This is Beirut

France's Macron Condemns Israel's Gaza Plan as Path to 'Permanent War'

This is Beirut, 11/08 15:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday condemned Israel's plan to expand its operations and take control of Gaza City as a "disaster" and a path to "permanent war". "This war must end now with a permanent ceasefire," Macron said in a statement, adding Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City was "a disaster of unprecedented gravity and a ...

US Envoy to Visit Beirut as Lebanon Pushes Ahead with Disarmament Plan

Bassam Abou Zeid, 11/08 14:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Lebanon Disarmament Tom Barrack

Lebanese political leaders in contact with US envoy Tom Barrack confirmed he will visit Lebanon on August 18 to follow up on the decision to place all weapons under the state’s exclusive authority, as outlined in the US proposal negotiated with Lebanese authorities, particularly Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Official sources voiced confidence ...

Mossad’s Reach: How Israel Penetrated Iran’s Inner Sanctum

Soumia Benmerzoug, 11/08 13:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Banks Gulf Israel Tehran

In June 2025, Iran was struck by a wave of operations of an unusual kind: targeted sabotage, “accidental” explosions, digital disruption, targeted assassinations… The whole affair bears the hallmarks of a hybrid offensive, silent yet devastatingly effective. But beyond technological prowess, the structural collapse of a paranoid regime ...

The Institutionalized Impasses

Charles Chartouni, 11/08 09:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Gaza Israel Hezbollah

Eight months after the Presidential election and the formation of a new cabinet, Lebanon is still debating the decommissioning of Hezbollah and the restoration of the state’s sovereignty. The constitutional terms and the international mandates were not enough to sway the recalcitrance of the government, to dissuade Hezbollah and to stop the ...

Hezbollah: A Legacy of Lies, Manipulation and Deception

Michel Touma, 11/08 08:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Lebanon Taif agreement shebaa farms

For many years, Hezbollah has faced a cascade of criticism and direct attacks. However, one must acknowledge the party’s remarkable feat—an important factor that could be listed among its “assets” (forgive the figure of speech…). The pro-Iranian group has indeed mastered the art of deception and the manipulation of well-established ...

Israel PM Says New Plan for Gaza 'Best Way to End The War'

This is Beirut, 11/08 07:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Gaza Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plan to take control of Gaza City and target the remaining Hamas strongholds, saying Sunday it was "the best way to end the war", despite growing calls to stop the fighting. More than 22 months into the war, sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel, the country is ...

Al Jazeera Says 5 Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike in Gaza

This is Beirut, 11/08 05:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Gaza Palestine Israel

Al Jazeera said two of its correspondents, including a prominent reporter, and three cameramen were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City on Sunday. The Israeli military admitted in a statement to targeting Anas al-Sharif, the reporter it labelled as a "terrorist" affiliated with Hamas. The attack was the latest to see ...

Southern Lebanon Defies the Odds as Summer Comes Alive Again

Katia Kahil, 10/08 12:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel South Lebanon

In the villages of Marjayoun and Hasbaya, summer has quietly reclaimed its place, defying fear and hardship. Restaurants, swimming pools, vineyards, festivals, and village fairs have all come back to life, offering a tender yet powerful reminder that, even under the watchful presence of Israeli drones, the spirit of the South continues to beat ...

Challenges to Hezbollah's Resurgence and Lebanon's Sovereignty

Amal Chmouny, 10/08 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanese Army Donald Trump Israel Joseph Aoun

Lebanon is navigating a complex political and military landscape, with a strong push from the United States and the international community encouraging the Lebanese government to enhance state sovereignty and work towards the disarmament of Hezbollah and other armed groups. Recently, US presidential envoy Tom Barrack presented a comprehensive plan ...

Gaza: UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting Saturday

This is Beirut, 08/08 22:50 - Reading : less than a minute

UN Security Council Palestine United Nations Hamas Gaza Israel

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Gaza on Saturday at 19:00 GMT, following Israel’s announcement of a plan to take control of the city, several diplomatic sources told AFP on Friday. Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through a spokesperson, warned Israel against “a dangerous escalation” that ...

Iran in Lebanon: The Toxic Interference of a Declining State

Marc Saikali, 08/08 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Tehran

The Lebanese state has taken a bold and historic decision: to disarm Hezbollah and other militias, and to restore full sovereignty over the entire national territory. This goal is fundamental and shared by nations worldwide. It is an essential milestone for Lebanon to emerge from the shadow of weapons and conflict, rebuild the war-torn villages of ...

Israel Prepares to Take Control of Gaza

This is Beirut, 08/08 17:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a Thursday interview on Fox News that Israel intends to take control of the Gaza Strip, though it does not plan to directly govern or maintain long-term control. He said the goal is to eventually transfer authority to Arab forces who would pose no threat to Israel and ensure a decent quality ...

Israel