This is Beirut

Israel PM: New Security Chief Must be Appointed 'as Soon as Possible'

This is Beirut, 12:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Shin Bet Corruption

Israel's premier said Friday his pick for the next domestic intelligence chief should be appointed "as soon as possible", but would have no hand in an ongoing investigation into his associates. Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to tap army Major General David Zini to lead the Shin Bet -- which follows months of legal and political wrangling over his ...

Israel Maintains Pressure on Hezbollah

This is Beirut, 11:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Strikes Weapons

Israel’s military “will continue to target Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanese territory,” under what it describes as an “American cover,” according to a report by the Al Arabiya news channel citing an Israeli security source. The same source claimed that Hezbollah is attempting to rebuild its military capabilities through ...

Israeli Raids in South Lebanon on Eve of Municipal Elections

This is Beirut, 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel South lebanon Toul Evacuation Bekaa

A sudden spike in violence was recorded between Thursday and Friday in South Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, where the Israeli army carried out a series of air raids targeting Hezbollah positions, according to its spokesperson. The escalation comes as municipal elections are scheduled to be held in South Lebanon on Saturday and just three days ...

Nabatiyeh Heads to the Polls: Voting in the Shadow of War

Lyne Sammouri, 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Israel

Walking through Nabatiyeh, one sees not only electoral banners and candidate posters, but also rows of portraits of those killed by Israeli strikes during the 2024 Hezbollah-Israel war. Among them are elected municipal officials, including the late municipal president Ahmed Kaheel. Yet, despite the scars of war, Nabatiyeh is gearing up for ...

Iran Says 'Fundamental Differences' Remain With U.S. Ahead of Nuclear Talks

This is Beirut, 22/05 23:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Middle East Tehran United States Washington

Iran warned it would hold the United States responsible if Israel attacks its nuclear facilities, but President Donald Trump's administration voiced optimism for a peaceful solution Thursday before new talks. Trump spoke about his diplomacy on Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said, in a telephone call ...

Netanyahu Appoints Shin Bet Head in Defiance of Attorney General

This is Beirut, 22/05 21:55 - Reading : less than a minute

Benjamin Netanyahu Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday his pick for the next head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency, despite the attorney general having barred such an appointment. "Prime Minister Netanyahu announced this evening his decision to appoint Major General David Zini as the next head of the Shin Bet," a statement from the ...

Trump Reaffirms Support for Israel in Phone Call with Netanyahu Following Washington Attack

This is Beirut, 22/05 20:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Washington

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the deadly attack in Washington, where two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed near the Jewish museum. During the call, Trump expressed his full support for Israel’s objectives in its war against Hamas. According to a ...

Iran Says Will Hold US Responsible For Any Israeli Attack On its Nuclear Sites

This is Beirut, 22/05 17:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel United Nations United States Iran

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would hold the United States responsible for any Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities, after US media reported that Israel was preparing for a strike. The report came even as Iran and the United States were set to meet in Rome on Friday for a fifth round of Omani-mediated nuclear talks. "We ...

Irish Rappers Kneecap Deny Hezbollah Support After Terror Charge: Statement

This is Beirut, 22/05 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Palestine Kneecap

Irish rappers Kneecap on Thursday denied supporting a proscribed group and vowed to "vehemently defend ourselves" after a member of the band was charged with a terror offense for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert. "We deny this 'offense' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival ...

Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal Praises the Resilience of Lebanese Soldiers

This is Beirut, 22/05 11:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Army Rodolphe Haykal

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal on Thursday praised the daily efforts of the country's soldiers, emphasizing the military's critical role in preserving national stability and upholding Lebanon's international commitments. In a message addressed to the troops, General Haykal highlighted the obstacles still being imposed by Israel, ...

Lines in the Sand: Syria on the Brink, and Lebanon’s Vanishing Moment

Salam El Zaatari, 22/05 09:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Syria Donald Trump Joseph Aoun United States

If you want to understand the Middle East in 2025, don’t look at the maps. Look at the fault lines. They’re not drawn in ink – they’re drawn in fear, legacy and a deep unease that this time, the region isn’t just shifting, it’s splintering. This week, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio sounded an alarm loud enough to rattle ...

Several Countries Summon Israeli Diplomats over West Bank Warning Shots

This is Beirut, 21/05 23:51 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

France Jean-Noel Barrot Israel

France, Spain, Portugal and Uruguay have decided to summon Israeli ambassadors on Wednesday to express their deep concern following reports that Israeli forces fired warning shots near European diplomats in the occupied West Bank. Paris will summon Israel's ambassador over warning shots fired by the country's army during a visit by diplomats in ...

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