UN reduces its presence in Gaza after staffer killed and amid ongoing Israeli block on aid

BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army Command announced on Monday the arrest of several Lebanese and Syrians suspected of involvement in smuggling operations and the reopening of illegal border crossings in the Masharih Al-Qaa area of eastern Lebanon.

In an official statement, the Army Command said that a patrol from the Directorate of Intelligence foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons from Syrian territory into Lebanon, seizing several handguns and other smuggled goods in the Zahle area in the Bekaa.

Investigations are ongoing to apprehend others suspected of involved in the operation.

UN Resolution 1701, which Lebanon is required to implement, highlights the importance of the Lebanese government’s complete control over all Lebanese territory.

This is outlined under UN Resolutions 1559 and 1680, as well as the relevant provisions of the Taif Agreement.

It stipulates that no weapons should exist without the approval of the Lebanese government, which should be the soul executor of authority in the country.

The resolution urges the Lebanese government to strengthen security at its borders and entry points to stop the unauthorized influx of weapons and related materials into Lebanon.

Meanwhile on Monday, Israeli artillery resumed its shelling of Lebanese border areas, targeting the outskirts of Shebaa.

Throughout the day, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew over southern Lebanon, extending as far as Beirut’s southern suburbs.

On Sunday, the Israeli Army killed Hezbollah member Hassan Al-Zein in a drone strike that targeted his vehicle in his hometown of Aita Al-Shaab, near the border. 

On Monday morning, the Lebanese Army, in coordination with UNIFIL forces, removed an earth barrier an Israeli armored unit had put up.

The Israeli Army’s spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, stated that the targeting of a Hezbollah member was part of ongoing military operations to address the threats posed by the group in the region.

The Israeli Army will continue to implement necessary measures to ensure the security of Israel and protect it from any potential threats arising from Lebanese territory, he said.

Intensive diplomatic communications carried out by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Foreign Minister Youssef Raji helped to contain the situation, their respective media offices stated.

The military escalation came after unidentified individuals launched five rockets from an area north of the Litani River toward the Israeli settlement of Metula on Saturday.

This incident resulted in multiple casualties, and at the time, Israeli officials warned of a “Beirut for Metula” equation.

Aoun will travel to Paris in four days for a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.

The discussions will focus on developments in Lebanon and aim to advance three key issues: the release of Lebanese detainees held by Israel, urging Israel to withdraw from five strategic hills it currently occupies along the southern border, and addressing the disputed land border points with Israel.

At the same time in Beirut, parliamentary and party statements urged the government to reveal the findings of the investigation aimed at identifying the party responsible for launching the rockets from southern Lebanon. 

Independent MP Fouad Makhzoumi inquired about the steps the government plans to take to identify those responsible for the launches and their backers.

He also inquired about measures to ensure that Lebanon is not held hostage by their actions.

He stated that it was not permissible to classify the incident as an unidentified act, considering the risk of renewed Israeli aggression against Lebanon.

In a related development, the Lebanese Forces Party issued a warning in a statement that if the ceasefire agreement was not upheld, tensions and instability along the southern border would persist, turning Lebanon into a battleground.

The party stated: “While the prime minister and foreign minister urge adherence to international commitments for Lebanon’s protection from military escalation, those advocating for the implementation of international resolutions and ceasefire agreements face accusations of treason. This is a desperate attempt to silence calls for stronger security and sovereignty in Lebanon.”

The Lady of the Mountain Gathering political group stated that the recent rocket attacks on Israel represented a perilous escalation.

It urged the Lebanese Army to identify the party responsible for launching the rockets and to assert the state’s sovereignty over all Lebanese territory under the constitution, the oath of office, and the ministerial statement.

GENEVA: The International Committee of the Red Cross said an ICRC office in the southern Gaza Strip was damaged by an explosive projectile on Monday, adding that no staff were wounded.
The ICRC said in a statement that the incident had a direct impact on the humanitarian organization’s ability to operate.
“Today, an office of the ICRC in Rafah was damaged by an explosive projectile despite being clearly marked and notified to all parties,” the statement said.
“Fortunately, no staff were injured in this incident, but this has a direct impact on the ICRC’s ability to operate. The ICRC strongly decries the attack against its premises.”
The Geneva-based ICRC said international humanitarian law afforded special protection to humanitarian relief and medical personnel, medical facilities, and objects used for humanitarian relief operations.
“They must be respected and protected in all circumstances to ensure the continuity of care. They must never be attacked,” the ICRC said.
“The parties must do their utmost to ensure their safety by providing clear and strict instructions to weapon bearers.”
The ICRC said that on Sunday contact was lost with emergency medical technicians from the Palestine Red Crescent Society and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Furthermore, humanitarian workers in Gaza were killed and injured last week, it added.
Israel’s military pressed ground operations across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, encircling part of Rafah city near the Egyptian border, almost a week into a renewed assault on the Palestinian territory.
Israel resumed intensive bombing of Gaza last week, citing deadlock in indirect negotiations on next steps in the truce with Hamas after its first stage expired this month.
“The escalation of hostilities in Gaza over the past week has had significant humanitarian impacts, with hundreds of civilians killed, some of whom remain buried under rubble while others have been left behind unable to be rescued,” the ICRC said.
“New evacuation orders and intense hostilities are causing people to flee without a clear sense of areas that are safe, and many people have nowhere else to go. Many have been forced to leave behind their tents and belongings.
“The resumption of hostilities and violence is causing a loss of hope on all sides.”