Jumblatt Meets Aoun to Mend Relations, Prevent Strife in Mount Lebanon

Aoun and Jumblatt during their meeting in Baabda on Monday (Dalati & Nohra)
Aoun and Jumblatt during their meeting in Baabda on Monday (Dalati & Nohra)
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Jumblatt Meets Aoun to Mend Relations, Prevent Strife in Mount Lebanon

Aoun and Jumblatt during their meeting in Baabda on Monday (Dalati & Nohra)
Aoun and Jumblatt during their meeting in Baabda on Monday (Dalati & Nohra)

The head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), former deputy Walid Jumblatt, made a surprise visit to the Baabda Palace on Monday to meet with President Michel Aoun, for the first time in nearly a year, despite the deep disagreement between them, and the direct attack by Jumblatt and his team against the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).

Sources close to the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat that the main reason behind the meeting was to ease tension in Mount Lebanon and prevent a lurking clash.

According to the sources, MP Farid Boustani, a member of Aoun’s parliamentary bloc, sought to mediate between the two sides, “in order to prevent a further political escalation” between Christians and Druze in the region.

The same sources noted that the meeting touched on the upcoming meeting in Baabda, which would gather the heads of political blocs to discuss the economic rescue plan recently adopted by the government.

Jumblatt apologized for not being able to attend the gathering for health reasons, but said he would present his written comments to the president, according to the sources.

In remarks following the meeting, the PSP leader said he agreed with the president on the need to tackle controversial issues with “rationality.”

“I visited President Aoun in a goodwill initiative, in order to clear the dispute with the (Free Patriotic Movement),” he noted.

Jumblatt stressed that he was not part of any bilateral or tripartite alliances, saying: “My own calculations are based on the necessity to shape the relationship and manage the dispute with the FPM.”



Families of Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza Start Hunger Strike

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
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Families of Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza Start Hunger Strike

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)

Family members of Israelis held in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip began a hunger strike, accusing the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of completely abandoning their cause by waging a brutal war in Lebanon.
They said Israel’s decision to expand the war to the north with Lebanon and possibly to a regional war with Iran, is “a death sentence for their sons and daughters” who were taken captive by Hamas a year ago in Operation Al-Aqsa.
The hunger strike came after the Israeli Army’s Home Front Command ordered a ban on gathering for fear of Hezbollah, Houthis and other parties firing rockets at the protesters.
Despite this decision, some family members of Israeli hostages chose to continue their protest. But there were only a few hundred who participated.
Meanwhile, 18 Israelis continued a hunger strike, demanding a deal that would bring the hostages home.
Danny, the brother of Itzik Algert, one of the hostages in Hamas captivity said he understands that the hunger strike is a desperate move, but added that he cannot remain silent while his brother faces the danger of death in captivity.
“We have a government that does not shy away from committing a crime against its children,” he said. “Demonstrations are now limited and forbidden while the public is indifferent. They will not move until they watch us die, and even then, I'm not sure they will. But, we can't celebrate the holiday while our children suffer,” Danny added.
There are 101 hostages held by Hamas since October 2023, about 31 of whom Israeli officials estimate have died. Their families urge the country's leadership to secure a ceasefire deal that would free the captives before they see more deaths.
The hunger strike was started by activist Orna Shimoni, who is 83 years old. Shimoni became prominent during the first Lebanon war in 1982 when she established a movement called the Four Mothers.
Protesters who joined Shimoni include David Agmon, a retired Brigadier General in the Israeli army, and Rabbi Avidan Freedman.
Those striking are staying outside the Knesset west of Jerusalem.
Michal Deutsch, who is taking part in the protest, accused right-wing activists of attacking and insulting everyone at the hunger strike. She said those activists were sent by the government to harass the strikers.