US brokers deal for limited Israeli withdrawal in south Lebanon The deal establishes a US-facilitated military coordination group to oversee the creation of two initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Explainer Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image Several Gulf states are working to recover their images as global havens of stability in the wake of the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections; Lebanon cancels national high school exams; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon hosts Lebanon’s army chief in bid to avert Israel-Hezbollah war The Biden administration wants the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy near the Israel-Lebanon border to help defuse a potentially explosive conflict with Hezbollah. But first, Lebanon's top general needs to be able to pay his soldiers their salaries. Lebanon
Hezbollah fires 160 rockets at Israel after senior commander killed Hezbollah launched more than 160 rockets at north Israel in response to the death of the most senior commander in the Lebanese group killed since the cross-border hostilities began in October. Lebanon
Culture Lebanon's resistance through culture: Return of Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema As Beirut continues to navigate its path toward recovery, Metropolis Cinema stands as a symbol of the enduring power of art and culture to resist, unite and inspire. Lebanon
Lebanon's military chief heads to US amid rising Israel-Hezbollah tension The visit coincides with escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah on the border and a foiled attack on the US Embassy in Lebanon. Lebanon
Attack on US Embassy in Lebanon, Syrian gunman wounded Investigations are ongoing into the shooting incident, which comes amid intensified cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon
Israeli war cabinet calls Lebanon meeting as Hezbollah tension spikes Israel's war cabinet is set to convene to discuss the escalation of violence on the border with Lebanon. Israel
Poverty in Lebanon tripled to 44%, as high as 62% in rural areas: World Bank In a recent report, the World Bank revealed a three-fold increase in poverty rates in Lebanon, which is hard hit by an economic crisis and financial meltdown, with nine out of every 10 Syrians displaced in the country living under the poverty line. Lebanon
Hezbollah claims use of new drone with S-5 missiles against Israel The Iran-backed group said it used a drone equipped with S-5 missiles in an attack against military sites in northern Israel, a first since hostilities erupted last October. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Hezbollah hosts Hamas delegation, fires 60 rockets on Israel The meeting is the latest between Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and senior Hamas officials since the Palestinian movement launched an assault on southern Israel Oct. 7. Lebanon
Analysis Fears mount EU's $1.1B migration aid to Lebanon will feed political corruption Officials and experts who spoke to Al-Monitor highlighted the Lebanese government's history of misusing international aid meant to help the economy and address the country's migration crisis. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Cyprus is favored route for thousands of Syrian migrants escaping Lebanon Nearly 60 times as many people, mostly Syrians, are leaving Lebanon by boats en route to Europe when compared with last year — a number expected rise in the next few months during peak migration season. Lebanon
Who is Lebanon's Jamaa Islamiya, latest to parade weapons against Israel? Members of the Islamist group al-Jamaa al-Islamiya shot into the air during a funeral procession for two of its fighters killed in an Israeli drone strike in east Lebanon, causing widespread condemnation of the spread of uncontrolled weapons in the country. Lebanon