United News of Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia has lifted a five-year ban on imports from Lebanon, a move widely seen as a significant step toward restoring relations between Lebanon and Gulf countries and providing a boost to Lebanon’s struggling economy. The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the decision was made at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and followed what it described as “positive steps taken by the Lebanese state.” Saudi Arabia first banned imports of Lebanese fruits and vegetables in 2021, accusing exporters of using shipments to smuggle drugs into the kingdom. In one high-profile case, Saudi authorities said they seized more than five million Captagon pills hidden inside a consignment of pomegranates from Lebanon. Later that year, Riyadh expanded the restrictions to cover all Lebanese imports after then-Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi criticized the Saudi-led military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The diplomatic fallout was also linked to Saudi Arabia’s longstanding concerns over the influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. The ban came at a time when Lebanon was already grappling with a severe economic crisis and a sharp depreciation of its national currency. While the Saudi statement did not specify the measures that led to the lifting of the ban, Lebanon has recently announced plans to disarm all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities have also pledged reforms aimed at strengthening state institutions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the decision and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed, saying the move would help revive the national economy and support Lebanese producers and exporters. Lebanon’s current government, which took office last year on a reform agenda, has been seeking to strengthen relations with Gulf states. Prior to the outbreak of the latest conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanese officials had been working to attract Gulf tourists back to the country, while several Gulf nations had eased travel restrictions on visits to Lebanon. The latest Saudi decision is expected to improve trade opportunities for Lebanese businesses and further support efforts to rebuild ties between Beirut and Gulf capitals.

Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, just days after a ceasefire agreement brokered in Washington came into effect, according to Lebanese and Israeli officials. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that at least two people were killed and 11 others injured in the strikes, based on preliminary figures. The attack came despite reported US efforts to prevent strikes on the Lebanese capital and amid renewed diplomatic efforts to revive talks between Iran and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes were launched in response to alleged rocket fire from the Iran-backed Hezbollah group into northern Israel earlier in the day. In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said the attacks targeted Hezbollah “command centers” in the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut. “We are striking them very hard, and we know that Hezbollah is on the run,” Netanyahu told his cabinet. Hezbollah did not immediately claim responsibility for the reported attacks on northern Israel. The latest escalation occurred only days after Lebanese and Israeli officials met in Washington and renewed discussions aimed at maintaining a ceasefire and ending months of hostilities. Despite previous ceasefire understandings, Israeli forces have continued near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon, while ground troops remain deployed in parts of the country following military operations against Hezbollah. Earlier this week, Israel had threatened to strike Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah claimed attacks on northern Israel. However, urgent diplomatic contacts mediated through Washington reportedly helped avert those strikes after Hezbollah agreed to halt attacks on Israeli border communities. According to local reports, Sunday’s strike hit a residential building, damaging four of its seven floors. The Lebanese military later cordoned off the area after an unexploded munition was discovered in the rubble. The latest developments have raised concerns over the stability of the ceasefire and the broader regional security situation.

The bodies of two Bangladeshi expatriates killed in an Israeli drone strike in Lebanon arrived at their homes in Satkhira district on Sunday. The bodies of Shafiqul Islam, 43, of Purbapara village in Sadar upazila and Nahidul Islam, 22, of Kadakathi village in Ashashuni upazil, reached their respective villages at around 10:00 am, where relatives, neighbors, and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects. The arrival of the coffins plunged the entire communities into sorrow. A flight of Qatar Airways QR-0642 carrying the bodies arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Sunday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After receiving the bodies at the airport, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam handed them over to the family members of the victims and expressed deep sorrow over their untimely and tragic deaths. The Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut made all necessary arrangements for the repatriation of the bodies. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy maintained close coordination with the Lebanese authorities to obtain certified police reports, repatriation permits and other required documentation to facilitate the return of the bodies. The government is closely monitoring the situation of Bangladeshi nationals working in Lebanon through the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut and will continue to provide necessary support to ensure their safety and welfare, the ministry said. The two Bangladeshis were killed on May 11 in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon. Their bodies were brought back home after completion of all required formalities. Family members said both the deceased went to Lebanon only a few months ago in search of better livelihoods and were working hard to support their families. Khaledur Rahman, assistant director of the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Khulna office , visited the bereaved families and said the families of the deceased received cheques worth Tk 35,000 and Tk 50,000 as emergency support at the airport. Besides, the Ministry will later provide Tk 10 lakh in financial assistance, while the state-run Jiban Bima Corporation will extend an additional Tk 3,00,000 to each famiy.

