Growing Tension Between Israel and Lebanon Over the Maritime Border Agreement. Israel Raised the Security Alert Status: The two countries were holding indirect talks, with the mediation of an American official, to determine the maritime border agreement. The dispute between Israel and Lebanon was focused on the desire to enable deep sea drilling for gas and determine which country can produce and enjoy the benefits of the gas finds. Israel is already producing gas from various fields in the sea, and is about to start operation in a new field Karish (Shark) which is on the border with Lebanese waters. Hizbollah, the terrorist organization that is affiliated to and supported by Iran, is threatening that if Israel opens its new field, Hizbollah will respond with missiles. The maritime agreement was meant to avoid those threats, and also give Lebanon an opportunity to produce its’ own gas that will help address their economic crisis. Lebanon decided at the last moment to present new conditions to the already almost finalized agreement, conditions that Israel was unable to accept. The new demands by Lebanon put the whole agreement in jeopardy, and raised the tension between the two countries. Israel already raised the alert status. There is pressure to close the deal, coming from the US administration, to ease some of the energy crisis burden in European countries that can no longer rely on Russian gas, due to the war in Ukraine.
Yom Kippur in Israel: A Country Comes to a Standstill: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in Israel. It is marked by a 25-hour fast and prayer by observing and traditional Jews. The observance of the day begins two days beforehand, with the traditional Slichot ceremony (asking for divine forgiveness) at the Western Wall in the old city of Jerusalem, and the kaparot (repentance) ritual. The ritual, practiced primarily by devout Jews, consists of passing a chicken over one’s head three times while reciting the appropriate text. The chicken is then slaughtered and donated to the poor. During the day of Yom Kippur, all traffic, including international flights, stop for the duration of the day, all shops and business are closed, and all Israeli TV and VOD channels are out of service. The day is also marked by kids and youth riding their bikes and scooters in the empty streets. Rescue teams around the country treated 2,741 cases of cycling injuries.
The Tension Between Israel and the Palestinians Continues, Despite The Imposed Closure On the OPT: Palestinian combatants and other militant activists continue to hassle and occupy Israeli army forces by threatening to execute terrorist actions against Israeli targets. Leaders among the Israeli settlers in the West Bank are organizing a series of protest actions calling on the government to open wide-scale military operation in the OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territories) to regain the deterrent factor. Meanwhile the government and the IDF (Israel Defense Force) are not responding to the settlers’ call, but their protests are adding more tension to the already tense situation. The clashes have cause the deaths of Palestinians and wounded Israeli civilians.
Opposition Leader Netanyahu Taken to Hospital During Yom Kippur Closing Prayer: Netanyahu felt chest pains during the closing Yom Kippur prayer and was taken in his car to a nearby hospital in Jerusalem for further tests. Later in the evening the hospital’s spokesperson released a brief that Netanyahu’s tests were normal and that he will remain in the hospital overnight for observation and further tests. Politicians from right and left were quick to tweet wishes for a speedy and full recovery. The following morning Netanyahu released a short video during a morning walk and said he felt fine.
Five Israeli Arabs Were Wounded, When a Jewish Mob Attacked Them in What is Suspected to be a Lynching Attempt: place is investigation an event in which five Israeli Arabs, from a Beduin town in the south, were walking on the shores of Bat-Yam, a town south of Tel Aviv, on Yom Kippur eve. The road was loaded with Jewish people, who were fasting. The Arabs told reporters that they were minding their own business, but were talking in Arabic, when a Jewish gang suddenly attacked them brutally. Later in the same town a car that belonged to Arabs was also brutally attacked and turned over by mob of Jews in what seems to be an act of vandalism against Arabs. The tension against Israel Arabs is growing due to the polarizing election campaigns.
For further reading:
Lebanon: Here, here here, Here, Here