Maronite Patriarch Rai Injured During Resurrection Mass, Undergoes Successful Surgery

This is Beirut 20/04 22:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun Patriarch easter Béchara Raï Mass

A statement issued by the Media Office of the Patriarchal See in Bkerke reads: “At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy for the blessed Feast of the Resurrection, held at 10:00 AM on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Church of the Resurrection in the Patriarchal Headquarters in Bkerke, in the presence of His Excellency, the President of the ...

ExplainerSouthern Lebanon: Is Israel Answering Qassem with Fire?

Soumia Benmerzoug 20/04 21:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel South Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Washington

Sunday marked one of the most violent days since the February ceasefire. Through a series of targeted strikes on alleged Hezbollah positions, the Israeli army raised the level of confrontation. This offensive came just days after Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, reaffirmed the group’s categorical rejection of disarmament, declaring ...

Israeli Airstrikes Intensify Across Southern Lebanon

This is Beirut 20/04 17:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

lebanon south lebanon Israel war Hezbollah

Tensions in southern Lebanon escalated sharply on Sunday as Israeli warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes across multiple areas, targeting what were described as Hezbollah military sites and rocket launch platforms. A security source told Al Hadath that the Israeli military is “currently attacking Hezbollah’s infrastructure and ...

VideosOne Easter, One Hope

Rayan Chami 20/04 14:15 - Reading : less than a minute

Easter Lebanon Orthodox Catholic Maronite

In a rare alignment of calendars, Lebanon’s Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Maronite churches celebrated Easter together. From messages of renewal to reflections on unity and homecoming, believers across sects shared one spirit of resurrection and hope.

AnalysisHezbollah: Caught Between Reality and Recklessness

Bassam Abou Zeid 20/04 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah UN Security Council Joseph Aoun Tehran United Nations

Many in Lebanon and beyond are still grappling with what President Joseph Aoun meant when he spoke of integrating Hezbollah members into the army or security forces. Yet, his message was clear, “We do not want to replicate the Popular Mobilization Forces model in Iraq.” In other words, Lebanon’s leadership is not prepared to absorb ...

Lebanese Army Vehicle Explodes After Thwarting Attempted Attack on Israel

This is Beirut 20/04 12:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Army South Lebanon War Israel

At least four people were killed and three wounded on Sunday, according to a provisional report by the Ministry of Public Health, following the probable detonation of unexploded Israeli munitions in a Lebanese army engineering vehicle in Briqaa, Nabatiyeh caza. Earlier in the day, the Lebanese Army Intelligence Directorate said it thwarted a ...

Aoun and Rai Reiterates Commitment to Lebanon’s Sovereignty in Bkerke

This is Beirut 20/04 10:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Bechara Rai Joseph Aoun

President Joseph Aoun renewed his commitment to implement his promises on illegal weapons and anti-corruption measures on Sunday, following a meeting in Bkerke with the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai. The President visited the Patriarchal Palace to present his Easter greetings to the Maronite Patriarch and attend Easter mass. Aoun said that ...

VideosThe Sacred Fire Arrives in Lebanon: A Beacon of Faith and Unity

This is Beirut 19/04 20:55 - Reading : less than a minute

Middle East religion easter lebanon

The Sacred Fire, originating from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, passed through Jordan before arriving at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut. Its first stop on Lebanese soil was the Saint Dimitrios Church in Ashrafieh. This symbolic journey, illuminated by divine light, brings together Christian communities across the ...

Spotlight'Deadly' Loans Behind 'False Hope': Beware the IMF Trap

This Is Beirut 19/04 12:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

IMF Finance Economy Banks

The experiences of many countries with international financial institutions—chief among them the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—show that such partnerships often lead to counterproductive results. Instead of rescuing economies from crisis, the so-called reform programs have deepened structural and financial problems. In many cases, these ...

Figure of the weekBig Projects, Few Permits: Lebanon’s Construction Slows, but Grows in Scale

Liliane Mokbel 19/04 12:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

According to the Order of Engineers of Beirut and North Lebanon, only 417 building permits were issued in January 2025 – a sharp 48.33% drop compared to January 2024. Construction activity has seen a steep decline over the past year. This downturn has affected all governorates: Beirut: Only 2 permits issued, a 93.75% drop ...

In Easter Message, Patriarch Rai Calls for Peace and Educational Reform in Lebanon

This Is Beirut 19/04 10:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Bechara Rai Schools

In his message for the Easter holiday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai called for an end to wars and advocated for comprehensive educational reform in Lebanon. The Patriarch made a heartfelt appeal for peace, stating, “Enough wars, arms manufacturing and weapons trade. The world needs bread, not guns. It is time to put an end to abortions and ...

UN Deputy Chief Reaffirms Strong Support for Lebanese State and Reforms

This Is Beirut 19/04 10:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

United Nations Lebanon Resolution 1701

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, concluded an official visit to Lebanon on Friday, during which she expressed clear support for the country’s reform agenda and state sovereignty. Her visit follows in the footsteps of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ trip to Lebanon last ...