Lebanon announced the completion of the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups south of the Litani River, with the Lebanese Army claiming operational control of the area, though full disarmament has not been achieved. Israel welcomed the progress but expressed concerns that efforts are insufficient, citing ongoing rearmament and Iranian support for Hezbollah. The situation remains tense, with ongoing efforts and challenges in fully implementing disarmament and maintaining stability.
Lebanon has announced the completion of the first phase of disarmament of Hizbollah, marking a significant step in its security and political landscape.
During a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Trump expressed support for Israel to take action against Hezbollah and emphasized the need for Hezbollah's complete disarmament, aligning US and Israeli positions and signaling backing for Israeli military action if Lebanon's government fails to disarm Hezbollah.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the need for Hamas to disarm quickly, warning of consequences if they fail to do so, as part of the second phase of a Gaza peace plan. The plan's second phase involves Hamas disarmament and governance changes, but progress remains stalled. Trump also discussed support for Israel against Iran and potential pardons for Netanyahu amid ongoing legal issues.
A shooting occurred inside a Walmart in Wilson, North Carolina on Christmas Eve, where customers disarmed and restrained a suspect, leading to his arrest along with another individual; no injuries were reported, and the store remained closed as police investigated.
Egypt and Turkey are cautious about language in a US-drafted UN resolution on Gaza, fearing it could lead to forced disarmament of Hamas. Egypt prefers a focus on weapons decommissioning and negotiations, while Turkey opposes the force acting as an occupation enforcer. The resolution involves an international stabilisation force, with mixed support and concerns over legitimacy and oversight, amid ongoing tensions and negotiations.
The U.S. is exploring a model for disarming Hamas by encouraging militants in Rafah tunnels to surrender and hand over their weapons in exchange for amnesty, aiming to prevent further conflict and potentially expand this approach in Gaza, amid ongoing negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, and mediators like Turkey.
China denied President Trump's claim that it has conducted clandestine nuclear tests, emphasizing its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, while Trump suggested that China and Russia are testing underground nuclear weapons without public acknowledgment. The U.S. has not ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and there are ongoing debates about the nature of U.S. nuclear testing plans.
Top US diplomat states that Gulf states are willing to invest in Lebanon if Hizbollah disarms, highlighting a potential shift in regional support contingent on disarmament efforts.
The article discusses the potential impact of a nuclear attack on Chicago, as depicted in the Netflix film 'A House of Dynamite,' and explores the real-world challenges of nuclear defense, emphasizing the importance of disarmament and international diplomacy to prevent such catastrophes.
Kathryn Bigelow's film 'House of Dynamite' serves as a wake-up call on the dangers of nuclear weapons, highlighting the escalating risks and the importance of diplomatic efforts like extending the New START treaty to prevent nuclear catastrophe. The article emphasizes the power of culture to influence public opinion and policy on nuclear disarmament, urging leaders to take concrete steps toward reducing nuclear arsenals and improving safety measures.
The article explores how lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process, including disarmament and inclusive political negotiations, might inform efforts to achieve peace in Gaza, highlighting parallels and differences between the two conflicts and the roles of key figures like Tony Blair and Jonathan Powell.
Amichai Chikli warns that Israel may resume fighting Hamas if the group does not disarm, following the return of some hostages and ongoing negotiations. The situation remains tense, with political leaders emphasizing the need for Hamas to relinquish its weapons as part of the peace process, and warnings of potential military action if disarmament is not achieved.
US President Trump has threatened to violently disarm Hamas amid ongoing violence and internal conflicts in Gaza, where Hamas is consolidating control through displays of force and public executions, amidst tensions with armed clans and Israeli support for other groups. The situation reflects a complex power struggle in Gaza, with international implications for security and aid delivery.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas must disarm and demilitarize as a condition for peace, warning of potential violence if they do not comply, amid ongoing efforts to stabilize Gaza following a recent prisoner exchange and peace negotiations.
