The displacement of refugees from the war between the Jewish State and Hezbollah and the political-community tensions threaten the country's stability. The Maronite Patriarch calls for the ‘liberation’ of occupied catholic schools, but his words have triggered further controversy. The Druze community calls for ‘hospitality’. Walid Jumblatt: ‘The war seems destined to be prolonged’.
Hezbollah’s new chief does not rule out negotiations, but warns that it will take weeks or months. Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati is optimistic, waiting for developments from Hochstein's mission to Israel. But opposition remains on both sides. Meanwhile, the Saudi capital hosts a two-day meeting of the “International Alliance to implement the Two-State Solution".
The Paris conference allocated one billion for Lebanon, but only 200 million to the army is guaranteed. French MP to AsiaNews: ‘Countries will give nothing if transparency is not ensured’. Beirut pledges to deploy 8,000 soldiers south of the Litani. Macron's warning: ‘Israel knows from experience that military success is not necessarily a victory in the Land of the Cedars’.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of using the crossings to move weapons and military equipment between the two countries. Up to half a million people have crossed the border into Syria since the opening of Israel’s "northern front". Airstrikes also affect civilians and block business activities and trade. The IDF issued an evacuation order for Tyre.
The massive displacement of Lebanese Shia is exacerbating sectarian tensions. The central objective of the conference underway today in Paris is to help Lebanon’s military avoid a bloodbath. This is a first step, a prelude to a possible ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and the deployment of Lebanese armed forces south of the Litani River that will allow the return of the displaced people.
The martyrs of Damascus, three Maronite laymen killed in 1860 together with eight Franciscan friars in a wave of sectarian violence will be canonised tomorrow in Rome. The Syrian faithful will follow the ceremony in the church of Bab Touma where their martyrdom took place.
