Israël

The Shiite Duo Concedes to Regional Shifts by Electing Joseph Aoun

“I did not come to engage in politics, but to build a state that can only be founded on justice and equality for all its components.” This statement, delivered by General Joseph Aoun, Lebanon's first president after its centenary, during his first official meeting with a congratulatory delegation, succinctly summarizes his vision and ...

Gaza Truce and Hostage Release Deal Nearing Finalization

A Gaza truce and hostage release deal is close and could be finalized in the final week of US President Joe Biden's term, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Monday. "We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week. I'm not making a promise or prediction, but it is there for the taking, and we are going to work to make ...

Israel Far-Right Minister Vows to Oppose Gaza Deal

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday vowed to oppose any deal to end the Gaza war, while a senior Palestinian official said "significant progress" had been made in negotiations in Doha. Since early January, indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have resumed in Doha to ...

The Lebanese President and CENTCOM Chief Discuss the Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun and a top US general discussed on Monday the implementation of a fragile truce between Hezbollah and Israel in South Lebanon, the presidency said. The President and the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, met as a January 26 deadline to fully implement the terms of the ceasefire ...

Norway to Host Talks on Mideast Two-State Solution

Dozens of countries will send delegates to Norway on Wednesday as part of a global alliance aiming to find a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Norway's foreign ministry said on Monday. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, the head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini, and UN envoy ...

Renewed Hopes for ‘Imminent’ Agreement on Gaza Ceasefire

'Breakthroughs’ were made on Sunday night in Doha, Qatar, with negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza “close” to an agreement, according to sources close to the matter quoted by Reuters. This information was revealed by the agency after discussions between Israeli intelligence officials, Donald ...

Lebanese Army Begins Massive Deployment Along the Border

Sunday night was violent for the inhabitants of southern Lebanon and the Beqaa. As Israeli violations of the agreement continued, Israeli warplanes raided one of the Lebanese-Syrian border crossings at Qasr in Hermel at midnight on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Israeli Army's Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee, announced on his X account on ...

Netanyahu Updates Biden on ‘Progress’ in Gaza Hostage Deal Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with outgoing US President Joe Biden on Sunday, updating him on progress in negotiations to reach a hostage release deal in Gaza. A readout from Biden's office confirmed the call and said that the president "stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge ...

Israeli Raids in the Districts of Nabatyeh and Baalbeck-Hermel

The Israeli army carried out a series of raids in several areas of southern Lebanon, Sunday night. Shortly before midnight, the Israeli warplanes launched at least four raids in the valleys between Arabsalim, Houmine el-Fawka, Derir el-Zahrani and Roumine. Detonations could be heard for miles around in the Nabatyeh caza. Another air strike ...

Lebanese Army Deploys in Several Border Villages

The Lebanese Army began deploying in several South Lebanon villages on Saturday, as an Israeli drone struck a car in the village of Kounine, in yet another violation of the ceasefire agreement, injuring two people. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that the attack targeted suspected Hezbollah members who were spotted leaving ...

Iran TV Shows Missile Base After Paramilitary March Against ‘Threats'

Iranian state TV on Friday showed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps touring an underground missile base used in an attack against Israel, hours after fighters marched through Tehran. The footage of the missile base at an undisclosed location "in the mountains" and the parade by paramilitary Basij volunteers come after the ...

Israel Strikes Yemen Houthis, Warns It Will 'Hunt' Leaders

Israel struck Huthi targets in Yemen on Friday, including a power station and coastal ports, in response to missile and drone launches, as it warned it would hunt down the group's leaders. Since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group has fired dozens of missiles and drones at Israel in what it says is a ...