Lebanese army

Why Lebanon–Israel Diplomacy Remains Frozen

As the U.S. signals readiness for a negotiated settlement to the regional war with Iran, a key question is resurfacing: could a broader diplomatic reset in the region revive the prospect of talks between Lebanon and Israel? Since Hezbollah plunged Lebanon into war with Israel on March 2, Beirut has reiterated its willingness to enter direct talks ...

Can Lebanon's Military Court Break Free of Hezbollah's Shadow?

Lebanon’s Military Court has drawn scrutiny for its handling of detainees linked to Hezbollah, reigniting long-standing criticism over its politicization and expansive legal authority. On March 9, the Military Court controversially ordered the release of three individuals arrested by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on charges of illegally ...

Israel Strikes Litani Bridges to Pressure Lebanese Government

As Israel presses its ground invasion of south Lebanon, it has destroyed several bridges spanning the Litani River, saying Hezbollah was using the crossings for military purposes. Analysts told This Is Beirut that the strikes also form part of a broader pressure campaign on the Lebanese state. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the bridges ...

Army Withdrawal Sparks Anxiety in Southern Border Villages

Residents of the predominantly Christian southern villages of Rmeish, Debel, and Ain Ebel are experiencing growing anxiety following the sudden withdrawal of security forces and the closure of local police stations on Tuesday, according to local officials and community leaders. Concerns intensified after units of the Lebanese Army redeployed from ...

Southern Front: Israel’s Push Toward the Litani River

The Israeli military is conducting a methodical ground campaign in southern Lebanon, advancing slowly but steadily along three main axes as Jerusalem seeks to establish a buffer zone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had ordered the military to “further expand the existing security strip” in Lebanon, signaling ...

Israel Hits Southern Lebanon as Tensions Mount

Lebanon saw a sharp escalation in the south on Saturday, with multiple deadly incidents reported throughout the day. An Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle carrying a media team on the Jezzine road, killing Al-Manar journalist Ali Choueib, Al-Mayadeen reporter Fatima Ftouni, and two others. In response, Israeli army Arabic spokesperson ...

Lebanon’s Paralysis, Hezbollah’s Impunity, and a War Without Exit

Hopes for a swift end to Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon have all but faded, as Jerusalem signals it is preparing to establish a buffer zone up to the Litani River until Hezbollah is no longer a threat. At the same time, U.S. policymakers privately acknowledge that de-escalation is not possible without a fundamental shift within Lebanon ...

Lebanon Will Keep Hezbollah’s Arms, Lose its South

Lebanon has made its choice. Instead of enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and its own cabinet’s decision to disarm Hezbollah, Beirut will allow the pro-Iran militia to keep its weapons but it will lose its territory south of the Litani River. While Lebanon will argue that Israel’s occupation would violate international law, this ...

From South Lebanon to Beirut's Southern Suburbs: Strikes Intensify

Israeli strikes intensified across Lebanon late Monday, with a series of airstrikes targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs, expanding operations beyond traditional Hezbollah strongholds and into new regions. The escalation followed renewed warnings by Avichay Adraee and came amid Israeli claims of arresting members of the Radwan Force and seizing ...

Lebanon’s Last Chance: A Turning Point or the Point of No Return?

Caught in the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanon faces a critical turning point. The Lebanese state can no longer claim sovereignty while tolerating an armed militia that unilaterally dictates war and peace. President Joseph Aoun’s assertion that Hezbollah seeks the “collapse of the Lebanese state” and the ...

Israel Strikes Bridges Over Litani

As the ground offensive continues, Israeli strikes have begun targeting bridges over the Litani River, with IDF army spokesmen citing Hezbollah smuggling routes and the need to isolate enemy movement. Two retired Lebanese Army Generals believe the move is also a concerted pressure campaign directed at the Lebanese state. On March 13, the IDF ...