Lebanon: Rahi Rejects Obstruction of the Constitution, Disabling the Nation

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi (NNA)
Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi (NNA)
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Lebanon: Rahi Rejects Obstruction of the Constitution, Disabling the Nation

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi (NNA)
Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi (NNA)

Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al Rahi criticized Monday the efforts of some political parties to obstruct the implementation of Lebanon’s constitution, the formation of its government, and the crucial upcoming presidential elections.

“We can not thrive in atmospheres of hatred, accusations, and abuse, at the level of political parties and blocs, as is unfortunately happening today. An atmosphere like this poisons the life of citizens,” said Rahi during his Sunday mass sermon.

He added that Lebanon’s “tragedy” is the fact that many (political parties) do not admit their mistakes or regret them, “so we live in a sin structure. This reality amounted to the disruption of constitutional life and (the state) institutions.”

The Patriarch rejected all kinds of “malicious” endeavors paralyzing the crisis-hit country, stressing the need to form a new government and prevent a vacuum at the top state post when the term of President Michel Aoun ends on October 31.

“We are not silent, but we reject paralyzing the nation, we are not silent but we reject obstructions to the constitution, we are not silent but we reject obstructions to the formation of the government, we are not silent but we reject obstruction to the election of a new President,” he stated, without naming any party in particular.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati was tasked to form a new cabinet on June 23, but his efforts have failed so far.

On the investigations into the Beirut port explosion and the move to name an alternate judge, replacing Judge Tarek Bitar, Rahi said: “It is unfortunate that the Lebanese have reached a state of mistrust and politicization, which is what’s happening today between the families of victims of the Beirut port bombing and caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury,” al-Rahi said in his Sunday Mass sermon.

“The investigative judge in the case, Tarek Bitar, is staying in his post and by law is in charge of the investigation file, but his hands are tied due to the finance minister’s refusal to sign the decree of judicial appointments,” added Rahi.



At Least 34 People Killed in Israeli Strikes in Gaza

Palestinians carry the bodies of people killed during overnight Israeli strikes, at Al-Shifa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on June 28, 2025. (by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
Palestinians carry the bodies of people killed during overnight Israeli strikes, at Al-Shifa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on June 28, 2025. (by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
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At Least 34 People Killed in Israeli Strikes in Gaza

Palestinians carry the bodies of people killed during overnight Israeli strikes, at Al-Shifa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on June 28, 2025. (by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
Palestinians carry the bodies of people killed during overnight Israeli strikes, at Al-Shifa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on June 28, 2025. (by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

At least 34 people were killed across Gaza by Israeli strikes, health staff say, as Palestinians face a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ceasefire prospects inch closer.

The strikes began late Friday and continued into Saturday morning, among others killing 12 people at the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced people, and eight more living in apartments, according to staff at Shifa hospital where the bodies were brought. Six others were killed in southern Gaza when a strike hit their tent in Muwasi, according to the hospital, The Associated Press reported.

The strikes come as US President Donald Trump says there could be a ceasefire agreement within the next week. Taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office Friday, the president said, “we’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.”

An official with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, will arrive in Washington next week for talks on Gaza's ceasefire, Iran and other subjects. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Talks have been on again off again since Israel broke the latest ceasefire in March, continuing its military campaign in Gaza and furthering the Strip's dire humanitarian crisis. Some 50 hostages remain in Gaza, fewer than half of them believed to still be alive. They were part of some 250 hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, sparking the 21-month-long war.

The war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. It says more than half of the dead were women and children.

There is hope among hostage families that Trump’s involvement in securing the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran might exert more pressure for a deal in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is riding a wave of public support for the Iran war and its achievements, and he could feel he has more space to move toward ending the war in Gaza, something his far-right governing partners oppose.

Hamas has repeatedly said it is prepared to free all the hostages in exchange for an end to the war in Gaza. Netanyahu says he will only end the war once Hamas is disarmed and exiled, something the group has rejected.

Meanwhile hungry Palestinians are enduring a catastrophic situation in Gaza. After blocking all food for 2 1/2 months, Israel has allowed only a trickle of supplies into the territory since mid-May.

Efforts by the United Nations to distribute the food have been plagued by armed gangs looting trucks and by crowds of desperate people offloading supplies from convoys.

Palestinians have also been shot and wounded while on their way to get food at newly formed aid sites, run by the American and Israeli backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, according to Gaza's health officials and witnesses.

Palestinian witnesses say Israeli troops have opened fire at crowds on the roads heading toward the sites. Israel’s military said it was investigating incidents in which civilians had been harmed while approaching the sites.