This is Beirut - Hezbollah

Municipal Elections: How Will Amal and Hezbollah Adjust?

Natasha Metni Torbey, 22/04 13:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Amal Municipal Elections

May appears to be a pivotal moment for Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, as Lebanon heads toward municipal elections that could serve as a litmus test for broader political shifts leading up to the 2026 parliamentary vote. These elections will take place against the backdrop of a deeply altered national climate, marked by a major war that has ...

FM Reportedly Summoned Iranian Ambassador Over Hezbollah Arms Remarks

This is Beirut, 22/04 12:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Foreign Minister Iran Hezbollah

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has reportedly summoned Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, following controversial statements made by the diplomat on social media, according to the al-Markazia news agency. The Iranian ambassador’s remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter), were viewed as politically sensitive in Lebanon’s ...

Hezbollah’s 'Populist' Posturing and the Call for Army Control of Weapons

Philippe Abi Akl, 22/04 08:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Joseph Aoun Arms Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Camps

Hezbollah appears divided over its stance on handing over its weapons to the state. On one hand, senior figures such as Wafiq Safa, Mahmoud Komati and Naim Qassem—who declared, “We will not allow anyone to disarm us”—maintain a hardline position. On the other, President Joseph Aoun signaled a potential shift in the group’s approach, ...

Netanyahu Warns of "Expanded Israeli Response”, says "Lebanon Will Not Be Spared"

This is Beirut, 21/04 23:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas Hezbollah Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday issued a series of pointed threats against Iran and its regional allies, warning of an “expanded Israeli response” that could reach beyond the borders of Yemen. “Israel’s response will not be confined to Yemen,” Netanyahu declared. “It will extend to Lebanon and every other front.” ...

Pope Francis: "Providence Will Never Forsake Lebanon"

Fady Noun, 21/04 16:30 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Pope Francis Hezbollah Israel US Secretary of State USA

Pope Francis has always kept Lebanon close to his heart. According to those close to him and many of his visitors, the Holy Father has remained closely informed about developments in the country. While he has not visited Lebanon—due to both health concerns and the political vacuum created by the absence of a president and a fully functioning ...

Iran’s Nuclear Standoff: Two Decades of Tactical Delay

Michel Touma, 21/04 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United Nations Hezbollah Iran Nuclear

The arm wrestling between the West and the Islamic Republic of Iran over the nuclear issue is a protracted saga, marked by stalling tactics, deception and a carefully crafted strategy of concealment, patiently executed by the mullah's regime for over two decades. Negotiations, back-channel diplomacy, mounting international pressures and successive ...

Southern Lebanon: Is Israel Answering Qassem with Fire?

Soumia Benmerzoug, 20/04 21:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel South Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Washington

Sunday marked one of the most violent days since the February ceasefire. Through a series of targeted strikes on alleged Hezbollah positions, the Israeli army raised the level of confrontation. This offensive came just days after Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, reaffirmed the group’s categorical rejection of disarmament, declaring ...

Israeli Airstrikes Intensify Across Southern Lebanon

This is Beirut, 20/04 17:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Tensions in southern Lebanon escalated sharply on Sunday as Israeli warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes across multiple areas, targeting what were described as Hezbollah military sites and rocket launch platforms. A security source told Al Hadath that the Israeli military is “currently attacking Hezbollah’s infrastructure and ...

Iranian Press Trumpet Strength in Ongoing US Talks

This is Beirut, 20/04 15:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Iranian media portray Tehran as holding a strong position after Saturday's nuclear talks with the United States, ahead of further discussions in Oman in the coming days. "Iran's military might has forced America to negotiate," headlines the Kayhan newspaper, whose editorial line has long opposed any compromise or negotiations with the United ...

Hezbollah: Caught Between Reality and Recklessness

Bassam Abou Zeid, 20/04 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah UN Security Council Joseph Aoun Tehran United Nations

Many in Lebanon and beyond are still grappling with what President Joseph Aoun meant when he spoke of integrating Hezbollah members into the army or security forces. Yet, his message was clear, “We do not want to replicate the Popular Mobilization Forces model in Iraq.” In other words, Lebanon’s leadership is not prepared to absorb ...

Ortagus Mocks Hezbollah’s No-Disarmament Stance With a One-Word Response

This Is Beirut, 19/04 09:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Morgan Ortagus Hezbollah

Morgan Ortagus, the US President’s Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, issued a sharp and minimalist response to the latest speech by Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, who once again declared the party’s categorical refusal to disarm. Reacting to a post quoting Qassem’s remarks, Ortagus replied with just one word: ...

Naim Qassem: Disarming the Hezb Is Off the Table

This is Beirut, 18/04 21:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Army Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared Friday evening that any attempt to disarm the "resistance" is a direct service to Israel and will be firmly opposed. In his speech, Qassem said, “We will not allow anyone to strip Hezbollah or the resistance of its weapons. This idea should be removed from the Lebanese political ...

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