Israël

Israel Launches Expanded Gaza Offensive Aimed at Defeating Hamas

The Israeli military announced the early stages of an intensified operation in Gaza aimed at defeating Hamas, with rescuers in the besieged Palestinian territory reporting 10 killed Saturday in fresh strikes. The stepped-up campaign came as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continued to worsen amid an Israeli aid blockade, with one of the ...

Israeli Raids in Wadi Khalil and on Aita al-Shaab: A Hezbollah Commander Targeted

An Israeli drone targeted a car on the Zrariyeh - Abu al-Aswad road. Initial reports indicate that one person was killed in the raid. The Israeli army radio, quoting a security source, said the strike targeted a local Hezbollah commander. He was later declared to be Mohammed Mahdi al-Tamer. At dawn today, a prefabricated building and a cement ...

Israel Resumes Strikes Against the Houthis and Threatens Their Leader

Israel threatened to target the leadership of Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis after the air force struck two Houthi-held ports on Friday, following repeated Houthi missile attacks in recent days. The Houthis agreed earlier this month to stop firing on international shipping in the Red Sea after the United States stepped up airstrikes on ...

State Must Safeguard UNIFIL, as Attacks Violate Resolution 1701

Since the ceasefire took effect in Lebanon on November 27, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers stationed south of the Litani River have come under multiple attacks, attributed to Hezbollah-affiliated groups. These incidents represent a direct violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and undermine ...

UN Rights Chief: Israel’s Gaza Offensive "Tantamount to Ethnic Cleansing"

The UN's rights chief on Friday denounced Israel's sharp escalation of attacks in Gaza – and an apparent push to permanently displace the population – as amounting to "ethnic cleansing." "This latest barrage of bombs... and the denial of humanitarian assistance underline that there appears to be a push for a permanent demographic shift in ...

Two-State Solution Back on Diplomatic Agenda with UN Conference in June

A French- and Saudi-backed conference on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will take place from June 17 to 20 at UN headquarters in New York, a French diplomatic source told AFP. The conference will be organized by the UN General Assembly under a shared French and Saudi presidency, the diplomat told AFP on condition of ...

Trump Redraws US Diplomacy Without Israel

US President Donald Trump's decision to skip over Israel in his Middle East tour was just the latest sign of a shifting dynamic between the historic allies. From nuclear talks with Iran to a ceasefire deal in Yemen and the announcement of lifting sanctions on Syria, Trump has pressed ahead solo with Middle East diplomacy in recent weeks, ...

Lebanon at the Baghdad Summit: A Message of Arab Reconnection

On the eve of his departure for Baghdad to lead the Lebanese delegation at the Arab summit, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a firm message outlining his government’s intentions to reestablish Lebanon’s standing in the region. “Lebanon intends to fully reconnect with its Arab environment and regain its place on the regional scene,” Salam ...

Trump Says Getting Close to Deal to Avoid Iran Military Action

US President Donald Trump said Thursday a nuclear deal with Iran was close that would avert military action, as he toured Gulf capitals, securing $1.4 trillion in 10-year investments from Abu Dhabi. Trump made the Iran remarks in Qatar before flying on to the United Arab Emirates for the third and final leg of the tour that began in Saudi ...

Ortagus Urges Full Disarmament of Hezbollah

Deputy United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus delivered a strong message on Thursday, declaring that the path to peace and prosperity lies in the full disarmament of Hezbollah, not just in southern Lebanon, but across the entire country. In an interview with LBCI, Ortagus emphasized the unified stance of the US, Saudi ...