Lebanon is in the midst of an economic crisis, 80% of the population has been pushed into poverty, it has also left public schools shuttered. Teachers are waging an open-ended strike over their devalued salaries.

Public schools in Lebanon underfunded, teachers strike over devalued wages

Syrian state TV said on Saturday that the death toll from a migrant boat that sank off the Syrian coast after sailing from Lebanon earlier this week has risen to 94.&nbsp;

The episode was the bloodiest thus far because an increasing number of Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians have been trying to exit crisis-torn Lebanon by sea in hopes of finding better lives in Europe. The value of the Lebanese pound has fallen more than 90%, causing tens of thousands of people to lose their employment, and thousands of families who were once middle class are now living in terrible poverty because they have no money to buy anything.

The relatives of the victims, according to Syrian authorities, have begun to enter into Syria from Lebanon to assist in recovering the bodies and identifying their loved ones.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-president-accuses-israel-of-being-apartheid-regime-at-unga-in-ny-519113">Palestinian president accuses Israel of being 'apartheid regime' at UNGA</a>

According to Mohammed Hassan Ghabbash, the health minister for Syria, 20 individuals have been saved and are being treated at the al-Basel hospital in Tartus, a seaside city, in the country. With order to aid in the search operations, medical authorities have been on high alert since Thursday afternoon, the speaker noted.

With a population of 6 million people, including 1 million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bulgarian-coastguard-rescues-38-migrants-from-black-sea-518873">Syrian</a> refugees, Lebanon has experienced a catastrophic economic downturn that has pushed more than three-quarters of the population into poverty as of late 2019.

It used to be a nation that took in refugees from wars and crises in the Middle East, but the current economic crisis, which is the result of years of mismanagement and corruption, has drastically changed that.

Hyperinflation has caused prices to soar, leading many people to sell their possessions to pay smugglers to convey them to Europe as the migration has increased recently.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Syrian state TV said on Saturday that the death toll from a migrant boat that sank off the Syrian coast after sailing from Lebanon earlier this week has risen to 94.

Syrian state TV said on Saturday that the death toll from a migrant boat that sank off the Syrian coast after sailing from Lebanon earlier this week has risen to 94. The episode was the bloodiest thus far because an increasing number of Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians have been trying to exit crisis-torn Lebanon by sea in hopes of finding better lives in Europe. The value of the Lebanese pound has fallen more than 90%, causing tens of thousands of people to lose their employment, and thousands of families who were once middle class are now living in terrible poverty because they have no money to buy anything. The relatives of the victims, according to Syrian authorities, have begun to enter into Syria from Lebanon to assist in recovering the bodies and identifying their loved ones. Also read | Palestinian president accuses Israel of being 'apartheid regime' at UNGA According to Mohammed Hassan Ghabbash, the health minister for Syria, 20 individuals have been saved and are being treated at the al-Basel hospital in Tartus, a seaside city, in the country. With order to aid in the search operations, medical authorities have been on high alert since Thursday afternoon, the speaker noted. With a population of 6 million people, including 1 million Syrian refugees, Lebanon has experienced a catastrophic economic downturn that has pushed more than three-quarters of the population into poverty as of late 2019. It used to be a nation that took in refugees from wars and crises in the Middle East, but the current economic crisis, which is the result of years of mismanagement and corruption, has drastically changed that. Hyperinflation has caused prices to soar, leading many people to sell their possessions to pay smugglers to convey them to Europe as the migration has increased recently. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Death toll of Lebanese migrants' boat capsize tragedy goes up to 94

The death toll from Thursday's migrant boat accident in Syria has reached 76. The migrants were mostly Lebanese people fleeing the country which is facing economic turmoil. There were reportedly 45 children on the boat none of whom have survived.

Lebanon: 76 dead as migrant boat capsizes near Syria

Bank heists in Lebanon are becoming a trend – but these armed “robbers” are not stealing anyone else’s money. They just want access to their own savings. Priyanka Sharma tells you why Lebanon's “robbers” have now become heroes as Ghadi Francis reports live from Beirut.

WION Fineprint | Bank heists become a growing trend in Lebanon| WION reports from Beirut

As Lebanese pound hits record low against dollar, tensions seem to rise. Protests broke out in the capital city of Beirut and to prevent break-ins and hold-ups by angry protesters, banks in Lebanon have been declared close for 3 days.

Lebanese Pound hits record low against Dollar, protests break out in capital Beirut

As Lebanese pound hits record low against dollar, tensions seem to rise. Protests broke out in the capital city of Beirut. Watch this video to understand what's behind Lebanon's economic crisis? Why people are being forced to rob banks for their money?

What's behind Lebanon's economic crisis? Why people are being forced to rob banks for their money?

