War in the Middle East

Global Reaction to ICJ Ruling to Halt Rafah Offensive
Global Reaction to ICJ Ruling to Halt Rafah Offensive

The top United Nations court on Friday ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah "immediately," a landmark ruling likely to increase mounting international pressure on Israel more than seven months into the Gaza war. South Africa, who is pursuing the case, hailed the ruling, with Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor saying it was a "much ...

ICJ Orders Israel to Halt Rafah Offensive and Open Aid Crossings
ICJ Orders Israel to Halt Rafah Offensive and Open Aid Crossings

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), top United Nations court, ordered on Friday Israel to halt military operations in Rafah, a landmark ruling likely to increase mounting international pressure on Israel more than seven months into the Gaza war. ICJ rulings are legally binding, but the court has no concrete means to enforce them. Israel ...

Israeli Raid in Mays el Jabal Kills Two Hezbollah Fighters
Israeli Raid in Mays el Jabal Kills Two Hezbollah Fighters

Following a relatively quiet morning, Israel resumed its raids on Lebanese villages, which it has been targeting since the opening of the southern front on October 8, 2020. A strike against the center of Mays el-Jabal killed two Hezbollah members, Hassan Adel Chaabi and Husein Nabil Mawla, and wounded an unknown number. Hezbollah responded to ...

CIA Chief Expected in Paris to Negotiate Gaza Truce
CIA Chief Expected in Paris to Negotiate Gaza Truce

The head of the CIA is expected in Paris on Friday or Saturday to try to relaunch talks with Israel on a truce in Gaza, a Western source close to the matter told AFP. Israel gave the green light on Thursday to the resumption of negotiations for the release of hostages held in Gaza, while talks on a truce with the Palestinian Islamist movement ...

Israel Severs Connection Between Spain and Palestinians
Israel Severs Connection Between Spain and Palestinians

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that he had decided to "sever the connection" between Spain's diplomatic mission and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank over Madrid's recognition of a Palestinian state. "I have decided to sever the connection between Spain's representation in Israel and the Palestinians, and to prohibit the ...

UNRWA Says Private Sector Prioritised at Kerem Shalom Crossing
UNRWA Says Private Sector Prioritised at Kerem Shalom Crossing

UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) chief Philippe Lazzarini said Thursday that Israeli authorities are prioritising the private commercial sector at the main crossing point for goods entering Gaza. "When it comes to the crossing in Kerem Shalom, the private sector for the time being is being prioritised," Lazzarini told AFP, adding that the ...

Students Narrowly Escape Deadly Israeli Strike Targeting Hezbollah Member
Students Narrowly Escape Deadly Israeli Strike Targeting Hezbollah Member

Lebanese schoolchildren had a narrow escape Thursday when a drone strike killed a Hezbollah fighter in the car ahead, blowing out the windscreen of their minibus and wounding three pupils. The three children were hospitalized with cuts from flying glass after the attack. "At first, we didn't understand what was happening, and there was panic ...

Netanyahu Determined to 'Restore Peace in North Israel'
Netanyahu Determined to 'Restore Peace in North Israel'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday, asserted his determination to “bring security back to the north of the country," to "enable inhabitants to return to their homes.” Speaking to the commander and division commanders at the Northern Regional Command, Netanyahu pointed out that they are “constantly operating at the ...

War Diary: Day 230
War Diary: Day 230

From Gaza to Lebanon, This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the war between Hamas and Israel and its repercussions on the region. Here are the main highlights for May 23, 2024.

Joumblatt Hails Qatari Support for Lebanon
Joumblatt Hails Qatari Support for Lebanon

Former head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Joumblatt, on Thursday, praised the Qatari role – as part of the Quintet (United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt) – “in unblocking the presidential elections in Lebanon," to fill a seat "which had been vacant since October 31, 2022.” Joumblatt, who is on a visit to ...

Medic Says Gaza Hospital Under Israeli Siege for Fifth Day
Medic Says Gaza Hospital Under Israeli Siege for Fifth Day

A senior official at Al-Awda hospital in northern Gaza said it was under Israeli military siege for a fifth straight day on Thursday, after soldiers stormed it the previous day. "We are still under siege for the fifth day in a row," the hospital's acting director, Dr. Mohammad Saleh, told AFP. "Soldiers are present in the hospital's courtyard ...

Netanyahu Might Renew Negotiations Following Video of Female Captives
Netanyahu Might Renew Negotiations Following Video of Female Captives

A harrowing video of female Israeli captives has sparked widespread outcry in Israel, forcing Netanyahu to reopen the possibility of ceasefire negotiations. In Israel, the Bring Them Home campaign released a harrowing video on Thursday depicting five female Israeli soldiers taken captive on October 7. The video, resulting in a huge public outcry, ...