Israël

Reluctant Settlements with No Preconditions

Lebanon is in a position few would envy in the current round of settlements. This situation does not stem from a government crisis, but from the dominance of a single party. Had the state itself been responsible for the decisions that brought us here, the outcome—though difficult—might have been more acceptable. Unfortunately, Lebanon is now ...

Israeli Drone Strike in Baraachit Kills One

A new targeted Israeli strike hit the southern Lebanese town of Baraachit, in the Bint Jbeil district, on Friday afternoon. At around 1 PM, an Israeli drone struck a vehicle, killing its driver — reportedly a member of Hezbollah, according to Al-Hadath media. Another individual was also reportedly wounded in the attack, according to the Ministry ...

Iran Meets European Powers Amid Threats of UN Sanctions Snap Back  

Iranian diplomats met counterparts from Germany, Britain and France on Friday for renewed nuclear talks, amid warnings that the three European powers could trigger "snap back" sanctions outlined under the 2015 deal. The meeting in Istanbul was the first since Israel's mid-June attack on Iran, which sparked a 12-day war and targeted ...

South Lebanon’s Risky Homecoming

More than six months after the ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Beirut, tension still grips South Lebanon. Israeli troops remain stationed in parts of the border region, despite the withdrawal deadline having passed. Yet amid the uncertainty, families are making their way back - cautiously, deliberately - to villages scarred by the thirteen-month ...

Syrian, Israeli Ministers Meet US Envoy in Paris: Senior Diplomat

The US special envoy for Syria said he held talks with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris on Thursday on de-escalating sectarian violence in Syria. "I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that," said the envoy, Tom Barrack, on X. "All parties reiterated ...

Washington "Strongly" Rejects France's Plan to Recognize a Palestinian State

The United States "strongly" rejected on Thursday French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it a "reckless" decision that undermines peace. “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” declared U.S. Secretary of ...

Syrian, Israeli Ministers to Attend US-Brokered Meeting in Paris

Damascus's top diplomat Asaad al-Shaibani is set to meet an Israeli minister on Thursday in Paris to discuss recent sectarian violence in Syria's south that had drawn in Israel's military, a senior diplomat told AFP. The US-brokered talks would be the first ministerial meeting between the new Syrian authorities and Israel. The two ...

U.S. Joins Israel in Withdrawing Negotiators from Gaza Talks

The United States joined Israel on Thursday in pulling its negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks, with special envoy Steve Witkoff blaming Hamas for failing to reach a deal and saying Washington would "consider alternative options". France meanwhile announced it would formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in ...

Iran Reaffirms ‘Unshakable’ Right to Enrich Uranium Ahead of Key Talks with Europe

Iran on Thursday reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium, saying it was "unshakable", on the eve of key talks with European powers threatening to reimpose nuclear sanctions. Friday's meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, will be the first since Israel's mid-June attack targeting key nuclear and military sites in the Islamic republic sparked a ...

Israeli Raids Pound Hezb Sites in South Lebanon

Israeli fighter jets launched a series of intense air raids on Thursday targeting the Rihan–Jarmaq region in southern Lebanon, with the sound of explosions echoing across Marjayoun and the western Beqaa Valley. Additional strikes were reported in the al-Mahmoudiya area. Shortly after the attacks, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson ...

Two Palestinian Teenagers Killed by Israeli Army in the West Bank

The Palestinian Authority said Thursday that two Palestinian teenagers were killed by the Israeli army overnight near Bethlehem, in the southern occupied West Bank, while the army said it had killed “terrorists.” "The General Authority for Civil Affairs informed the Ministry of Health of the martyrdom of young Ahmad Ali Asaad Ashira al-Salah ...

Gaza: UN Unable to Verify Number of Aid Shipments Awaiting Distribution Due to Lack of Access

The United Nations said Thursday it does not know how many aid consignments are currently in Gaza awaiting distribution, as it has not been authorized by Israel to be present at the crossing points. The Israeli military denied on Wednesday that it was blocking humanitarian aid and claimed that 950 trucks were in Gaza waiting for international ...