Lebanon Economic Crisis: Protests break out in Beirut; protesters demand release of detainees

Banks in Lebanon have said they will close for three days next week, after depositors stormed several branches on Friday, holding employees hostage and forcibly demanding to withdraw their savings.

Lebanese banks to close next week; violent raids by depositors surge in Lebanon

Lebanese banks to close next week as depositors storm several branches

A woman accompanied by activists carrying what she said was a toy pistol, held several people hostage for almost an hour on Wednesday at the BLOM bank in Beirut, where the staff was forced to hand over $12,000. Later in an interview, she said the money was for her sister’s cancer treatment.&nbsp;

The Lebanese woman later identified as Sali Hafez, also live streamed the heist, and subsequently became a folk hero on social media in the country. In a separate incident that took place shortly after, an armed man entered a branch of BankMed in Lebanon’s city of Aley and tried to retrieve his trapped savings. The man received some money before he turned himself over to the authorities, said security personnel and an activist group called Depositors’ Outcry.&nbsp;

In the BLOM bank incident, Hafez entered the bank along with activists from Depositors’ Outcry and stormed the manager’s office. During her live stream, she can be heard yelling, “I am Sali Hafez, I came today…to take the deposits for&nbsp;my sister who is dying in the hospital.” She went on to assure people that she did not come there to kill anyone or start a fire but to claim her rights.&nbsp;

In an interview after the incident, she told local media, “I had begged the branch manager before for my money, and I told him my sister was dying, didn’t have much time left.” She added, “I reached a point where I had nothing else to lose.” Hafez reportedly also said that the toy pistol belonged to her nephew.&nbsp;

Hafez and the group forced the employees to hand over $12,000 which is approximately $1,000 in Lebanese pounds. According to Hafez, she has a total of $20,000 in savings trapped in that bank and took this step after selling many of her personal belongings and even considered selling her kidney to fund her 23-year-old sister’s cancer treatment.&nbsp;

Lebanese citizens are desperate to access their savings and furious at the banking sector, which has locked most depositors out of their savings. This move following an economic crisis that took place three years ago has reportedly left most of the citizens struggling to pay for basic necessities.

Since 2019, the cash-strapped banks have imposed strict limits on withdrawals of foreign currency. Meanwhile, the local currency has lost more than 90% of its value and three-quarters of the population has slipped into poverty.&nbsp;

WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/explained-economic-crisis-in-lebanon-and-reasons-behind-it-506246">Explained: Economic crisis in Lebanon and reasons behind it</a>

A bank customer, named Nadine Nakhal, who was present at the time of the BLOM bank incident, said “They doused gasoline everywhere inside, and took out a lighter and threatened to light it.” She added that the armed woman threatened to shoot the manager if they refused to give her the savings. The group escaped with the cash through a smashed window at the back of the bank before the security personnel arrived. While some activists were with Hafez, others from the Depositors’ Outcry held a protest outside the bank.

Lebanon, for over two years, has tried to implement key reforms for its banking sector and the economy. However, it has failed to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund on a recovery programme which would allow billions of dollars in international loans and aid. The country is also facing power outages and soaring inflation and unemployment.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanese-man-who-held-up-bank-for-trapped-savings-walks-free-507815">Lebanese man who held up bank for trapped savings walks free</a>

The banks have reportedly indicated that they make an exception for humanitarian cases, including hospital care, but people in Lebanon disagree. “All we have is this money in the bank. My daughter was forced to take this money - it's her right, it's in her account - to treat her sister,” said Hafez’s mother to the local media.&nbsp;

These incidents are just some among several others that have been witnessed over the past year.&nbsp; 
 
In August, a local man held employees and customers hostage for hours, after storming a Beirut bank demanding some of his $200,000 which is frozen in savings for his father’s hospital bills.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, in January, a bank customer who was unable to withdraw his savings held dozens of people hostage, in a bank in eastern Lebanon. Reportedly, he was eventually given some of his savings and he later surrendered to the security forces.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A woman accompanied by activists carrying what she said was a toy pistol, held several people hostage for almost an hour on Wednesday at the BLOM bank in Beirut, where the staff was forced to hand over $12,000.

