Israel Targets Gaza Arms Dealers, Expands Strikes on Weapons Production Siteshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5303431-israel-targets-gaza-arms-dealers-expands-strikes-weapons-production-sites
Israel Targets Gaza Arms Dealers, Expands Strikes on Weapons Production Sites
Palestinians gather during a mass funeral for 112 members of the Abu Sharia and Al-Hasayna families in the eastern Gaza City, 04 August 2026. (EPA)
Israel is intensifying attacks on people involved in weapons manufacturing and trading, as well as sites suspected of producing arms, in moves linked to its plans to demilitarize Gaza and maintain security control over the enclave.
Israel broke a lull in fighting on Monday with a new assassination that killed two Palestinians traveling in a vehicle from Gaza City to central Gaza.
Palestinians in the Nuseirat camp on Tuesday buried Samir Abu Dalal and Mohammed Darwish, who were killed in the strike. Their funeral coincided with the burial in Gaza City of 112 members of one clan who were killed during the Gaza war, but whose bodies could not previously be recovered.
Field sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Abu Dalal and Darwish had long-standing links to members of Palestinian factions who bought various weapons from them.
The sources said Israeli forces targeted three arms dealers in July, including one who worked directly for the supply unit of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing.
The Israeli military said late last month it had killed Mohammed al-Abd, an official in the supply department of Hamas’ military wing. On July 13, it said it had killed Mustafa al-Owaisi, accusing him of trying to smuggle military equipment into Gaza to help the Qassam Brigades rebuild.
The sources said Israel had killed many people involved in trading weapons during the war, including Kalashnikov rifles, anti-tank missiles, and modern sniper rifles.
Israeli strikes also targeted homes on the grounds that weapons were stored inside them, as well as workshops Israel said were used to manufacture arms.
The sources said Israel pursued Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives involved in weapons manufacturing as intensely as those who took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack or held Israeli hostages during the war.
No new Israeli air strikes were recorded on Tuesday as diplomatic efforts continued to consolidate a “roadmap” agreement reached with Hamas in Egypt last Friday.
A Palestinian also died from wounds sustained in an Israeli strike on a residential apartment early on Sunday, when fighting sharply escalated.
Two Palestinians were wounded on Tuesday by fire from Israeli military vehicles in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis. Drones also dropped bombs over areas east of the city and in the Zeitoun neighborhood of southeastern Gaza City.
Iranian Ambassador to Syria Mohammad Reza Sheibani, shows his ink-stained finger as he votes in the first round of the Iranian presidential election on June 14, 2013 at the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus. (AFP)
Lebanese Authorities Extend Residency of Iran’s Ambassador
Iranian Ambassador to Syria Mohammad Reza Sheibani, shows his ink-stained finger as he votes in the first round of the Iranian presidential election on June 14, 2013 at the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus. (AFP)
Lebanese authorities extended on Monday the residency of former Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani, who defied the country’s expulsion order earlier this year.
Now viewed as regular civilian, not a diplomat, the authorities extended his stay by six months.
A security source told Asharq Al-Awsat that General Security chief Hassan Choucair, within his legal capacity, proposed granting him residency.
He informed the concerned political authorities, meaning the president, prime minister and interior minister, before approving the residency.
Lebanese Foreign Ministry sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ministry was not informed of the intention to grant him residency.
They stressed that Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi’s position "is clear and not up for debate" that Iran must respect the expulsion order.
The ministry had in March withdrawn its approval of the ambassador's accreditation, giving him 72 hours to leave the country, drawing Hezbollah's condemnation.
The expulsion stemmed from what the Lebanese state described as Tehran's violation of diplomatic norms and established practices between the two countries.
It is "a measure against the ambassador for violating diplomatic protocol and his obligations as an appointed ambassador to Lebanon".
The ministry accused him of making statements "interfering in Lebanon's internal politics and evaluating the decisions taken by the government".
The government has accused Hezbollah of dragging Lebanon to war after it fired rockets at Israel on March 2 in wake of the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the beginning of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Hezbollah called the expulsion a "sin" and demanded the authorities "immediately reverse" the move.
Abdi, Ahmed in Damascus Hoping to Complete Integration Talks Before the End of Augusthttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5310830-abdi-ahmed-damascus-hoping-complete-integration-talks-end-august
President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and top SDF official Ilham Ahmed at the People's Palace in Damascus, Aug. 4, 2026. (SANA)
Abdi, Ahmed in Damascus Hoping to Complete Integration Talks Before the End of August
President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and top SDF official Ilham Ahmed at the People's Palace in Damascus, Aug. 4, 2026. (SANA)
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi and top SDF official Ilham Ahmed held talks with Syrian government officials in Damascus on Monday as the two sides seek to complete integration measures by the end of the month.
Sources in Damascus told Asharq Al-Awsat that education was the main issue discussed at the meeting, which was held under a media blackout.
The talks came about 20 days after Abdi and Ahmed met President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. Sources said that meeting failed to produce agreement on several disputed issues despite both sides’ commitment to implementing their January 29 accord.
Abdi has recently denied that the SDF would be dissolved, saying its integration into the Syrian army would preserve its structures within new formations, including brigades in Qamishli, al-Malikiyah and Kobani, with another planned for Afrin. He also announced plans to launch a new, non-ethnic political party in Syria.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on August 18 that several issues remained unresolved, including how to integrate the Women’s Protection Units and Kurdish-language education.
Kurdish officials want school curricula translated into Kurdish, while Damascus proposed offering Kurdish language as an optional subject, arguing that separate curricula could prompt similar demands from other Syrian communities.
