War in the Middle East

Netanyahu Says If Iran Attacks, ‘We Will Respond With a Force They Cannot Even Imagine’

This is Beirut 23/02 18:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Benjamin Netanyahu Lebanon Hamas Hezbollah Israel

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates Israel’s position towards a conflict scenario with Iran, stating that the country is ready to use heavy force against Iran if it attacks. In a speech at the Knesset, he remarked that “if Iran makes a mistake–perhaps the most serious mistake in its history–and ...

Israeli Minister Says Army to Occupy All Gaza if Hamas Does Not Disarm

This is Beirut 23/02 17:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Palestine Donald Trump Israel USA

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that Palestinian Islamist group Hamas may soon be given a deadline to lay down its weapons. "We estimate that in the coming days, Hamas will be given an ultimatum to disarm and completely demilitarise Gaza," Smotrich said in an interview with public broadcaster Kan. "If it does not ...

U.S. Announced Plans to Reopen Embassy in Damascus, Syria

This is Beirut 20/02 23:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United States Syria

U.S. officials have announced on Friday that the U.S. plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus for the first time in 14 years, according to AP News. The Trump administration told congress that they plan to initiate a phased approach towards the resumption of embassy operations in Syria, with plans slated to begin soon. However, there is no ...

Hamas Says Open to Gaza Peacekeeping Force, But Rejects Interference in 'Internal Affairs'

This is Beirut 20/02 20:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Palestine

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP on Friday that the Palestinian Islamist movement was open to international peacekeeping forces in Gaza, but rejected any interference in the territory's "internal affairs". At the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" in Washington on Thursday, it was ...

Israel Army Says on 'Defensive Alert' Regarding Iran but no Change to Public Guidelines

This is Beirut 20/02 20:05 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel Iran

The Israeli army said it was on "defensive alert" as the United States threatens potential military action against Iran, but insisted there were no changes in its guidelines for the public. "We are closely monitoring regional developments and are aware of the public discourse concerning Iran. The (Israeli military) is on defensive ...

Trump on Iran Strikes: ‘I Am Considering It’

This is Beirut 20/02 18:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Iran Strikes

President Donald Trump stated that he is weighing military action in Iran during the Governors breakfast on Friday. When asked whether he is considering a limited strike on Iran, he said “I think I can say that I am considering it.” According to Reuters, the U.S. military positioning necessary for carrying out strikes in Iran is ...

U.K. Denies U.S. Use of Diego Garcia for Potential Iran Strikes

This is Beirut 19/02 23:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Kingdom United States Iran Military Diego Garcia

Britain said Thursday it would not grant the United States permission to use U.K.-based military facilities to launch potential strikes against Iran, signaling London’s reluctance to be drawn directly into any escalation with Tehran. One of the U.K. bases, Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands of the Indian Ocean, is a key strategic asset to ...

Trump Announces $10 Billion Gaza Pledge as Board of Peace Holds Inaugural Meeting

This is Beirut 19/02 18:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Board of Peace Donald Trump United States Gaza

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would pledge $10 billion to the Board of Peace initiative aimed at supporting reconstruction and development in Gaza. Trump commented that “that number is a very small number when you look at that compared to the cost of war” He also stated that other countries have allocated $7 ...

Israel's Netanyahu Says No Reconstruction of Gaza Before Demilitarisation

This is Beirut 19/02 17:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Gaza Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday there would be no reconstruction of war-shattered Gaza before the disarmament of Hamas, as the "Board of Peace" convened for its inaugural meeting in Washington. Around two dozen world leaders and senior officials met for the first meeting of the board, which was set up after ...

Iran Will Face Response it 'Cannot Imagine' if it Attacks Israel: Netanyahu

This is Beirut 19/02 16:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Israel Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Thursday that Israel would retaliate forcefully against Iran if it launched an attack, after U.S. President Donald Trump again hinted at possible military action against Tehran. "If the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will receive a response they cannot even imagine," ...

Israel Says U.S.-Iran Nuclear Diplomacy in Doubt, Conflict May Break Out Soon

This is Beirut 18/02 20:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel United States Iran Nuclear Talks

Israeli officials have expressed doubt about the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, believing that the outbreak of a conflict is imminent, according to Al Arabiya. According to the report, U.S. officials sent a briefing to Israel acknowledging that nuclear dialogue has reached an impasse, and that Iran may not consider making concessions on the ...

Iran, Russia to Conduct Joint Drills in the Sea of Oman

This is Beirut 18/02 16:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Iran Russia Hormuz

Iran and Russia will conduct naval manoeuvres in the Sea of Oman on Thursday, following the latest round of talks between Tehran and Washington in Geneva, Iranian media reported. On Monday, the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military, also launched exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a challenge to US naval ...