A woman accompanied by activists carrying what she said was a toy pistol, held several people hostage for almost an hour on Wednesday at the BLOM bank in Beirut, where the staff was forced to hand over $12,000. Later in an interview, she said the money was for her sister’s cancer treatment. The Lebanese woman later identified as Sali Hafez, also live streamed the heist, and subsequently became a folk hero on social media in the country. In a separate incident that took place shortly after, an armed man entered a branch of BankMed in Lebanon’s city of Aley and tried to retrieve his trapped savings. The man received some money before he turned himself over to the authorities, said security personnel and an activist group called Depositors’ Outcry. In the BLOM bank incident, Hafez entered the bank along with activists from Depositors’ Outcry and stormed the manager’s office. During her live stream, she can be heard yelling, “I am Sali Hafez, I came today…to take the deposits for my sister who is dying in the hospital.” She went on to assure people that she did not come there to kill anyone or start a fire but to claim her rights. In an interview after the incident, she told local media, “I had begged the branch manager before for my money, and I told him my sister was dying, didn’t have much time left.” She added, “I reached a point where I had nothing else to lose.” Hafez reportedly also said that the toy pistol belonged to her nephew. Hafez and the group forced the employees to hand over $12,000 which is approximately $1,000 in Lebanese pounds. According to Hafez, she has a total of $20,000 in savings trapped in that bank and took this step after selling many of her personal belongings and even considered selling her kidney to fund her 23-year-old sister’s cancer treatment. Lebanese citizens are desperate to access their savings and furious at the banking sector, which has locked most depositors out of their savings. This move following an economic crisis that took place three years ago has reportedly left most of the citizens struggling to pay for basic necessities. Since 2019, the cash-strapped banks have imposed strict limits on withdrawals of foreign currency. Meanwhile, the local currency has lost more than 90% of its value and three-quarters of the population has slipped into poverty. WATCH | Explained: Economic crisis in Lebanon and reasons behind it A bank customer, named Nadine Nakhal, who was present at the time of the BLOM bank incident, said “They doused gasoline everywhere inside, and took out a lighter and threatened to light it.” She added that the armed woman threatened to shoot the manager if they refused to give her the savings. The group escaped with the cash through a smashed window at the back of the bank before the security personnel arrived. While some activists were with Hafez, others from the Depositors’ Outcry held a protest outside the bank. Lebanon, for over two years, has tried to implement key reforms for its banking sector and the economy. However, it has failed to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund on a recovery programme which would allow billions of dollars in international loans and aid. The country is also facing power outages and soaring inflation and unemployment. ALSO READ | Lebanese man who held up bank for trapped savings walks free The banks have reportedly indicated that they make an exception for humanitarian cases, including hospital care, but people in Lebanon disagree. “All we have is this money in the bank. My daughter was forced to take this money - it's her right, it's in her account - to treat her sister,” said Hafez’s mother to the local media. These incidents are just some among several others that have been witnessed over the past year. In August, a local man held employees and customers hostage for hours, after storming a Beirut bank demanding some of his $200,000 which is frozen in savings for his father’s hospital bills. Earlier this year, in January, a bank customer who was unable to withdraw his savings held dozens of people hostage, in a bank in eastern Lebanon. Reportedly, he was eventually given some of his savings and he later surrendered to the security forces. (With inputs from agencies)

Beirut: Woman armed with toy gun demands her trapped savings for sister's cancer treatment

Lebanon has been reeling under an economic crisis for three years now. The country's banks have locked most depositors out of their savings, leaving much of the population unable to pay for basic needs. The crisis pushed Sali Hafi, a Lebanese woman to break into a bank with a gun to get her funds which she says she needed for the treatment of her sister who's battling cancer.

Lebanon: 'Robbery' in broad daylight, people inside the bank break into panic

Hadi Matar, the man who is accused of attacking British author Salman Rushdie was apparently "changed" after a Middle East trip, his Lebanese-born mother Silvana Fardos said while interacting with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper on Sunday (August 14).&nbsp;

Fardos, who hails from Fairview in New Jersey, described her 24-year-old son as "a moody introvert". She further stated that Matar was increasingly fixated on Islam after the visit to see his estranged father.&nbsp;

"One time he argued with me asking why I encouraged him to get an education instead of focusing on religion," she told the website.&nbsp;

"He was angry that I did not introduce him to Islam from a young age," she said in the interview.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-responds-to-salman-rushdies-stabbing-denies-involvement-but-justifies-attack-507147">Iran responds to Salman Rushdie's stabbing: Denies involvement but blames writer for the attack</a>&nbsp;

Matar was arrested at the scene where the 75-year-old writer was attacked. Rushdie was stabbed in the neck last Friday on a stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state during a literary event.&nbsp;

The alleged attacker&nbsp;was charged with attempted murder and assault but he pleaded not guilty. Currently, he is being held without bail.&nbsp;

Reacting to the incident, Fardos said she was "shell shocked" when she got to know about the incident from one of her twin 14-year-old daughters.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salman-rushdie-on-long-road-to-recovery-says-his-agent-507031">Salman Rushdie on ‘long road to recovery’, says his agent</a>&nbsp;

"I just cannot believe he was capable of doing something like this. He was very quiet, everyone loved him," she said,&nbsp;adding that her son "changed a lot" after his trip to Lebanon.&nbsp;

"I was expecting him to come back motivated, to complete school, to get his degree and a job, but instead he locked himself in the basement," she said.&nbsp;

"I couldn't tell you much about his life after that because he has isolated me since 2018&nbsp;and also said little to the rest of his family for months. He sleeps during the day and wakes and eats during the night," she said.&nbsp;

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Hadi Matar, the man who is accused of attacking British author Salman Rushdie was apparently "changed" after a Middle East trip, his Lebanese-born mother Silvana Fardos said while interacting with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper on Sunday (August 14).

