Israeli minister calls for annexation of southern Lebanon

Hundreds of square kilometers of territory up to the Litani River should be seized, Bezalel Smotrich has said

Published 23 Mar, 2026 21:24 | Updated 23 Mar, 2026

Israel should seize vast swathes of land in southern Lebanon as part of its ongoing campaign against Hezbollah militants, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated. The new border should be moved all the way to the Litani River, located nearly 40 kilometers from Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, he said on Israeli radio on Monday.

West Jerusalem started a military campaign against Hezbollah in early March after the Lebanese-based militant movement launched waves of strikes on the Jewish state in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The attacks followed a joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran launched on February 28.

Israel has since ordered all residents of southern Lebanon to leave the area south of the Litani due to what it called “limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds.” According to the Lebanese authorities, the Israeli strikes have killed over 880 people over the past two weeks, with more than 2,000 injured and over one million displaced.

“I say here definitively… in every room and in every discussion, too:the new Israeli border must be the Litani,”Smotrich said. The campaign “needs to end with a different reality entirely, both with the Hezbollah decision but also with the change of Israel’s borders,” he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has not responded to a request by Reuters to comment. Previously, Defense Minister Israel Katz also said that Lebanon could lose territory if it fails to disarm Hezbollah. On Sunday, the Israeli military announced plans to expand both ground and air operations in southern Lebanon.

A Lebanese official told Reuters that Beirut expects foreign nations to put pressure on West Jerusalem to halt its campaign. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Israel’s actions in Lebanon as “inappropriate and even unacceptable.” He also argued that repeated Israeli operations against Hezbollah have never produced the desired results.

Israel has launched military campaigns against Hezbollah on multiple occasions since 1978 and occupied southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000.

(The real question is how many Israeli’s were killed by Hezbollah with the Israeli government approval; when Bibi made a deal with Hezbollah, to have justification to seize land, and kill innocent Lebanese people.Israel leaders have made clear along with Bibi, they want to take every country in the Mideast. Do you think Israelis would ever believe their government is killing them with Hezbollahs help, to steal land for power?it’s not just Lebanon, it’s all of the Middle East)

https://www.rt.com/news/635973-israeli-minister-annex-southern-lebanon/

Rapid Response 47

@RapidResponse47

.@POTUS provides an update on discussions amid Operation Epic Fury

2:56 PM · Mar 24, 2026

·43.8K

Quote: ‘Iran gave us a very big present yesterday. Not going to tell you what it was.’

3:02

https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2036517404956565972?s=20

Trump says to journalist,I don’t trust you, that’s only because I know you!

See Trump is like Lincoln, he cannot tell a lie

Rapid Response 47

@RapidResponse47

.@SecWar: "Never has a modern military, been so rapidly and historically obliterated, defeated, from day one, with overwhelming firepower… that’s why we see ourselves as part of this negotiation as well. We negotiate with bombs. You have a choice, as we loiter over the top of Tehran… about your future."•

2:56 PM · Mar 24, 2026

·133K

(Citizen Free Press makes a snarky remark: “Hegseth gets 80 seconds at Trump presser.”)

https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2036517562092052967?s=20

Gunther Eagleman™

@GuntherEagleman

BREAKING: CNN just confirmed that their own reporting is absolute HORSESHlT after they spent nearly the entire day yesterday accusing Trump of lying about Iran talks.

"We're now learning from a senior Iranian source that there has been an outreach between the U.S. and Iran."

10:54 AM · Mar 24, 2026

·970.3K

https://x.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2036456523736522933?s=20

Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs @StateSPEHA

Dennis Coyle is on his way home! We remain committed to freeing all Americans wrongfully detained abroad. Today the Taliban took an important step in the right direction, now they must release all remaining Americans immediately, including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby.

(It’s amazing how many victories the U.S. is getting under Trump. Every agency is trying to out Trump each other. KEK)

https://x.com/StateSPEHA/status/2036519843684401649?s=20

‘Persona non grata’: Lebanon boots Iran’s ambassador amid Hezbollah-Israel war

Israeli FM Sa’ar praises move by Beirut, urges it to take ‘meaningful steps’ against Hezbollah, which condemns envoy’s expulsion; hours later, Iranian missile intercepted over Lebanon

By AGENCIES, LAZAR BERMAN

Today, 5:16 pmUpdated at 6:38

Lebanon’s foreign ministry said Tuesday it had withdrawn the accreditation of Iran’s ambassador, giving him until Sunday to leave the country.

