Lebanon

Shock and Survival: A Testimony of War and Trauma in Lebanon

Testimony
 "I live in a neighborhood not far from areas that are frequently bombarded. Every day, I am immersed in constant terror. The incessant shelling, the persistent drone hum in the sky, and the whistling of missiles create an exhausting state of hyper-vigilance, fraying our nerves. At the slightest noise, I jump violently, my heart ...

Israel Says Any Lebanese Deal Must Grant it 'Freedom to Act' Against Hezbollah

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that any ceasefire deal with Lebanon must ensure Israel has the "freedom to act" against Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. "In any agreement we will reach, we will need to keep the freedom to act if there will be violations," he told foreign ambassadors ahead of US envoy Amos Hochstein's ...

The IMF Raises Its 2023 Growth Forecast for Lebanon's GDP

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its 2023 GDP forecast for Lebanon, now estimating it at $24 billion, up from $16.2 billion in its June 2023 report. This upward revision reflects the adoption of a new methodology for calculating national accounts, leading to a 50% increase in the estimated GDP value. The update is part of the ...

Freight Insurance: The Impact of War on Prices

Due to the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel, freight insurance premiums have surged, adding further pressure on Lebanese trade and, consequently, on consumers. Armed conflicts significantly increase the risks associated with maritime and land transport. Ships and cargo can be targeted or suffer collateral damage from hostilities. ...

Battling for Survival: Lebanon’s Tourism Sector Amid War and Crisis

Before the war, 60 airlines flew to Beirut; only Middle East Airlines remains today. Flights that once operated at 80-90% capacity now barely reach 20%, especially during peak seasons like Christmas and New Year. Travel to Lebanon has decreased by 80% compared to previous years, largely due to the ongoing conflict. The tourism sector, one of the ...

Charles Chartouni Victim of Intimidation Attempt

Our contributor at This is Beirut and Ici Beyrouth, Dr. Charles Chartouni, was the victim of an intimidation attempt by state security services at his home on Tuesday evening. They intended to summon him for remarks he allegedly made against the “axis of resistance” during his latest media appearances. Chartouni told This is Beirut that these ...

Hochstein’s Visit: Outcome Still Pending

United States presidential envoy Amos Hochstein and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri have not yet concluded negotiations on a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Berri assigned his advisor, Ali Hamdan, to coordinate with Hochstein's team on resolving the remaining points of contention. Hochstein is pushing to finalize a framework that aligns ...

Gaza, Lebanon – One and the Same Combat...

The tone was set the moment Amos Hochstein concluded his talks in Beirut and delivered a carefully diplomatic press briefing, delicately outlining just how distant a resolution still seems. No sooner had his words settled than Israeli airstrikes resumed, and rockets were launched from Lebanon. For those striving to remain Cartesian and keep ...

Philippe Aractingi Awarded for 'Liban, les Secrets du Royaume de Byblos'

Lebanese cinema takes center stage once again with the remarkable achievement of Philippe Aractingi, a French-Lebanese director and producer, who recently won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the 24th Bidassoa Archaeological Film Festival (FICAB) in Spain. His film, Liban, les secrets du royaume de Byblos, filmed over two years in 2022 and ...