Hezbollah, Iran planning to kill, kidnap Israelis says travel advisory

Israel’s National Security Council, Counter-Terrorism Bureau released a warning Thursday advising its citizens that Hezbollah and Iran were planning to murder or kidnap Israeli businessmen and former state officials. (more…)

Hezbollah MP calls Israeli report ‘a lie’

During an interview with Al-Manar television on Friday, Hezbollah MP Walid Succariyeh said the Israel’s reports on Hezbollah’s arms depots in South Lebanon “could only be believed by naive people.

His comment comes after a report published in Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which said Hezbollah has an arsenal of (more…)

Israel Says Hezbollah Moves Missiles Near Border

In an unusual move, the Israeli military has released detailed intelligence material on Hezbollah’s military build up in South Lebanon to the media.

As the 4th anniversary of the “Second Lebanon War” approaches on July 12, Wednesday’s release of the information seemed designed to prepare international opinion for any future conflict. (more…)

Report: Iranian aid ship will depart for Gaza this week

Iranian newspaper Tehran Times reported today that an Iranian ship carrying 3000 tons of humanitarian assistance will depart for Gaza this week

The paper was quoting the director of the Iranian Red Crescent Volunteers Community who reportedly made the announcement on Friday. (more…)

Egypt refuses to stop Iranian aid ships

Kuwaiti paper al-Dar reported on Friday that Egypt rejected Israel’s request not to assist the Iranian ships slated to sail to the Gaza Strip in the coming days, .

The Kuwaiti paper, which cites Egyptian sources, said the officers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak appealed to Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and asked he prevent the passage of Iranian ships through the Suez Canal. (more…)

U.S. lawmakers rap Turkey for its stance on Israel

U.S. lawmakers warned Turkey on Wednesday that its ties with Washington would suffer if it continued on what they considered an anti-Israel path.

“There will be a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing closer to Iran and more antagonistic to the state of Israel,” Representative Mike Pence, the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, said. (more…)

Freedom Flotilla: Putin calls Israeli raid a ‘crude violation of international law’

Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday his country would raise the issue of an investigation into the Israeli boarding of an aid ship off Gaza at the United Nations, calling the Israeli action “a crude violation of international law.”

Speaking at security summit of Eurasian leaders in Istanbul, Mr. Putin also said that U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear-fuel program were “practically agreed upon.” (more…)

Hezbollah: It is vital for Lebanon to have a resistance movement

Lebanon would be obligated to form a resistance movement against Israel even if Hezbollah never existed, Shiite leaders said Wednesday.

Naim Kassem, Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, said it was vital that Lebanon be strong enough to counter Israeli aggression and interference in the region.

Kassem told his supporters that the Shiite resistance movement (Hezbollah) was to thank in part for Lebanese national strength. (more…)

Amnesty tells Israel to stop ‘harassing’ Palestinian activist

Amnesty International called on Israeli authorities on Wednesday to end what it called “harassment” of an Arab human rights activist held on suspicion of spying for the Lebanese Hezbollah militia.

Amnesty said Ameer Makhoul, an Arab citizen of Israel, has been denied legal advice while in custody.

The Israeli Prisons Authority referred an AFP query on his situation to the Shin Bet security service, who could not immediately be reached for comment. (more…)

Residence permits Oked for families of Lebanese women married to foreigners

Following Wednesday’s cabinet meeting at the Grand Serail , State Minister Jean Ogassapian briefed the media (more…)