Hours later, in a first, Iran fired a missile that was intercepted over Lebanon.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi wrote on X: “I instructed today the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to summon the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires in Lebanon to inform him of the decision to withdraw the agrément for the designated Iranian Ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, declare him persona non grata, and request that he leave Lebanese territory no later than 29 March 2026.”

The ministry also recalled the Lebanese ambassador to Iran for consultations, citing what it described as Tehran’s violation of diplomatic norms and established practices between the two countries.

Lebanon has been drawn into the ongoing regional war by Iranian proxy terror group Hezbollah, which has resisted the government’s demands to disarm and has been attacking Israel daily, leading to an intense Israeli bombing campaign and ground operation in southern Lebanon and the displacement of over a million people.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/persona-non-grata-lebanon-boots-irans-ambassador-amid-hezbollah-israel-war/

NYTs

Saudi Leader Is Said to Push Trump to Continue Iran War in Recent Calls

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sees a “historic opportunity” to remake the region, according to people briefed by U.S. officials on the conversations. (1/3)

Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been pushing President Trump to continue the war against Iran,arguing that the U.S.-Israeli military campaign presents a “historic opportunity” to remake the Middle East, according to people briefed by American officials on the conversations.

In a series of conversations over the last week, Prince Mohammed has conveyed to Mr. Trump thathe must press toward the destruction of Iran’s hard-line government, the people familiar with the conversations said.

Prince Mohammed, the people familiar with the discussions said, has argued thatIran poses a long-term threat to the Gulf that can only be eliminated by getting rid of the government.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel also views Iran as a long-term threat, butanalysts say Israeli officials would probably view a failed Iranian state that is too caught up in internal turmoilto menace Israel as a win,while Saudi Arabia views a failed state in Iran as a grave and direct security threat.==

But senior officials in both the Saudi and American governmentsworry that if the conflict drags on, Iran could deliver ever more punishing attacks on Saudi oil installationsand theUnited States could be stuck in an endless war.

In public, Mr. Trump has swung wildly between suggesting that the war could end soon and signaling it would escalate. On Monday, the president posted on social media that his administration and Iran had held “productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities,” though Iran disputed the idea that negotiations were underway.

The consequences of the war for Saudi Arabia’s economy and national security are enormous. Iranian drone and missile attacks, launched in response to the American-Israeli assault on Iran, have already created huge disruptions in the oil market.

Saudi officials rejected the idea that Prince Mohammed has pushed to prolong the war.

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict, even before it began,” theSaudi government saidin a statement, noting that officials“remain in close contact with the Trump administration and our commitment remains unchanged.”

“Our primary concern today is todefend ourselvesfrom the daily attacks on our people and our civilian infrastructure,” the government added. “Iran has chosen dangerous brinkmanshipover serious diplomatic solutions. This harms every stakeholder involvedbut none more than Iran itself.”

Mr. Trump has at timesseemedopen to winding down the war, but Prince Mohammed has argued that would be a mistake, the people briefed on the conversations said, and has pressed for attacks against Iran’s energy infrastructure to weaken the government in Tehran.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/saudi-prince-iran-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VlA.tGWI.AzAFt1X9Mtfi&smid=url-share

>>24422889

(2/3)

This article is based on interviews with people who have had conversations with American officials, andwho described the discussions on the condition of anonymity. because of the sensitive nature of Mr. Trump’s talks with world leaders.The New York Times interviewed people with a variety of views on the wisdom of continuing the war and of Prince Mohammed’s role in advising Mr. Trump.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the administration “does not comment on the president’s private conversations.”

Prince Mohammed, an authoritarian royal who has led a sustained crackdown on dissent,is respected by Mr. Trump and has previously influenced the president’s decision-making. Prince Mohammed has argued that the United States should consider putting troops in Iran to seize energy infrastructure and force the government out of power, according to the people briefed by U.S. officials.

In recent days,Mr. Trump has given more serious consideration to a military operation to seize Kharg Island, the hub of Iran’s oil infrastructure. Such an operation, with airborne Army forces or an amphibious assault by Marines, would be immensely dangerous.

But Prince Mohammed has advocated ground operationsin his conversations with Mr. Trump, according to people briefed by American officials.

The Saudi views of thewar are shaped by economic factors as much as political ones. Since the war began, Iran’s retaliatory attacks have largely choked off the Strait of Hormuz, hobbling the region’s energy industry. The vast majority of Saudi, Emirati and Kuwaiti oil must pass through the strait to reach international markets.

While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have built pipelines to circumvent the strait,those alternative routes have come under attack as well.

