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Lebanon Seeks to Distance State from Hezbollah After Cyprus Drone Incident

                                                         File photo: Youssef Ragg Lebanon has urged Cypriot authorities and the public not to conflate the Lebanese state with Hezbollah following a drone strike that originated from Lebanese territory and hit Cyprus six days earlier. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi emphasized that the attack was carried out independently by Hezbollah and does not reflect the policies, values, or intentions of the Lebanese government.  Raggi stressed that Lebanon rejects any attempt to use its territory for external agendas and reiterated that Hezbollah’s actions fall outside the state’s legal authority. He called on Cyprus to distinguish between the official Lebanese government and groups operating autonomously, noting that Lebanon has consistently affirmed its sovereignty ...
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Spain Imposes Arms Transit Ban on Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks on during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London.

Spain has announced a sweeping ban on ships and aircraft carrying weapons or military-grade fuel to Israel from using its ports or airspace, citing opposition to Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The move, unveiled by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is part of a broader package of measures aimed at what Madrid describes as stopping “genocide” in the enclave.  

The restrictions also bar entry to individuals accused of direct involvement in war crimes or human rights violations in Gaza, a measure that could apply to senior Israeli officials. Spain, which formally recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024, has been one of Europe’s most vocal critics of Israel’s actions since the conflict escalated in October 2023 following Hamas-led attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel.  

Israel has strongly rejected the genocide allegations and condemned the Spanish decision as antisemitic, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responding by banning entry to several Spanish government members. Madrid’s Foreign Ministry defended the measures as consistent with public sentiment and Spain’s commitment to peace, human rights, and international law.  

The arms transit ban adds further strain to already tense Israeli-Spanish relations, underscoring deep divisions in Europe over how to respond to the Gaza war.  


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