israel

War Diary: Day 314

From Gaza to Lebanon, This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the war between Hamas and Israel and its repercussions on the region. Here are the main highlights for August 15, 2024.

Pressure for Truce Deal Builds, as Gaza Toll Tops 40,000

Pressure is mounting for a Gaza ceasefire as talks resumed Thursday in Qatar, aiming to stop the spread of a war that the territory's Health Ministry said has killed 40,000. A source with knowledge of the talks confirmed to AFP that they had begun in the Qatari capital Doha. The source did not disclose whether Hamas had dispatched any delegates ...

In the Line of Fire: The Middle East Dons Military Fatigues

As negotiations for a potential ceasefire in Gaza resume in Doha, the Middle East remains on edge, awaiting Iran’s response to the assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Two camps are clashing in the region, both ideologically and militarily: Israel, backed by American support and regional bases, and the "Axis of ...

Israel Proposes a 6-Month Renewal of UNIFIL's Mandate

There has been a proposal to renew the mandate for the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) south of the Litani river for six months instead of one year. This is the first time — since Resolution 425 was adopted on March 19, 1978, establishing the UNIFIL forces and since Resolution 1701 was passed on August 12, 2006, strengthening ...

Southern Front: Israeli Raid on Marjayoun Kills Two

An Israeli raid on Wednesday evening targeted the village of Marjayoun, killing two people and wounding four, according to the Ministry of Health's Emergency Operations Center. Initial information indicated that the dead were members of the 'Fajr' force, affiliated with the Jamaa Islamiya group. Another Israeli airstrike reportedly destroyed an ...

Gaza Truce Talks to Be Held in Doha on Thursday

Gaza ceasefire talks will be held in the Qatari capital on Thursday, two sources close to the negotiations said, while it remains unclear if the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas will participate. Qatar has been engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts, with support from Egypt and the United States, to reach a deal for a Gaza truce and ...

Cabinet Meeting: LBP 150 Billion to the High Relief Commission

The caretaker government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on Wednesday the allocation of LBP 150 billion for the urgent needs of the High Relief Commission, amidst growing risks of an open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The announcement was made at the end of a cabinet meeting that focused on a national emergency plan, according ...

Hochstein in Lebanon Before Gaza Talks: “A Diplomatic Solution is Possible”

US Presidential envoy Amos Hochstein stated that “a diplomatic solution can be achieved since no one wants a full-scale war between Lebanon and Israel.” After meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday, he stressed the need for de-escalation, revealing that “US President Joe Biden asked him to return to Lebanon before the ...

A dozen Injuries in a Drone Attack in Abbasiya

An Israeli drone attack in Abbasiya, near Tyre, on Wednesday, injured at least 17 people, including four in critical condition, according to the Public Health Emergency Operation Center of the Ministry of Public Health.  It remains unclear who was the intended target. A separate airstrike on the town of Rab Thalatheen resulted in two ...

US Approves $20 Billion in New Weapons Sales to Israel

US President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday approved more than $20 billion in new weapons sales to Israel, brushing aside pressure from rights activists to stop arms deliveries over the death toll in Gaza. The sale comes as Biden has pressed Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire after 10 months of bloodshed, although the weapons would take ...

Mikati Calls on Lebanese to Show Solidarity

According to caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the only thing currently uniting the Lebanese is the threat of war. Mikati made these remarks during meetings held on Tuesday at the Grand Serail, in preparation for the Cabinet meeting which will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) to "discuss in detail the measures and procedures linked to the ...

Southern Front: Cross Border Clashes on Tuesday Morning

Tension continued on the southern front between Hezbollah and Israel on Tuesday morning. Israeli artillery fire targeted the outskirts of Marjayoun, Aita al-Shaab, and Kfar Kila. Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew intensively on Monday evening and Tuesday morning over villages in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts. According to Israeli media, ...