Analysts familiar with Saudi government thinking say that whilePrince Mohammed probably preferred to avoid a war, he is concerned that if Mr. Trump pulls back now, Saudi Arabia and the rest of theMiddle East will be left to confront an emboldened and furious Iran on their own.

In this view, they say,a half-finished offensive would expose Saudi Arabia to frequent Iranian attacks. Such a scenario could also leave Iran with the power to periodically close the Strait of Hormuz.

“Saudi officials certainly want the war to end, but how it ends matters,” said Yasmine Farouk, director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project for the International Crisis Group.

A 2019 Iran-backed attack on Saudi oil facilities — which briefly knocked out half of the kingdom’s oil production — ==pushed the prince to reconsider his antagonistic approach to the Islamic Republic.•=

Saudi officials later pursued a diplomaticdétente, re-establishing relations with Iran in 2023, in part because they realized that their country’s alliance with the United States offered only partial protection from Iran, Saudi officials have said.

Other countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, alsopursued warmer relations with Iranin the past few years for similar reasons.

After Mr. Trump’s decision to go to war, against the advice of several Gulf governments, Iran responded by shooting thousands of missiles and drones at countries in the region,derailing their efforts to bring Iran into their fold, Gulf officials have said.

“What little trust there was before has completely been shattered,” Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, told reporters last week.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/saudi-prince-iran-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VlA.tGWI.AzAFt1X9Mtfi&smid=url-share

>>24422892

(3/3)

Saudi Arabia has alarge stockpile of Patriot interceptorsthat it is using to protect itself from the barrage of Iranian attacks that have rained down on its oil fields, refineries and cities.

But interceptors are in short supply globally.Drone and missile attacks in Saudi Arabia have already struck a refinery and the U.S. embassy, while fragments from intercepted projectiles have killed two Bangladeshi migrant workers and injured more than a dozen other foreign residents.

Since thebeginning of the war, Mr. Netanyahu has pushed for military operationsthat could force the collapse of Iran’s government.U.S. officials have focused on degradingthe country’s missile and naval capabilities and havebeen more skeptical that the hard-line government in Iran can be driven from power.

Though Israeli strikes have killed a large number of leaders,the hard-line government remains in control.

Saudi officials have long expressed concerns thata failed state in Iran poses a grave threat to them, analysts say. They fear that even if Iran’s government fell, elements of the military — or militias that could emerge in the power vacuum — would continue to attack the kingdom and are likely to focus on oil targets.

Some government intelligence analysts have told other officials thatthey think Prince Mohammed sees the war as an opportunity for him to increase Saudi Arabia’s influencethroughout the Middle East, and that he believes Saudi Arabia can protect itself even if the war continues.

In conversations with Prince Mohammed, Mr. Trump has raised worries about the price of oil and the damage it is doing to the economy.The Saudi leader has assured him that is only temporary, according to people briefed by American officials.

But American andregional officials are deeply skeptical that oil markets will quickly recover from the war.Saudi Arabia cannot make up the shortfalls caused by the war because its overland pipeline can only carry a fraction of the oil that normally transits through the Strait of Hormuz, economists say.

While Saudi Arabia is better positioned than the other Gulf countries to weather the closure of the strait,it could face dire ramifications if the waterway is not reopened soon.

Even before the war began, PrinceMohammed was facing serious financial challenges as he approached the 2030 deadlinehe had set for himself to transform Saudi Arabia into a global business hub. His government is forecasting budget deficits for several years to come as ambitious megaprojects and vast investments in artificial intelligence strain the country’s limited resources.

A prolonged war with Iran would put all of that at risk. The prince’s success hinges on creating a secure environment for investors and tourists.

Asked last week whether the Saudi government preferred an immediate end to the war or a longer conflict in which Iran’s capabilities were degraded,Prince Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, told reporters that the only thing that officials cared about was halting Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

“We’re going to use every lever we have — political, economic, diplomatic and else-wise — to get these attacks to stop,” Prince Faisal said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/saudi-prince-iran-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VlA.tGWI.AzAFt1X9Mtfi&smid=url-share

Delta suspends ‘specialty services’ perk for members of Congress, cites DHS shutdown

PUBLISHED TUE, MAR 24 20261:41 PM

(Yes, Yes, Yes Punish them more!)

KEY POINTS

• Delta Air Lines suspended its airport escorts and red coat services for Congress members and their staff, citing the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

• The move comes a week after Delta CEO Ed Bastian blasted Congress for failing to authorize pay for

• Transportation Security Administration agents during the shutdown. TSA is a division of DHS.

