US redirects military aid from Egypt to Lebanon: Reuters
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The Biden administration has decided to reallocate $95 million in military aid initially intended for Egypt to Lebanon.
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A Lebanese army soldier sits behind his weapon on the top of an armored personal carrier at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s Southern Suburb, on Monday, September 23, 2024. (AP)
The Biden administration plans to reallocate $95 million in military aid initially designated for Egypt to Lebanon, according to a document obtained by Reuters on Monday.
A State Department notification to Congress described the Lebanese Armed Forces as "a key partner" in maintaining the November 27, 2024, "Israel"-Lebanon ceasefire agreement and "countering Hezbollah’s threats to Israel."
The decision follows growing concerns among some congressional Democrats regarding Egypt's human rights record, particularly the detention of thousands of political prisoners, according to the report.
In September, the State Department announced that the Biden administration had bypassed human rights conditions tied to military aid for Egypt, allowing Cairo to receive its full $1.3 billion allocation, including $95 million specifically linked to progress on releasing political detainees.
In further detail, the notification did not explicitly state that the $95 million was from the specific funds tied to Egypt, but a congressional aide suggested that the amount likely wasn’t coincidental. According to the State Department document, the funds will be used to "professionalize the Lebanese Armed Forces, enhance border security, combat terrorism, and address security challenges arising from the shift in power in Syria".
"The United States remains Lebanon’s security partner of choice, and U.S. support to the LAF directly helps secure Lebanon and the wider Levant region," the notification stated.
Israeli violations of ceasefire still ongoing
"Israel" continues to violate the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, as the Israeli occupation army kidnapped 4 Lebanese citizens, including a Lebanese army recruit, in the border village of Majidiyeh, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported on Tuesday, adding later that they were released.
Earlier, Israeli occupation forces released 10 Syrians who were detained in one of the fields of Majidiyeh - Wadi Khansa in South Lebanon, alongside the 4 Lebanese who were transferred to the occupied territories, according to our correspondent.
With Israeli violations not ending with abduction, Israeli occupation soldiers carried out mass demolitions in the town of al-Jibbayn in the western sector, as well as in the town of Aitaroun after a Merkava tank targeted a house in the village.
In another development, the Lebanese Civil Defense announced the recovery of the bodies of 7 martyrs from under the rubble.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army began its deployment in the town of Naqoura for the first time since the ceasefire was reached, which coincided with the third meeting of the five-member committee headed by Amos Hochstein, who is on the visit because the Americans want to ensure that the ceasefire will continue for an additional month, according to Israeli media.
In a statement, the Lebanese Army said its units stationed around the town of Naqoura, Tyre, and began deploying in coordination with UNIFIL, adding that the deployment coincided with the meeting of the five-member committee in charge of supervising the ceasefire agreement.
The meeting in Ras al-Naqoura was attended by Amos Hochstein, senior advisor to the US President, and it coincided with the withdrawal of the Israeli enemy from the town of Naqoura, the Lebanese Army's statement read.
Hezbollah MP: Is US incapable of stopping 'Israel's' violations?
