israel

Lebanon Endorses Barrack’s Plan for Hezbollah Disarmament

On Thursday, the Lebanese Council of Ministers met in Baabda to discuss and approve the American proposal presented by envoy Thomas Barrack. Outlined in a detailed seven-page diplomatic memorandum divided into three chapters, the initiative aims to establish a durable ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel while launching comprehensive security and ...

Tehran Vows to Block Lebanon’s Sovereignty Efforts

Tehran’s open opposition to Lebanon’s push for full state sovereignty has become increasingly clear, as Lebanese authorities seek to dismantle Hezbollah’s status as a “state within a state.” The process, launched by President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese government on Tuesday, aims to restore the Lebanese state’s full authority over ...

Israel Approves Plan to Seize Gaza, Citing Push to ‘Defeat’ Hamas

Israel's military will "take control" of Gaza City under a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and approved by his security cabinet, his office said in a statement Friday. Nearly two years into the war in Gaza, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure at home and abroad for a truce to pull the territory's more than two ...

Israeli Drone Strike Kills One on Saida–Tyr Highway

An Israeli drone strike on Friday targeted a vehicle on the Saida-Tyr highway near Phoenicia University, killing one person. Ambulance teams retrieved the victim’s body from the targeted Rapid vehicle and transported it to a nearby hospital. Shortly afterwards, the Ministry of Public Health’s Emergency Operations Center identified the victim ...

Former Hostages Rally for Gaza War to End as Israel Mulls Updated Plan

Hundreds of demonstrators including Israelis released from captivity in Gaza rallied on Thursday in Jerusalem as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his cabinet to review new plans for the war. Waving Israeli flags and holding portraits of hostages still held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, the protesters gathered outside Netanyahu's ...

Hamas Accuses Israel PM of Sacrificing Hostages for Personal Interest

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government was debating expanding military operations in Gaza, of sacrificing the Israeli hostages held there. "Netanyahu's plans to escalate the aggression confirm beyond any doubt his desire to get rid of the captives and sacrifice them in ...

Israel Seeks Control of Gaza, Won't 'Keep it': Netanyahu

Israel intends to take full control of Gaza but does not want to keep or govern it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ahead of a security cabinet meeting on Thursday. "We intend to," Netanyahu replied, when asked in a televised Fox News interview if Israel will take control of "all of Gaza." Fox News said the interview occurred just before ...

Israeli Minister Vows 'Return' to Evacuated West Bank Settlement

An Israeli minister announced on Thursday plans to rebuild Sa-Nur, a settlement in the occupied West Bank that was evacuated two decades ago, as the far right spearheads a major settlement expansion push. Sa-Nur's settlers were evicted in 2005 as part of Israel's so-called disengagement policy that also saw the country withdrawing troops and ...

Issa Reaffirms Support for Lebanese Sovereignty

US Congressman Darrell Issa emphasized Thursday that decision-making in Lebanon “must remain in the hands of the Lebanese people,” following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun. Issa voiced confidence in the Lebanese government’s commitment to preserving peace and stability, and reaffirmed continued US support for the Lebanese Armed Forces ...

Lebanon's Decision on Disarmament Is "Irrevocable," Says Aoun

A few hours before the Cabinet meeting scheduled for this afternoon to discuss US proposals aimed at helping Lebanon restore full sovereignty over its territory and launch a viable recovery process, President Joseph Aoun declared that the decision to disarm armed groups is “irreversible.” “The exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the ...