This is Beirut

Hezbollah Rejects Peace Talks With Israel, Warns Lebanese State Against ‘Concessions’

This is Beirut, 20:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon Israel Iran USA Ceasefire Disarmament

Hezbollah on Saturday escalated its rhetoric against ongoing Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, rejecting any path toward a “comprehensive peace agreement” with Israel and warning Lebanese authorities against what it described as a “concessionary track” imposed under American pressure. In a lengthy statement released on the ...

Israel Announces Killing of Senior Hamas Commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad

This is Beirut, 12:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Palestine

The Israeli military and Shin Bet security agency announced on Saturday that they had killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a senior commander in Hamas’s military wing whom Israeli officials described as one of the last high-ranking leaders involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet ...

Lebanon-Israel Talks to Resume June 2 as Ceasefire Extended by 45 Days

This is Beirut, 15/05 21:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The United States announced Friday that Lebanon and Israel concluded two days of “highly productive” talks in Washington, agreeing to extend the April 17 ceasefire by 45 days as negotiations continue amid ongoing cross-border tensions. In a statement, the State Department said the talks, held on May 14 and 15, focused on ...

Iran FM Says U.S. Willing to Continue Talks, Open to China's Help

This is Beirut, 15/05 15:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday he had "received messages" from the United States saying it is willing to continue talks and that he was open to any support, including from China. "We received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the ...

IDF Intensifies Strikes in Southern Lebanon and Bekaa Valley as Washington Hosts Third Round of Talks

This is Beirut, 14/05 21:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Washington Ain el-Tineh Hezbollah Israel

On the same day that the third round of indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel reportedly began in Washington, the Israeli military announced a significant escalation of operations in southern Lebanon. In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that over the past 24 hours it had struck approximately 65 targets ...

Israeli Ministry of Defense Signs Deal to Extend Range of F-35I Adir Fleet

This is Beirut, 14/05 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has signed a new contract with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop an extended-range capability for Israel’s fleet of F-35I Adir fighter jets. The agreement, valued at more than $34 million (over 100 million shekels), includes the development and integration of external fuel tanks intended to ...

Lebanon, Israel to Hold New Direct Talks in Washington as Ceasefire Nears End

This is Beirut, 14/05 13:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Washington Ceasefire Donald Trump

Lebanon and Israel are set to hold a new round of peace talks in Washington on Thursday as their latest ceasefire agreement, which remains formally in effect, approaches its expiration. Israel's military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon on Thursday after warning residents of several towns and villages there and in the ...

Vessel Off UAE Coast 'Taken', Now Bound for Iran Waters: UK Maritime Agency

This is Beirut, 14/05 12:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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A ship off the UAE coast near the Strait of Hormuz has been taken by unknown people and is now headed towards Iranian waters, a UK maritime agency said on Thursday. The vessel was "taken by unauthorised personnel whilst at anchor" 38 nautical miles (70 kilometres) northeast of Fujairah, and "is now bound for Iranian territorial ...

Israeli Ambassador to U.S. Says Any Deal With Lebanon Depends on Hezbollah Disarmament

This is Beirut, 14/05 11:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter issued a series of statements on Thursday ahead of the expected third round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, signaling that any broader political or security arrangement would be conditioned on the dismantling of Hezbollah and stronger Lebanese state action on the ground. In ...

U.S. Expands Pressure on Iran as Warplanes Patrol Over Hormuz

This is Beirut, 13/05 20:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The United States military announced Wednesday that it has intensified enforcement of its naval blockade on Iran, saying American forces have redirected dozens of commercial vessels and continue military patrols near the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said 67 commercial ships attempting to enter or leave ...

Beirut Lodges Unprecedented U.N. Complaint Against Tehran

This is Beirut, 13/05 16:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Tehran Lebanon Israel UN Security Council United Nations Iran

Lebanon has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations against Iran in what has been described as an unprecedented diplomatic step, according to Independent Arabia. Beirut accuses Tehran of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs, and drawing the country into a destructive war ...

Reports Point to Expanding Israeli-UAE Security Coordination During Iran Conflict

This is Beirut, 13/05 15:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Cooperation between Israel and the United Arab Emirates reportedly deepened during the recent conflict involving Iran, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg detailing high-level intelligence coordination and joint security measures between the two countries. According to The Wall Street Journal, David Barnea, the head of ...