Al Mayadeen English
"Israel's" government has pushed through yet another expansion of its 2025 budget, exposing the spiraling cost of its wars on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran while ordinary citizens face cuts in public services. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet approved a 30 billion shekel ($8.9 billion) hike on Tuesday, equivalent to 1.5% of GDP. The revision comes only five months after the Knesset passed the original budget, revealing how "Israel's" war machine is consuming national resources at unprecedented speed. Here’s what it’s really costing.
Hannan Hussain
F.M. Shakil
Robert Inlakesh
Al-Khiam conveys a defiant message to US envoy Tom Barrack
Anger stemming from US envoy Tom Barrack’s recent remarks spilled onto the streets of Al-Khiam, South Lebanon, where residents held pictures of martyrs and waved Hezbollah flags, awaiting the delegation to pass. Along the route, sharp messages were spray-painted: “The US is the greatest devil” and “Barrack is animalistic,” referring to his remark where he called on journalists at a press conference not to act in a "chaotic" or "animalistic" way and threatened to leave. Al Mayadeen’s correspondent noted that many considered Barrack’s comments an insult not only to journalists, but to the entire Lebanese people. Al-Khiam's people also held banners that read: "They were martyred because of you" and "Stop this chaotic animalistic behavior and get out of here." Shortly after, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon reported that US envoy Tom Barrack canceled his visit to Tyre and al-Khiam amid these popular protests.
