War in the Middle East

New US Strikes Against Houthis as Red Sea Tensions Flare
New US Strikes Against Houthis as Red Sea Tensions Flare

US launched air strikes against the Houthis on Thursday morning, February 1, in response to a new attack by the Iran-backed group,  the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. American forces said they destroyed 10 drones launched by the Houthis and raided a ground control station belonging to the Iran-backed group on Thursday. A US warship also ...

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Withdraws Officers From Syria
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Withdraws Officers From Syria

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Tehran's ideological army, decided to withdraw its officers deployed in Syria on Thursday February 1, in reaction to the recent Israeli strikes, according to information reported by several security sources close to the matter. The withdrawal of Iranian officers from Syria is not complete, however, ...

Haniyeh Expected in Cairo Amid Ongoing Gaza Offensive
Haniyeh Expected in Cairo Amid Ongoing Gaza Offensive

As violence persists in Gaza on the 118th day of the Israel-Hamas war, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is due in Cairo on Thursday, February 1st, to discuss a proposed six-week truce. The leader of Hamas is due in Cairo on Thursday for talks on a proposed truce in Gaza as Israel keeps up its offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory. Hamas was ...

Israel’s Future Lies in Lebanon
Israel’s Future Lies in Lebanon

President Charles Helou (1913-2001) titled one of his written works Liban, cette part de Dieu (Lebanon, This Part of God). He should have said, "Lebanon, this dream of God." Lebanon, defined by its historical calling, is a nation in the making, not a static entity. And it always will be. The ongoing struggle for Lebanon's soul will never stop, ...

War Diary: Day 117
War Diary: Day 117

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in southern Lebanon and Gaza. Here are the main highlights for January 31, 2024.

Is the Iranian Axis on the Defensive?
Is the Iranian Axis on the Defensive?

In the days following the drone attack on the Syrian-Jordanian border, two key players within the Iranian axis announced the suspension of their attacks on American positions in Iraq and Syria. Amid fears of retaliation and a wish to negotiate from a position of strength, let's revisit this unexpected turn of events. On Tuesday, January 30, the ...

Blinken on Fresh Mideast Tour 'In Coming Days'
Blinken on Fresh Mideast Tour 'In Coming Days'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to return to the Middle East, in a fresh attempt at easing Middle East tensions, according to a US official. This comes as negotiations gain momentum regarding a proposal to halt Israel's offensive and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return shortly ...

Red Sea Container Shipping Down 30% Over Attacks
Red Sea Container Shipping Down 30% Over Attacks

The International Monetary Fund announced on Wednesday that container shipping through the Red Sea has decreased by nearly one-third this year due to ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthis. Container shipping through the Red Sea has dropped by nearly one-third this year as attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels continue, the International Monetary Fund ...

Three-Stage Gaza Truce Plan Being Examined by Hamas
Three-Stage Gaza Truce Plan Being Examined by Hamas

A source within the Palestinian militant group Hamas informed AFP on Wednesday that Hamas is currently reviewing plans for a three-stage truce with Israel. These plans envision a temporary halt to the Gaza war, to last several weeks. Hamas is reviewing plans for a three-stage truce with Israel, which foresee a weeks-long halt to the Gaza war, a ...

Israel Strikes Syrian Army Targets
Israel Strikes Syrian Army Targets

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that its warplanes struck Syrian army infrastructure overnight “in response” to rocket fire from the country. "Last night, a number of launches from Syria toward the southern Golan Heights were identified," the military said in a statement. "In response, the army fighter jets struck military ...

Editorial – Gaza: The Day After
Editorial – Gaza: The Day After

A (highly) cautious optimism marked the recent days of talks in Paris initiated at the end of last week by senior American, Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials. The sought-after objective is to achieve a ceasefire of at least one month, possibly two, in the Gaza conflict, with a particular focus on securing the release of hostages held by ...

Israel Floods Hamas' Tunnels
Israel Floods Hamas' Tunnels

Fighting persists in Khan Younis on the 117th day of the Israel-Hamas war. As the Israeli army continues to flood Hamas' tunnel networks, international calls to save UNRWA are growing. Israel's army began flooding Hamas' network of tunnels as intense fighting rages in Gaza, with the UN warning of the potential "collapse of the humanitarian ...