⋯ Video from the incident

⋯ The Israeli police arrested a Jewish suspect, and claimed that he is “an American tourist” and “may be mentally ill”.

“You can’t have idols in Jerusalem, this is the holy city”, the suspect was heard saying.

www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-e…

www.thenationalnews.com/m…

After refusing to abide by judicial orders to return 2 people's deposits in their currency (USD), Fransabank announced the closure of all branches starting today.

Judicial execution sealed its coffers with red wax. Assets will be auctioned unless the bank abides by the orders.

Subsidies have been lifted from some types of low-priced cancer medications. Social Security had them priced at a rate of 1,500 LBP/USD, but now, cancer patients will be forced to pay for them in full.

Most drugs used to treat chronic diseases in Lebanon are now unsubsidized.

Update: As aforementioned, ISIS applauded the attack by Islam Farroukh, and called on further attacks against Jews in Palestine in this week's official newsletter.

Last night, the Iron Dome allegedly intercepted a drone over Gaza, although the IDF admit they're still investigating the incident.

Palestinian resistance sources denied this, telling Al Mayadeen that the Israelis were merely covering up an Iron Dome technical failure.

The decision of the Ministry of Economy to price foodstuffs in USD will come into effect on Monday. Here's what Lebanese shoppers need to know:

- Supermarkets will specify the exchange rate they're using.
- Items will be priced in USD on shelves, but in LBP on the receipt.

Reportedly, no rockets were launched from Gaza, and the red alert issued in Sderot might be a false alarm.

⋯ Hebrew Kan channel: "Sirens were sounded not due to rocket attack, but rather due to bullet fire coming from Gaza."

The Public Administration Employees Association announces the continuation of their strike until February 17th.

Public sector employees will not attend their workplaces during this time period.

Public Education Associations announce the extension of the strike for an additional week until February 12th. There are also plans to hold a protest in Riad El-Solh Square to reiterate demands.

The cabinet session concerning the education sector will be held tomorrow.

⋯ In the meantime, the principal of Garden City private school in Sidon launched an initiative to accommodate a maximum of 100 public school students, so they could pursue their education despite the ongoing teachers' strike.

He called on other private schools to do the same.

Update: The caretaker Minister of Health to LBCI: “No lifting of subsidies for cancer medications, nor an increase in prices, because subsidies will remain at a rate of 1,500 LBP.”

🔴 Netanyahu confirms Iron Dome prospect for Ukraine on French TV

Israeli PM Netanyahu spoke to French news channel LCI on 4 ⁠Feb about providing Ukraine with the Iron Dome:

«I'm looking into it. I said I'm looking into it, and I'm doing just that. The time frame was first to establish the [Israeli] ministries, which is almost finished, and then look at the overall policies, and at this bigger question. I wouldn't make any firm commitment. (...) Israel's contribution maybe will be somewhere at a different place. Recently, the American government took 150,000 munitions that were prepositioned in Israel, and in fact that were ours, and decided to take them to Ukraine.»

On 31 ⁠Jan, he told CNN that he was “certainly looking into” it. The quote however did not appear in CNN’s writeup & segments posted online.

💸 Ongoing crackdown reveals the money changers' tactics

In this video, LBCI reveals that the top manipulators of the lira exchange rate have hired people to block roads, under the pretense of protesting the dire economic situation. It has been a cover along with the ‘political climate’ to increase the rate.

We reported on 30 ⁠Jan, when the crackdown started, that illegal money changers renamed their WhatsApp groups. After it failed, they took to deleting them entirely. Others threatened to expose their employers in voice recordings, and complained of being scapegoated. Chaos and betrayal within their circles has made the security forces' investigation all the more efficient.