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BEIRUT (AP) — In 2006, after a bruising monthlong war between Israel and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militant group, the unanimously voted for a resolution to end the conflict and pave the way for lasting security along the border. But while there was relative calm for nearly two decades, Resolution 1701’s terms were never fully enforced. Now, figuring out how to finally enforce it is key to approved by Israel on Tuesday. In late September, after nearly , the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah spiraled into all-out war and an . As Israeli jets pound deep inside Lebanon and Hezbollah fires rockets deeper into northern Israel, U.N. and diplomatic officials again turned to the 2006 resolution in Years of deeply divided politics and regionwide geopolitical hostilities have halted substantial progress on its implementation, yet the international community believes Resolution 1701 is still the brightest prospect for long-term stability between Israel and Lebanon. Almost two decades after the last war between Israel and Hezbollah, the United States led shuttle diplomacy efforts between Lebanon and Israel to agree on a ceasefire proposal that renewed commitment to the resolution, this time with an implementation plan to try to bring the document back to life. In 2000, Israel withdrew its forces from most of southern Lebanon along a U.N.-demarcated “Blue Line” that separated the two countries and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, which most of the world considers occupied Syrian territory. , increased their presence along the line of withdrawal. Resolution 1701 was supposed to complete Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and ensure Hezbollah would move north of the Litani River, keeping the area exclusively under the Lebanese military and U.N. peacekeepers. Up to 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers would help to maintain calm, return displaced Lebanese and secure the area alongside the Lebanese military. The goal was long-term security, with land borders eventually demarcated to resolve territorial disputes. The resolution also reaffirmed previous ones that call for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon — Hezbollah among them. “It was made for a certain situation and context,” Elias Hanna, a retired Lebanese army general, told The Associated Press. “But as time goes on, the essence of the resolution begins to hollow.” For years, Lebanon and Israel blamed each other for countless violations along the tense frontier. Israel said Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force and growing arsenal remained, and accused the group of using a to spy on troops. Lebanon complained about Israeli military jets and even when there was no active conflict. “You had a role of the UNIFIL that slowly eroded like any other peacekeeping with time that has no clear mandate,” said Joseph Bahout, the director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy at the American University of Beirut. “They don’t have permission to inspect the area without coordinating with the Lebanese army.” UNIFIL for years has urged Israel to but to no avail. In the ongoing war, the , of obstructing and harming its forces and infrastructure. Hezbollah’s power, meanwhile, has grown, both in its arsenal and as a political influence in the Lebanese state. The Iran-backed group was essential in keeping in power when armed opposition groups tried to topple him, and it supports Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Yemen. It has an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles, including precision-guided missiles pointed at Israel, and . Hanna says Hezbollah “is something never seen before as a non-state actor” with political and military influence. Israel’s security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday. for the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah underscored that they still view the resolution as key. For almost a year, Washington has promoted various versions of a deal that would gradually lead to its full implementation. International mediators hope that by boosting financial support for the Lebanese army — which was not a party in the Israel-Hezbollah war — Lebanon can deploy some 6,000 additional troops south of the Litani River to help enforce the resolution. Under the deal, an international monitoring committee headed by the United States would oversee implementation to ensure that Hezbollah and Israel’s withdrawals take place. It is not entirely clear how the committee would work or how potential violations would be reported and dealt with. The circumstances now are far more complicated than in 2006. Some are still skeptical of the resolution’s viability given that the political realities and balance of power both regionally and within Lebanon have dramatically changed since then. “You’re tying 1701 with a hundred things,” Bahout said. “A resolution is the reflection of a balance of power and political context.” Now with the ceasefire in place, the hope is that Israel and Lebanon can begin negotiations to demarcate their land border and settle disputes over several points along the Blue Line for long-term security after decades of conflict and tension.
