“While the relationship between Lebanon and Israel is far from warm, it is incomparable to the state of the ties a mere six months ago.” — Shimon Sherman
SHABBAT READING:
Samson: What Kind of Nazirite Was He?: Dr. Ely Levine, The Torah.com, May 14, 2013 — Among the various sections in parashat Naso (Num 4:21-7:89), the laws of the nazirite (nazir) stand out as the basis for the Sages’ choice of haftara (parallel prophetic reading), Judges 13. This chapter forms the opening of the Samson story and contains the prohibitions conveyed to Samson’s mother in order that he be a nazirite from birth. The similarities with the laws of Numbers 6:1-21 are clear. In addition, no other biblical unit features the ideas of the nazirite as prominently as the Samson story. Only this story involves a coherent extended narrative, detailing the life story of a nazirite.
DISARMING HEZBOLLAH?
WATCH: Lebanon Six Months After the Ceasefire | Fathom Interview: Hanin Ghaddar, Fathom Journal, June 2025 — Six months after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was secured, Fathom editors Jack Omer-Jackaman and Calev Ben-Dor talk to Lebanon expert Hanin Ghaddar, Friedman Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute and author of Hezbollahland: Mapping Dahiya and Lebanon’s Shia Community.
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Hezbollah Attempts to Reestablish Presence in Southern Lebanon: Lion Ben Ari, Ynet News, June 4, 2025
With Israeli Intel, Lebanon Is Dismantling Hezbollah in the South: Omar Abdel-Baqui and Adam Chamseddine, WSJ, May 28, 2025
Lebanon Charting New Course Amid Internal Power Struggle: Shimon Sherman, JNS, June 5, 2025
Political, Social and Diplomatic Possibilities Within Reach for Syria and Lebanon: Dr. Eric R. Mandel, JNS, May 31, 2025
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FOR FURTHER REFERENCE:
Instead of Disarming, Hezbollah Is Smuggling Arms from Syria to Lebanon: Ya Libnan, June 5, 2025 — Security forces of the Syrian border city of Qusayr have foiled an attempt to smuggle an arms shipment into Lebanon, the Syrian interior ministry said.
Iran Seeks to Turn ‘New Page’ in Ties with Lebanon: Reuters, June 3, 2025 — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Lebanese officials on Tuesday that Iran wanted to turn a “new page” in relations with Beirut, hinting at a shift in diplomatic ties that were long grounded in supporting Tehran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
IDF Strikes Underground Hezbollah Drone Factories In Beirut After Evacuation Warning: Emanuel Fabian, Times of Israel, June 5, 2025 — The Israel Defense Forces carried out a series of strikes on several buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Thursday evening that it said were used by Hezbollah to manufacture drones, and in a separate instance, also issued evacuation warnings for two areas in a southern Lebanon town.
With Hezbollah’s Influence Eroded, Can Lebanon Forge a Brighter Future?: Nadia Alfaour, Arab News, Mar. 9, 2025 — For the first time since its creation in 1982, Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militia has seen its political and military clout diminished after a devastating war with Israel gutted its leadership, emptied its coffers, and depleted its once formidable arsenal.