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‘Million-Man March’ to Test Gaza Calm

Palestinian demonstrators protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence, in the central Gaza Strip January 25, 2019. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/ REUTERS)
Palestinian demonstrators protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence, in the central Gaza Strip January 25, 2019. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/ REUTERS)
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‘Million-Man March’ to Test Gaza Calm

Palestinian demonstrators protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence, in the central Gaza Strip January 25, 2019. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/ REUTERS)
Palestinian demonstrators protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence, in the central Gaza Strip January 25, 2019. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/ REUTERS)

A “million-man march” planned Saturday in the Gaza Strip along the border with Israel would constitute a test for Egyptian efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in the enclave.

Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday that Egyptian officials asked the factions to keep their March of Return peaceful and exercise restraint.

The Israeli army has deployed additional forces around the Strip, ahead of the planned protests that are set to mark the one-year anniversary of the weekly demonstrations along the frontier with Israel.

Khaled al-Batsh, head of the National Authority for the Great March of Return, the body that launched the weekly protests in March 2018, called for a peaceful rally on Saturday.

His request came after an Egyptian security delegation met Friday, for the third time in two days, with Palestinian factions in Gaza to complete talks over a truce in the enclave.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said that Israel's response to its demands will effect how the "million-man march" will play out.

Hamas launched the weekly protests a year ago, initially to call for a return of Palestinian refugees to their ancestral lands in what is now Israel.

The focus of the demonstrations has been expanded to pressuring Israel into lifting its crippling blockade of the coastal enclave. 

Meanwhile, sources in Tel Aviv said Israeli officials were hinting at carrying out a large-scale military operation in an attempt to limit the number of crowds in Saturday's planned march.

This week’s protests coincide with Land Day, an annual day of commemoration of the events that took place in Israel in 1976, after the Israeli government’s decision to expropriate thousands of hectares in the Galilee.

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Lebanese Govt Heads for Summer Recess ahead of Debate on ‘Restricting Arms’ Plan

The Lebanese cabinet convened at the Baabda Palace on Thursday (AP) 
The Lebanese cabinet convened at the Baabda Palace on Thursday (AP) 
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Lebanese Govt Heads for Summer Recess ahead of Debate on ‘Restricting Arms’ Plan

The Lebanese cabinet convened at the Baabda Palace on Thursday (AP) 
The Lebanese cabinet convened at the Baabda Palace on Thursday (AP) 

Lebanon’s Cabinet will hold two service-focused meetings on Wednesday before beginning a two-week summer recess, returning at the end of August to take up the contentious “exclusive arms” plan now being drafted by the army. The proposal, which aims to restrict the possession of weapons to state institutions, is expected to be implemented by year’s end.

A ministerial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Wednesday’s sessions will be confined to approving public service items to avoid political confrontation over the arms issue, a matter dividing the Cabinet.

While most ministers support the plan, the Shiite political duo – represented by Amal Movement and Hezbollah - remains opposed, citing the absence of binding guarantees that would compel Israel to withdraw from five strategic points in South Lebanon.

The Cabinet will resume its regular meetings once the army finalizes the plan.

President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are expected to quietly seek a compromise to break a reported “impasse” over the matter.

However, top-level dialogue has been on hold since Shiite ministers walked out of the last meeting before the government could discuss US mediator Tom Barrack’s proposals for implementing weapons exclusivity and the presidency’s response.

Barrack was scheduled to visit Beirut this week for a fourth round of talks but postponed his trip indefinitely. Officials expect his return to coincide with the army’s completion of the plan.

The source commended Berri for urging his Amal Movement supporters to avoid Hezbollah-sponsored marches and to prevent gatherings from spilling into Beirut, in order to avert sectarian tensions - particularly between Sunnis and Shiites - that could threaten Lebanon’s fragile coexistence.

At the same time, the source stressed that the government will not tolerate Iranian interference in domestic affairs, particularly Tehran’s calls for Hezbollah to retain its weapons.

Foreign Minister Youssef Raji has been tasked with answering recent Iranian statements, which officials say are being coordinated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Berri’s position, while cautious, is viewed as more flexible than Hezbollah’s, leaving open the possibility of an understanding, provided Hezbollah maintains his mandate on the issue.

Iran’s involvement has provoked criticism both at home and abroad. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, accused of leading the recent campaign against the government, is said to have backtracked on a pledge made during his last visit to Beirut not to meddle in Lebanon’s internal politics.

Analysts warn that Tehran appears unwilling to recognize shifting regional dynamics, raising fears it seeks to keep Lebanon within its political sphere.

Diplomatic efforts now hinge on upcoming presidential-level meetings aimed at persuading the US mediator to amend parts of his proposal, securing American guarantees that could address not only Hezbollah’s concerns but also those of the wider Lebanese public.