Weather fluctuations in Lebanon... and the Israeli army ignites fires and launches raids in the south

Beirut — Mansour Shaaban: The situation in southern Lebanon remains unchanged, as the Israeli occupation army set fires between Aita al-Shaab and Haddatha. The speed of the winds caused the flames to engulf many forest trees and dry grass, making it difficult for firefighting teams to reach the areas in time. The Israeli army also burned residential buildings in the town of Beit Yahoun, and carried out explosions and airstrikes on Aita al-Shaab and Nabatieh Fawqa.

This comes as Lebanon experiences climatic fluctuations, with meteorological authorities predicting heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds. The municipality of Haret Hreik warned residents of the southern suburb of the repercussions of these conditions, urging them “to stay away from damaged and cracked buildings, and not to approach or stand next to them, especially given the intensifying wind speeds, which may cause stones and parts of damaged facades to fly or fall, posing a threat to public safety.”

It is worth noting that the “suburb” has been subjected to Israeli airstrikes, which caused the cracking of many buildings and the collapse of some others.

Meanwhile, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer al-Basbat met with a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), including Regional Director Khwaja Aftab Ahmed and incoming Regional Director Thomas Jacobs, as part of follow-up efforts on the existing cooperation between the ministry and the institution. Minister al-Basbat expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Aftab Ahmed during his tenure, commending his support for cooperation between the two sides. He welcomed Jacobs, wishing him success in his new role, and emphasized “the commitment to continuing and enhancing cooperation and strengthening the partnership with the institution to support the path of reform and economic development in Lebanon.”

In the meantime, MP Walid al-Ba’ouni toured the Bekaa region, visiting his current colleague Bilal al-Hashimi and former colleague Muhammad al-Qar’awi in Shtourama. He held a meeting discussing current developments, stressing in a statement the “importance of prioritizing national interest at this stage, which enhances stability and fortifies the domestic arena in the face of upcoming challenges and tasks,” while affirming the necessity of strengthening the state’s presence and its institutions. Al-Ba’ouni and al-Hashimi discussed economic and living conditions, emphasizing the need to unify national stances and prioritize dialogue and understanding to serve the interests of Lebanon and its people.

Al-Ba’ouni stated: “We want the state, and we do not want any entity outside the state framework to save us. Any team that bears arms against the state or outside its institutions is acting wrongly. We are close to the state and its institutions, and we believe that the upcoming stage must be one of strengthening state authority, with weapons exclusively under the state and its legitimate institutions.”

Al-Ba’ouni stressed that “the stage requires a responsible national approach that transcends narrow calculations and places the interests of Lebanon and its people at the top of the priorities.”

Meanwhile, Mufti of the Baalbek-Hermel district, Sheikh Dr. Bakr al-Rifai, affirmed during a ceremony organized by the Fatwa House in the outer courtyard of Baalbek Castle, in celebration of the Prophet’s birthday, that “the approach of the Fatwa House has always been to rally around the state, its institutions, and its symbols, to preserve the Taif Agreement without compromising it, and to affirm that internal Lebanese unity is a source of strength in the open and ongoing conflict with the Israeli enemy.”

In a separate development, a major surprise emerged as the list backed by MP Fouad Makhzoumi, head of the “Dialogue Party,” won the election for the board of the “Beirut Families Union,” defeating the list backed by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, head of the “Future Movement.”