War in the Middle East

HighlightBeyond Hamas: Gaza’s Emerging Tribal Militias

Mario Chartouni 2025-09-23 19:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Hamas Palestine Benjamin Netanyahu Fatah Clan

In a landscape ravaged by nearly two years of war between Israel and Hamas, local figures are stepping in to fill the void left by the weakening of the Palestinian movement in Gaza. In Kizan al-Najjar, a depopulated village south of Khan Younes in the southern enclave, Hossam al-Astal, a former Palestinian Authority officer, has announced the ...

Iran’s Top General Warns of “Strategic Surprises” Amid Sacred Defense Week

This is Beirut 2025-09-22 20:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Iran Sacred Defense Week United States Abdolrahim Mousavi Iraq

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, issued a stern warning on Monday, asserting that the country is prepared to deliver “strategic surprises” in response to any attack. In a message marking the commencement of Sacred Defense Week, he emphasized Iran’s growing deterrent capabilities and stated ...

Hamas Releases Video of Israeli-German Hostage Seen Alive

This is Beirut 2025-09-22 19:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Gaza

Hamas' armed wing released a video on Monday showing an Israeli-German hostage alive, the second such footage of him shared by the militants this month. The Israeli campaign group Hostages and Missing Families Forum and the captive's family identified him as Alon Ohel, who was abducted by Palestinian militants during their October 7, 2023 attack ...

SpotlightPalestine Recognition: A Symbolic Gesture Devoid of Substance

This is Beirut 2025-09-22 16:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Palestine United Nations

On September 21, several Western capitals—including London, Ottawa, Lisbon and Canberra—announced the recognition of a Palestinian state. France is set to follow suit on Monday, with Emmanuel Macron confirming that Paris will formalize its decision at the United Nations. The initiative, backed by a United Nations General Assembly resolution a ...

Ben Gvir and Smotrich Urge West Bank Annexation as Western Countries Recognize Palestinian State

This is Beirut 2025-09-21 17:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam West Bank Bezalel Smotrich Itamar Ben Gvir

Two Israeli far-right ministers on Sunday called for the annexation of the Israeli-occupied West Bank following the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state. "The recognition by Britain, Canada, and Australia of a Palestinian state... requires immediate countermeasures: the swift application of sovereignty in ...

Macron: Recognition of Palestinian State Key to Isolating Hamas

This is Beirut 2025-09-19 00:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron France Hamas

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Thursday that recognizing a Palestinian state would isolate the militant group Hamas and reiterated his condemnation of Israel's devastating offensive in Gaza. "Recognising a Palestinian state is just deciding to say: 'The legitimate perspective of Palestinian people and what they suffer today has nothing ...

US Veto Blocks UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire

This is Beirut 2025-09-18 22:50 - Reading : less than a minute

UN Security Council Gaza United States United Nations

The United States on Thursday again wielded its veto and thwarted a UN Security Council call for a ceasefire in Gaza, shielding its ally Israel from meaningful diplomatic pressure. "The United States rejects this unacceptable resolution. It is beyond time that Hamas release every single hostage now and surrender immediately. The United States ...

US Ambassador Says Lebanese Army’s Efforts Are Strong but Insufficient

This is Beirut 2025-09-18 21:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Lebanese army Lisa Johnson U.S. Embassy United States

US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson highlighted the central role played by the Lebanese Army since the ceasefire agreement, praising its performance as “impressive” but stressing that it is “not enough” to guarantee lasting stability. Speaking in Beirut, Johnson underscored the need for additional measures to strengthen security and ...

Missile From Yemen Intercepted Over Israel, Military Confirms

This is Beirut 2025-09-18 21:10 - Reading : less than a minute

Nawaf Salam Yemen Missile Houthis

The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory on Thursday, after air raid sirens sounded in several areas, including Jerusalem. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (air force)," the military said ...

Series of Israeli Raids in Southern Lebanon After Warnings Issued by Adraee

This is Beirut 2025-09-18 17:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Strikes South Avichay adraee Hezbollah

A series of Israeli raids targeted several villages in southern Lebanon on Thursday, following evacuation warnings issued to residents by the Israeli army. The towns of Mays al-Jabal, Kfar tebnit and Debbin were targeted late afternoon after the Israeli army issued an urgent warning to residents of several villages in southern Lebanon, cautioning ...

UNIFIL Restarts Demining in South Lebanon After Two-Year Halt

This is Beirut 2025-09-18 16:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Minefield UNIFIL South peacekeeping

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers resumed humanitarian demining operations last week in southern Lebanon, nearly two years after they were suspended due to cross-border fire along the Blue Line. At the request of the Government of Lebanon, demining teams from Cambodia and China began clearing two minefields near Blida ...

Israeli Airstrike Kills Two in Baalbeck

This is Beirut 2025-09-17 20:55 - Reading : less than a minute

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Baalbeck Strike drone Beqaa

An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday evening targeted a car near the al-Rida Mosque in Baalbeck, killing two people, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported. Israeli Channel 15 reported that the strike targeted a Hezbollah member in the eastern Lebanese city. According to media outlets, the victims are two members of al-Radwan Force, Kamal Raad and Ali ...