Lebanon

Morning Report by RAGE X – December 23, 2024 – Israel Claims Responsibility for Haniyeh Assassination – Israel has taken responsibility for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, escalating tensions. – Philippines Acquires U.S. Typhon Missiles – The Philippines has decided to acquire the U.S. Typhon missile system, heightening tensions with China. – Putin Vows Retaliation After Kazan Drone Attack – President Putin has promised retaliation against Ukraine following a drone attack on a luxury apartment in Kazan. – Ursa Major Cargo Ship Sinks After Explosion – The Russian cargo ship MV Ursa Major sank off Spain’s coast after an explosion, with nuclear reactor components on board. – Baltic Sea Cables Severed, China Denies Access – Sweden accuses China of obstructing investigations into severed telecom cables in the Baltic Sea. – South Korea Detects North Korean Military Movements – South Korea’s military notes North Korea preparing to send more troops and weapons to Russia. – Britain’s Economy Shows No Growth – The UK’s economy reported no growth in the third quarter, signaling economic challenges. – Panama Rejects Trump’s Canal Claim – Panama rejects claims by U.S. President-elect Trump regarding the Panama Canal, emphasizing sovereignty. – Belgrade Protests Over Train Station Collapse – Protests in Belgrade follow a train station collapse, calling for better infrastructure maintenance. – Small Plane Crashes in Brazil Tourist Town – A small plane crashed into shops in Gramado, Brazil, disrupting a popular tourist area.

Defense Minister Israel Katz Confirms Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran In a significant revelation, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel was responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran over the summer. Speaking at a commemoration event for local security officers, Katz also issued a stern warning to the Iran-backed Houthi organization in Yemen, which has continued to launch attacks on Israel. “We have defeated Hamas, Hezbollah, and blinded Iran’s defense systems. We toppled the Assad regime in Syria and dealt major blows to the axis of evil. The Houthis will be next,” Katz declared. Katz emphasized that Israel is prepared to strike the Houthis’ strategic infrastructure and target their leadership, as it has done to figures like Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon. “Whoever raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off, and the long arm of the IDF will settle the score,” Katz concluded. Follow our Telegram channel: https://t.me/rageintel

Syrian Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Invites Emir of Qatar to Visit Syria Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, met on Monday in Damascus with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of Syria’s new leadership. During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations, Qatar’s continued support for the Syrian people, and ways to aid Syria’s reconstruction efforts. Discussions also included support for Damascus International Airport as part of Qatar’s humanitarian and developmental assistance. Al-Khulaifi reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to helping Syria build a state based on justice, freedom, development, and peace, emphasizing the need for a peaceful power transition through a political process involving all Syrians, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Al-Sharaa praised Qatar’s consistent stance in supporting the Syrian people and confirmed plans for broad strategic cooperation with Qatar in the near future. He highlighted that relations between Doha and Damascus are set to be stronger than before, noting Qatar’s interest in investing in Syria’s energy sector. “Qatar holds a special place in Syria for its honorable stance towards the Syrian people,” said Al-Sharaa. During the meeting, Al-Sharaa officially extended an invitation to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, to visit Syria. Follow our Telegram channel: https://t.me/rageintel

Le Figaro: Bashar al-Assad and Son Escape Through Secret Tunnel The French newspaper Le Figaro has revealed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his son Hafez fled on the night of December 7 through a tunnel connecting the Presidential Palace to the Mezzeh Military Airport. From there, they were transported to the Russian Khmeimim Air Base before heading to Russia. According to the report, the tunnel was constructed amid rising tensions in Syria. Assad’s departure was reportedly unplanned, and even his closest family members and senior officials, including his brother Maher al-Assad, were not informed. The report also noted that Maher al-Assad, head of the feared 4th Armored Division, fled via helicopter to the same Russian base 36 hours later. As Assad’s regime collapsed, many of his loyalists faced difficult choices. Some officials reportedly escaped through Lebanon or took boats to Cyprus and Romania, while others sought refuge at the Russian Embassy in Damascus before being evacuated to Khmeimim. لوفيغارو: بشار الأسد وابنه حافظ هربا عبر نفق سري كشفت صحيفة لوفيغارو الفرنسية أن الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد وابنه حافظ هربا ليلة 7 ديسمبر عبر نفق يربط قصر الرئاسة بـ مطار المزة العسكري، حيث تم نقلهما إلى قاعدة حميميم الروسية ومنها إلى روسيا. وأشارت الصحيفة إلى أن النفق أُنشئ مع تصاعد التوترات في سوريا. وأضافت أن مغادرة الأسد لم تكن مخططة مسبقاً، ولم يُبلغ حتى أفراد عائلته المقربين أو كبار المسؤولين، بمن فيهم شقيقه ماهر الأسد. وأوضحت الصحيفة أن ماهر الأسد، قائد الفرقة المدرعة الرابعة التي كانت تبث الرعب، فر أيضاً بواسطة مروحية إلى نفس القاعدة الروسية بعد 36 ساعة من مغادرة بشار. ومع انهيار نظام الأسد، وجد العديد من المسؤولين الموالين له أنفسهم في مواقف صعبة. حيث فر بعضهم عبر لبنان أو استقلوا قوارب متجهة إلى قبرص ورومانيا، بينما لجأ آخرون إلى السفارة الروسية في دمشق قبل أن يتم إجلاؤهم إلى حميميم. Follow our Telegram channel: https://t.me/rageintel

