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Hezbollah Reaffirms ‘Gaza-Lebanon Equation’

Elements of UNIFIL forces participated in protecting the activities of the medical day to assist displaced families in the city of Tyre (EPA)
Elements of UNIFIL forces participated in protecting the activities of the medical day to assist displaced families in the city of Tyre (EPA)
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Hezbollah Reaffirms ‘Gaza-Lebanon Equation’

Elements of UNIFIL forces participated in protecting the activities of the medical day to assist displaced families in the city of Tyre (EPA)
Elements of UNIFIL forces participated in protecting the activities of the medical day to assist displaced families in the city of Tyre (EPA)

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon has reiterated its stance in the conflict with Israel, connecting the halt of Gaza aggression to ceasing “support operations” in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah underscored that Lebanon will decide on future actions.
During a ceremony honoring a Hezbollah fighter, Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah parliamentary member, said: “The resistance in Gaza determines our steps. Today, we’re on the brink of a major blow to the occupying army, despite sacrifices.”
“In Lebanon, the equation is clear: when Gaza attacks stop, support actions cease. Our front supports pressure on the enemy to defend Lebanon, preventing any thought of violating our land,” added Fadlallah.
Responding to concerns about Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanese politics, Fadlallah asserted Lebanon’s sovereignty in decision-making.
“Post-aggression decisions are Lebanese. They’re decided by Lebanese people and authorities, strengthening Lebanon’s defense and denying the enemy political gains they couldn't achieve militarily,” he affirmed.
Fadlalllah pointed to Israeli army exhaustion as a factor in halting the Gaza conflict.
“The Israeli army is now unable to continue, pressuring political leaders to stop the war,” he claimed.
Criticizing Hezbollah opponents in Lebanon, he said: “Some political voices undermine Lebanon’s strength.”
Field reports noted cautious calm in South Lebanon after limited cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel and night bombings injuring four civilians, including firefighters.

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Arab World

Egypt, Pakistan Seek to Boost Relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, Pakistan Seek to Boost Relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir last month (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and Pakistan on Saturday discussed on Saturday ways of advancing and strengthening bilateral relations in political and economic fields, with a view to serving the interests of peoples of both countries.

During a phone call, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar praised the remarkable progress in bilateral relations and affirmed commitment to continuing efforts to boost cooperation in various fields, in light of the historical ties and common interests shared by the two nations.

They discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly the latest situation in Gaza, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khalaf.

Abdelatty underscored the importance of full implementation of the first phase of the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement.

He stressed that both parties to the conflict must honor all their commitments in order to proceed to the second phase.

The Egyptian PM highlighted the importance of the effective implementation of the plan announced by US President Donald Trump.

A Foreign Ministry statement noted that the two sides discussed the ongoing consultations on the draft UN Security Council resolution regarding developments in Gaza as well as relevant security arrangements.

Abdelatty and Dar stressed the importance of ensuring that the resolution contributes to solidifying the end of the war and creating conditions conducive to achieving a just and comprehensive peace that fulfills the aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.

Late last month, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received in Cairo Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir and emphasized Egypt’s keenness to continue strengthening and advancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.

This cooperation aims to achieve the common aspirations of the Egyptian and Pakistani peoples and contribute to boosting efforts for development and prosperity in both countries, the President had said.

The meeting also covered ways to enhance regional security and peace, both in the Middle East and South Asia.

There was a strong emphasis on intensifying consultation between the two countries to avoid escalation and address common challenges. The meeting also included exploring avenues for cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism and extremism.

In July, El-Sisi met with Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza and discussed ways of promoting bilateral cooperation, especially in military and security fields, alongside exchanging expertise in combating terrorism and extremism.

During his meeting with Dar on Saturday, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s efforts to host the international conference on early recovery, reconstruction, and development in Gaza, in cooperation with international partners.

He invited his Pakistani counterpart to participate actively in the upcoming event.

Earlier, Abdelatty had emphasized the urgent need to initiate early recovery and reconstruction plans in Gaza as soon as possible.

He said this should be done within a comprehensive vision that protects the rights of the Palestinians, in accordance with both the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction and US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan.

Last month, Egypt and Pakistan said they are strengthening their military cooperation as Egypt’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, Gen. Abdel Mageed Saqr, met with Gen. Munir in Cairo.