Hadi Matar, the man who is accused of attacking British author Salman Rushdie was apparently "changed" after a Middle East trip, his Lebanese-born mother Silvana Fardos said while interacting with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper on Sunday (August 14). Fardos, who hails from Fairview in New Jersey, described her 24-year-old son as "a moody introvert". She further stated that Matar was increasingly fixated on Islam after the visit to see his estranged father. "One time he argued with me asking why I encouraged him to get an education instead of focusing on religion," she told the website. "He was angry that I did not introduce him to Islam from a young age," she said in the interview. ALSO READ | Iran responds to Salman Rushdie's stabbing: Denies involvement but blames writer for the attack Matar was arrested at the scene where the 75-year-old writer was attacked. Rushdie was stabbed in the neck last Friday on a stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state during a literary event. The alleged attacker was charged with attempted murder and assault but he pleaded not guilty. Currently, he is being held without bail. Reacting to the incident, Fardos said she was "shell shocked" when she got to know about the incident from one of her twin 14-year-old daughters. ALSO READ | Salman Rushdie on ‘long road to recovery’, says his agent "I just cannot believe he was capable of doing something like this. He was very quiet, everyone loved him," she said, adding that her son "changed a lot" after his trip to Lebanon. "I was expecting him to come back motivated, to complete school, to get his degree and a job, but instead he locked himself in the basement," she said. "I couldn't tell you much about his life after that because he has isolated me since 2018 and also said little to the rest of his family for months. He sleeps during the day and wakes and eats during the night," she said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Salman Rushdie attack suspect 'changed a lot' after Lebanon visit, says Hadi Matar's mother

Lebanon's citizens called an armed gunman 'a hero' after he held bank staff hostage for hours. The 42-year-old couldn't access his own money frozen at the bank after the economic collapse. Ghadi Francis brings you a full report from the heart of Beirut on The West Asia Post.

The West Asia Post: Decoding Lebanon's bank hostage standoff

How far would you go for your money? A Lebanese man has set a dangerous precedent. The 42-year-old man held a bank hostage over his own money, but the people of Beirut are hailing him as a 'hero'. Why? Watch this report by Palki Sharma to find out.

Gravitas: This man held a bank hostage over his own money

The hostage crisis in Lebanon ended without any casualties, but what led to such a situation arising in the first place? WION tells you in this report.

Explained: Economic crisis in Lebanon and reasons behind it

A hostage crisis in a bank in Beirut ended after the authorities agreed to grant a local gunman partial access to his frozen funds in exchange for releasing all six hostages.

WION Dispatch: Lebanon bank hostage crisis ends after partial payout

A Lebanese man who took a bank hostage in order to access his own money is being hailed as a hero by the public in Beirut.

Bassam al-Sheikh Hussein, a 42-year-old food-delivery driver, stormed the Federal Bank branch in the capital to withdraw a part of his frozen savings of $210,000 to help pay for his father’s hospital bill.

According to AFP news agency, he entered the bank with a rifle, poured petrol and demanded his money. Following a seven-hour stand-off, he was arrested and taken out of the bank, with no injury being reported.

LBC TV channel reported that the armed man surrendered after he was allowed to take $35,000 of his savings upfront.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the bank during the stand-off and chanted, "You are a hero."

The hostage taker represents the anger of a wider public whose savings accounts have been frozen for over three years due to the economic crisis. Banks have allowed depositors only token withdrawals of dollars each month that are insufficient to meet the most basic of needs.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lebanon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lebanon</a>: A man has taken as many as 10 people hostage in a Beirut bank today after he was denied the ability to withdraw savings to pay his father’s medical bills. The man, named Bassam al-Sheikh Hussein, reportedly was denied access to $210,000. <a href="https://t.co/7f0EkEPm72">https://t.co/7f0EkEPm72</a> <a href="https://t.co/omqfZDucki">pic.twitter.com/omqfZDucki</a>
— POPULAR FRONT (@PopularFront_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PopularFront_/status/1557753421784141825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Mariam Chehadi, Hussein’s wife, who was standing outside, told reporters that her husband “did what he had to do,”&nbsp;reports AP news agency.

