A Region on Fire
Issue 43 - November 8, 2024
The Last Chance for a Solution Under President Biden
Presidential advisor Hochstein is expected to bring a "last chance" proposal to Lebanon on behalf of the current U.S. administration. Failure to reach an agreement could mean extending the war until President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Gaza: Nearly 70% of War Victims Are Women and Children
A UN report reveals that around 70% of those killed in Israel's war on Gaza from November 2023 to April 2024 are women and children. The UN’s Human Rights Commission confirmed this, showing that of 8,119 people out of 34,500 killed, most are women and children.
The report said it found "unprecedented" levels of international law violations, raising concerns about "war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes". It notes that civilians bear the heaviest burden, as Israel blocks humanitarian aid, destroys infrastructure, and forces repeated mass displacement. These actions have caused unprecedented levels of death, injury, hunger, and disease.
Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, head of Kamal Adwan Hospital, says wounded Palestinians in Beit Lahia are dying due to lack of medicine and doctors. Israeli forces also continue to raid the West Bank, including the towns of Kafr Ni'ma and Deir Ibzi' near Ramallah.Bottom of Form
Battlefield Developments in Lebanon
In the last 24 hours, 100 airstrikes and bombardments hit various parts of Lebanon, mainly in Nabatieh (58 strikes), the south (22 strikes), and Beirut's southern suburbs (16 strikes). The total attacks since the beginning of the aggression have reached 12,423. The Ministry of Public Health reported 15 deaths and 69 injuries in the last day, bringing the total casualties to 3,118 dead and 13,925 injured.
Hezbollah continued launching drones at Israeli forces in Maroun al-Ras and targeting several settlements. The Israeli army reported around 60 rockets fired by Hezbollah and activated alarms in central and northern areas of Israel following cross-border launches from Lebanon.
Political Developments in Lebanon
The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) criticized attacks on the Lebanese army, stressing the need to support it during this challenging time. The PSP emphasized that the army already faces great pressure, with duties in internal security and deployments in the south where it suffers casualties from Israeli attacks. The PSP called for more support so the army can secure the south and enforce Resolution 1701 after a ceasefire.
UNIFIL reported that two Israeli bulldozers damaged part of a UNIFIL site in Ras Naqoura on Thursday. When UNIFIL protested, the Israeli army denied involvement. UNIFIL condemned this act as a violation of international law and Resolution 1701, reminding all sides to protect UN staff and property.
UNIFIL accused the Israeli army of "deliberate" actions against one of its sites in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL noted that this incident mirrors seven previous ones involving direct actions by the Israeli military.
Despite these issues, UNIFIL confirmed that its peacekeepers will continue monitoring and reporting as required by Resolution 1701.
Humanitarian Response in Lebanon
A quick assessment by UNDP reported that Lebanon’s economy might shrink by over 9.2% in 2024. This serious economic impact requires targeted policy responses to ease the strain.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated that over one million people have been displaced from southern Lebanon, calling the situation "very alarming."
In a statement, officials from the Hermel region highlighted the difficult living conditions and the absence of aid since the war began, urging fair treatment for the area.
As of now, 1,151 approved centers have been opened to house displaced people, with 984 centers already at full capacity. The total registered displaced population has reached 190,480 people (45,823 families), with the highest numbers in Mount Lebanon and Beirut, though actual numbers are likely much higher.
Between September 23 and the end of 2024, General Security recorded the movement of 370,648 Syrians and 195,682 Lebanese returning to Syria.
Since October, Brazil has donated 40 tons of medicine and 6,500 blankets to Lebanon. A new shipment is expected soon, with supplies for Lebanon's Children’s Cancer Center.
International Developments
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the Dutch government to investigate Israeli instigators and protect Palestinians and Arabs in the Netherlands after Israeli fans tore a Palestinian flag in Amsterdam. Prime Minister Netanyahu responded, urging the Dutch Prime Minister to hold those responsible accountable and protect the Jewish community, calling the incident anti-Semitic.
- The Spanish government has denied docking permission to two US-bound cargo vessels suspected of carrying weapons for Israel and urged the UN to ban arms exports to Israel.
- The leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. jointly called for an end to the suffering of Gaza’s residents and for the release of Israeli hostages.
- Turkish President Erdogan urged U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to fulfill his promises to stop Israel’s wars in the Middle East, announcing that Turkey has cut trade with Israel and may soon sever relations entirely.
- Jordan condemned the Israeli raid on a church in Jerusalem, rejecting actions aimed at changing the city’s historical and legal status.
- Greece’s foreign minister warned that the conflict’s expansion into Lebanon could heighten regional tensions.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated that while the enemy is fully engaged, Iran is using only part of its capacity in response.
- Iraq’s foreign minister reported that Iranian officials confirmed they would not attack Israel from Iraqi territory.
- The Houthi movement announced a ballistic missile strike on Israel’s Nevatim air base in the Negev and claimed to have downed a U.S. MQ9 drone over northern Yemen near the Saudi border.