Saqr had expressed his “appreciation for the close ties between the armed forces of both countries,” emphasizing “the importance of bolstering efforts to achieve security and stability amid the rapid changes on the regional and international scenes.”

Arab World

Gaza Health Ministry Confirms Received Bodies of 15 Palestinians under Truce Deal

Temporary tents stretch along the beachfront in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP)
Temporary tents stretch along the beachfront in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP)
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Gaza Health Ministry Confirms Received Bodies of 15 Palestinians under Truce Deal

Temporary tents stretch along the beachfront in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP)
Temporary tents stretch along the beachfront in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP)

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza confirmed Saturday it had received the bodies of 15 Palestinians the day before under the US-brokered ceasefire exchange deal.

"The Ministry of Health announces the receipt of 15 bodies of martyrs who were released yesterday, Friday, by the Israeli occupation through the Red Cross. This brings the total number of bodies received to 330" as part of the deal, the ministry said, adding it had so far identified 97.

They were returned in exchange for the remains of 73-year-old Israeli hostage Meny Godard, which Hamas returned via the Red Cross on Thursday.

Arab World

After Assad's Fall, Syrians and EU Officials Hold Rare Meeting in Damascus

Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani leaves the stage after addressing delegates during a day of dialogue with Syrian civil society, a first step towards structured dialogue with the Syrian government and the European Union, at Conference Palace near Damascus on November 15, 2025. (AFP)
Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani leaves the stage after addressing delegates during a day of dialogue with Syrian civil society, a first step towards structured dialogue with the Syrian government and the European Union, at Conference Palace near Damascus on November 15, 2025. (AFP)
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After Assad's Fall, Syrians and EU Officials Hold Rare Meeting in Damascus

Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani leaves the stage after addressing delegates during a day of dialogue with Syrian civil society, a first step towards structured dialogue with the Syrian government and the European Union, at Conference Palace near Damascus on November 15, 2025. (AFP)
Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani leaves the stage after addressing delegates during a day of dialogue with Syrian civil society, a first step towards structured dialogue with the Syrian government and the European Union, at Conference Palace near Damascus on November 15, 2025. (AFP)

Representatives of Syria’s civil society held rare open discussions Saturday in Damascus in the presence of officials from the European Union and the transitional government. They touched on sensitive topics including sectarian tensions, ethnic divisions and people killed by different sides.

The EU-organized meetings known as “The Day of Dialogue” are the first to be held in Damascus after taking place in past years in Brussels. Saturday's meetings came nearly a year after the fall of the 54-year Assad family rule in Syria in a stunning offensive by opposition groups in early December.

The meetings that used to take place within the framework of the Brussels Conferences were mostly boycotted by then-President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The EU said Saturday's meetings were organized in cooperation with Syrian civil society and the Syrian transitional authorities.

“The meeting that used to be held to talk about Syria is now being held in Syria,” Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in a speech at the opening session held at a conference center in the southern outskirts of Damascus.

Al-Shaibani added that Saturday’s meetings represent “a solid partnership with the civil society and our partners in the European Union.”

Michael Ohnmacht, chargé d’affaires of the EU delegation to Syria, said 500 people from Syria’s different religious and ethnic groups took part in the meetings and “this is something very positive.”

“This is what we hope for Syria’s future, to see this inclusive state which will be a state in the form of all its citizens,” Ohnmacht said.

Despite the changes in Syria over the past year, sectarian violence in the country’s coastal region in March and the southern province of Sweida in July between pro-government gunmen and members of the country’s Druze and Alawite minorities left hundreds of people dead.

Such acts of violence show that Syria still faces major crises in the 14-year conflict that has left half a million people dead.

“Today’s dialogue is the beginning of change and rebuilding Syria only happens through partnership based on respect between the state and civil society,” said Social Affairs Minister Hind Kabawat.

During one of the sessions on transitional justice and the fate of the missing, Syrians demanded answers on issues still pending, such as more than 130,000 people who went missing under Assad's rule while an ethnic Kurd spoke about state discrimination they have faced for decades. Another spoke about violence against some women who belong to minority sects.

Mazen Darwish, a Syrian lawyer and one of the country’s most prominent activists who was repeatedly jailed in Syria before he went into exile years ago, said no one regrets the fall of the Assad family rule adding that this does not mean that “the future of Syria will be rosy and great.”

“Today we have an opportunity in Syria and we have to take advantage of it,” Darwish said.