Aoun calls on the US to pressure Israel to withdraw from Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has met with the commander of the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, at the Baabda Presidential Palace.
During their meeting, Aoun called on the US to pressure Israel to withdraw from Lebanon and stressed the importance of continued US support for the Lebanese army to enable it to carry out missions.
Cooper announced that a committee overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon will meet on Sunday to discuss the situation.
Aoun also announced that the Lebanese army has completed its deployment in 85 percent of the area south of the Litani River. The deployment is part of the ceasefire, which also calls for the withdrawal of Hezbollah and Israel from the area in southern Lebanon.
Israel maintains a military presence at five locations in southern Lebanon and has given no timeline for a withdrawal.
Israeli forces detain 3 children near Hebron
Israeli forces have detained three Palestinian children in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, the Wafa news agency reports.
Mohammed Awad, a local activist, told the agency that troops raided the Wadi al-Sheikh area near the town’s entrance and detained the children while they were working with a farmer.
The children were identified as Saif Mohammed al-Alami, 15; Mahmoud Sabarneh, 15; and Oday Raed Awad.
Israeli forces routinely raid Palestinian towns and villages across the West Bank, often arresting and assaulting residents. According to Addameer, a prisoners support group, at least 450 children are being held by Israel, many held without charge or trial.
Israeli settlers assault Palestinian family near Hebron
A group of armed Israeli settlers has attacked a Palestinian family in the Bir Arka area, west of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, according to local reports.
Witnesses cited by the Wafa news agency said the settlers assaulted an elderly man, Saadi Abdel Afu al-Qawasmeh, while he was in his car with his wife, children and grandchildren.
The family members were beaten, several suffered bruises and injuries, and one son was shot at after being assaulted. The settlers also held them for some time before leaving, the report added.
Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, as well as deadly raids by Israeli forces, have intensified in the occupied West Bank since the genocidal war on Gaza began.
Roughly 10 percent of Israel’s Jewish population, totalling between 600,000 and 750,000 people, live in about 250 settlements and outposts dispersed throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements are illegal under international law.
Settlers are often backed by Israeli soldiers and are usually armed themselves.
