Nawaf Salam

The Leader of a Palestinian Group Based in Syria Arrested in Damascus

Officials of a small Palestinian militant group that was close to ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said their leader was arrested Saturday by the country's new Islamist-led authorities. The arrest of the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) came after the armed wing of another Palestinian ...

Syria: UN Envoy Denounces Israeli Strikes and Calls for De-escalation

United Nations special envoy Geir Pedersen on Saturday urged Israel to immediately stop its attacks on Syria, after strikes including one near Damascus's presidential palace, which followed sectarian violence this week. Fresh overnight strikes were reported, coming as Israel has repeatedly said its forces were ready to protect the Druze ...

Gaza Rescuers Say Three Babies Among 11 Killed in Israel Strike

Gaza's civil defense agency said Saturday that an overnight Israeli strike on the Khan Yunis refugee camp killed at least 11 people, including three babies up to a year old. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported 11 killed "after the bombardment of the Al-Bayram family home in the Khan Yunis camp" in southern Gaza at around 3:00 am (0000 ...

Mossad Agents Behind Deadly 'Pager Operation' in Lebanon Publicly Honored During Independence Ceremony

During Israel’s 77th Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl last Wednesday, three masked Mossad operatives identified only by the initials “R,” “D” and “N” appeared publicly for the first time. Israeli media reported that these individuals led the covert “Killer Pager Operation” targeting Hezbollah members in ...

Security Forces Given Free Rein to Pursue Hamas Military Wing

The Lebanese authorities—through the Higher Defense Council—have initiated a confrontation with the Palestinian movement Hamas, following the latter’s involvement in supporting Gaza from Lebanese territory under the full sponsorship of Hezbollah. While Lebanon has yet to address Hezbollah’s own weapons arsenal, it appears to be using the ...

More Than 20 Israeli Strikes on Syria's Territory

Israel launched more than 20 air strikes inside Syria late Friday, a war monitor said, following up an attack near the presidential palace in Damascus which was condemned as a "dangerous escalation" by the country's Islamist rulers. The strikes came amid Israeli warnings to the Damascus government not to harm the Druze minority, ...

Syria Slams “Dangerous Escalation” After Israeli Strike in Damascus

Syria's Islamist rulers on Friday denounced an air strike near the presidential palace as a "dangerous escalation", as Israel called it a "clear message" not to harm the Druze minority. The dawn strike came hours after senior Druze clerics and armed factions reaffirmed their loyalty to Damascus and rejected any call for secession. They also ...

Syria: Drone Strike Kills Four Druze Fighters in Sweida

Four Druze fighters were killed on Friday in a drone strike targeting Syria’s southern province of Sweida, a stronghold of the Druze minority, according to a rights group, which did not specify who carried out the attack. “Four Druze fighters were killed on a farm in Kanaker in an explosion that coincided with the overflight of a drone,” ...

Joumblatt Meets Al-Sharaa, Calls for Accountability Over Tensions in Syria

In a surprise visit to the Syrian capital on Friday, former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace. The private meeting marks a notable shift in regional political dynamics and comes amid rising tensions in southern Syria. Joumblatt left the palace without making any ...

Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna Urges Unity and Regional Stability Amidst Tensions in Syria

In a recent meeting at the Druze Unitarian Community House on Friday, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, the Grand Mufti of the Druze community, addressed a gathering of Arab ambassadors and accredited officials, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of mounting tensions in Syria. He denounced the recent bloody events in Syria, labeling them as ...

Higher Defense Council: National Security and Electoral Integrity

For the first time under President Joseph Aoun’s leadership, the Higher Defense Council convened on Friday at the Baabda Palace, where it issued a strong warning to Hamas following rocket launches from Lebanon toward Israel on March 22 and 28. At the conclusion of the session, the Council stated that any military use of Lebanese territory ...

Two Days Before the Municipal Elections, Voters Weigh Civic Duty Against Deep Mistrust

The excitement of first-time voters stands in stark contrast with the deep-seated skepticism of older generations, many of whom have lost faith in the promise of democratic renewal. Yet, across this generational divide, a common refrain emerges: a yearning for an electoral system that is more inclusive, transparent and more attuned to the ...