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| Ammani Bazzi holding her young daughter, encased in flowers and wrapping after she was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Lebanon |
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| A vehicle hit by an Israeli drone strike as it traveled near the Litani River in Lebanon |
'Imperial Israel' in the New Middle East
Authors: Roger Cohen, David Guttenfelder
Publication: The New York Times
Date: November 26, 2025
Summary:
The Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire reached one year ago on November 27, 2024, is fraying as Israel conducts almost daily strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including killing a top commander in Beirut this week.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described a "morass of mistrust" where "Israelis say they can't leave unless Hezbollah disarms, and Hezbollah says how can we disarm as long as the Israelis don't." Israel refused to remove small encampments around five hilltop communications towers inside Lebanon despite cease-fire commitments for complete withdrawal.
The Iran-led "axis of resistance" is weakened following Israel's June war with Iran and Syria's regime change, with UAE political scientist Abdulkhaleq Abdulla describing "imperial Israel" killing enemies anywhere from Lebanon to Yemen.
Trump administration envoy Tom Barrack seeks to disarm Hezbollah by year's end, but Lebanese officials question the army's capacity given soldiers earning $300 monthly. September strikes included killing Hassan Abdel Karim Shahrour and a family of four including 18-month-old twins. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared "our weapons will remain," while Israel's strategy emphasizes pre-emptive strikes with residents like security officer Shlomi Hatan stating "we will have to live by the sword for the next century."
Quotes:
"The Israelis say they can't leave unless Hezbollah disarms, and Hezbollah says how can we disarm as long as the Israelis don't?" — Nawaf Salam, Lebanese Prime Minister
"We have an unchecked player acting as a hegemon under a leader, Netanyahu, growing stronger by the day." — Nawaf Salam
"Our weapons will remain. From now until the Judgment Day, they will remain!" — Naim Qassem, Hezbollah leader
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