Hussein’s brother Atef, also standing outside the bank, defended his brother. “My brother is not a scoundrel. He is a decent man. He takes what he has from his own pocket to give to others.”

Notably, this was the second incident of bank siege reported this year. In January, another angry depositor doused customers in a regional bank with fuel and demanded his savings. He too was successful.

The country is in the midst of one of the world's most severe economic crises. Apart from the cost-of-living crisis and shortages of wheat and medicines, Lebanon's local currency has lost more than 90 per cent of its value since 2019.

According to UN, around four-fifths of the population is living in poverty.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Lebanese man who took a bank hostage in order to access his own money is being hailed as a hero by the public in Beirut. Bassam al-Sheikh Hussein, a 42-year-old food-delivery driver, stormed the Federal Bank branch in the capital to withdraw a part of his frozen savings of $210,000 to help pay for his father’s hospital bill.

A Lebanese man who took a bank hostage in order to access his own money is being hailed as a hero by the public in Beirut. Bassam al-Sheikh Hussein, a 42-year-old food-delivery driver, stormed the Federal Bank branch in the capital to withdraw a part of his frozen savings of $210,000 to help pay for his father’s hospital bill. According to AFP news agency, he entered the bank with a rifle, poured petrol and demanded his money. Following a seven-hour stand-off, he was arrested and taken out of the bank, with no injury being reported. LBC TV channel reported that the armed man surrendered after he was allowed to take $35,000 of his savings upfront. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the bank during the stand-off and chanted, "You are a hero." The hostage taker represents the anger of a wider public whose savings accounts have been frozen for over three years due to the economic crisis. Banks have allowed depositors only token withdrawals of dollars each month that are insufficient to meet the most basic of needs. #Lebanon: A man has taken as many as 10 people hostage in a Beirut bank today after he was denied the ability to withdraw savings to pay his father’s medical bills. The man, named Bassam al-Sheikh Hussein, reportedly was denied access to $210,000. https://t.co/7f0EkEPm72 pic.twitter.com/omqfZDucki — POPULAR FRONT (@PopularFront_) August 11, 2022 × Mariam Chehadi, Hussein’s wife, who was standing outside, told reporters that her husband “did what he had to do,” reports AP news agency. Hussein’s brother Atef, also standing outside the bank, defended his brother. “My brother is not a scoundrel. He is a decent man. He takes what he has from his own pocket to give to others.” Notably, this was the second incident of bank siege reported this year. In January, another angry depositor doused customers in a regional bank with fuel and demanded his savings. He too was successful. The country is in the midst of one of the world's most severe economic crises. Apart from the cost-of-living crisis and shortages of wheat and medicines, Lebanon's local currency has lost more than 90 per cent of its value since 2019. According to UN, around four-fifths of the population is living in poverty. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Armed man who held bank staff hostage to withdraw savings becomes hero in Lebanon

Man who held bank staff hostage becomes hero in Lebanon

Thousands of protesters marched tearfully in the Lebanese capital on Thursday, marking two years since the explosion at the Beirut port, with chants denouncing the government's failure to uncover the truth behind the blast.

Lebanon marks two years since Beirut blast

Lebanon blast anniversary: Why has no top official been held to account?

Turkey said the first shipment of grain had left the Odessa port for Lebanon and will reach Istanbul on Tuesday. According to Ukraine authorities, the ship is carrying 26,000 tonnes of corn.

First ship carrying Ukrainian grain leaves Odessa Port

Khalil Mansour must stand in line for hours every day to buy food for his family in bankrupt Lebanon, and some days he is unable to do so. Prior to the financial crisis in 2019, Lebanon had the moniker "Switzerland of the Middle East" for its flourishing banking industry, therefore the ongoing shortage of the food staple has been difficult to bear. 2020 saw Lebanon's sovereign debt default, and since then, the currency has lost about 90 per cent&nbsp;of its value on the illegal market.

The financial crisis has been dubbed one of the worst since the 19th century by the World Bank, and the United Nations currently estimates that four out of every five Lebanese are living below the poverty line. The struggling government has been obliged to withdraw subsidies on the majority of necessities, but not yet on wheat, in response to demands from international creditors for painful reforms in exchange for the release of additional aid. Although less than it would have been without the subsidy, the cost of subsidised bread has increased, and bakers have begun rationing the essential.

