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Hezbollah Admits Impasse with Bassil

Gebran Bassil speaks during an interview with Reuters in Sin-el-fil, Lebanon October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
Gebran Bassil speaks during an interview with Reuters in Sin-el-fil, Lebanon October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
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Hezbollah Admits Impasse with Bassil

Gebran Bassil speaks during an interview with Reuters in Sin-el-fil, Lebanon October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
Gebran Bassil speaks during an interview with Reuters in Sin-el-fil, Lebanon October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

Hezbollah has most likely reached the conclusion that it was not possible to reach an understanding with the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, over the election of Marada Movement chief Sleiman Franjieh as Lebanon’s president.
 
Communication between the two sides has sharply declined over the recent weeks, according to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, which prompted Bassil to accuse the party of reneging on its pledge not to nominate any candidate who does not enjoy the FPM’s support.
 
However, a Lebanese figure concerned with the stalled presidential elections stressed that the regional breakthrough will have its impact on Lebanon “sooner or later, in the form of a settlement leading to the election of a president for the republic and the formation of a government with a clear program.”
 
According to the source, Bassil was pushing “in all his meetings to nominate former Minister Jihad Azour for the presidency, but he avoids announcing his candidacy in order not to limit his chances.”
 
The source added that the potential nomination of the army commander, General Joseph Aoun, has waned with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s announcement that his election requires a constitutional amendment.
 
Berri has yet to decide on holding a session to elect a president after Eid al-Fitr, as he prefers, according to information, to secure the necessary quorum to achieve a breakthrough.
 
The opposition parties, for their part, are still locked in their differences. The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) withdrew its support for MP Michel Moawad, thus making any understanding between these forces over a new candidate an “impossible mission,” as expressed by a deputy from the opposition.
 
In a press conference on Wednesday, the head of the Kataeb Party, MP Sami Gemayel, voiced his rejection to a president imposed by Hezbollah, saying: “Such a president would be the president of Hezbollah’s republic and not that of all the Lebanese.”

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Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.