Ceasefire

Hamas Says Ready to Free Gaza Hostages Under Trump Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas Says Ready to Free Gaza Hostages Under Trump Ceasefire Proposal Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said Friday it was willing to release all hostages held in Gaza under the framework laid out in US President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal. "The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages—living and ...

UN Says Has Verified 103 Civilians Killed in Lebanon Since Ceasefire

The United Nations said Wednesday it had verified the deaths of 103 civilians in Lebanon since the November 2024 ceasefire with Israel, as it demanded a halt to the ongoing suffering. "We are still seeing devastating impacts of jet and drone strikes in residential areas, as well as near UN peacekeepers in the south," UN rights chief ...

Barrack Says US Not Guarantor of Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire

US envoy Tom Barrack said on Saturday that Washington is not the “guarantor” of the ceasefire agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he stressed that “both sides accuse each other of failing to comply with the agreement” and that “the problem is the lack of dialogue.” Barrack added that “if ...

The Devastating Cost of Hezbollah's Support War

As Israeli strikes continue in Lebanon against Hezbollah targets, the human and material toll grows heavier. The cost of the “war of support” for Hamas, which Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into, is staggering: more than 5,000 dead, hundreds of thousands displaced, and economic losses estimated at over $14 billion. A return to calm remains ...

EU Urges Full Respect of Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday called for “full respect and implementation” of the November ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, following deadly violence in southern Lebanon. An EU spokesperson condemned Sunday’s Israeli raid in the town of Kfar Tibnit, where civilians, including three children, lost their ...

Aoun Calls on US to Enforce Ceasefire, Boost Military Aid

On the sidelines of his visit to the United Nations in New York, President Joseph Aoun met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening, an encounter focused on Lebanon’s security and post-conflict recovery. President Aoun called on the United States to pressure Israel into fully implementing its obligations under the November ...

Lebanon Moves Toward Gradual Disarmament of Hezbollah

Anyone who believes Hezbollah will announce the handover of its weapons to the Lebanese Army is mistaken. The party is unlikely to do so for two main reasons. First, its arsenal remains closely tied to the strategic agenda of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Second, Hezbollah uses the issue to rally Lebanese Shia, portraying itself as a protector ...

Security Council Grants Final Extension of UNIFIL’s Mandate

The United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until December 31, 2026, setting in motion a final withdrawal of the peacekeeping force by the end of 2027. For the first time, the resolution introduces a clear timetable for winding down UNIFIL’s presence. France ...

America’s Beirut Gamble: Barrack, Ortagus and Graham Push Lebanon Toward Peace

When Tom Barrack, Morgan Ortagus and Senator Lindsey Graham touched down in Beirut, it was clear that the United States was no longer willing to watch Lebanon’s crisis unfold from the sidelines. Their visit was not ceremonial. It was an intervention, part carrot, part stick, designed to push Lebanon into one of the most consequential decisions ...

Salam and Berri Call for Crucial Renewal of UNIFIL’s Mandate

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam underscored on Wednesday the crucial role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, saying that renewing its mandate is essential for maintaining calm and helping the army assert state authority across the region. During a meeting at the Grand Serail, attended by U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, members of the congressional ...