Industry statistics show that war-torn Ukraine is the source of 80 per cent&nbsp;of Lebanon's wheat imports. However, a fatal blast at Beirut port in August 2020 seriously damaged the nation's primary grain silos, drastically reducing the country's ability to stockpile wheat.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spains-lgbt-community-abstaining-from-sexual-activity-as-monkeypox-spreads-502249">Spain’s LGBT community abstaining from sexual activity to keep monkeypox at bay</a>

Currently, as reported by AFP,&nbsp;a package of flat Arabic bread that resembles pitas costs 13,000 Lebanese pounds (43 US cents). It costs over 30,000 on the grey market. Mansour and the majority of Lebanese must wait hours in line outside bakeries to buy bread, and occasionally by the time their turn comes, the bakeries are out of bread. The majority of bakeries only allow one or two bags of bread per customer, and each bag contains six flatbreads. Subsidized bread is sometimes purchased in bulk by dishonest sellers who then resell it on the black market.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Khalil Mansour must stand in line for hours every day to buy food for his family in bankrupt Lebanon, and some days he is unable to do so. Prior to the financial crisis in 2019, Lebanon had the moniker "Switzerland of the Middle East" for its flourishing banking industry, therefore the ongoing shortage of the food staple has been difficult to bear.

Khalil Mansour must stand in line for hours every day to buy food for his family in bankrupt Lebanon, and some days he is unable to do so. Prior to the financial crisis in 2019, Lebanon had the moniker "Switzerland of the Middle East" for its flourishing banking industry, therefore the ongoing shortage of the food staple has been difficult to bear. 2020 saw Lebanon's sovereign debt default, and since then, the currency has lost about 90 per cent of its value on the illegal market. The financial crisis has been dubbed one of the worst since the 19th century by the World Bank, and the United Nations currently estimates that four out of every five Lebanese are living below the poverty line. The struggling government has been obliged to withdraw subsidies on the majority of necessities, but not yet on wheat, in response to demands from international creditors for painful reforms in exchange for the release of additional aid. Although less than it would have been without the subsidy, the cost of subsidised bread has increased, and bakers have begun rationing the essential. Industry statistics show that war-torn Ukraine is the source of 80 per cent of Lebanon's wheat imports. However, a fatal blast at Beirut port in August 2020 seriously damaged the nation's primary grain silos, drastically reducing the country's ability to stockpile wheat. Also Read: Spain’s LGBT community abstaining from sexual activity to keep monkeypox at bay Currently, as reported by AFP, a package of flat Arabic bread that resembles pitas costs 13,000 Lebanese pounds (43 US cents). It costs over 30,000 on the grey market. Mansour and the majority of Lebanese must wait hours in line outside bakeries to buy bread, and occasionally by the time their turn comes, the bakeries are out of bread. The majority of bakeries only allow one or two bags of bread per customer, and each bag contains six flatbreads. Subsidized bread is sometimes purchased in bulk by dishonest sellers who then resell it on the black market. (with inputs from agencies)

Lebanon: People queue up to buy bread, six breads sell for $20 on black market

A Syrian-flagged ship that had moored at a port in the north with a cargo of Ukrainian grain on board that Kyiv‘s embassy in Beirut claimed was “illegal” was seized on Saturday by a Lebanese prosecutor. According to a judicial official, prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered police to look into the Laodicea, which docked in Tripoli earlier this week. 
 
The Ukrainian embassy reported that the grain on board the ship flying the Syrian flag was loaded from a location controlled by Russian soldiers, thus Lebanese police were also urged to contact them.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February, and Kyiv has frequently accused Moscow soldiers of pillaging its grain storage facilities. “The Syrian-flagged ship is carrying barley and flour,” according to the Lebanese foreign ministry. Ihor Ostash, the ambassador for Ukraine, informed Michel Aoun, the president of Lebanon, on Thursday that the ship was carrying “illegal barley from occupied Ukrainian territory”.

According to early reports, the grain belongs to a Syrian businessman, and the shipping company’s owner is a Turkish person, the court official added. The person further stated that some of the goods will be transferred to Syria and others would be unloaded in Lebanon. The documentation for the ship was “all in order and there is no proof that the merchandise was stolen,” a customs official told AFP.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-halts-gas-supply-to-latvia-following-deadly-prison-attack-502043">Russia halts gas supply to Latvia following deadly prison attack</a>

Some media reports claim that the US had imposed sanctions on the Laodicea years ago as part of its campaign against the Bashar al-Assad administration in Syria. The event occurred as Ukraine, one of the biggest grain exporters in the world, prepared to begin grain exports as a result of a deal supported by the UN. 
 
A Russian naval blockade and Ukrainian mines set to prevent an amphibious landing on the Black Sea coast have left millions of tonnes of food in Ukraine trapped. The Laodicea was taken over as Lebanon, which is dealing with one of the worst financial crises in history, was also experiencing a severe bread shortage.

(with inputs from agencies) 
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A Syrian-flagged ship that had moored at a port in the north with a cargo of Ukrainian grain on board that Kyiv‘s embassy in Beirut claimed was “illegal” was seized on Saturday by a Lebanese prosecutor.

