This is Beirut

From War To Business Suits: What Peace with Israel Could Mean for Lebanon's Economy

Ralph Atrach, 17/04 23:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Nawaf Salam Gulf Hezbollah

As Lebanese and Israeli officials met face to face in Washington for the first time in decades, the war with Hezbollah dominated headlines, but the prospect of future economic ties between Jerusalem and Beirut came into view. Following the meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter brought up the potential windfalls of peace. “The ...

Leaders Signal Next Phase for Lebanon

This is Beirut, 17/04 21:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Hezbollah Israel

A tentative shift began to take shape today as Presidents Donald Trump, Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed their visions for what comes next in Lebanon following the announcement of a ceasefire and the launch of direct talks. While the pause in fighting has created space for diplomacy, each leader made clear that the ...

Syrian President Considers Negotiations With Israel Over Golan Heights

This is Beirut, 17/04 14:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Benjamin Netanyahu

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Friday he is considering “long-term negotiations” with Israel over the Golan Heights, provided the two countries reach a security agreement guaranteeing Israel’s withdrawal from recently occupied Syrian territories. “Israel is violating the 1974 disengagement agreement, and today we are working to ...

Trump Signals Imminent Iran Deal Amid Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire

This is Beirut, 17/04 11:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Tehran

United States President Donald Trump said he was confident that an agreement to end the conflict involving Iran could be reached soon, as a 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel came into effect. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump urged Iran-backed Hezbollah to maintain the ceasefire, expressing optimism about ongoing ...

Lebanese Voices Optimistic About Direct Talks With Israel

Claudia Groeling, 17/04 11:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel

Following the direct negotiations that took place on April 14, the first high-level, U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives since 1993, This Is Beirut spoke to residents on the ground to understand their views on the discussions and what they hope comes next. Many expressed support for direct negotiations, saying they ...

IDF to Remain in its Positions in South Lebanon

This is Beirut, 17/04 09:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Ceasefire South Lebanon Israel Lebanese Army

Israeli forces continued shelling areas in southern Lebanon on Friday, including the towns of Khiam and Debbine, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). Under the U.S.-brokered 10-day ceasefire, Israel agreed to halt “offensive” military operations against Lebanese targets but explicitly retained the right to ...

Turkey Hosts Latest Diplomatic Push on Middle East War

This is Beirut, 17/04 08:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Turkey Lebanon Israel United States Iran

Turkey hosts a high-stakes forum Friday bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as Islamabad pushes diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war. Pakistan's powerful army chief met senior negotiators in Tehran on Thursday as Washington and Iran considered a fresh round of talks to end the six-week ...

10-Day Ceasefire on Lebanon-Israel Front Takes Effect

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

Lebanon Israel Ceasefire Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu

At 5pm EST on Thursday, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States, went into effect. Immediately following its start, intense gunfire has been reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanese media. Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth ...

Trump Signals Push for Broader Middle East Deal After Announcing 10-Day Israel–Hezbollah Ceasefire

This is Beirut, 16/04 23:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Hezbollah Lebanon United States Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in a series of Truth Social posts set to take effect at 5 p.m. EST, following what he described as “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump presented the deal as an initial step ...

Lebanon Reclaims its Diplomacy from Hezbollah

Marwan El Amine, 16/04 18:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Tehran Washington

The April 14 diplomatic meeting between Lebanon and Israel in Washington signals, however partially, a reassertion of Lebanese state authority over its own decision-making, while challenging Iranian influence in the country. Most significant is the fact that the meeting took place at all, a historic step given the ongoing war between Hezbollah and ...

Unified Message from Beirut MPs: Exclusive State Control and "weapons-Free" City

This is Beirut, 16/04 13:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Beirut Sovereignty

In a show of cross-sectarian unity, Beirut MPs on Wednesday called for the capital to be placed fully under state control and declared a “weapons-free city” under the exclusive authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces and security agencies. “Beirut must be free of weapons, and we want to see the Lebanese army deployed in all the streets ...

White House: U.S. Ready to Sustain Indefinite Naval Blockade on Iran

This is Beirut, 16/04 12:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The White House said Thursday that the United States is prepared to maintain its naval blockade on Iran indefinitely, signaling a sharp escalation in economic pressure despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a broader agreement. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller confirmed that all options remain on the table in dealing with ...