War in the Middle East

Q&AThree Questions for Khalil Helou on the End of the Truce in Gaza

Mario Chartouni 18/03 21:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Palestine Donald Trump Hamas Hezbollah Israel

As fighting in Gaza escalates with renewed hostilities and intensified strikes, uncertainty over the future of the Israel-Hamas conflict is deepening. With Palestinian sources reporting more than 400 deaths since Monday, This is Beirut spoke with General Khalil Helou to assess the dynamics at play, the potential impact on regional stability, and ...

The Anticipated Resumption of the War in Gaza

Samar El-Kadi 18/03 18:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Gaza Israel Hamas War

Israel’s warning to unleash hell fire on Gaza if Hamas fails to release Israeli hostages is no longer a threat. At least 413 people were killed and more than 600 injured in a spate of intense airstrikes on Monday evening, shattering a fragile truce that took effect on January 19. The escalation is set to continue with the Israeli government ...

Israeli Airstrikes Kill at Least 400 Palestinians, Including Hamas Officials

This is Beirut 18/03 16:54 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Israel Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas

Israel's deadly strikes on Gaza drew global condemnation on Tuesday, as it said it had "no alternative" other than to resume military operations in order to bring home hostages. The strikes, by far the deadliest since a truce took effect in January, killed more than 400 people, according to the health ministry in Gaza. Israel vowed ...

Iran Challenges Trump with Losing Cards in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen

Philippe Abi-Akl 18/03 08:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Hezbollah Lebanon Syria Yemen Iran

Last week, UAE Diplomatic Adviser Anwar Gargash delivered a message from President Donald Trump to Iran’s leadership, proposing a revival of nuclear negotiations that his administration suspended in 2015. Trump’s message stated, “A deal with Iran is preferable to military action, as I do not seek to harm it.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali ...

Trump Warns Will Hold Tehran Responsible for Any Houthi Attacks

This is Beirut 17/03 19:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Houthi Movement United States Donald Trump Red Sea Trade

President Donald Trump declared on Monday that he will hold Iran directly responsible for any future attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, who have targeted multiple US and other foreign ships in the Red Sea. "Every shot fired by the Houthis will be considered, from this point forward, as a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, ...

Israeli Airstrike Kills Two and Injures Three in Southern Lebanon

This is Beirut 17/03 15:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel South Lebanon

Two people were killed and three others wounded in an Israeli airstrike targeting a motorcycle in the Yohmor al-Shaqif area of Nabatiyeh, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center reported on Monday morning. The Israeli army stated that the strike targeted “two Hezbollah members who were operating and directing terrorist ...

Op-edUS Raids on the Houthis: A Militia Seeking a Crushing Blow

Michel Touma 17/03 09:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Gulf Hezbollah Houthi

There are times when one must confront reality and acknowledge the truth, however harsh it may be. In certain parts of the MENA region and the Gulf, specific politico-sociological factions — shaped by a distinct mindset — remain entrenched in rigid denial. The well-known “ostrich policy,” in other words. This is particularly evident in the ...

Escalation on the Lebanon-Israel Border: Airstrikes, Tensions and Repression Threats

This is Beirut 16/03 20:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

South Lebanon

Sunday saw a resurgence of tensions in southern Lebanon, along the border with Israel. Around two o'clock in the morning, two consecutive Israeli drone strikes killed two people. The first strike, targeting a car in Yater, in the Bint Jbeil district, killed a member of the Srour family. The second, hitting a car in Mays el-Jabal, in the ...

Yemen's Houthis Say Targeted US Aircraft Carrier Twice in Red Sea

This is Beirut 16/03 20:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Yemen Houthi Movement United States USS Harry S. Truman

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed on Monday to have twice attacked an American aircraft carrier group within 24 hours, calling it retaliation for deadly US strikes. The Houthis initially said they launched 18 missiles and a drone at the "aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships" in the Red Sea, before ...

Israel Team Discusses Hostages at Truce Talks Dogged by Divisions

This is Beirut 16/03 19:56 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Hamas Gaza

Israel said its negotiating team was discussing the hostage issue with Egyptian mediators on Sunday, as deep divisions persist between Israel and Hamas over the terms of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the initial phase of the ceasefire took effect on January 19, largely halting more than 15 months of ...

Overnight Israeli Attacks Kill Two Hezbollah Members

This is Beirut 16/03 09:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel south Lebanon ceasefire

Overnight Israeli attacks targeted Hezbollah operatives in several locations in southern Lebanon, as Israeli troops entered the town of Adaisseh in the largest violation of the ceasefire agreement so far. An Israeli drone launched a guided missile strike at approximately 2:00 a.m. targeting a BMW X5 SUV on the road to the town of Yater in the ...

Deadly Israeli Strikes Mar Fragile Gaza Truce

This is Beirut 15/03 22:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Gaza Palestine Israel strikes

Gaza's civil defense agency said nine people including journalists were killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, attacks which could further endanger the fragile truce in the Palestinian territory. Following the reported strikes, the deadliest since the ceasefire took hold on January 19, Hamas accused Israel of a "blatant violation" of the truce ...