A Syrian-flagged ship that had moored at a port in the north with a cargo of Ukrainian grain on board that Kyiv‘s embassy in Beirut claimed was “illegal” was seized on Saturday by a Lebanese prosecutor. According to a judicial official, prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered police to look into the Laodicea, which docked in Tripoli earlier this week. The Ukrainian embassy reported that the grain on board the ship flying the Syrian flag was loaded from a location controlled by Russian soldiers, thus Lebanese police were also urged to contact them. Russia invaded Ukraine in February, and Kyiv has frequently accused Moscow soldiers of pillaging its grain storage facilities. “The Syrian-flagged ship is carrying barley and flour,” according to the Lebanese foreign ministry. Ihor Ostash, the ambassador for Ukraine, informed Michel Aoun, the president of Lebanon, on Thursday that the ship was carrying “illegal barley from occupied Ukrainian territory”. According to early reports, the grain belongs to a Syrian businessman, and the shipping company’s owner is a Turkish person, the court official added. The person further stated that some of the goods will be transferred to Syria and others would be unloaded in Lebanon. The documentation for the ship was “all in order and there is no proof that the merchandise was stolen,” a customs official told AFP. Also Read: Russia halts gas supply to Latvia following deadly prison attack Some media reports claim that the US had imposed sanctions on the Laodicea years ago as part of its campaign against the Bashar al-Assad administration in Syria. The event occurred as Ukraine, one of the biggest grain exporters in the world, prepared to begin grain exports as a result of a deal supported by the UN. A Russian naval blockade and Ukrainian mines set to prevent an amphibious landing on the Black Sea coast have left millions of tonnes of food in Ukraine trapped. The Laodicea was taken over as Lebanon, which is dealing with one of the worst financial crises in history, was also experiencing a severe bread shortage. (with inputs from agencies)

Ship carrying ‘stolen’ Ukrainian grain intercepted by Lebanon

Warning Tehran-backed Hezbollah group against "playing with fire", Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he will press French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday for a tougher and time-limited tack on the Iranian nuclear negotiations.

Deeming its caps insufficient, Israel had opposed the Iran nuclear deal which France is trying to revive.

In his first abroad since becoming caretaker premier last week, Lapid will meet Macron and flex his diplomatic muscles as Israelis gear up for a snap election in November.

It comes after the Israeli army shot down three Hezbollah drones launched toward one of its Mediterranean gas rigs.

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Hezbollah, led by its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah since 1992, is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group.

France has additional clout in Beirut as it is Lebanon's former colonial administrator and Israel has de facto front with Iran in the Lebanon.

A senior Israeli official told news agency Reuters that "The French are very, very active on the Iranian issue."

"It is important for us to make our case ... Israel opposes a return to the JCPOA (2015 nuclear deal). In the same breath, we do not oppose a deal. We seek a very strong deal."

Experts believe that Western capitals are worried Israel might take preemptive military action against its arch-enemy if it deems diplomacy a dead end.

Calling for "coordinated pressure" on Iran and offering help on "drafting an appropriate framework" for that, the senior Israeli official said "We want an end to the unending talks."

Lapid would share with Macron "new material explaining how Hezbollah is endangering Lebanon," according to the official.

Tapping into European Union countries' quest to replace Russia as an energy supplier since it invaded Ukraine, the Karish rig near Lebanon's coast will produce gas for the European Union, the official added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

Warning Tehran-backed Hezbollah group against "playing with fire", Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he will press French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday for a tougher and time-limited tack on the Iranian nuclear negotiations.

Warning Tehran-backed Hezbollah group against "playing with fire", Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he will press French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday for a tougher and time-limited tack on the Iranian nuclear negotiations. Deeming its caps insufficient, Israel had opposed the Iran nuclear deal which France is trying to revive. In his first abroad since becoming caretaker premier last week, Lapid will meet Macron and flex his diplomatic muscles as Israelis gear up for a snap election in November. It comes after the Israeli army shot down three Hezbollah drones launched toward one of its Mediterranean gas rigs. × Hezbollah, led by its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah since 1992, is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group. France has additional clout in Beirut as it is Lebanon's former colonial administrator and Israel has de facto front with Iran in the Lebanon. A senior Israeli official told news agency Reuters that "The French are very, very active on the Iranian issue." "It is important for us to make our case ... Israel opposes a return to the JCPOA (2015 nuclear deal). In the same breath, we do not oppose a deal. We seek a very strong deal." Experts believe that Western capitals are worried Israel might take preemptive military action against its arch-enemy if it deems diplomacy a dead end. Calling for "coordinated pressure" on Iran and offering help on "drafting an appropriate framework" for that, the senior Israeli official said "We want an end to the unending talks." Lapid would share with Macron "new material explaining how Hezbollah is endangering Lebanon," according to the official. Tapping into European Union countries' quest to replace Russia as an energy supplier since it invaded Ukraine, the Karish rig near Lebanon's coast will produce gas for the European Union, the official added. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid warns Hezbollah against 'playing with fire'

Three drones launched by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, that were headed towards an offshore gas field in the Mediterranean were intercepted by the Israeli army on Saturday.