Lebanon is preparing to introduce its largest amnesty in more than three decades, a move that could lead to the release of thousands of prisoners but has also triggered strong opposition from families of victims and exposed the country’s long-standing sectarian divisions. The draft law, expected to be approved by parliament and signed by the president in the coming weeks, would replace death sentences with reduced prison terms, shorten life sentences and eventually allow the release of convicted militants, drug offenders and thousands of long-term detainees. However, serious crimes including rape, human trafficking, corruption, financing terrorism and premeditated murder would not be covered by the amnesty. Those convicted of killing Lebanese soldiers could also receive reduced sentences. Among those opposed to the measure is Samira Bou Saab, whose son George, a Lebanese army first lieutenant, was killed in clashes with supporters of radical Sunni cleric Ahmed al-Assir in the southern city of Sidon in 2013. Bou Saab said she had hoped to see justice carried out against her son’s killer, who was sentenced to death but could now benefit from the proposed law. She questioned why those convicted of killing soldiers should be allowed to reunite with their families while the families of victims continue to suffer. Meanwhile, al-Assir’s wife, Amal Shamseddine, criticized the draft law from a different perspective, arguing that her husband is innocent and was targeted through a conspiracy involving Hezbollah. She said detainees such as her husband should have been released long ago. The proposed legislation comes as Lebanon struggles with overcrowded prisons. More than 3,000 of the country’s nearly 8,600 detainees could be freed, including inmates who have spent at least 14 years in prison without trial. Families of fallen soldiers have staged protests against the measure, placing dozens of empty military boots outside parliament in Beirut to symbolize their opposition. Lebanon’s last major amnesty was introduced in 1991 following the end of the country’s 1975-1990 civil war, which killed an estimated 150,000 people. The measure was intended to promote national reconciliation after years of conflict involving militias, Palestinian factions, Syria and Israel. The current proposal has once again highlighted Lebanon’s sectarian politics. Sunni lawmakers have pushed for the release of Islamist prisoners, Shiite politicians have advocated amnesty for drug-related offenders, while Christian lawmakers have sought leniency for Lebanese citizens who fled to Israel after Israeli forces withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000. Lawmaker Nabil Badr, a supporter of the bill, said the legislation has become entangled in political bargaining, with different groups seeking benefits for their constituencies. One of those closely watching the debate is Maryam Younnes, who fled to Israel with her family as a child in 2000. She hopes the amnesty will allow her to return to Lebanon, visit her father’s grave and reunite with relatives. However, she said her return would depend on broader political changes, including peace between Lebanon and Israel and the removal of Hezbollah’s weapons. The draft law states that Lebanese citizens returning from Israel would be treated under a 2011 law requiring former members of the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army to be detained and given a fair trial upon arrival. Despite the political and security challenges, Younnes said she remains hopeful that relations between Lebanon and Israel will eventually improve, allowing her to return home.

