Arab League Sec-Gen: No International Will to Stop Israel's Aggression on Gaza

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)
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Arab League Sec-Gen: No International Will to Stop Israel's Aggression on Gaza

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said it was shameful that the Security Council failed to vote in favor of the two resolutions on the situation in Gaza.

Aboul Gheit stressed that the failure embodies a lack of genuine international will to end the Israeli military operation in Gaza despite the flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the targeting civilians.

On Thursday, the Sec-Gen said the failure to reach a Resolution puts the Security Council's credibility and ability to maintain international peace and security to question.

He revealed that international forces reject a ceasefire and insist on giving Israel a license to destroy the Gaza Strip and target civilians claiming it was "right to self-defense."

Aboul Gheit warned that this situation contributes to the escalation of the conflict and expanding its scope.

The parties that insist on continuing this war, with all the tragedies and disasters it has produced, must review their positions and consider the consequences of granting Israel the green light to engage in killing and destruction, said the Sec-Gen.

The Arab League organized Thursday a session on "Arab Media in the Face of False Israeli Narrative about Gaza," asserting the need to strengthen media presence in support of the Palestinian cause, especially with "the increasing spread of violent speeches inciting hatred and ideological extremism.

The special session of the Arab Media Leaders Forum included the participation of several Arab media leaders and experts.

Speaking at the Forum, the Assistant Sec-Gen and Head of the Media and Communication Sector, Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, affirmed that the "destructive Israeli attacks" on the Gaza Strip have plunged the Palestinian-Israeli conflict into an extremely perilous state.

Khattabi asserted that the attacks underscored the urgent need to seek a political solution for this bitter conflict aimed at achieving a fair and sustainable resolution, the two-state solution, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

"Any delay or inaction in addressing the escalating tensions poses a significant threat to the security and stability of the Middle East region and global peace."

The forum aims to develop an Arab strategy to confront the Israeli narrative of the war.

The Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip has been ongoing since October 7.

"Beneath the tragic images of these brutal attacks on the Gaza Strip, a region already suffering from a severe blockade and ongoing Israeli incursions into the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, we are witnessing a media war, or more accurately, a propaganda battle waged through social media networks,” Khattabi stated.

He noted Israel's utilization of algorithms and application software to suppress Palestinian content on social media and hinder its dissemination in digital spaces, adding that these efforts extend to elements within Western media that support Israel at the expense of freedoms and rights.

Furthermore, Khattabi cautioned that the situation resulted in the imposition of sanctions or warnings against media figures, influencers, athletes, and artists who sought to make the Palestinian voice heard.

The recent period witnessed criticism of Western media outlets and social networking sites for adopting the Israeli narrative.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) even referred journalists for investigation for showing support for Palestine on their social media accounts.



Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Temporary Ceasefire Call Marks Victory for Beirut Efforts

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Temporary Ceasefire Call Marks Victory for Beirut Efforts

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)

Lebanese political and diplomatic activity is intensifying after the release of an “international-Arab call” for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
“The key lies in implementation,” Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat, describing the call itself “a victory for Lebanon’s efforts.”
Berri highlighted the role of major players, especially the US, in convincing Israel to accept the ceasefire.
He pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “says one thing and its opposite,” while stressing that Lebanon is committed to the call’s principles and ready to act.
“There is no problem on the Lebanese side, as the international joint statement addressed both Gaza and Lebanon together,” Berri stressed.
A Lebanese source involved in negotiations at the UN indicated that the obstinacy of both Israel and Hezbollah had blocked a proposed solution.

Now, efforts are focused on establishing a temporary ceasefire to allow for negotiations regarding the crisis that erupted when Hezbollah, backed by Iran, engaged with Israel to support Gaza.
The source explained that the proposed solution involved a new UN resolution to reinforce Resolution 1701, effective since the end of the 2006 Lebanon War.
However, Hezbollah’s insistence on linking a ceasefire in Gaza to this proposal and Israel’s refusal to do so thwarted the plan.
The source expressed hope for a three-week temporary ceasefire, with negotiations led by US envoy Amos Hochstein between Beirut and Tel Aviv.
In New York, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held diplomatic discussions aimed at stopping the Israeli offensive against Lebanon, engaging with European and Arab officials during his visit.
Reports suggested that Mikati had “signed a proposed ceasefire agreement” after meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and mediator Amos Hochstein.
However, the Prime Minister’s office denied these claims, asserting that they are “entirely untrue.”
The office reminded the public of Mikati’s remarks after the joint call initiated by the US and France, supported by the European Union and several countries, aimed at establishing a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon.
“We welcome the statement, but the crucial factor lies in Israel's commitment to implementing international resolutions,” said Mikati.
New York Meetings
Mikati met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who outlined Cyprus’s efforts to support Lebanon and facilitate a ceasefire, including his talks with Netanyahu.
The Lebanese premier also discussed the situation in Lebanon and the region with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, highlighting Britain’s efforts to stop the fighting.
Additionally, Mikati met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, thanking Qatar for its support of Lebanon, particularly for its backing of the Lebanese army.
The Qatari Prime Minister briefed Mikati on ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and Qatar’s role in the international committee working to elect a new president for Lebanon.