"It's not very helpful at this stage as Lebanon seeks foreign aid and a bailout and the help of Gulf Arab states. This is not the message you want to send," says Mideast expert.

Europe should press the Palestinians to negotiate with Israel for a demilitarized state whose economy can be rebuilt and boosted by the US's $50 billion investment.

Nearly 900,000 Syrians, mostly women and children, have fled a Russian-backed Syrian offensive in the country's northwest. UN humanitarian chief calls on Security Council to prevent "the biggest humanitarian horror story of the 21st century." Syrian President Bashar Assad pledges to press ahead until complete victory "sooner or later."

ImageSat International says a site operated by Iran's military sustained massive damage in airstrikes near Damascus International Airport. Israel has not commented on the incident, attributed by foreign media to the IAF.

Meanwhile, the Center for Information and Documentation Israel says the real picture of anti-Semitism in the Netherlands is far bleaker, as most victims of anti-Semitic attacks don't report them to the authorities "because they believe nothing will come of it."