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Dennis Ortlieb, a Brentwood schoolteacher, has seen firsthand when families struggle and basic needs, like food and housing, aren’t met. It’s why he brought his children to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless Stuff the Pantry donation drive Saturday morning in Amityville, where nonperishable food, toiletries and clothing were being dropped off in the nonprofit’s warehouse to later be distributed to those in need. “I just want my kids to understand what they have and they appreciate the things that they have,” said Ortlieb, 48, of Deer Park. He was part of a team of volunteers at the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless distribution center, known as the “boutique,” at 600 Albany Ave. There, the organization regularly collects donations and allows Long Islanders to shop for or request items. Organizers said Saturday’s event, which drew around 70 people over three hours, was the first Thanksgiving-themed drive for the nonprofit and will be run annually. It included coloring activities for children, a turkey mascot and refreshments. The biggest news, politics and crime stories in Suffolk County, in your inbox every Friday at noon. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . “There’s always a need,” said Greta Guarton, executive director of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. “But this is a time of year that everyone feels a sense of wanting to give.” Homelessness is a growing problem on Long Island. The annual Long Island Coalition for the Homeless audit of homeless people in Nassau and Suffolk counties counted 3,928 people in January 2024, up from 3,536 people in January 2023 and 3,034 people in January 2022. The figures are only a snapshot of the wider trend of increasing rates of homelessness and need for shelter on Long Island and throughout the rest of the country. National data showed homelessness increased 12% between 2023 and 2024, largely due to people who became homeless for the first time. Experts and advocates said the expiration of a COVID-era eviction moratorium, a lack of affordable housing and defunct pandemic rental assistance programs are contributing to the rise, Newsday reported . On Long Island, Guarton said, events like Saturday’s are focused on simplifying some of the difficult decisions people face. “A lot of times the difference between becoming homeless, or becoming at-risk or losing housing could be, ‘Do I pay my rent this month or do I put food on the table?’ ” Guarton said. “We help to bridge that gap.” Joe Biasi, a volunteer who helps run the pantry, said donations tend to pour in during the holidays but that some essentials — like deodorant, paper towels and diapers above size 3 — are often least in stock throughout the year. Bailey Riekkinen, the community engagement specialist for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, said people experiencing homelessness have often endured significant trauma and that domestic violence victims are especially vulnerable, particularly women. However, other life events like a death in the family or a hospitalization can set a family or an individual back financially. “And from there, it’s very difficult to get out of homelessness,” Riekkinen said. With toilet paper and paper towels in hand, Michelle Tuchinsky, of Melville, said she donated Saturday to do her part in helping the community. A member of Temple Beth Tora’s Social Action Committee in Melville, she said it’s important “to keep the momentum going” after the holidays, when the need for support remains high.
Venture capital (VC) activity in India has witnessed significant growth from January to November 2024, with investments reaching $16.77 billion across 888 deals, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Venture capital activity in India from January to November 2024 has surged to US$ 16.77 billion across 888 deals, reflecting a robust 14.1 per cent increase in value and a 21.8 per cent rise in deal count compared to the same period in 2023, according to figures gathered by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). The technology sector emerged as the frontrunner, attracting $6.50 billion, a remarkable 52.5 per cent increase year-over-year. Consumer discretionary investments followed with $2.30 billion, up 32.2 per cent, while the financial sector saw a slight decline to $2.20 billion, the IBEF report said. Noteworthy deals included KiranaKart Technologies ( Zepto ) at $1.3 billion and Poolside AI SAS at $500 million. Industry leaders express optimism about continued momentum into 2025, with expectations for more initial public offerings (IPOs) and increased activity in later-stage funding rounds as funds that have been cautious begin to deploy capital. Experts like Bhaskar Majumdar and Sajith Pai foresee a positive shift in the Indian startup ecosystem, anticipating "great easing" in 2025. Despite concerns about the economy's reliance on the India1 engine, which comprises around 30 million households contributing significantly to GDP, optimism remains high due to ongoing capital flows supported by savings. The energy transition presents new opportunities in electric mobility and green hydrogen sectors. At the same time, traditional areas like fintech and e-commerce continue to attract investment. Additionally, there is a growing focus on intellectual property (IP) -led businesses, particularly deep tech, with significant investments in robotics, drones, and semiconductor technologies. As the landscape evolves, the influence of the US market under the new administration could shape global capital flows, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Indian startups, the IBEF report added. ( With inputs from IANS) Market Outlook: PMI, auto sales and global economic cues key triggers for next week Women investors in mutual funds grow 2.5 times in 2024: Groww report Maruti 800 architect Osamu Suzuki passes away; leaves behind a legacy
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