Airline executives have railed against lawmakers in recent months, urging them to ensure essential government workers like TSA officers are paid during shutdowns.

No sky perks for you!

Delta Air Lines suspended its airport escorts and red coat services for members of Congress and their staff because of the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, the air carrier said Tuesday.

The move comes a week after Delta CEO Ed Bastian blasted Congress during an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box”for failing to authorize pay for Transportation Security Administration agents during the shutdown of the agency that includes TSA.

“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown,Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” Delta said in a statement to CNBC.

“Next to safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers,which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” the airline said.

Delta’s action was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delta’s Capital Desk, which is a reservation line for members of Congress and staffers, remains open.

But for now, those customers will be treated like any other passengers based on their respective Sky Miles status.

The move comes as airports around the U.S., including major hubs in cities such as Atlanta, where Delta is based, are seeing extra-long security lines as a result of elevated absences by TSA agents, who are set to miss their second full paycheck this week.

Bastian last week fumed to CNBC thatit is “inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid. And it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips.

“So, we’re outraged,” Bastian said.

“And if there’s a call to action here — and I think over 90% of the American public supports those people getting paid— ask our folks right here in Washington to do their job, get our people paid. They can do it,” the CEO said.

United Airlines, when asked by CNBC if it had suspended its similar perks for members of Congress, said, “We don’t have any changes to announce today.”

CNBC has requested comment from American Airlines about its services for federal lawmakers.

Airline executives have railed against lawmakers in recent months, urging them to ensure that essential government workers like TSA officers are paid during shutdowns, which have become increasingly common.

Repeated funding impasses, including in early 2019 and as recently as last fall, ended shortly after absences of government workers who were required to work without pay increased.

(Delta do more to Congress esp Democrats and Americans will buy more tickets)

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/24/delta-airlines-congress-dhs-shutdown-tsa.html

>>24422985

I missed seeing my mother before she died by 45 minutes, because the plane was late, I can’t imagine what the millions of others of air travelers are dealing with now. They just created a lot of somewhat democrats to turn to rational semi conservatives.

NATO military command arrives in Ukraine for 1st time since conflict began with Russia. WHY Ukraine is not in NATO?

'For the first time during a full-scale war, a NATO military command of this level visited Ukraine - a delegation led by Admiral Pierre Vandier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation," says official.==. 3/25/26

Elena Teslova |

MOSCOW

NATO military command led by Admiral Pierre Vandier arrived in Kyiv for the first time since the beginning of the conflict with Russia, a senior Ukrainian official said on Sunday.

"For the first time during a full-scale war, a NATO military command of this level visited Ukraine - a delegation led by Admiral Pierre Vandier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation," said Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, on Telegram.

According to him, the two sides discussed the participation of Ukrainian troops in NATO's military exercises in the capacity of a conditional adversary.

He added that the future of the NATO-Ukraine joint center was also discussed.

The EU knows this is illegal and a threat to Russia. They are trying to drag Russia in a direct war

The EU loves the idea of WWIII with Russia so their stupid is to steal Russian territory.Did they hear that Russia sacrificed 26 millions Russians to win that war. These people are fucking stupid!

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/nato-military-command-arrives-in-ukraine-for-1st-time-since-conflict-began-with-russia/3874934#

Thomas Massie Thinks Being Hated by Trump Is ‘Worth It.’ Will Voters Agree?

The Republican congressman from Kentucky is a die-hard libertarian who has centered his campaign on his willingness to buck the president. It has bought him the most expensive primary in the country.

Listen · 9:32 min

Share full article85

Catie Edmondson

By Catie Edmondson

Catie Edmondson, a congressional correspondent, reported from Cynthiana, Ky., and from the cattle pen at Representative Thomas Massie’s farm.

March 24, 2026

Updated 10:42 a.m. ET

Representative Thomas Massie was wedged in the back of a pickup truck careening through the hills and hollers of his district back to his off-the-grid farm here in Kentucky, scrolling on his phone through the litany of memes his legion of online fans have created on his behalf.

Then he landed on his favorite, a photo of himself playing the banjo, with accompanying text that read: “Here’s a little song I wrote called ‘I’ll still win, but if I lose, it was worth it.’”

That has become Mr. Massie’s battle cry these days as the only Republican in the country centering his re-election bid unapologetically on his willingness to buck his own party, even if it means defying President Trump. He has been singled out by Mr. Trump as “disloyal” and “a complete and total disaster” after leading the charge within the G.O.P. to release the Epstein files. A thorn in the president’s side on everything from federal spending to the war in Iran, Mr. Massie is now embroiled in the toughest fight of his political career, a contest set to be the most expensive congressional primary in the nation.

