuries or damages were reported. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| March 1, 2014
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Syria Fires Rockets at Israel

 

Although 2 Syria rockets land on Israel’s Mt. Hermon, Israeli military suggest incident was a result of stray fire from Syria.

IDF stationed in Israel’s north are on high alert following alleged IAF airstrike on Hezbollah’s missile transfers into Lebanon.

By

 

Two rockets were found on Mt. Hermon in northern Israel on Saturday morning, hours after explosions were reported in the region during the night.

Israeli soldiers standing on a tank near the northern border with Syria on June 6, 2011, as troops in the Golan Heights remained on high alert after Naksa Day.- Photo: AFP

The IDF estimates the rockets were not launched deliberately at Israel, but were the result of stray fire by one of the warring factions in Syria’s civil war.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| February 26, 2014
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Israeli intel: Hezbollah to target top Israeli officials for assassination

 

Israel can’t officially admit to Monday’s airstrike & Hezbollah is denying any participation in the event, but under the surface, both sides are locked in conflict.

By

 

Hezbollah might start targeting senior Israeli officials, Israeli sources say. The reason: Monday’s attack on a weapons convoy in Lebanon that foreign media are linking to Israel.

Hezbollah supporters listen to Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's speech in Beirut, 2010.

Hezbollah supporters listen to Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah’s speech in Beirut, 2010.- Photo: AP

It seems Israeli defense officials are preparing accordingly. In any case, Hezbollah is not expected to react immediately. Lebanese websites have attributed the attack to the Israel Air Force, though neither Israel nor Hezbollah have commented.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| February 25, 2014
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Analysis: Hezbollah exploited stormy weather for missiles transfer – and failed

 

Is it safe to believe Lebanese reports of a midnight airstrike against Hezbollah targets near the Lebanese-Syrian border last night, and it is safe to infer the IAF was behind it.

By Ron Ben-Yishai

 

Judging by the quantity and level of accuracy of the reports in the Lebanese media, it is safe to infer that there was indeed a strike against targets on the ground on Monday night, likely on both sides of the Lebanese-Syrian border. One can also assume, judging by the nature of the reports, that there was intensive Israel Air Force activity during those hours.

Area of reported Israeli strikes (Photo: Google Maps)

Area of reported Israeli strikes – Photo: Google Maps

From all of that, it appears that it would not be far fetched to infer that Hezbollah attempted to smuggle advanced weaponry into Lebanon last night. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| February 25, 2014
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Israel Air Force Hits Hezbollah Post in Lebanon on Syrian Border

Israeli planes launch two post-midnight air raids against a Hezbollah weapons post on Lebanon’s border  with Syria.

By Elad Benari

 

Aircraft belonging to the Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched two air raids against a Hezbollah post on the border between Lebanon and Syria on Monday evening, a security source told the Lebanese Daily Star.

IAF F-16 – Photo courtesy: IAF Website

The source said Israeli planes launched four rockets on the Janta area in the mountains separating the Lebanese village of Nabi Sheet from the Syrian border.

The source noted that the Janta area is known to house a Hezbollah post, where recruitment and training are carried out. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| February 13, 2014
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Lebanon Distracted From Local Violence by Topless Photos of Lebanese Olympic Skier

Topless photos and YouTube clip of Lebanese Olympic skier is causing a national scandal back home.

By Aryn Baker/ Beirut

 

Topless photos and racy video footage of Lebanese Olympic Skier Jackie Chamoun have gone viral in Lebanon, prompting a potential government inquiry just days before the Olympic veteran is due to compete in the women’s giant Slalom in Sochi. But government claims that the revealing footage may have damaged Lebanon’s “reputation” have precipitated an enormous backlash in a country that has suffered far worse than the publication of  images that wouldn’t look out of place in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| February 12, 2014
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Lebanon Arrests Palestinian Al Qaeda Leader

 

Terrorist Naim Abbas, the Palestinian leader of am Al Qaeda-linked group, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, was arrested by the Lebanese army after setting a car bomb.

By Tova Dvorin

 

The Lebanese Army arrested a senior Al Qaeda leader Wednesday – Naim Abbas, who is the deputy chief of the Al Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades.

