I. Legislative Branch
Personnel and Correspondence
Senators Urge Biden Administration to Designate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status. On October 15, Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Richard Durbin (D-IL) requested that President Joe Biden designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Lebanese nationals present in the United States. The senators also called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to advance the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) authorization date to protect recently arrived Lebanese nationals. DHS announced new TPS designations for Lebanese nationals on October 17.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
President Biden Marks One Year Since Palestinian-American Boy’s Murder. On October 14, President Biden marked one year since the murder of Wadee Alfayoumi, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy killed in a hate crime in Plainfield, Illinois. Biden reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to “countering hate in all its forms” and protecting all communities regardless of identity.
Letter to Congressional Leadership Updates Regional Situation. On October 15, President Biden reported to congressional leadership on the posture in the region of United States military forces to aid in Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks. This posture, Biden said, includes the deployment of Navy destroyers, a submarine, a Marine expeditionary unit, and multiple fighter and attack squadrons, as well as the deployment to Israel of a ballistic missile defense system and United States service members to operate it.
Biden Speaks with Netanyahu. On October 17, President Biden congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. In a statement on the same day, Biden called Sinwar an “insurmountable obstacle” to achieving a political settlement in the Israel-Gaza war. With Sinwar’s death, Biden declared, “that obstacle no longer exists.” In a separate statement, Vice President Kamala Harris asserted that Sinwar’s death creates an “opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza.”
Kirby Says Immediate Threat of Hamas “Completely Eliminated.” On October 18, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby remarked that Israel has now “completely eliminated any immediate threat that Hamas would pose from a military perspective.” With Hamas in a “much weakened position,” Kirby asserted, the Biden administration is pushing for a Gaza ceasefire.
2) Department of State
Department Approves Billions in Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE. On October 11, the Department of State approved over $1 billion in possible weapons sales to Saudi Arabia for AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical Missiles, AGM-114R3 Hellfire II missiles, and ammunition. On the same day, the department also approved a possible sale of $1.2 billion to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, Army Tactical Missile Systems, and M31A1 Unitary Pods.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Jordanian Foreign Minister. On October 15, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi. Blinken underscored the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in Lebanon and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. He expressed gratitude to King Abdullah II for his role in facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and Lebanon. Blinken also voiced concern over instability in the occupied West Bank and reaffirmed the US commitment to preserving the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Emirati Foreign Minister. On October 16, Secretary Blinken spoke with Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and reiterated US support for a diplomatic solution in Lebanon and emphasized the need for a ceasefire in Gaza. He also thanked the foreign minister for UAE’s role in providing humanitarian assistance to Lebanon.
United States Opposes Israeli Bombing Campaign of Beirut. On October 16, Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the United States opposes Israel’s recent bombing campaign of densely populated areas in Beirut. Miller noted that the Biden administration supports Israel’s operations against Hezbollah, Israel must “do so in a way that protects civilian infrastructure, protects civilians.” Miller’s comments followed remarks he made the day prior in which he stated, in reference to Gaza, that “we continue to see Israel not taking sufficient steps to address civilian harm.”
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Israeli President. On October 17, Secretary Blinken spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog about the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Blinken reaffirmed US support for Israel and reiterated the need to bring the war to an end. In a statement issued on the same day, Blinken emphasized that the United States will “redouble its efforts” to push for ceasefire and secure the release of hostages.
Secretary Blinken Speaks with Saudi and Qatari Officials. On October 17, Secretary Blinken held calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. In both calls, Blinken discussed the death of Yahya Sinwar and its implications for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, in addition to the importance of working toward a post-conflict period in Gaza without Hamas. Blinken also reviewed the situation in Lebanon and the developing humanitarian crisis, thanking both officials for their countries’ assistance.
3) Department of Defense
DoD announces Airstrikes in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. On October 11, CENTCOM forces conducted a series of airstrikes targeting camps of the so-called Islamic State in Syria. On October 16, US forces conducted strikes against five weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. On October 18, CENTCOM announced that Iraqi security forces, supported by Coalition Forces, had conducted airstrikes in Iraq that killed four members and a senior leader of the so-called Islamic State.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On October 16, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant about Israel’s operations in Lebanon, the US deployment to Israel of the THAAD battery system, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Austin spoke with Gallant again on October 17 to discuss the regional situation and the killing of Sinwar, which “provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting ceasefire,” Austin remarked. On October 19, Austin commented that “the number of civilian casualties [in Lebanon] have been far too high” and that the Biden administration would like Israel to “scale back on some of the strikes it’s taking, especially in and around Beirut.”
Secretary Austin Speaks at Coalition to Defeat ISIS Meeting. On October 17, Secretary Austin participated in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ministerial meeting in Brussels. During an address, Austin reflected on the work of the coalition and spoke about the planned transition of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Targets PFLP Fundraiser. On October 15, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Canada announced the joint designation of The Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network as a terrorist entity and sanctioned the organization. OFAC stated that Samidoun is “a front organization based in Vancouver, Canada…[that] serves as a front for the group in countries where the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is declared a terrorist organization.” The United States and Canada also sanctioned Khaled Barakat, a member of the PFLP’s leadership.
Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Hezbollah Networks. On October 16, OFAC designated three individuals and four companies involved in a sanctions evasion network generating revenue for Hezbollah. OFAC also sanctioned three individuals linked to the production and trafficking of Captagon.
Treasury Sanctions Houthi Shipping Network. On October 17, OFAC sanctioned 18 companies, individuals, and vessels for their ties to Houthi financial official Sa’id al-Jamal and his network for transporting illicit oil.
5) United States Agency for International Development
Administrator Power Meets with UN Yemen Envoy. On October 17, Administrator Samantha Power met with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg to discuss Houthi detentions of international and diplomatic staff.
