Palestine

Bou Habib Meets Biden's Middle East Advisor

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met with Brett McGurk, Middle East advisor to US President Joe Biden, at the White House. Discussions emphasized the need to pursue US diplomatic efforts to defuse Lebanon's involvement in the Gaza conflict. Both sides underlined "the importance of the mission of US envoy Amos Hochstein to stop the ...

Israel launches deadly Gaza strikes as Mideast tensions rise

Israeli bombing killed dozens of people overnight Wednesday in Gaza as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares to head to the Middle East amid surging regional tensions. Israeli bombing killed dozens of people overnight in Gaza, the health ministry of the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said Thursday, as regional tensions have surged over ...

Regional Tensions Escalate After Iran Blasts

The war between Israel and Hamas, now in its 89th day, was triggered by a bloody and unprecedented attack carried out by the Palestinian Islamist movement on October 7 on Israeli soil from the Gaza Strip. Approximately 1,140 people, mostly civilians, were killed in this attack, according to an AFP count based on the latest Israeli toll, with ...

US Denies Involvement in Iran Blasts

The United States categorically denied, on Wednesday, any implication that either itself or its ally Israel was responsible for the fatal explosions in Iran. The statement emphasized a rejection of such suggestions and cautioned against further escalation, particularly in the aftermath of a suspected Israeli attack on a Hamas leader in ...

War Diary: Day 89

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for January 3, 2024.

US, Allies Warn Houthis Over Red Sea Attacks

A coalition of 12 nations spearheaded by the United States collectively issued a warning on Wednesday to Yemen's Houthi rebels. The message conveyed an imperative for the rebels to cease their attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, with unspecified consequences looming if they fail to comply. Twelve nations led by the United States jointly ...

Nasrallah's Speech: Endless Justifications and Empty Threats

In a third speech since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah justified on Wednesday the “raison d’etre” of his armed wing, claiming that the existence of a strong “resistance” deterred Israel from attacking Lebanon. He stressed, however, that Hezbollah’s ...

Israeli Hostage Dies in Failed Rescue Operation

Israel's military verified on Wednesday that a hostage abducted during the October 7 Hamas attack met a tragic end during an failed army rescue operation in December within the Gaza Strip. Israel's military confirmed Wednesday that a hostage kidnapped in the October 7 Hamas attack was killed during a failed army rescue operation in December in ...

Mossad Chief Pledges to 'Settle Score' With Hamas

Israel's Intelligence Chief expressed a firm commitment to holding Hamas accountable for its attacks on Israel. This statement came in response to a drone strike, attributed to Israel, that resulted in the death of Hamas' Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon on Tuesday. Israel's Intelligence Chief vowed on Wednesday to make Hamas pay for its ...

Israel Braces for Escalation: Prepared for 'Any Scenario'

The Israeli army asserts its preparedness for “any scenario” after a strike in Beirut killed Hamas' deputy chief, Saleh al-Arouri, raising concerns of an escalation in the Gaza conflict. The Israeli army said that it is “prepared for any scenario” after a strike in Beirut that killed Hamas’ deputy chief, Saleh al-Arouri, stoking fears ...

War Diary: Day 88

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for January 2, 2024.

Saleh Al-Arouri, Hamas' No. 2

Saleh al-Arouri was a senior leader of Hamas and a founding commander of its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. He served as the Deputy Chairman of Hamas's political bureau since 2017, was considered as one of the group’s key political leaders. He was considered to be a main figure in Hamas' financial network and in the ceasefire and hostage ...