Israeli troops have captured a strategic hilltop in southern Lebanon crowned by the historic Beaufort Castle, marking their deepest military advance into the country in 26 years, the Israeli army said Sunday. The seizure of the Crusader-era fortress near Nabatiyeh came after days of heavy airstrikes and intense ground fighting with Hezbollah fighters in surrounding villages. The advance represents a significant escalation in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which has seen Israel launch a ground offensive into southern Lebanon and take control of multiple border-area towns, while Hezbollah has responded with rocket and drone attacks targeting Israeli forces and northern Israel. The Israeli military move came despite a ceasefire framework that has been in place since April 17 and ahead of planned indirect negotiations involving Lebanon and Israel in Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate calls with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, proposing a new diplomatic framework to keep talks alive, according to a U.S. official. The proposal reportedly includes a halt to Hezbollah attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel avoiding further escalation in Beirut. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, said the group is prepared to fully commit to a ceasefire, but questioned whether Israel would also halt its military operations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, describing Israel’s expanded operations as “unacceptable” and warning against deeper occupation of Lebanese territory. Historic fortress with long military history The Israeli military said its forces raised the Israeli flag over Beaufort Castle, a site Israel previously held during its 1982 invasion before withdrawing in 2000. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel intends to maintain control of the area while continuing operations against what it describes as Hezbollah military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Perched above the Litani River, Beaufort Castle has long been considered a key strategic position. Built during the Crusader period in the 12th century, it has been controlled over centuries by several empires and forces, including Muslim armies, the Ottomans and later regional groups. It was also a major stronghold during Israel’s earlier occupation of southern Lebanon. The site, known locally as Al-Shaqif, has also been given protective status by UNESCO during recent regional conflicts due to its cultural importance. Fighting expands deeper into Lebanon In recent days, Israeli forces have pushed beyond the Litani River, traditionally seen as a dividing line, and ordered evacuations in several areas of southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the capture of Beaufort Castle marks a “major shift” in Israel’s military approach along its borders with Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, adding that Israel has killed thousands of Hezbollah fighters since the start of the conflict. Hezbollah has not confirmed its casualties. Israeli troops are now advancing toward areas close to Nabatiyeh and have also issued evacuation warnings for Tyre, a major coastal city in southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials and Hezbollah have not immediately commented on the latest advance. Analysts say the expanded Israeli presence could strengthen its position in upcoming negotiations in Washington. “We are at a turning point,” said Beirut-based analyst Joe Macaron, adding that territorial gains could shape future ceasefire terms. Continued cross-border fighting Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting has continued along the border. Lebanese health authorities reported casualties from recent Israeli strikes near Tyre and Nabatiyeh, while Hezbollah said it had carried out attacks on Israeli troops and military vehicles near the border and deeper inside northern Israel. The Israeli military said it has issued multiple alerts to civilians in northern Israel over drone and missile threats. Since the latest escalation began, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced, according to Lebanese figures. Israel says dozens of its soldiers and civilians have also been killed in the conflict.

Israeli drone strikes on multiple vehicles across Lebanon on Wednesday killed at least 12 people, including a woman and her two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The ministry said seven separate strikes targeted vehicles, including three along a major highway south of Beirut. While it confirmed the overall death toll, it did not provide a detailed breakdown of casualties in each vehicle. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, two of the strikes hit a key highway linking Beirut to the southern port city of Sidon, while another targeted the town of Saadiyat near the busy route. These attacks alone left eight people dead, including the mother and her two children. Another strike near the northern entrance of Sidon in the early afternoon killed one person and injured another, the Health Ministry said. Three additional drone strikes on vehicles in southern Lebanon claimed three more lives. An Associated Press photographer reported seeing the bodies of three victims at strike sites near the coastal towns of Barja and Jiyeh. The Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas of southern Lebanon, hours after warning residents of six villages to evacuate. The attacks come as Lebanon and Israel are set to hold another round of direct talks in Washington on Thursday, with the Trump administration seeking to ease tensions between the two sides, which have remained in a state of war since 1948. Meanwhile, cross-border hostilities have continued despite a US-brokered ceasefire reached on April 17. Hezbollah said it carried out further attacks on Israel, including drone strikes, as both sides continued to exchange fire. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed growing concern over escalating clashes near its positions, warning that peacekeepers are increasingly at risk. UNIFIL said a suspected Hezbollah drone exploded داخل its headquarters in Naqoura on Tuesday, following similar incidents earlier in the week. No casualties were reported, though some facilities were damaged. The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict began on March 2, when the Lebanese group launched rockets into northern Israel shortly after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since the start of the conflict, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 2,896 people have been killed and 8,824 injured.

At least 39 people were killed in a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, the country’s health ministry said, as hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah persist despite a ceasefire announcement. One of the deadliest strikes hit the southern town of Saksakiyeh, where at least seven people, including a child, were killed and 15 others injured, among them three children, according to the ministry. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah operatives using a structure for military purposes and acknowledged reports of civilian casualties. It added that precautions were taken to minimise harm to civilians, including the use of precision weapons and aerial surveillance, and that the incident is under review. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported multiple Israeli strikes across southern regions on Saturday. In another incident, an Israeli drone strike in Nabatieh targeted a motorbike carrying a Syrian man and his 12-year-old daughter. The health ministry said the pair were hit in successive strikes, killing the father and critically injuring the girl, who was undergoing surgery. Hezbollah also launched a drone attack into northern Israel, wounding three Israeli soldiers, one of them seriously, according to the Israeli military. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have continued since a ceasefire deal announced on April 16. Israel says its strikes are aimed at Hezbollah-linked targets, while the group has responded with rocket and drone attacks. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, more than 120 people have been killed in Israeli attacks over the past week, including women and children, though it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon along the border, aiming to establish what they describe as a Hezbollah-free buffer zone. Reports indicate widespread destruction in some villages, drawing concern from rights groups. Since early March, nearly 2,800 people have been killed in Lebanon, while Israeli authorities report 17 soldiers and three civilians killed in related violence on both sides of the border. Source: BBC

