Lebanese bid farewell to the year 2023, hoping for stability, tranquility, and seeking to heal the wounds of the nation, which continues to bleed as the New Year begins.

Israeli attacks continued on southern Lebanon, with Israeli aircraft flying over the western and central sectors, as well as over the city of Hermel and villages in the region. They also launched airstrikes on Al-Labouneh situated between Naqoura and Alma Al-Shaab, the outskirts of the towns of Marwahin, Ad-Dhayrah, Ayta Al-Shaab, and Chihine.

Three individuals from the town of Kfarkela were martyred due to Israeli targeting, two of whom were in the municipal ambulance service. An Israeli strike also targeted the compound of the government hospital in Mais Al-Jabal, where a shell fell in the hospital parking lot near the wall, but divine intervention prevented any casualties.

Hezbollah responded by targeting Israeli military positions in the vicinity of the Yaara barracks and the Hadab Al-Bustan site.

During the New Year's Mass, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi criticized the prerequisite of a final ceasefire in Gaza for the election of a president, emphasizing that it is the duty of the Parliament, if it maintains its autonomy, to convene and elect a president.

In turn, Metropolitan Elias Audi, the head of the Greek-Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, questioned, "Why doesn't the Parliament decide to elect a president for the stability of the entire country?"

The French embassy in Lebanon extended New Year's greetings to the Lebanese people, affirming that it will continue to mobilize its efforts more than ever to contribute to the sustainable return of stability.

Regionally, clashes in Gaza continued for the 87th day, amidst ongoing intense Israeli bombardment of various cities in the strip, amid a worsening humanitarian catastrophe and escalating tensions in the region.

Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, confirmed his support for the displacement of Gaza residents to other countries.
Israeli Knesset Member Avigdor Lieberman called on Israel to reoccupy southern Lebanon, stating that Lebanon should "pay the price on the ground" for the damages inflicted by Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel.

In response to Ben-Gvir, Hamas stated that the Israeli leaders' statements regarding the displacement of our people from Gaza are merely waking dreams

The former Israeli Defense Minister stated that the Israeli army should "seal off" a wide area in southern Lebanon and push Hezbollah north of the Litani River, "even if it means 50 years of occupation."

An Israeli source told “Reuters” that the next phase of the war in Gaza will continue for six months, revealing that forces will be prepared to move towards the northern front on the border with Lebanon.

In the latest toll, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced 21,978 fatalities and 57,697 injuries since the beginning of the war.

During the past few hours, Israel launched 25 airstrikes on the city of Khan Younis, which witnessed intense clashes.

It was reported that the Israeli Supreme Court overturned the "Reasonability Clause" law, and Israeli media described the move as an "earthquake" in the Israeli judiciary.

According to Informed sources to 'Al-Sharq' that an Israeli security delegation is scheduled to arrive in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Monday to discuss a new phase of the prisoner exchange with the Hamas movement."

The sources close to the negotiations also told "Al-Sharq" that the talks focus on Hamas releasing 40 Israeli prisoners, including the elderly, the sick, the injured, women, and minors under the age of 18, in exchange for the release of several hundred Palestinian prisoners, and a complete ceasefire in Gaza for a period ranging between 21 and 30 days.

The Israeli Central Bank pointed out that the war has significant economic consequences on both real economic activity and financial markets. The Bank of Israel has lowered the short-term interest rate for the first time in four years after data showing the weakness of the economy due to the war.

The Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights has announced that Israeli organizations and institutions continue to conduct a wide campaign of incitement and distortion against the work of the observatory, through false allegations that undermine its neutrality and professionalism.

The Iranian warship "Alborz" has reportedly entered the Red Sea through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait as part of the 94th fleet of the Iranian Navy. Simultaneously, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that it attacked the Shaddadi base in Syria and a U.S. base in the Koniko field in the Syrian depth.

Former Saudi intelligence chief, Turki al-Faisal Al Saud, affirmed that "Hamas's attack on Israel and its successful penetration of Israel's formidable stronghold around Gaza have had significant consequences, including shattering the perception that Israel is an impregnable fortress against any force that could compete with or challenge it in the region."

Internationally, the American newspaper "New York Times" reported that President Joe Biden pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make the war "a precision-targeted operation." The Pentagon is also pushing the Biden administration to take action against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, suggesting plans to target weapons and ammunition factories, including combat boats.

British Defense Minister Grant Shapps stated that the UK is "prepared to take direct action" against the Houthi rebels to deter their attacks in the Red Sea.

Irish Member of the European Parliament Mick Wallace affirmed that members refrained from agreeing on the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine because the "American empire" did not desire it.

The German opposition called for the return of Ukrainian refugees to their homeland.

Japan announced a tsunami threat in the country following a powerful earthquake and urged people to evacuate coastal areas immediately. Meteorological experts in Japan predicted a tsunami with a potential height of up to 3 meters along the entire Sea of Japan coast.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Ukraine is not an enemy, indicating that those seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia are the real adversaries.