Lebanon’s Security Chief Fills Vacuum Left By Government’s 'Absence'

Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon's General Security agency is seen in Beirut, Lebanon May 23, 2018. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi/File Photo
Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon's General Security agency is seen in Beirut, Lebanon May 23, 2018. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi/File Photo
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Lebanon’s Security Chief Fills Vacuum Left By Government’s 'Absence'

Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon's General Security agency is seen in Beirut, Lebanon May 23, 2018. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi/File Photo
Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon's General Security agency is seen in Beirut, Lebanon May 23, 2018. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi/File Photo

A senior political figure, who spared no effort to support the government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the latter “is still acting like he were living on another planet and refrains from interfering at the right time to stop the country from collapsing.”

The senior politician, quoted by his visitors, noted that the government has “demonstrated its inability to address the Lebanese complaints and concerns.”

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the sources said that the political leader, who was one of the main backers of the government upon its formation, expressed his discontent with the latter’s performance.

“Its prime minister has placed himself in a political lockdown because of his insistence on some positions that brought him into a series of political clashes,” he reportedly said.

He added that Diab went as far as to clash with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, instead of maintaining a good relationship with the country that has been working to help Lebanon overcome its crises.

According to the sources, the senior political leader believes that the premier’s problem lied in his lack of a clear vision to provide solutions to economic and living problems.

He also affirmed that relying on a government of “technocrats” was not fitting because of the absence of a unified political vision and initiatives that meet the people’s aspirations.

In this context, the political leader noted that the role currently assumed by the head of the General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, was aimed at filling the vacuum left by the government’s inaptness to run political affairs.

The sources emphasized that Ibrahim’s movements were now supported by those who were initially against the security chief’s working on behalf of the government. They said that he was benefiting from his network of relations with all parties, whether in the loyalty or the opposition.



Israeli Strike Wounds a Hospital Chief in Besieged Northern Gaza, Health Officials Say

A Palestinian man gestures toward ambulances transporting victims of Israeli bombing to the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
A Palestinian man gestures toward ambulances transporting victims of Israeli bombing to the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
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Israeli Strike Wounds a Hospital Chief in Besieged Northern Gaza, Health Officials Say

A Palestinian man gestures toward ambulances transporting victims of Israeli bombing to the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
A Palestinian man gestures toward ambulances transporting victims of Israeli bombing to the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)

An Israeli strike has wounded the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of Gaza, local and international health officials said.

Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya was in his office when it was hit by an Israeli quadcopter drone on Sunday, according to the humanitarian organization MedGlobal.

The doctor was wounded by shrapnel in his thigh and back, causing serious bleeding that requires surgical care, the aid group said. Abu Safiya is the lead physician in Gaza for MedGlobal, which has worked in Gaza since 2018.

Dr. Munir al-Boursh, director general of Gaza's Health Ministry, posted a video to social media on Monday showing Abu Safiya limping and leaning on a crutch while speaking to patients inside the hospital.

The Israeli military said it was unaware of a strike on the grounds of Kamal Adwan Hospital and said it does its utmost to avoid harming civilians.

During the past month, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit several times, was put under siege and was raided by Israeli troops, who are waging a heavy offensive in the nearby Jabaliya refugee camp and towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military says it detained Hamas fighters hiding in the hospital, a claim its staff denies.

Abu Safiya said Israeli strikes on the hospital last week wounded nine medical staff and damaged the generator and oxygen systems. He said the hospital was treating 85 wounded, 14 children in the pediatric ward and four newborns in the neonatal unit.

Israel also denied knowledge of conducting any strikes on in the area of the hospital at that time.