israel

Naim Qassem Rejects Disarmament, Warns Israel

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, speaking at a memorial for commander Ali Karaki, emphasized the group’s ongoing resistance against Israel and accused the latter of repeatedly violating ceasefire agreements in southern Lebanon. Qassem claimed that Hezbollah fully implemented the ceasefire along the Litani River and that the ...

Hamas Armed Wing Says Israel Blocking Ceasefire and Hostage Release Talks

The armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Friday accused Israel of blocking a deal in talks for a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. Negotiators from both sides have been in indirect talks in Qatar since July 6 to try to agree on a 60-day truce in the conflict, which would see 10 captives freed. But after ...

Top Holy Land Clerics Visit Gaza after Deadly Church Strike

Two of the most senior Christian leaders in Jerusalem made a rare visit to Gaza on Friday, a day after Israeli fire killed three at the Palestinian territory's only Catholic church, provoking international condemnation. The Roman Catholic Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and his Greek Orthodox counterpart, Theophilos III, ...

Sharaa's Pullout From Syria Druze Heartland Exposes Shaky Leadership

Under Israeli bombardment and diplomatic pressure, Ahmed al-Sharaa pulled troops from Syria's Druze heartland -- a move that exposes the interim leader's weakness just as he sought to assert control. Since seizing office in December after ousting longtime autocrat Bashar al-Assad, Sharaa has worked to recast himself from jihadist to statesman, ...

Syria: Bedouin Tribes Mobilize, Damascus Redeploys Troops, Israel Delivers Humanitarian Aid

Tensions continue to rise in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida in southern Syria. A spokesperson for the Syrian Interior Ministry said that government forces were preparing to redeploy to the city of Sweida in order to put an end to the ongoing clashes between Druze and Bedouin communities. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon ...

Israel PM Voices Regret After Three Killed at Catholic Church in Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret after Israeli tank fire killed three people at a Catholic church in Gaza on Thursday, blaming a "stray" round for the deaths after a phone call with US President Donald Trump. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said 10 others were also wounded in the attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza City ...

Erdogan Accuses Israel of Using Druze as Pretext to Expand Into Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused Israel of using the Druze minority in Syria as a pretext for expanding into the war-torn country. "Israel, using the Druze as an excuse, has been expanding its banditry into neighboring Syria over the past two days," Erdogan said in a televised speech after the weekly cabinet meeting. "I ...

Syria Troops Quit Druze Heartland After Violence Leaves Over 500 Dead

Syrian troops pulled out of the Druze heartland province of Sweida on orders from the Islamist-led government, following days of deadly clashes that killed more than 500 people, according to a war monitor. The southern province has been gripped by deadly sectarian bloodshed since Sunday, with hundreds reportedly killed in clashes pitting Druze ...

Israel Strike on Gaza Catholic Church Kills Two

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said an Israeli strike on Gaza's only Catholic Church killed two people on Thursday, as Israel said it "never targets" religious sites and was investigating what happened. "With deep sorrow, the Latin Patriarchate can now confirm that two persons were killed as a result of an apparent strike ...

When the Government Prefers Glitter Over Sovereignty

As Lebanon sinks deeper into the abyss with each passing day, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government (with a few notable ministerial exceptions) clings to a political denial that is as irresponsible as it is dangerous. Rather than addressing the real threats jeopardizing the very existence of the Lebanese state, the executive branch seems ...

Israeli Drone Strikes in South Lebanon, Two Killed

One man was killed on Thursday after an Israeli drone strike targeted his truck while he was working on the outskirts of Naqoura. The drone crashed in the area after the strike. Another drone attack earlier in the day struck a pickup vehicle between Kfour and Toula (Nabatiyeh District). The vehicle burst into flames, prompting an immediate ...

Yemen's Huthi Rebels Claim Missile Attack on Israel Airport

Yemen's Huthi rebels claimed a missile launched at Israel's main civilian airport, after the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from the Arabian Peninsula country. The Iran-backed rebels targeted Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv with a "Zulfiqar ballistic missile" and drone, military spokesman ...