War in the Middle East

Hamas Criticizes Moustafa’s Naming as Palestinian Prime Minister
Hamas Criticizes Moustafa’s Naming as Palestinian Prime Minister

Far from drawing unanimous support, the appointment of Mohammed Moustafa as Palestinian Prime Minister on Thursday March 14 drew widespread criticism from other Palestinian factions, led by Hamas. Hamas and other factions said Friday that this week's appointment of a new Palestinian prime minister by president Mahmoud Abbas could deepen divisions ...

Truce Negotiations in Gaza: This is What We Know
Truce Negotiations in Gaza: This is What We Know

Palestinian militant group Hamas has submitted a proposal for a new six-week truce in Gaza, to be followed by a durable ceasefire, a Hamas official told AFP on Friday. Here is what we know about the demands of both Hamas and Israel as mediators push for a deal to end the five-month-old war. What does Hamas want? The latest Hamas proposal calls ...

Residential Homes in Southern Lebanon Destroyed
Residential Homes in Southern Lebanon Destroyed

The artillery exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel resumed on Friday early afternoon, after a morning marked by a fragile calm. The Israeli Army conducted raids on a three-story building in Alma al-Shaab, completely destroying it, as well as a villa in Kfar Kila. It also conducted raids in the Labbouneh-Naqoura region. Furthermore, Israel ...

Response to the French Initiative: Lebanon Ready to Negotiate
Response to the French Initiative: Lebanon Ready to Negotiate

The official Lebanese reply to the French initiative, aimed at ending the raging war between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon, lacked detailed input regarding the initiative’s implementation in three stages, notably a ceasefire, withdrawal of Hezbollah's armed forces to the north of the Litani River, and settlement of border disputes at ...

EU Prepares to Sanction Israeli Settlers
EU Prepares to Sanction Israeli Settlers

EU countries will impose next Monday sanctions on "violent" Israeli settlers in the West Bank and on Hamas for sexual violence committed on October 7, officials said on Friday, March 15. EU countries have reached a preliminary agreement to impose sanctions on "violent" Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and on Hamas for sexual violence during the ...

Hamas Puts Forward New Ceasefire Proposal
Hamas Puts Forward New Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas has put forward a new ceasefire proposal which would see a six-week truce and the mutual exchange of prisoners, alongside the phased withdrawal of the Israeli military and the return of displaced Gazans. Hamas proposed a new six-week truce in Gaza and an exchange of several dozen Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an official from ...

Spanish Aid Vessel Visible off Gaza Coast
Spanish Aid Vessel Visible off Gaza Coast

The first aid vessel heading to the besieged Gaza Strip via a new maritime corridor was visible on Friday off the coast of the war-ravaged territory, an AFP journalist said. Images shot by the journalist showed the Open Arms towing a barge. The Spanish charity operating it says that it is carrying 200 tons of food for Gazans threatened with ...

War Diary: Day 160
War Diary: Day 160

This Is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for March 14th, 2024.

Mohammed Moustafa, Palestinian Economist Turned Prime Minister
Mohammed Moustafa, Palestinian Economist Turned Prime Minister

On Thursday, March 14, Mohammed Moustafa was designated by Mahmoud Abbas as the new Palestinian Prime Minister. Behind the name lies a seasoned economist whose proximity to the Palestinian President can do him harm. On Thursday, March 14, the name of the former prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh – who left office on Monday, February 26 – was ...

Aid Efforts Intensify for Famine-Stalked Gaza
Aid Efforts Intensify for Famine-Stalked Gaza

Efforts grew on Thursday to get more aid into the war-devastated Gaza Strip, where the UN warns of famine and desperate residents have stormed relief shipments. After mediators failed to reach a truce between Israel and Hamas militants for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, which started on Monday, fighting continued with at least 69 ...