Israel

Hamas Tells Gaza Militant Groups to Identify Hostages They Hold

Sources within Palestinian militant groups in Gaza said Sunday that Hamas had told them to compile information on the hostages they hold in preparation for a ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Israel. Hamas told factions including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front and the Popular Resistance Committees to prepare information such ...

The Fall of Assad: Another Major Setback for Hezbollah and Its Allies

The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime delivers a major blow to the Iranian axis in the region, with Hezbollah bearing the brunt of the impact. Assad's departure signals the disintegration of the once-aspired "Shia Crescent," which aimed to connect Tehran to Beirut via Baghdad and Damascus. As a new Middle East takes shape ...

Near Tyre, a Shiite Maqam Dedicated to Saint Peter

The medieval castle of Chameh, near Tyre, and the “maqam” of Shimon el-Safa that it houses are among the archaeological treasures for which Lebanon requested “enhanced protection” from UNESCO against the risks of war. However, the ground fighting in November between Hezbollah and the Israeli Army overran the request in question. The ...

Six Dead in Israeli Strikes on Southern Lebanon

The health ministry said on Saturday that Israeli strikes killed six people in southern Lebanon, 10 days into a ceasefire between the Hezbollah and Israel. "The Israeli enemy's air strike on the town of Beit Lif resulted in the martyrdom of five people and the injury of five others," a health ministry statement said, adding that in a separate ...

Hochstein: Hezbollah Has Been Weakened

The US special envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, believes that “the war in Syria is not directly related to Lebanon, but it will have an impact on the country.” He declared, “I don't think we've eliminated or defeated Hezbollah, but it may no longer be strong enough to attack Israel or support President Bashar al-Assad.” In fact, he ...

Violent Explosions in Khiam on Saturday

On Friday night, several houses and buildings were destroyed in the village of Khiam, which was rocked by violent explosions. On Saturday morning, columns of smoke continued to rise near a mosque in the heart of the village. In the southern suburb of Beirut, a low-flying Israeli drone was reported overhead. Shortly afterward, a thud sounded, ...

Samir Geagea: A Military Hezbollah Is No Longer Valid

Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea asserted on Friday that the ongoing offensive against the Syrian regime is aimed at rooting out Iran and its allied militias, calling on Hezbollah to acknowledge that fact and give up its so-called armed resistance. “The military Hezbollah no longer exists today, and the triptych 'army, people, ...

Gaza Civil Defense Says 29 Dead in Israeli Strikes Around Key Hospital

Gaza's civil defense agency said 29 people were killed on Friday by Israeli strikes around a major hospital in the northern city of Beit Lahia. Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of northern Gaza's last functioning health centers, was hit by several strikes in the morning, the agency and the hospital director said. "There was a series of air strikes on ...

Year-End Celebrations: Resilience Amid Echoes of War

Year-end festivities in Lebanon are expected to unfold in a gloomy atmosphere, driven by regional instability and the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The war has cast a shadow over the country, where tension is still palpable. Despite the challenges and lingering echoes of war in southern Lebanon and in Syria, the Lebanese are holding on ...

Our Issue with Hezbollah and Its Finances

There is much to address regarding our frustration with Hezbollah and its economic and financial conduct. This frustration reached a peak yesterday with the remarks of its Deputy Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, as he outlined how aid is being distributed: a thousand dollars here, a hundred there—some for those affected in the South, and some for ...

Samy Gemayel Warns of Internal Rifts if Hezbollah Retains Arms

The head of the Kataeb party, MP Samy Gemayel, affirmed on Thursday that Lebanon can no longer coexist with Hezbollah’s weapons and hegemony over political life, warning of internal rifts. “Hezbollah can decide either to drag Lebanon into more woes or to open a new page, and this is what we hope for. If Hezbollah insists on its logic, ...