This is Beirut

Exclusive: Dr. Matthew Levitt: A Majority of Lebanese Are Annoyed by Hezbollah's Entry into War with Israel

Tylia El Helou, 20/02 21:45 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Hezbollah USA Israel Lebanese Army

In an exclusive interview, Dr. Matthew Levitt, the Director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, explained how the Lebanese Army exceeded Washington’s expectations in its deployment in South Lebanon. He also explained that Lebanon and Israel should start discussing peace ...

Hamas Accuses Netanyahu of Delaying the Second Phase of the Truce

This is Beirut, 20/02 21:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas Israel Palestine

Hamas on Thursday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "procrastinating" on negotiations for the second phase of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, after Palestinian militants returned the bodies of four deceased hostages to Israel. "The second phase negotiations have not practically begun, and we are ready to engage in them as ...

Israel: Ongoing Identification of the Remains of Hostages Handed Over by Hamas

This is Beirut, 20/02 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Palestine

Israel's national forensic centre said Thursday that it was still working to identify the bodies of three hostages returned earlier in the day by Hamas, after verifying the identity of a fourth. "We have been working since this morning to provide definitive answers to the families. The staff of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine ...

Hamas Returns Bodies of Four Israeli Hostages

This is Beirut, 20/02 13:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Hamas Palestine israel

On Thursday, Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages – including Shiri Bibas and her two young children – to the Red Cross. This marks the first transfer of remains since the October 7 attack that triggered the conflict. Armed and masked Hamas fighters displayed the four black coffins on a stage set up in Khan Yunis, each ...

Yemeni Minister Calls for Arrest of Huthi Leaders Attending Nasrallah’s Funeral

This is Beirut, 20/02 11:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hassan Nasrallah Hezbollah Israel Huthi

Yemeni Minister of Information Moammar al-Eryani has called for the arrest of several Huthi leaders who, he claims, plan to attend the funeral of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for more than 30 years, was killed on September 27. His funeral is scheduled for February 23. In a statement ...

Arab Leaders meet to Counter Trump's Gaza Plan

This is Beirut, 20/02 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Palestine Hamas Israel

Arab leaders will gather in Saudi Arabia on Friday to counter President Donald Trump's plan for US control of Gaza and the expulsion of its inhabitants, diplomatic and government sources said. The plan stirred rare unity among Arab states which roundly rejected the idea, but they could still disagree over who will govern the Palestinian territory ...

Hamas Ready to Free all Hostages in One Swap in Gaza Truce Phase Two

This is Beirut, 19/02 21:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Gaza Truce Phase Two

Hamas signalled on Wednesday that it was willing to free all remaining hostages held in Gaza in a single swap during the next phase of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Israel and Hamas are currently in the process of implementing phase one of the fragile Gaza truce, which has held since taking effect on January 19 despite accusations of ...

Return to Devastation: South Lebanon's Struggle After the Conflict

This is Beirut, 19/02 16:30 - Reading : less than a minute

Hezbollah Israel South Lebanon

As Lebanese residents return to their villages in South Lebanon, they face the devastating aftermath of the recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Israel Says it Killed Hezbollah Operative in South Lebanon Strike

This is Beirut, 19/02 13:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel South Lebanon

A day after Israel’s incomplete withdrawal from Lebanese territory, security incidents in southern Lebanon continued on Wednesday. A morning attack by Israeli drone that targeted a car in the village of Aita al-Shaab killed one person. Israeli army Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X platform that the strike targeted a ...

France Reaffirms Call for Full Israeli Troop Withdrawal from Lebanese Territory

This is Beirut, 19/02 11:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel United Nations United States

France has reaffirmed the "necessity for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, as soon as possible, in accordance with the provisions of the ceasefire agreement." In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Paris had "acknowledged the continued withdrawal of ...

Hostilities Again After Ceasefire Expiration?

Natasha Metni Torbey, 19/02 09:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel United Nations Resolution 1701 Lebanese Army

After several months of a – partial – cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the expiration of the ceasefire raises important legal questions about security, particularly whether hostilities could (or could not) resume. The ceasefire agreement, which was decreed in November 2024 for a period of 60 days, was renewed in January ...

Aoun Denies Siege on Shiite Community, Emphasizes National Unity and Reform

This is Beirut, 18/02 17:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Joseph Aoun United States

President Joseph Aoun dismissed claims of a siege on Lebanon’s Shiite community, asserting that such allegations were unfounded. “Some are promoting this idea, but it is not true,” he stated during a meeting on Tuesday with a delegation from the Press Club, led by journalist Bassam Abu Zeid. Addressing recent measures against specific ...

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