A Lebanese soldier stands at the site of a car bombing in Beirut, Aug. 16 – Photo: Reuters

“After he came out of the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilwen near Sidon in the south, the army intelligence in Beirut made the arrest of Naim Abbas, who is being questioned under the supervision of the judiciary,” the Lebanese army said, in an official statement. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| January 29, 2014
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Israel Air Force chief: IAF will destroy Hezbollah bases, even in residential neighborhoods

 

IAF head, Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel says IDF’s military capabilities are 15 times greater than it was during last conflict in 2006 with Hezbollah.

By REUTERS
 

 

Israel accused Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas on Wednesday of putting “thousands” of bases in residential buildings and said it would destroy these in a future conflict, even at the cost of civilian lives.

The unusually explicit threat by air force chief Major-General Amir Eshel appeared to be part of an effort by Israeli officials to prepare world opinion for high civilian casualties in any new confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| January 18, 2014
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Exiled Hariri willing to return to Lebanon & share power with Hezbollah

 

Currently in exile in Saudi Arabia, former Lebanese PM Saad Hariri who’s currently in The Hague, says he is optimistic of a  coalition deal that would unite Sunni & Shi’ite Muslim groups.

By REUTERS
 

 

THE HAGUE- Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri says he is now ready to share power with his rivals Hezbollah if that’s what it takes to help Lebanon finally form a government after nine months of political deadlock.

Lebanon

Saad Hariri in Hague Jan 16 2014 – Photo: REUTERS

Linking up with the powerful Shi’ite group would be a sharp turnabout for Hariri and his Future party, a Sunni Muslim group that supports the Sunni revolt against Shi’ite-backed President Bashar Assad in neighboring Syria’s civil war. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| January 14, 2014
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Special Tribunal to try Hezbollah defendants for assassinating Lebanese PM Hariri

 

Special Tribunal for Lebanon will open trial  against Hezbollah defendants in absentia, charged with assassinating former Prime Minster Rafik Hariri and the 21 also killed in the 2005 massive car-bomb explosion.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB

 

 

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is set to open the trial in absentia on Thursday against the Hezbollah defendants alleged to have assassinated former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri and killed 21 others on February 14, 2005.

Billboards of Rafik Hariri in Sidon

Billboards of Rafik Hariri in Sidon – Photo: Ali Hashisho / Reuters

To date, the case has riled, divided and inflamed already hot disputes between Lebanon’s Sunni and Shiite population, with Sunnis demanding justice and Hezbollah claiming the case was pushed forward by Western countries trying to reduce and besmirch its name (even though the court was formed with Lebanon’s consent.) Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 29, 2013
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5 Rockets fired at northern Israel, “double war crimes” under cover of Lebanese gov’t

One rocket exploded just west of Kiryat Shmona, though apparently 5 were launched.

Israeli PM Netanyahu: Hezbollah carried out a ‘double war crime under the cover of the Lebanese gov’t.’

By , , and

 

 

At least five Katyusha rockets were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel on Sunday, one of which exploded inside of Israeli territory. No casualties or damage were reported.

Israeli soldiers examine a rocket fired from Lebanon, December 29, 2013

Israeli soldiers examine a rocket fired from Lebanon, December 29, 2013.

The military confirmed that a 122-mm rocket, apparently a Russian-made Katyusha, exploded in an open area west of the city. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| December 16, 2013
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IDF shoots at 2 Lebanese soldiers on border

 

Video: Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon

‘Missing’ Lebanese soldier surfaces after Israeli killed on border.

By and

 

 

The Lebanese soldier who reportedly went missing after opening fire at an Israeli military vehicle Sunday night on the northern border, killing an Israeli soldier, has returned to his base.

Israeli soldiers guard near the border between northern Israel and Lebanon, Monday, Dec. 16, 2013

Israeli soldiers guard near the border between northern Israel and Lebanon, Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. – Photo: AP

The Israeli soldier who was killed, Master Sgt. Sholmi Cohen, 31, was a resident of Afula, according to the Israel Defense Forces. His family has been informed of his death and his funeral will be held in Haifa at 5 P.M. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
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