Lebanon and Israel are set to begin a second round of rare direct talks in Washington on Thursday, focusing on extending the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah group and exploring future negotiations. The meeting will bring together Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter. It follows their first direct engagement held just days ago, marking the first such contact between the two countries in nearly 30 years. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said discussions are underway to prolong the current 10-day ceasefire that started last Friday. According to his office, Hamadeh will propose extending the truce and call for an end to Israeli demolitions of homes in areas occupied after fighting broke out on March 2. Aoun said broader negotiations are also being prepared, aiming to fully stop Israeli attacks, secure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, ensure the release of Lebanese detainees held in Israel, deploy Lebanese forces along the border and begin reconstruction efforts. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged Lebanon to cooperate in disarming Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, ahead of the Washington talks. “We don't have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved,” Saar said during remarks marking Israel’s Independence Day, where he described Lebanon as a “failed state.” “The obstacle to peace and normalization between the countries is one: Hezbollah,” he added, saying Lebanon could achieve sovereignty and independence free from Iranian influence. The latest conflict began when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, shortly after Israel and the United States carried out strikes on Iran. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground operation, capturing several towns and villages along the border. Israeli forces now control a buffer zone extending up to 10 kilometers inside southern Lebanon, saying it is meant to prevent attacks on northern Israel. Despite Hezbollah’s strong opposition, the talks are seen as a significant step between the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic ties and have technically been at war since 1948. The Lebanese government hopes the discussions will lead to a lasting end to the conflict. While Iran has linked regional ceasefires to any future talks with Washington, Lebanon has stressed it is negotiating independently. Wafiq Safa, a senior figure in Hezbollah’s political council, told AP that the group would not accept any outcome from the direct talks. Since the ceasefire began last week, both sides have reported several violations. The recent fighting has killed around 2,300 people in Lebanon, including many women and children, and forced more than 1 million people from their homes. Last week’s meeting marked the first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel since 1993, with previous communication largely handled through mediators such as the United States or the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s leadership, which criticised Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on March 2, had pushed for direct talks early on in hopes of preventing further escalation and avoiding a ground invasion.

The government is working to repatriate the body of a Bangladeshi woman killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Saturday. “The government and the administration stand by the grieving family,” she said told reporters after an exchange of views with the Hindu community in Nagarkanda-Salthar area. She told Bangladesh’s mission in Lebanon has been instructed to ensure the repatriation of the body. Migration must be governed upholding dignity, rights: Shama Obaed “Air traffic is currently disrupted due to tensions in the Middle East. Despite this, efforts are underway to repatriate the body as soon as possible,” she added. The state minister said eight Bangladeshis have been killed since the beginning of the conflict, adding that steps are being taken to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi nationals in the war-torn region. Some citizens have already been repatriated. Dipali Akter, daughter of Sheikh Mofazzal alias Moka Sheikh of Char Harirampur Union in Charbhadrasan upazila, was seriously injured in an Israeli airstrike on April 8 and later died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday also condemned the killing of Dipali. Dipali had gone to Lebanon in 2024 to work as a domestic worker and had been living with family there.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli airstrikes on several towns in the Nabatieh district have killed at least 10 people and injured nine others. According to the report, an Israeli air attack on the town of Kfar Sir killed four people, including a paramedic, and injured four more. In a separate strike on the town of Zefta, three people were killed, including a member of the Lebanese Civil Defence, while two others were wounded. Israeli blitz stuns Beirut, AP reporter describes scenes of horror A third attack on the town of Toul left three people dead and three others injured, the report added. Source: Al Jazeera