Lebanon

Between the Possible and the Illusion of the Possible

By waging a “low-intensity” war against Israel, Hezbollah’s slain leader Hassan Nasrallah made a grave miscalculation, the consequences of which the entire nation of Lebanon is now bearing. The pressing question is how to convince Hezbollah to accept the failure of its war. For the moment, the group remains in denial, even though, as ...

When War Forces People to Flee…

Over the years, Lebanon’s conflicts have consistently driven large-scale displacements, whether domestically or internationally. The current war between Israel and Hezbollah has similarly led to a surge in departures to various destinations. While exact figures remain elusive, the numbers are striking. Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s ...

Syrian-Lebanese Border Crossings: Latest Statistics and the Ongoing Displacement Crisis

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health stated that "from September 23rd to October 11th, 2024, General Security recorded the crossing of 317,457 Syrian citizens and 115,044 Lebanese citizens into Syrian territory." Similarly, it announced that as of Saturday (today), 187,000 displaced people (39,000 families) have been registered in the shelters ...

Yom Kippur Starts Tensely as Israel Clashes With Hezbollah

Israel observed Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, on Saturday amid a firestorm of international criticism over its military offensive in Lebanon and its soldiers firing on peacekeepers. As the holy day got under way Friday from sundown, Israel faced diplomatic backlash over what it acknowledged was a "hit" earlier in the day on ...

Austin Urges Gallant to Ensure the Safety of UNIFIL Forces in Lebanon

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, during which he emphasized the need to ensure the safety of UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon, as well as a swift return to a diplomatic solution. “I called Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last night to discuss Israel’s operations in ...

Class Hatred Veiled in Humanitarianism

Class hatred runs deep in Lebanon, and it's a reality that no one can deny. This stems from the country's unresolved economic identity. In the capital, liberals who champion free-market economics coexist with the remnants of old communists, who are still committed to the ideals of social justice from the days of Lenin and Trotsky. In this ...

War Diary: Day 370

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the war and its repercussions on the region. Here are the main highlights for October 10, 2024.

22 Killed and 117 Injured in Israeli Double Raid on Beirut

Two Israeli airstrikes targeted the areas of Basta and al-Nuwairi, densely populated neighbourhoods in Beirut. The first strike targeted the third floor of an eight-storey building in the al-Nuwairi area, and the second strike hit a four-storey building on Fathallah Street in Al-Basta Al-Fawqa, which collapsed completely. According to the ...

Mikati Reveals Intensified Communications Ahead of UN Security Council Meeting

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati disclosed that diplomatic communications have escalated in recent hours in anticipation of the UN Security Council meeting, with the aim of securing a renewed ceasefire and applying increased pressure to halt Israeli strikes in Lebanon. "There are ongoing contacts between the United States and France, which ...