This is Beirut, 2025-01-30 14:50 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Palestinian militants on Thursday freed three Israeli hostages and five foreigners captured in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel as the third hostage-prisoner exchange of the Gaza ceasefire got under way. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced what he called "shocking scenes" during the hostage releases which came under a ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-30 12:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Syria's newly appointed interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed Qatar's emir on Thursday, the first foreign head of state to visit Damascus, the Qatari court said. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani "arrived on an official visit to Damascus" where he was "welcomed by the president of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa,” a court statement ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-30 11:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The Israeli army claimed to have intercepted a Hezbollah surveillance drone launched from Lebanon towards Israel on Thursday. No sirens sounded during the incident, “in accordance with protocol”, said the army. The Israeli army's Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee, declared that the Israeli army “will not allow ...
Salam El Zaatari, 2025-01-30 09:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Nawaf Salam Iran USA Middle East
In the high-stakes chess game of Middle Eastern politics, a hidden force drives both Israel and Iran toward an eerily similar endgame, an unshakable belief that history is hurtling toward a divinely orchestrated climax. On one side, Israel’s religious circles whisper about the long-awaited Messiah, a figure destined to restore their ancient ...
Marc Saikali, 2025-01-30 08:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
On January 9, at last, after more than two years of deadlock, a “real” President was elected. A man of integrity and independence, committed to Lebanon and its people. Hopes of reconstruction, development and justice began to take shape. Then came the end of the 60-day truce—without the government having prepared a Plan B. As a result, ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-29 22:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Despite the extended deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, Israeli military operations and violations continue in the region. In an interview with the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli military official revealed that Israel plans to “eliminate numerous Hezbollah weapon sites in the eastern sector ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-29 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Nawaf Salam Palestine Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas
Israel said on Wednesday that 11 more hostages held in Gaza, including five Thais, would be freed over two days this week as part of a fragile Gaza ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had received a list from Hamas of eight hostages to be freed on Thursday, including the Thais, and another three, all men, to be released ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-29 19:25 - Reading : less than a minute
Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam Lebanon
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam assured on Wednesday that “a new Lebanese government will be formed soon.” Following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Salam told reporters that while obstacles remain, they “will soon be overcome.” He stressed his commitment to a flexible approach in negotiations, stating that the new government ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-29 15:36 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Nawaf Salam Hamas Palestine ceasefire agreement
Two Hamas officials on Wednesday accused Israel of delaying the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to Gaza, as agreed in the ceasefire deal, and warned that it could impact the release of hostages. "We warn that continued delays and failure to address these points (delivery of key aid) will affect the natural progression of the agreement, ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-29 14:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Nawaf Salam Benjamin Netanyahu United Nations Golan Syria
Syria's new authorities on Wednesday urged Israel's withdrawal from Syrian territory it occupied in the Golan Heights after president Bashar al-Assad's ousting, during talks with UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, state media reported. During Lacroix's meeting with Syria's foreign and defense ministers, "it was confirmed that Syria is ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-29 11:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Lebanon USA Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam
In an open letter sent on Tuesday, US lawmakers Darin LaHood and Darrell Issa, co-chairs of the US-Lebanon Friendship Caucus in the House of Representatives, urged Lebanese leaders to end Hezbollah’s influence on the country’s political and security landscape. The letter, addressed to President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf ...
This is Beirut, 2025-01-28 21:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
The Israeli army carried out two raids on the city of Nabatiyeh on Tuesday evening, leaving at least 20 people injured, according to a provisional toll from the Ministry of Public Health. According to the Lebanese news agency Al-Markazia, Israeli military radio confirmed targeting the locality during an airstrike. One hour after the first strike, ...