This is Beirut - Nawaf Salam

WHO says Gaza Facilities Attacked as Israel Expands Operations

This is Beirut, 2025-07-22 09:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

The World Health Organization said Monday its facilities in Gaza had come under Israeli attack, echoing calls from Western countries for an immediate ceasefire as Israel expanded military operations to the central city of Deir el-Balah. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Israeli military had entered the UN agency's staff residence, ...

Israel in Sweida: Motives and Ambitions

Philippe Abi Akl, 2025-07-22 08:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Benjamin Netanyahu Syria Sweida Bedouin Ahmad al-Sharaa Druze

As heavy clashes enter their second week in Syria’s southern province of Sweida, pitting Druze factions against tribal groups backed by the Syrian Army and security forces, Israel’s quiet but deliberate involvement is raising alarm. Official claims of protecting Syria’s Druze are met with widespread skepticism. The real story lies in Tel ...

Syria Evacuates Bedouin from Druze-Majority Sweida as Ceasefire Holds

This is Beirut, 2025-07-21 21:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Syria Sweida SOHR

Syrian authorities evacuated Bedouin families from the Druze-majority city of Sweida on Monday, after a ceasefire in the southern province halted a week of sectarian bloodshed that a monitor said killed more than 1,260 people. The violence, which followed massacres of Alawites in March and clashes involving the Druze in April and May, has shaken ...

Between the Dilemma of Disarming Hezbollah and the Challenge of Rising Israeli Tensions

Amal Chmouny, 2025-07-21 20:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah United States

The dialogue between the US and Lebanon concerning Hezbollah's disarmament has entered a crucial phase, characterized by urgency, skepticism and regional complexities. US envoy Tom Barrack emphasized the need for rapid and structured progress, a sentiment echoed in messages from Washington. However, as events unfold, the inherent challenges of ...

Confusion in Syria

David Hale , 2025-07-21 17:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Syria Iran Hezbollah United States

Recent developments in Syria are causing surprise and confusion. In a bold move, President Trump and his administration acquiesced to requests from the Turkish and Saudi leadership and lifted most sanctions on the Ahmed al-Sharaa regime, his Salafist HTS movement, and Syria itself. It did so without conditionality, without much effort to ...

Kremlin Cautions 'Lots of Work' Ahead Before Ukraine Peace Deal

This is Beirut, 2025-07-21 15:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Ukraine Kremlin Volodymyr Zelensky Russia France

Russia on Monday downplayed the chances of a breakthrough in peace talks with Ukraine, saying the two sides held "diametrically" opposed positions, hours after it launched a massive drone and missile barrage on Kyiv. Moscow said a date for talks was being worked on, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed holding fresh negotiations ...

Superman Flies High Again, Soars Past $400 Million Worldwide

This is Beirut, 2025-07-21 15:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Superman Cinema Box Office Culture Art

The Man of Steel has staying power: Superman topped the North American box office for a second week running and surpassed the $400 million mark worldwide, industry estimates showed Sunday. Riding largely positive reviews, the latest big-budget action film featuring the iconic superhero from Warner Bros. and DC Studios earned $57.3 million in the ...

Gaza Civil Defense, Witnesses Report Israeli Shelling in Deir el-Balah

This is Beirut, 2025-07-21 14:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hamas Gaza Deir el-Balah

Gaza's civil defence agency and eyewitnesses reported Israeli shelling in the central city of Deir el-Balah on Monday, after the military warned of imminent action in an area where it had not previously operated. The Israeli military on Sunday ordered those in the central Gaza area to leave immediately as it was expanding operations, ...

Barrack: Hezbollah Disarmament Is a Lebanese Internal Matter

This is Beirut, 2025-07-21 13:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Tom Barrack

US presidential envoy Tom Barrack arrived in Beirut on Sunday for his third official visit to Lebanon in recent weeks, signaling a ramp-up in diplomatic efforts to ease escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Barrack began his meetings on Monday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, accompanied by US Ambassador Lisa ...

Israel says Struck Yemen's Rebel-Held Hodeida Port

Ici Beyrouth, 2025-07-21 11:25 - Reading : less than a minute

Nawaf Salam Houthi Yemen

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel's military on Monday struck "terror targets" belonging to the Houthi rebels at the Yemeni port of Hodeida. The Israeli military "has just struck terror targets of the Houthi terror regime at the port of Hodeida and is forcefully enforcing the prevention of any attempt to restore the previously attacked ...

The Grammar of a Bungled Transition

Charles Chartouni, 2025-07-21 09:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Lebanon Syria United States Hezbollah

The interpretation of political events can often lead to misunderstandings and confusion. It is crucial to establish clear communication and guidelines to navigate such complexities effectively. Without these measures, the potential for misinterpretation increases, which can exacerbate tensions and hinder progress. Therefore, fostering an ...

Iran Confirms Fresh Nuclear Talks with European Powers: State Media

This is Beirut, 2025-07-21 08:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Tehran Nuclear Istanbul Europe

Iran confirmed fresh talks with European powers to be held on Friday in Istanbul, the country's state media reported, the first since the United States attacked Iranian nuclear facilities a month ago. Iranian diplomats will meet counterparts from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, after the trio warned that sanctions could be ...

Nawaf Salam