This is Beirut

Gaza: UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting Saturday

This is Beirut, 22:50 - Reading : less than a minute

UN Security Council Palestine United Nations Hamas Gaza Israel

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Gaza on Saturday at 19:00 GMT, following Israel’s announcement of a plan to take control of the city, several diplomatic sources told AFP on Friday. Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through a spokesperson, warned Israel against “a dangerous escalation” that ...

Iran in Lebanon: The Toxic Interference of a Declining State

Marc Saikali, 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Tehran

The Lebanese state has taken a bold and historic decision: to disarm Hezbollah and other militias, and to restore full sovereignty over the entire national territory. This goal is fundamental and shared by nations worldwide. It is an essential milestone for Lebanon to emerge from the shadow of weapons and conflict, rebuild the war-torn villages of ...

Israel Prepares to Take Control of Gaza

This is Beirut, 17:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a Thursday interview on Fox News that Israel intends to take control of the Gaza Strip, though it does not plan to directly govern or maintain long-term control. He said the goal is to eventually transfer authority to Arab forces who would pose no threat to Israel and ensure a decent quality ...

Gaza: Israel Approves Controversial Military Plan, International Community Reacts

This is Beirut, 16:25 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Israel Palestine United Kingdom UN

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday asked Israel to reconsider its plan to take control of Gaza City, which he branded as "wrong". "This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages," he said, warning that it "will only bring more bloodshed". The ...

Lebanon Endorses Barrack’s Plan for Hezbollah Disarmament

Mario Chartouni, 15:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Weapons Israel

On Thursday, the Lebanese Council of Ministers met in Baabda to discuss and approve the American proposal presented by envoy Thomas Barrack. Outlined in a detailed seven-page diplomatic memorandum divided into three chapters, the initiative aims to establish a durable ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel while launching comprehensive security and ...

Tehran Vows to Block Lebanon’s Sovereignty Efforts

This is Beirut, 14:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Tehran Hezbollah Israel Joseph Aoun United States

Tehran’s open opposition to Lebanon’s push for full state sovereignty has become increasingly clear, as Lebanese authorities seek to dismantle Hezbollah’s status as a “state within a state.” The process, launched by President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese government on Tuesday, aims to restore the Lebanese state’s full authority over ...

Iraq Divided Over Future of Pro-Iran Armed Alliance

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

US Secretary of State Hezbollah Israel Palestine

A bill in Iraq that would further formalise the role -- and perhaps, the autonomy -- of a powerful coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries has sparked a heated debate, fanned in part by US pressure. Few details of the bill that could decide the future of the Hashed al-Shaabi alliance have been made public. Formed in 2014 when Iraqis were ...

Israel Approves Plan to Seize Gaza, Citing Push to ‘Defeat’ Hamas

This is Beirut, 12:09 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Palestine Benjamin Netanyahu United Nations

Israel's military will "take control" of Gaza City under a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and approved by his security cabinet, his office said in a statement Friday. Nearly two years into the war in Gaza, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure at home and abroad for a truce to pull the territory's more than two ...

Israeli Drone Strike Kills One on Saida–Tyre Highway

This is Beirut, 11:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanese Army Israel South Lebanon Strike

An Israeli drone strike on Friday targeted a vehicle on the Saida-Tyr highway near Phoenicia University, killing reporter and photographer Mohammad Chehade. Ambulance teams retrieved Chehade’s body from the targeted vehicle and transported it to a nearby hospital. According to a statement by the Israeli Army’s Arabic ...

Former Hostages Rally for Gaza War to End as Israel Mulls Updated Plan

This is Beirut, 07/08 21:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas Gaza War

Hundreds of demonstrators including Israelis released from captivity in Gaza rallied on Thursday in Jerusalem as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his cabinet to review new plans for the war. Waving Israeli flags and holding portraits of hostages still held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, the protesters gathered outside Netanyahu's ...

Hamas Accuses Israel PM of Sacrificing Hostages for Personal Interest

This is Beirut, 07/08 21:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Palestine Hostages Gaza

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government was debating expanding military operations in Gaza, of sacrificing the Israeli hostages held there. "Netanyahu's plans to escalate the aggression confirm beyond any doubt his desire to get rid of the captives and sacrifice them in ...

Israel Seeks Control of Gaza, Won't 'Keep it': Netanyahu

This is Beirut, 07/08 19:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Palestine Hamas Gaza

Israel intends to take full control of Gaza but does not want to keep or govern it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ahead of a security cabinet meeting on Thursday. "We intend to," Netanyahu replied, when asked in a televised Fox News interview if Israel will take control of "all of Gaza." Fox News said the interview occurred just before ...

Israel