"Three hostile drones approaching the airspace in Israel's economic waters have been intercepted," the army said in a statement, as reported by AFP, adding that the drones were headed towards the Karish gas field, which is partly claimed by Lebanon. The drones were not armed and did not pose a risk.

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One drone was intercepted by a fighter jet and the other two by a warship. Lebanon condemned Israel last month when a vessel operated by London-listed Greek energy firm Energean entered the Karish field last month.

Israel claims that the field lies in its waters and is not part of the disputed area subject to ongoing negotiations on the maritime border. Hezbollah warned Energean against proceeding with its activities.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-protest-photos-that-will-leave-you-speechless-493911">&nbsp;In Pics: Protest photos that will leave you speechless</a>

Lebanon and Israel resumed negotiations on their maritime border in 2020, but the process was stalled by Beirut's claim that the map used by the United Nations in the talks needed modifying. Lebanon initially demanded 860 square kilometres (330 square miles) of waters it said were in dispute but then asked for an additional 1,430 square kilometres (552 square miles), including part of the Karish field.

Lebanon and Israel remain technically at war and have no diplomatic relations. UN peacekeepers patrol the border. Israel fought a devastating war with Hezbollah in 2006 and regards the Iran-backed group as one of its principal enemies.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Three drones launched by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, that were headed towards an offshore gas field in the Mediterranean were intercepted by the Israeli army on Saturday.

Three drones launched by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, that were headed towards an offshore gas field in the Mediterranean were intercepted by the Israeli army on Saturday. "Three hostile drones approaching the airspace in Israel's economic waters have been intercepted," the army said in a statement, as reported by AFP, adding that the drones were headed towards the Karish gas field, which is partly claimed by Lebanon. The drones were not armed and did not pose a risk. × One drone was intercepted by a fighter jet and the other two by a warship. Lebanon condemned Israel last month when a vessel operated by London-listed Greek energy firm Energean entered the Karish field last month. Israel claims that the field lies in its waters and is not part of the disputed area subject to ongoing negotiations on the maritime border. Hezbollah warned Energean against proceeding with its activities. Also Read: In Pics: Protest photos that will leave you speechless Lebanon and Israel resumed negotiations on their maritime border in 2020, but the process was stalled by Beirut's claim that the map used by the United Nations in the talks needed modifying. Lebanon initially demanded 860 square kilometres (330 square miles) of waters it said were in dispute but then asked for an additional 1,430 square kilometres (552 square miles), including part of the Karish field. Lebanon and Israel remain technically at war and have no diplomatic relations. UN peacekeepers patrol the border. Israel fought a devastating war with Hezbollah in 2006 and regards the Iran-backed group as one of its principal enemies. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH| Israel shoots down three unarmed Hezbollah drones headed for Karish gas field

Lebanon and Sri Lanka may be a world apart, but they share a history of political turmoil and violence that led to the collapse of once-prosperous economies. Molly Gambhir brings you this report along with Dasuni Athauda and Ghadi Francis.

WION Fineprint | Lebanon and Sri Lanka | Corruption and conflict: The story of two economies

Will there be a repeat of the Israel-Lebanon war? Hezbollah terror group has built 15 new posts along the border sparking new tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

A repeat of the Israel-Lebanon war? 15 posts built by a Lebanese terror group

Israel is heading to elections again, its fifth since 2019, after the coalition government collapsed. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you how former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is eyeing a comeback to power.

The West Asia Post| Israel head to polls once again| Lebanon's push to revive tourism

Lebanon is banking on the summer tourism windfall to revive its frailing economy. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis sits with Lebanon's tourism minister Walid Nassar to talk about how the government plans to revive tourism.

The West Asia Post| Lebanon pushes to revive tourism| WION exclusive with Walid Nassar

Amid economic woes, Lebanon's traditional pottery has witnessed a sharp drop. Traditional pottery can be traced back to the Phoenicians.

Lebanon's economic woes: Pottery sees sharp drop in demand

Tensions are brewing between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanon has taken this issue with a new platform arriving at Israel's offshore natural gas rig in the Mediterranean sea while Israel insists that the facility is not in disputed waters but in Israeli territorial waters.

Maritime border dispute brews between Israel and Lebanon

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