Israel Suspends Construction of Underground Wall

A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
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Israel Suspends Construction of Underground Wall

A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
A mourner reacts as Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants hold their weapons while taking part in the funeral of their comrade in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Israel has decided to maintain a state of emergency and suspend construction on the underground wall border with Gaza Strip, as the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine announced that five of its members were martyred and their bodies were still buried inside the tunnel. Israel is also promoting the "inevitability of a military escalation in the region," fearing retaliation after the tunnel blastt.

Meanwhile, the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK called for launching an international investigation in the weapons used by the Israeli Army to shell the tunnel in Gaza Strip on Oct. 30, killing seven Palestinians, injuring others and leaving others missing.

In its statement, the organization added that medics who examined the bodies of the victims reported that poisonous substances were used in the bombing. This is evidenced by what they saw of the victims – they were bleeding from their ears, mouth and nose. Others who were injured were severely ill as a result of inhaling toxic substances.

AOHR UK noted that the Israeli occupation is known for using internationally prohibited weapons, such as explosive bullets, white phosphorus and cluster bombs. These weapons were extensively used by Israeli forces in its previous wars on the Gaza Strip, causing heavy casualties.

It saw that the Israeli occupation is exaggerating what it calls “security threat from the Gaza Strip and the tunnels to justify its deadly attacks, using all kinds of weapons on targets it deems as penetrating Israeli sovereignty.”

The Adalah Legal Center and the Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights filed a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court to oblige the Israeli Army to permit prompt entrance of the Palestinian rescue teams to search for missing victims.



France: Committed to Supporting the Rise of a New Lebanon

President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
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France: Committed to Supporting the Rise of a New Lebanon

President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).
President-elect Joseph Aoun met on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (EPA).

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver three key messages during his upcoming visit to Lebanon on Friday, focusing on the nation’s sovereignty, economic reform, and preservation of unity. This marks Macron’s third trip to Lebanon following the 2020 Beirut port explosion, underscoring Paris’ ongoing engagement with Lebanon during its political and economic crises.
Macron will arrive in Beirut accompanied by a small delegation, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, parliamentarians, and individuals with strong ties to Lebanon.
His agenda includes meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. Discussions will also extend to UNIFIL leaders and French and American officers overseeing the ceasefire monitoring team, focusing on Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and expanding the Lebanese army’s role in the region.
According to Elysee sources, France prioritizes Lebanon’s sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of empowering the state to control its borders, reclaim its territory, and implement UN Resolution 1701. Paris views the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as central to this goal, providing them with equipment, training, and logistical support. Macron is also urging Israel and Hezbollah to adhere to commitments for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The sources added that France’s approach extends to engaging with regional actors. Barrot recently stressed to Syrian officials the need to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, prevent smuggling, and maintain regional stability. These discussions echo themes raised during Mikati’s recent visit to Syria, as Paris seeks to address cross-border issues that threaten Lebanon’s security.
Macron’s visit also aims to address the role of Hezbollah within Lebanon. French officials encourage the group to transition into a political entity, fully integrating into the democratic process. They argue that Hezbollah’s declining military capacity, exacerbated by regional changes such as the weakening of the Assad regime, presents an opportunity for this transformation.
Macron’s previous engagements with Hezbollah during 2020 roundtable talks emphasized disarmament and inclusion in Lebanon’s political framework. France believes this shift is essential for restoring institutional functionality and preserving Lebanon’s unity, the sources underlined.
Macron’s third focus is on Lebanon’s economic recovery. The sources at the Elysee noted that France is advocating for structural reforms as a foundation for rebuilding the economy, beginning with an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Paris has made it clear that international aid depends on Lebanon restoring global confidence through transparency, anti-corruption measures, and economic restructuring.
While French officials did not confirm plans for an international conference to aid Lebanon, they indicated that Paris is prepared to mobilize global support if reforms are implemented. France also continues to coordinate closely with Saudi Arabia and the United States to develop a shared vision for Lebanon’s recovery, the sources concluded.