Campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah’s Stance from Arab Summit

Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah’s Stance from Arab Summit

Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Hundreds of Lebanese students shout slogans as they carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 November 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Hezbollah criticized the Arab summit that will be held on Saturday to discuss the war on Gaza, by saying that the people of Palestine “are not betting on the emergency Arab summit, but on the resistance strategy and the missiles, rifles and arms of the resistance fighters in Gaza.”

Hezbollah’s position, which was conveyed by the party’s Central Council member Sheikh Nabil Qaouq, comes at a time when caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is preparing to participate in the high-level Arab meeting, where he is expected to propose a peace plan that is mainly based on a five-day humanitarian truce, the release of some civilian and foreign hostages, and the introduction of aid to Gaza.

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Okais told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah’s attack on the Arab summit was a prior rejection by Iran and its team of any Arab effort, out of their determination to “keep the Palestinian people at the mercy of the resistance strategy.”

“Any effort, whether through a summit or contacts in the United Nations or the Arab League, to stop the genocide in Gaza is welcome. There is an Arab responsibility towards the Palestinian people whether Hezbollah and its team like it or not,” Okais said.

MP Ahmed Al-Khair asserted that it was the duty and interest of all Lebanese, especially Hezbollah, to stand behind the government, which today represents the political decision of the Lebanese state in light of the presidential vacuum.

“Arab pressure is of fundamental importance in stopping the war on Gaza, as well as reviving the terms agreed upon at the Arab Summit in Beirut in 2000. What serves the Lebanon today remains the unified position behind the government and the implementation of Resolution 1701,” he remarked.

Qaouq had attacked the decisions that might be issued at the Arab summit, and addressed memorial services for Hezbollah fighters, saying: “The Israeli enemy does not fear the statements of the Arab summits ... but rather fears a resistance bullet and missile in the South and Gaza.”



Some Gaps Have Narrowed in Elusive Gaza Ceasefire Deal, Sides Say

Israeli tanks take a position, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, December 22, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Israeli tanks take a position, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, December 22, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
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Some Gaps Have Narrowed in Elusive Gaza Ceasefire Deal, Sides Say

Israeli tanks take a position, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, December 22, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Israeli tanks take a position, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, December 22, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Gaps between Israel and Hamas over a possible Gaza ceasefire have narrowed, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials' remarks on Monday, though crucial differences have yet to be resolved.

A fresh bid by mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States to end the fighting and release Israeli and foreign hostages has gained momentum this month, though no breakthrough has yet been reported.

A Palestinian official familiar with the talks said while some sticking points had been resolved, the identity of some of the Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel in return for hostages had yet to be agreed, along with the precise deployment of Israeli troops in Gaza.

His remarks corresponded with comments by the Israeli diaspora minister, Amichai Chikli, who said both issues were still being negotiated. Nonetheless, he said, the sides were far closer to reaching agreement than they have been for months, Reuters reported.

"This ceasefire can last six months or it can last 10 years, it depends on the dynamics that will form on the ground," Chikli told Israel's Kan radio. Much hinged on what powers would be running and rehabilitating Gaza once fighting stopped, he said.

The duration of the ceasefire has been a fundamental sticking point throughout several rounds of failed negotiations. Hamas wants an end to the war, while Israel wants an end to Hamas' rule of Gaza first.

"The issue of ending the war completely hasn't yet been resolved," said the Palestinian official.

Israeli minister Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, told Israel's Army Radio that the aim was to find an agreed framework that would resolve that difference during a second stage of the ceasefire deal.

Chikli said the first stage would be a humanitarian phase that will last 42 days and include a hostage release.

HOSPITAL

The war was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 45,200 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave. Most of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced and much of Gaza is in ruins.

At least 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Monday, medics said.

One of Gaza's few still partially functioning hospitals, on its northern edge, an area under intense Israeli military pressure for nearly three months, sought urgent help after being hit by Israeli fire.

"We are facing a continuous daily threat," said Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital. "The bombing continues from all directions, affecting the building, the departments, and the staff."

The Israeli military did not immediately comment. On Sunday it said it was supplying fuel and food to the hospital and helping evacuate some patients and staff to safer areas.

Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking to permanently depopulate northern Gaza to create a buffer zone, which Israel denies.

Israel says its operation around the three communities on the northern edge of the Gaza Strip - Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia - is targeting Hamas militants.

On Monday, the United Nations' aid chief, Tom Fletcher, said Israeli forces had hampered efforts to deliver much needed aid in northern Gaza.

"North Gaza has been under a near-total siege for more than two months, raising the spectre of famine," he said. "South Gaza is extremely overcrowded, creating horrific living conditions and even greater humanitarian needs as winter sets in."