Amnesty International Calls for War Crimes Investigation into Israeli Strikes in Lebanon

This is Beirut 06/03 17:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hezbollah International Criminal Court

Amnesty International called, on Wednesday, for an investigation into the Israeli army's attacks on healthcare facilities in southern Lebanon during the war with Hezbollah that began on October 8, 2023. “Israel’s unlawful attacks on medical facilities and personnel are not only serious violations of international humanitarian law and likely ...

VideosCabinet Approves 2025 Budget, Initiates Reforms

Rayan Chami 06/03 15:55 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Saudi Arabia Government Nawaf Salam Budget 2025

PM Nawaf Salam confirmed the 2025 budget’s approval and pledged reforms to ease its impact. Work on the 2026 budget is underway, and future Cabinet sessions will move to a new venue. Information Minister Paul Morcos highlighted Saudi Arabia’s reform-linked support for Lebanon and announced work on tax exemptions for war victims and new ISF ...

Op-edA US Bill That Aims to Dismantle Hezbollah?  

Salam El Zaatari 06/03 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah USA

The US Congress has taken things to a whole new level. Dubbed the “Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Extremism Act” (PAGER Act), this legislation, spearheaded by Republican Congressman Greg Steube, is not just about sanctioning Hezbollah—it’s about forcing Lebanon into a political and military reckoning. The bill lays out an ...

Syria, Such a Troublesome Neighbor

Marc Saikali 06/03 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Syria Ahmad al-Sharaa Turkey

Since its independence, Lebanon has served as a mirror reflecting the events unfolding in its much larger neighboring country. Damascus has long cast a covetous eye on Lebanon, disturbed by its freedoms and economic achievements. Despite all the challenges, Lebanon has managed to preserve a semblance of political democracy, even in its darkest ...

Independent Arabiya Unveils US Congressional Bill Targeting Hezbollah and LAF

This is Beirut 05/03 22:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Lebanese Army Hezbollah Amal Congress

Independent Arabiya has published details of a draft bill introduced to the US Congress by Republican Representative Greg Steube, aimed at pressuring the Lebanese government and military to curb Hezbollah’s influence. The proposed legislation, titled  "Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Extremism Act," calls for stringent measures against ...

If You Loved the Canals of Venice, You’ll Adore the Canals of Beirut!

Marc Saikali 05/03 21:47 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Beirut Traffic Rain

Every year, winter brings rain. A statement so ordinary it could hardly be more clichéd. Yet in Lebanon, every downpour turns the roads into rivers. Cars become makeshift gondolas, and honking horns replace gondoliers’ songs. It’s safe to say that romance is hardly in the air. Water covers the gaping holes, which elsewhere are called ...

BDL’s Gold: An Untouchable Treasure or a Last Resort?

Liliane Mokbel 05/03 19:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Gold Reserves

Following the government’s policy statement and the president’s inaugural speech, it is clear that a new momentum is emerging to address the pending economic issues. Controversial proposals are emerging, notably the idea of using Lebanon's Central Bank gold reserves (BDL) to partially bridge the financial deficit. However, it is evident that ...

Vehicle Targeted in Ras Naqoura, Several Injuries Reported

This is Beirut 05/03 19:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah south

Several people were injured on Wednesday morning after an Israeli drone fired a missile and dropped bombs on a van in Ras Naqoura. The vehicle, belonging to two brothers of the Jouheir family, was targeted as its owners were travelling to the area to inspect land belonging to them. The van's passengers were seriously injured, but survived the ...

Videos Ramadan Returns to South Lebanon amid War-Torn Streets

Lyne Sammouri 05/03 16:20 - Reading : less than a minute

south lebanon ramadan tyre nabatieh

As Ramadan begins in South Lebanon, still marked by the aftermath of war, a sense of renewal emerges. In the souks of Nabatieh and the streets of Tyre, a blend of hardship and hope fills the air as communities find ways to celebrate the holy month.

ExplainerThe Druze: Riding the Tide in a Turbulent Middle East

Samar El-Kadi 05/03 13:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Middle East Druze Syria

The Druze question has reemerged at the forefront of the current regional scene, following the regime change in Syria and Israel’s incursion into Syrian territory through the demilitarized zone in the occupied Golan Heights. All this is compounded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning that Israel would intervene in Syria to ...

SpotlightCombating Paramilitary Financing: Key to Keeping Lebanon Off the Gray List

Bassam Abou Zeid 05/03 11:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Central Bank Economy Hezbollah

Lebanon's inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list can largely be attributed to the lack of cooperation from Lebanese authorities in combating the financing of paramilitary groups, particularly Hezbollah, as well as other organizations like Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement. The failure to address this issue was largely ...

VideosAugust 4: Monthly Gathering of Victims’ Families

This is Beirut 04/03 21:45 - Reading : less than a minute

More than four years after the Beirut port explosion, the victims’ families continue their fight for justice. Their monthly sit-in at the Statue of the Immigrant is a cry against oblivion. With the new government in place, hope is renewed… but the struggle persists.