Ceasefire

America’s Beirut Gamble: Barrack, Ortagus and Graham Push Lebanon Toward Peace

When Tom Barrack, Morgan Ortagus and Senator Lindsey Graham touched down in Beirut, it was clear that the United States was no longer willing to watch Lebanon’s crisis unfold from the sidelines. Their visit was not ceremonial. It was an intervention, part carrot, part stick, designed to push Lebanon into one of the most consequential decisions ...

Salam and Berri Call for Crucial Renewal of UNIFIL’s Mandate

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam underscored on Wednesday the crucial role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, saying that renewing its mandate is essential for maintaining calm and helping the army assert state authority across the region. During a meeting at the Grand Serail, attended by U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, members of the congressional ...

Beirut Greenlights Ceasefire and State Control Plan

The Council of Ministers adopts an 11-point plan focused on ending hostilities, disarming non-state groups including Hezbollah, and restoring full state control, while calling for international support to revive the economy and strengthen the army.

The Four Phases of Barrack's Roadmap for Sovereignty and Disarmament

A key and sole item on the Cabinet’s session agenda that kicked off at 3:00 PM at the Presidential Palace in Baabda:  the proposal submitted by US envoy Tom Barrack. The full text of the proposal - a seven-page memorandum - was published Thursday morning by the local media outlet Nidaa al-Watan, ahead of the ministerial meeting. In the ...

Israeli FM Rejects International Pressure for Gaza Ceasefire

Israel's foreign minister rejected on Tuesday what he called a "distorted campaign" of international pressure for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and recognition of a Palestinian state. Gideon Saar told reporters that if Israel was to halt the conflict while Hamas is still in power in Gaza and still holding hostages it would be a "tragedy for both ...

France Pledges €75 Million to Lebanon in Joint Statement with PM Nawaf Salam

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday, July 24, at the Élysée Palace, marking Salam’s first official visit to France since his appointment in January. In a joint statement released at the conclusion of the visit, France and Lebanon reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ...

Hamas Replies to Israeli Truce Offer Amid Ongoing Mediation in Doha

Hamas said on Thursday that it had responded to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, as pressure mounted for a breakthrough to end almost two years of devastating conflict that has triggered a humanitarian crisis for civilians. Mediators have been shuttling between Israeli and Hamas negotiators in the Qatari capital Doha for ...

A Month After Ceasefire with Israel, Iranians Fear Another War

The ceasefire that ended Iran's 12-day war with Israel has held for nearly a month without incident, but many Iranians remain uneasy, struggling with uncertainty as fears of another confrontation linger. "I don't think this ceasefire will last," said Peyman, a 57-year-old resident of Shiraz in Iran's south, one of numerous cities hit last month ...

Tom Barrack Says US Supports Lebanon Without Any Demands

In an exclusive interview with Tele Liban, US envoy Tom Barrack stressed that the United States has made “no demands” on Lebanon and is only offering assistance at the country’s request. “We came to help, not to dictate,” Barrack said, clarifying that Washington’s role is to support Lebanon in resolving internal and regional tensions, ...

The Endless Countdown: Lebanon’s Ceasefire Deadlock and the Impossible Disarmament

Sixty days—no more! That was the confident, oft-repeated promise declared at the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel in November 2024. This now-mythic deadline was then heralded as the decisive countdown to peace in Lebanon. What followed? Everything but peace: extensions, postponements, shifting timelines and a ...

Israel Says Would Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire During 60-Day Truce

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel was ready to negotiate a permanent ceasefire in Gaza during a 60-day truce but only if the Palestinian territory was demilitarized. Delegations from Israel and Hamas began indirect talks in Doha on Sunday to try to agree on a temporary halt in the war, which was sparked by the ...