Israel

MEA Announces Delays in Flights to and from Beirut

Middle East Airlines (MEA) announced on Sunday delays in the return of some flights to and from Beirut from the evening of July 28, 2024, to the morning of July 29, 2024, due to technical reasons related to the distribution of insurance risks for aircraft between Lebanon and other destinations. The updated schedule, with all departure times local ...

Anxious Israeli Druze Bid Farewell to Majdal Shams Victims

Thousands of Druze gathered in Majdal Shams on Sunday to mourn the deaths of young people killed by a rocket the previous day amid the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. With tears in their eyes, thousands of Druze climbed the steep streets of Majdal Shams on Sunday to attend the funeral of young people killed the day before in this ...

Joumblatt: 'Israel Is Lying' About Majdal Shams Strike Perpetrator

For former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt, Israel’s claim that Hezbollah fired a rocket at Majdal Shams “is a lie.” In an interview with the Al-Jazeera news channel on Sunday, Joumblatt said that Hezbollah “respects the rules of engagement in its operations and retaliates when Israel breaks them.” He also stated ...

War Diary: Day 296

From Gaza to Lebanon, This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the war between Hamas and Israel and its repercussions on the region. Here are the main highlights for July 28, 2024.

Majdal Shams: France 'Fully Committed' to Avoid Escalation

French President Emmanuel Macron assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday that France was “fully committed to doing everything possible to avoid further escalation in the region,” during a telephone conversation, the Élysée announced. The French head of state pledged to pass on “messages to all parties involved in the ...

Editorial – Iran's Expansionism and Collateral Damage

Another massacre, another senseless tragedy. This time, it’s the innocent lives of twelve children and teenagers that have been claimed by a missile strike in Majdal Shams, a Druze village in the Golan Heights under Israeli sovereignty. They were participating in, or merely watching, a soccer match. This horrific event underscores the ...

Countries Warn Their Citizens Against Staying in Lebanon

The United States, Italy and Germany warned their citizens on Monday against staying in Lebanon amid heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. The Saudi government reaffirmed its decision to ban travel to Lebanon for its citizens, emphasizing the importance of abiding by this directive due to current security concerns. The US Embassy in ...

1701 Remains the Obligatory Route to a Ceasefire

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib revealed that the Lebanese government has asked Hezbollah to withdraw beyond the Litani River in accordance with UN Resolution 1701. In response, Hezbollah has demanded the Israeli withdrawal from the Shebaa Farms and Kfarchouba hills as a precondition. In an interview with Al-Hadath TV on Sunday, Bou ...

Embassies Advise Their Nationals to Leave Lebanon in Case of Emergency

Due to fears of a wider war between Hezbollah and Israel, several airlines have suspended or cancelled some of their flights to and from Beirut. At the same time, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the American, German and Italian Chancelleries have advised their nationals in Lebanon to “avoid or exercise caution” in following security ...

Rome Highlights Possibility of Ending Mideast 'Spiral of Violence'

Italy's foreign minister told his Israeli and Lebanese counterparts Monday it was "possible to interrupt the spiral of violence" as he reiterated calls for a ceasefire, his office said. The Foreign Ministry said Antonio Tajani spoke with both Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Lebanon's Abdallah Bou Habib, two days after rocket fire from ...

Resolution 1701 Back on the Table

  As the drums of war grow increasingly deafening, a few small statements offer a glimmer of hope. The comment from Lebanese Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib almost went unnoticed amid the maelstrom of threats: “Hezbollah is ready to withdraw behind the Litani River if Israel stops its violations.” And so, we are back to the ...

Multiple Injuries in Kounine, Shebaa and Kfar Remmen

Escalations between Hezbollah and Israel were hightened on Monday with the threat of a potential war after the attack on Majdal Shams. On Monday, 3 civilians were injured when Israeli artillery targeted a house in the town of Shebaa. An Israeli drone attacked a car in Kounine with a guided missile, and it was reported that two people were ...