War in the Middle East

War Diary: Day 76
War Diary: Day 76

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for December 21, 2023.

Near East: Is the Two-State Solution Still Possible?
Near East: Is the Two-State Solution Still Possible?

Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, the possibility of conflict resolution in the near future remains remote. The proposition of a two-state solution, often presented as the ideal option in theory, encounters practical obstacles that make its attainment complex and uncertain. This theory was raised by US President ...

Emmanuel Macron in Jordan to Discuss Gaza's Situation
Emmanuel Macron in Jordan to Discuss Gaza's Situation

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived Thursday in Jordan for talks with King Abdullah II on aid to war-battered Gaza, where Israel has been fighting Hamas militants since early October. Macron is then due to visit French troops stationed in the Middle Eastern country for a traditional Christmas meeting with forces deployed overseas. The ...

Southern Front: Elderly Woman Killed in Israeli Strike
Southern Front: Elderly Woman Killed in Israeli Strike

Israeli strikes on the town of Maroun al-Ras killed a woman in her eighties early Thursday morning and left her husband wounded. Israeli artillery shells struck "residential neighborhoods" in the town, hitting the house of the couple in their eighties. On Thursday morning, the Israeli army stepped up its attacks on localities in southern ...

UN Urges Israeli Probe Into Potential War Crimes
UN Urges Israeli Probe Into Potential War Crimes

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling for Israel to open an investigation into “the possible commission of a war crime” by its armed forces in Gaza. The UN received “disturbing information” regarding the death of “11 unarmed Palestinian men” in the city of Gaza on Tuesday evening during an Israeli Army ...

Adjusting to New Realities
Adjusting to New Realities

One of the harder things in foreign affairs, as in life, is dealing with new realities. Successful statecraft entails identifying new realities and equipping policies to protect and advance national interests in that light. An inability to adjust strategies in the face of new realities is an indicator of impending failure. The tragedy experienced ...

Greece to Join Coalition to Protect Red Sea Shipping
Greece to Join Coalition to Protect Red Sea Shipping

Greece will join a US-led coalition to safeguard the Red Sea's shipping route from Houthis, as announced by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on Thursday. A Greek navy frigate, acting on orders from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will be part of the task force, according to the minister. Given Greece's status as a leading shipping nation, ...

Hopes Rise for Israel-Hamas Truce Deal
Hopes Rise for Israel-Hamas Truce Deal

Expectations grew over Israel and Hamas' move towards a new ceasefire and an agreement for the release of hostages in the Gaza conflict on Wednesday. These developments followed discussions in Europe and a visit to Egypt by the leader of the Palestinian militant group. Hopes rose that Israel and Hamas may be inching toward another truce and ...

US Looks to Iraq for Support against Iran Proxies
US Looks to Iraq for Support against Iran Proxies

A senior US official stated in Baghdad on Wednesday, that the United States aims to actively collaborate with Iraq to tackle the increase in attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria. The United States wants to actively engage with Iraq to address a surge in attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria, a top US official said Wednesday in ...

War Diary: Day 75
War Diary: Day 75

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for December 20, 2023.

Editorial - South Lebanon: 'War and Peace'
Editorial - South Lebanon: 'War and Peace'

A necessary, indeed indispensable, but not sufficient condition ... This is how one could characterize the retention of General Joseph Aoun in his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. In the context of stabilizing southern Lebanon and strictly adhering to Resolution 1701, the decision was crucial, as the army needs to be led by a commander ...

South Lebanon Still Under Tension
South Lebanon Still Under Tension

Southern Lebanon remains under tension. Israeli reconnaissance planes flew over the Shebaa farms, Hasbaya, Upper Galilee and the border area late on Wednesday morning, while the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras, Yaroun and Mohaybib (Marjayoun) were targeted by bombardments. Earlier, Israeli drones flew over the villages of Majdel Zoun and Chamaa. At ...