This is Beirut

UN Peacekeeper Killed in Southern Lebanon Attack, France Points to Hezbollah

This is Beirut, 15:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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France on Saturday accused Hezbollah of being behind a deadly attack on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon after a French soldier was killed and three others wounded in what the UN described as a “deliberate attack.” French President Emmanuel Macron said that “everything points to Hezbollah being responsible,” ...

No Date Set for Next Round of Iran-U.S. Talks: Iran Deputy FM

This is Beirut, 15:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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No date has been set for the next round of Iran–U.S. peace talks brokered by Pakistan following the failure of an initial round, Iran's deputy foreign minister said on Saturday. "Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set a date," Saeed Khatibzadeh told journalists on the sidelines of an annual diplomatic forum in Turkey's southern Antalya ...

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Blames U.S. Blockade

This is Beirut, 10:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Iran on Saturday closed the Strait of Hormuz again after briefly reopening it, saying the move is a response to the ongoing US naval blockade. Tehran accused Washington of breaking its commitments and warned that traffic through the strait will remain restricted until the blockade is lifted. The potential for the resumption of transit had lifted ...

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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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 ...