A die-hard libertarian with a puckish sensibility and a yen for the minutia of congressional procedure, Mr. Massie has frequently upset the apple cart of Washington. When he single-handedly called every member of the House back during the height of the pandemic to cast an in-person vote on the coronavirus relief bill, Mr. Trump endorsed against him. He beat that opponent by 62 points and developed what he called the “Trump antibodies.”

This time is different. Outside groups, led by the Republican Jewish Coalition and three G.O.P. megadonors, have already dumped more than $5 million into the race to oust him. This month, Mr. Trump flew to Mr. Massie’s district and delivered a roughly eight-minute screed against the congressman before backslapping the former Navy SEAL the president’s team selected to challenge him.

“I think I was a curious annoyance to them four years ago or six years ago — whenever that was,” Mr. Massie said in a lengthy interview. “And now they’re upset because they like fake fights, but I’m throwing real punches that are landing on issues.”

“Not at the president,” he added. “I’ve always been careful to never criticize the president, because when this race is over, I want him to sign some more of my other bills.” (Mr. Massie has also run an advertisement that opens on a photo of himself with Mr. Trump.). Massie’s a liar!

His challenger, Ed Gallrein, is offering the polar opposite pitch: a willingness to stand “shoulder to- shoulder” with Mr. Trump, who personally called and asked him to run.

Just give me somebody with a warm body to beat Massie,” Mr. Trump recounted telling his staff at the Kentucky rally. “And I got somebody with a warm body, but a big, beautiful brain and a great patriot. He’s unbelievable.”

Mr. Gallrein’s campaign mailer features a large photo of himself standing in the Oval Office next to the president, each holding a red MAGA hat.

“This is Trump country,” it reads. “It’s time we had a congressman who acts like it.”

As he gave his stump speech at a recent luncheon fund-raiser for the Harrison County Republican Party at a Mexican restaurant, Mr. Gallrein centered his message to voters on the president, who he noted had won nearly 90 percent support there during the 2024 Republican primary.

(Massie is just like a MTG but they both were pants. Betrayal is the game. Massie shouldn’t have married a leftist after his wife died.)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/thomas-massie-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VlA.DXEy.A9t6aeCGgLcS&smid=url-share

>>24421998 Senator Mike Lee just proved Biden's FBI ILLEGALLY WIRETAPPED Trump's campaign manager, Susie Wiles, during a privileged call with her lawyer.PN

I appreciate that all these Republicans for years have dramatic hearings proving the crimes of politicians and all Government Agencies, I’m just tired of waiting for any of those criminal motherfuckers are put in jail for crimes against the President, government and American people!

WTF are the proven criminals for the last 10 years ever going to jail, Gitmo or a firing squad for treason, WHEN IS THAT EVER GOING TO HAPPEN, I NOMINATE OBAMA FIRST

No more hearings until there are real trials, for all previous crimes for the last 10 years, I’m no longer entertained by diversions!

I’d even fly to Gitmo to watch one.

>>24421998 Senator Mike Lee just proved Biden's FBI ILLEGALLY WIRETAPPED Trump's campaign manager, Susie Wiles, during a privileged call with her lawyer.PN

It’s hard to listen to Cruz lieabout President Nixon. He accused the democrats lying about Trump, affiliates and senators, but Cruz freakin lies about Nixon! Cruz is as corrupt or worse than democrats when they pounce on a Republican President! (Cruz fails to tell the truth when Nixon was set up by courts and the House and Senate! It was a conspiracy of the DS to remove him from office. Fortunately Trump knew the whole story and all the tactics they used on Nixon.Interesting it was courts and judges were used to get Nixon, and they did the same to Trump, but they lost.)

This is why Cruz’s dramatic readings are always bullshit, Cruz will take either side for more Oratory Power to impress the ignorant public. He basically proved he’s only outraged, whenever he is revealed as a liar. That’s why democrats are not challenging him, they are best buds and do the same tactics. The Democrats never shout at Cruz, they only get outraged when republicans expose the truth.

Ted Cruz will never be the President of the U.S. even I can hardly listen to his voice, occasionally he makes accurate points but then he negates them by lying, He should try to rule Israel his favorite land, but the truth, he’s as snaky as Netanyahu. Israel negates Jesus the Christ as the Son of God, Israelites are the sons of God, and Christianity is not superior to Judaism.