Before traveling to Damascus, Ahmed wrote on X that education in one’s mother tongue was “a fundamental right of every people,” adding that recognizing such rights could make Syria a model of justice, stability and peace.
Al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 13 on January 16, recognizing Syrian Kurdish citizens as an “essential and integral part of the Syrian people” and their cultural and linguistic identity as part of Syria’s national identity.
Other unresolved issues include non-Syrian Kurds, Kurdish organizations and leaders who have not joined state institutions, as well as the return of displaced people and detainees and missing persons held by the SDF.
Recent reports said that discussions will also cover Kurdish appointments within state institutions following integration, including potential senior posts for figures from the Syrian Democratic Council.
Abdi said ahead of the Damascus visit that implementation of the January agreement had entered a new phase as the integration of military, security and administrative institutions progressed.
Kurdish media reported significant advances in merging civilian and service institutions, including education, health, energy, water and agriculture, while judicial integration is expected to advance in early September.
Guarantees Demanded from Israel, Hezbollah over Proposed Int’l Force in South Lebanonhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5310828-guarantees-demanded-israel-hezbollah-over-proposed-int%E2%80%99l-force-south-lebanon
A photo taken from the southern Lebanese area of Marjeyoun, shows UNIFIL forces driving towards an Israeli army position in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Shouba on February 15, 2025. (AFP)
Guarantees Demanded from Israel, Hezbollah over Proposed Int’l Force in South Lebanon
A photo taken from the southern Lebanese area of Marjeyoun, shows UNIFIL forces driving towards an Israeli army position in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Shouba on February 15, 2025. (AFP)
Countries being considered for a possible international mission to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), or as members in a verification mechanisms in proposed pilot zones in South Lebanon, are seeking security guarantees from both Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanese sources familiar with discussions with European countries told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Continued Israeli attacks and military violations in the South are blocking progress on both tracks, the sources said.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed the post-UNIFIL phase with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a visit to Rome on Friday, including Italy’s readiness to participate in a verification mechanism in the pilot zones and provide military support to the Lebanese Army.
Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, who headed to Rome on Sunday, is continuing those discussions, focusing on technical and military details.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (Lebanese presidency on X)
Security guarantees
Military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Haykal’s agenda includes support for the army, preparations for the expiration of UNIFIL’s mandate at the end of this year, a proposed joint European force to replace it and a monitoring mechanism for the pilot zones.
The details are being discussed so they would be ready for implementation if political progress is made and obstacles are removed.
“Nothing is final at this point amid the Israeli escalation,” the sources said, referring to daily strikes and violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Protecting international personnel deployed in South Lebanon remains a key concern. Lebanese sources following the talks noted that countries being considered for any mission are demanding security guarantees for their personnel from both Israel and Hezbollah.
They are seeking Hezbollah’s prior approval for their participation and assurances that the party will not oppose their deployment. They also require Israel to halt attacks on Lebanese territory within their areas of operation.
“With the attacks continuing, there is no progress on any of the proposed files,” the sources underlined, adding that UNIFIL itself is struggling with the current military escalation in the South.
Israeli armored vehicles drive through the Wadi al-Slouki area, as seen from Chaqra village, in southern Lebanon, 21 August 2026. (EPA)
Italy seen as leading candidate
The proposed monitoring mechanism for the pilot zones also remains unresolved, with Israel objecting to the participation of some countries.
Italy appears the most likely candidate to secure approval from the United States, Lebanon and Israel, although no final decision has been made. Unlike France, Italy has not faced an Israeli veto, the sources remarked.
Military sources accused Israel of obstructing proposals for a verification mechanism because “it does not want anyone monitoring it,” citing human rights violations and other actions in the South that could be documented and potentially used against the Israeli military in the future.
Italy is considered the leading candidate to undertake the verification mission once political obstacles are removed, given its active role in several missions in Lebanon. Rome is also hosting US-sponsored Lebanese-Israeli negotiations.
Italy contributes 738 troops to UNIFIL, making it the mission’s largest European contingent. UNIFIL is also currently commanded by Italian Maj. Gen. Diodato Abagnara.
Italy also leads the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L), an international body coordinating multinational military assistance to the Lebanese Army. The Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon (MIBIL) has also provided training to the Lebanese Army since 2015.
A photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Marjeyoun shows smoke as it rises from torched houses in the border village of Khiam on August 24, 2026. (AFP)
Israeli operations continue
Meanwhile, the Israeli military continued to violate the ceasefire agreement in the South, carrying out major explosions in Kfar Tebnit, Yohmor al-Shaqif, Majdal Zoun and Khiam.
Israeli forces also carried out bulldozing and demolition work on the western outskirts of Mays al-Jabal, destroying a temporary school complex built and opened by the municipality after the latest war in cooperation with the Council for South Lebanon and the Jabal Amel Union of Municipalities.
Israeli troops also brought in a truck carrying explosives and began rigging several homes for demolition.
Airstrikes targeted the outskirts of Majdal Zoun in the Tyre district, Houla in the Bint Jbeil district, and areas around Deir Seryan-al-Qusayr and Dawhet Kfar Rumman in Nabatieh.
An Israeli armored force advanced toward an area between Hadatha and Haris, where bulldozers carried out operations.
Israeli forces positioned between Beaufort Castle and Kfar Tebnit, through the towns of Arnoun and Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, opened heavy- and medium-machine-gun fire as several explosions were heard. Israeli artillery also struck the outskirts of Mayfadoun.
The escalation followed a night of airstrikes targeting Ali al-Taher hill, Dawhet Kfar Rumman and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, accompanied by intermittent artillery fire.
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