War in the Middle East

Israel launches deadly Gaza strikes as Mideast tensions rise
Israel launches deadly Gaza strikes as Mideast tensions rise

Israeli bombing killed dozens of people overnight Wednesday in Gaza as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares to head to the Middle East amid surging regional tensions. Israeli bombing killed dozens of people overnight in Gaza, the health ministry of the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said Thursday, as regional tensions have surged over ...

MP Skaff: Nasrallah’s Speech Less Threatening Than Expected
MP Skaff: Nasrallah’s Speech Less Threatening Than Expected

MP Ghassan Skaff described the speech delivered yesterday evening by Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah as less threatening than expected, following the assassination of top Hamas leader Saleh Al-Arouri in an Israeli strike in the southern suburb of Beirut and Israel's violation of the so-called rules of engagement. Speaking to ...

Regional Tensions Escalate After Iran Blasts
Regional Tensions Escalate After Iran Blasts

The war between Israel and Hamas, now in its 89th day, was triggered by a bloody and unprecedented attack carried out by the Palestinian Islamist movement on October 7 on Israeli soil from the Gaza Strip. Approximately 1,140 people, mostly civilians, were killed in this attack, according to an AFP count based on the latest Israeli toll, with ...

US Denies Involvement in Iran Blasts
US Denies Involvement in Iran Blasts

The United States categorically denied, on Wednesday, any implication that either itself or its ally Israel was responsible for the fatal explosions in Iran. The statement emphasized a rejection of such suggestions and cautioned against further escalation, particularly in the aftermath of a suspected Israeli attack on a Hamas leader in ...

War Diary: Day 89
War Diary: Day 89

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for January 3, 2024.

US, Allies Warn Houthis Over Red Sea Attacks
US, Allies Warn Houthis Over Red Sea Attacks

A coalition of 12 nations spearheaded by the United States collectively issued a warning on Wednesday to Yemen's Houthi rebels. The message conveyed an imperative for the rebels to cease their attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, with unspecified consequences looming if they fail to comply. Twelve nations led by the United States jointly ...

Hochstein Expected in Israel to Avert War
Hochstein Expected in Israel to Avert War

US envoy Amos Hochstein is expected in Israel later this week as part of an effort to avert a war between Israel and Lebanon, according to Israeli media. Hochstein's planned visit to Lebanon has not been confirmed but will depend on developments in his visit to Israel this week, according to local channel MTV. In this context, the US Department ...

Nasrallah's Speech: Endless Justifications and Empty Threats
Nasrallah's Speech: Endless Justifications and Empty Threats

In a third speech since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah justified on Wednesday the “raison d’etre” of his armed wing, claiming that the existence of a strong “resistance” deterred Israel from attacking Lebanon. He stressed, however, that Hezbollah’s ...

Israeli Hostage Dies in Failed Rescue Operation
Israeli Hostage Dies in Failed Rescue Operation

Israel's military verified on Wednesday that a hostage abducted during the October 7 Hamas attack met a tragic end during an failed army rescue operation in December within the Gaza Strip. Israel's military confirmed Wednesday that a hostage kidnapped in the October 7 Hamas attack was killed during a failed army rescue operation in December in ...

Southern Front: Three Killed by an Israeli Raid in Markaba
Southern Front: Three Killed by an Israeli Raid in Markaba

A highly tense atmosphere continued to prevail in southern Lebanon on Wednesday afternoon following the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, the second-in-command of Hamas' political wing in Lebanon. Three people were killed in an air raid that targeted a house in Markaba. Drone raids also targeted the al-Rajm neighborhood of Aita al-Shaab. ...

Mossad Chief Pledges to 'Settle Score' With Hamas
Mossad Chief Pledges to 'Settle Score' With Hamas

Israel's Intelligence Chief expressed a firm commitment to holding Hamas accountable for its attacks on Israel. This statement came in response to a drone strike, attributed to Israel, that resulted in the death of Hamas' Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon on Tuesday. Israel's Intelligence Chief vowed on Wednesday to make Hamas pay for its ...

Al-Arouri’s Assassination: Lebanon an Unsafe Haven for Hamas Leaders
Al-Arouri’s Assassination: Lebanon an Unsafe Haven for Hamas Leaders

It won’t be an easy task for Hezbollah and Hamas to reach a decisive conclusion regarding how the Israeli Mossad successfully breached security and assassinated Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri. This investigation will probably be a long one, the outcomes of which remain unclear for Hezbollah. Insight from intelligence experts points to meticulous ...