|   | Shou el akhbar? It's Sunâ day, which means it's time for the weekly recap, a look back at the biggest Lebanon stories of the past seven days. The week opened with a Reuters report, citing Lebanese security sources, that Hezbollah has spent three months preparing for renewed fighting with funds from Iran, a claim its media office rejected. By Friâ day, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had launched consultations on a national plan to govern the Palestinian camps. In between, Cabinet moved to halt imported biosimilar medicines after prosecutor raids. There was a blind-climbers summit and a landfill getting trees, too. Grab your coffee. |
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 Which Israeli politician might Lebanon prefer over Netanyahu if he wins the elections? Scroll to the bottom for the answer â or play all 10 at sobhiye.news/games/news-quiz |
 | | - Hezbollah Rearms, Reportedly: Reuters, citing Lebanese security sources, reported on Monâ day that Hezbollah has spent three months preparing for renewed fighting, with tens of millions of dollars from Iran. Explosives and drone production are the focus. Hezbollah's media office called resistance to Israel's occupation a legitimate right and denied any command breakdown.
- Cabinet Cracks Down On Drugs: On Thursâ day, Cabinet halted biosimilar medicines imported from non-reference countries and limited purchases to reference-country sources. This followed raids by the public prosecutor. Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said the ministry will not tolerate anyone gambling with Lebanese health, and pledged legal action over smuggled or forged drugs.
- Camps Governance Plan: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam launched consultations over a national plan to govern Palestinian camps. He said they fall under Lebanese sovereignty and law, and that cooperation with Palestinian leadership on weapons has begun. He rejected resettlement and the displacement of Palestinians, calling the plan a national interest.
- Challenge To LU President: Professor Kazem Zibara filed an appeal with the State Shura Council seeking to annul the decree appointing Bassam Badran as Lebanese University president. He cites conflict of interest and abuse of power, including Badran's role in his own nomination. The appeal also asks for a suspension of the decree.
- Tripoli Weapons Haul: On Thursâ day, General Security announced raids in Tripoli's Bab al-Raml area that seized explosives, detonators, military weapons, ammunition, grenades and a drone. Three Lebanese nationals were detained. MTV reported one suspect is linked to Daesh. Investigations continue under judicial supervision to find remaining accomplices.
- Reconstruction Funding Check: Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and a World Bank delegation reviewed recovery projects. Contracts worth about $65 million are in tendering, covering roads, schools and ambulances, with another âŹ70 million in French financing expected. Delays stem from procurement and thin Council for Development and Reconstruction capacity. World Bank officials visit Novâ . 17-18.
- Robberies Turn Deadly: A column on the surge in armed theft tracks a string of shootings during one Octâ ober week, many at poorly lit Beirut tunnels. Internal Security Forces data show serious theft rising from 263 monthly cases in 2023 to 350 in the first nine months of 2026, and pickpocketing up about 109%.
- Eisenkot Hopes: An Annahar analysis says Lebanese officials, awaiting Israel's election outcome, see Gadi Eisenkot as possibly more pragmatic than Netanyahu on managing the war. They note he also backs a buffer zone in south Lebanon, so concessions aren't guaranteed. A bigger French role could open a diplomatic window.
- Landfill Gets Trees: On Wednesâ day, MP Razi al-Hajj announced a plan to plant 5,000 trees near the Bourj Hammoud-Jdeideh landfill, now about 36 meters high, with no timeline. Operations are scheduled to end in Aprâ il 2027. Thursâ day's Cabinet session was set to focus entirely on waste management.
- Blind Climbers Summit: Twelve blind participants completed the "Sea to Summit" challenge over two days lastâ weekend, walking from Chekka beach to Qurnat as Sawda' at 3,088 meters. Organized by the Blind with Vision association for the blind's day, the climb also aimed to raise donations for the association.
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That's your week. Enjoy the rest of your Sunâ day, and we'll be back in your inbox toâ morrow. |
 Analysts suggest Eisenkot's pragmatism on war management could restart stalled negotiations. Read the full story â |
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