BIDEN ADMIN. WITHDRAWS STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PLANS

– Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down in what is believed to be a friendly fire incident over the Red Sea. – Gaza School Airstrike Kills Eight – An Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City resulted in at least eight Palestinian deaths amidst ongoing conflict. – WHO Concerned Over Kamal Adwan Hospital – The World Health Organization describes the situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza as “deeply worrisome,” highlighting the dire medical conditions. – U.S. Senate Averts Government Shutdown – The U.S. Senate has passed a pivotal short-term spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, showcasing a temporary solution to ongoing budget issues. – Houthi Attacks in Yemen Capital – Reports confirm UK-US airstrikes targeting Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, in response to Houthi activities. – Gaza Death Toll Exceeds 45,220 – The conflict in Gaza has led to a death toll surpassing 45,220, with 21 additional deaths reported in recent Israeli military actions. – Friendly Fire in Yemen – An AP report details a U.S. cruiser being mistakenly shot down by a U.S. fighter jet in Yemen, highlighting the risks of military engagements. – Poland to Arrest Netanyahu on ICC Warrant – Poland’s Foreign Ministry has stated intentions to arrest Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits for the Auschwitz liberation anniversary due to an ICC warrant. – German Christmas Market Attack – A man suspected of driving into crowds at a Christmas market in Germany faces murder and attempted murder charges following an attack that killed five. – Salvini Acquitted in Migrant Ship Case – Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy PM, has been acquitted in a case where he blocked a migrant rescue ship from docking, sparking debate on immigration policy. This report reflects a snapshot of critical global and regional events based on the latest information available.

BREAKING: Germany says Christmas market attack toll has risen to 5 dead, over 200 injured.

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US Eases Stance After Meeting Syrian Leader Rewritten English Version: In a significant diplomatic shift, senior U.S. diplomat Barbara Leaf announced the U.S. decision to remove a $10 million bounty on Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, following discussions in Damascus. This marks the first official U.S. delegation to the Syrian capital since the early days of the civil war. Leaf described the talks as encouraging and highlighted the new Syrian leadership’s willingness to combat terrorism and foster regional peace. Sharaa, who recently ascended to power after the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad on December 8, leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with roots in Al-Qaeda. Despite its U.S. designation as a terrorist organization, HTS has rebranded itself in recent years. The U.S. delegation’s engagement signals a pragmatic approach to dealing with Syria’s evolving political landscape. In her statements, Leaf underscored that the U.S. supports a “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process” aimed at building an inclusive government that upholds the rights of all Syrians. This includes addressing the needs of Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities. Discussions in Damascus also covered efforts to counter terrorism, with Leaf affirming the importance of actions matching rhetoric in the fight against extremist threats. The shift in U.S. policy comes amid broader regional efforts to stabilize Syria. Leaf also met with Syrian civil society representatives and members of the White Helmets rescue group to discuss future rebuilding initiatives and commemorate victims of the Assad regime. This includes tens of thousands of Syrians who were detained, tortured, or killed during Assad’s rule. In a related development, the U.S. military reported the killing of an Islamic State (IS) leader in Deir Ezzor province, further demonstrating its ongoing commitment to counterterrorism. Leaf reaffirmed the U.S. dedication to preventing a resurgence of IS and other extremist groups, calling for greater collaboration among regional actors. Meanwhile, regional tensions persist as Turkey continues its military operations against Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for the eradication of all terrorist threats, including IS and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The U.S. has urged a ceasefire in areas such as Kobane, a Kurdish-controlled town on the Syrian border. Leaf also expressed optimism about Syria reducing Iran’s influence, citing signs of a potential departure of Iranian forces. Iran and its ally Hezbollah had been key supporters of Assad during the civil war, but their role in Syria’s future now appears uncertain. As Syria transitions under its new leadership, international sanctions remain a topic of debate. Amy Pope, head of the UN migration agency, called for sanctions to be reassessed to aid Syria’s recovery. With more than 500,000 lives lost in the civil war and millions displaced, rebuilding the nation remains a monumental task.

U.S. State Department Engages with HTS Leader in Post-Assad Damascus In a significant diplomatic move, officials from the U.S. State Department have met with Ahmad al Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in Damascus. This meeting marks the first official contact between the United States and the new power structure in Syria since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. The delegation, led by top Middle East diplomat Barbara Leaf, aimed to discuss the future governance of Syria and the potential lifting of sanctions against the Syrian people and entities, including the controversial Caesar Act. The engagement signals a shift in U.S. policy towards recognizing and possibly legitimizing the new administration led by Al-Jolani, who has been working to rebrand HTS away from its Al-Qaeda roots towards a more moderate image. This development comes amidst ongoing discussions about the stability and reconstruction of Syria in the post-Assad era.