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Lebanon

Lebanon

September 13, 2026

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A photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Nabatieh shows smoke as it rises from the site of Israeli strikes that targeted the hilltops of the mountainous area of the strategic Ali al-Taher Ridge on Aug. 14, 2026.

Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in Ali al-Taher ridge: What to know

The ridge has become a flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon due to its extensive tunnel network Israel says is utilized by the Iran-backed group.

Kawnat HAJU / AFP via Getty Images

Israeli escalation in south Lebanon leaves 27 dead in 3 days as talks stall

The Israeli military has escalated airstrikes across south Lebanon after claiming control of a strategic ridge where Hezbollah has established an underground command center and tunnel network.

An excavator digs as rescuers search for survivors amid the rubble following an overnight Israeli airstrike on the village of Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon, Sept. 7, 2026.

Lebanon says at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes as tensions rise in south

The escalation in southern Lebanon casts a shadow over upcoming Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome.

Ammar Ammar / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election

Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Why Ali al-Taher ridge is emerging as Israel-Hezbollah flashpoint

A flare fired by the Israeli military lands over the highlands of the area of Ali al-Taher as seen from nearby Marjayoun (Marjeyoun) in southern Lebanon on June 14, 2026.

Israel to release 5 Lebanese prisoners ahead of next talks: What to know

Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know

Mecca Alliance

Analysis

UAE gauges new Lebanon deals amid Levant economic stabilization push

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Hanna Davis

In Beirut, reporting on politics, migration, human rights

Rodayna Raydan

In Boqaata, reporting on culture

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) is welcomed by Lebanon's new president, Joseph Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Beirut, Jan. 17, 2025.

France’s Macron in Lebanon as Beirut port blast probe resumes

New developments following the election of Western-backed Joseph Aoun as president perhaps offer hope for generating political momentum and restoring the international community's confidence in Lebanon.

The destroyed grain silos and a sculpture made from salvaged steel following the explosion stand in the port of Beirut as the sun sets on Lebanon, Jan. 11, 2024.

Analysis

Eyeing reconstruction, port investment, UAE resets Lebanon ties

A weakened Hezbollah and a new government in Beirut give room for the Emirates to play a big role, politically and economically, in Lebanon.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A picture shows the four seasons hotel in Beirut with the snow covered mountain of Sannine in the background on March 8, 2019. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Al-Waleed bin Talal announces Four Seasons to reopen in Beirut, Lebanon

The planned reopening of the hotel, which was damaged in the 2020 port explosion, follows Saudi-backed Gen. Joseph Aoun's becoming president of Lebanon.

Newly elected Lebanese president Joseph Aoun delivers a speech at the parliament building in Beirut on Jan. 9, 2025.

Top US general in Mideast meets Lebanon's Aoun in bid to shore up ceasefire with Israel

CENTCOM commander Gen. Erik Kurilla's final diplomatic tour of the region under President Joe Biden came as the outgoing president defended his foreign policy legacy in a speech from Foggy Bottom.

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Kuwait sentences 13 to prison over Hezbollah financing: What we know

Kuwait has had tense relations with Hezbollah in the past and the ruling comes as Saudi Arabia is reportedly pushing for the Iran-backed group to be disarmed.

Nawaf Salam

Nawaf Salam secures enough votes to be Lebanon's next prime minister

The ICJ president is not a Hezbollah favorite, but has secured the backing of more than 70 parliamentarians to be Lebanon's next prime minister.

Newly elected Lebanese president Joseph Aoun reviews an honor guard upon his arrival at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Jan. 9, 2025.

Analysis

With US-Saudi backing, can Lebanon’s new president rein in Hezbollah?

With top general’s election, the United States and Saudi Arabia aim to draw Lebanon further from Iran. To do that, a new government has to convince Hezbollah that their days of armed resistance are over.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

TOPSHOT - Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati waves from the stage next to Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the Atreju political meeting organised by the young militants of Italian right wing party Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) on December 14, 2024 in Rome. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's Mikati set to meet Sharaa in Syria in wake of Aoun's election

Najib Mikati’s visit, the first in 15 years, comes amid pressure in Lebanon to release Islamists imprisoned during the civil war and just after the election of President Joseph Aoun.

Newly elected Lebanese president Joseph Aoun reviews an honor guard upon his arrival at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Jan. 9, 2025.

From Saudi to US, congrats pour in for Lebanon's new President Aoun

Lebanon's parliament elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as president on Thursday, ending the country's two-year presidential vacuum.

In this picture taken on Dec. 16, 2024, Army chief Joseph Aoun, 60, walks toward the Grand Serail in Beirut.

Joseph Aoun elected president of Lebanon, ending two-year void

The election of army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun garnered rare consensus among the Lebanese, backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia in the first presidential election for Lebanon following the fall of the Assad regime.

In this picture taken on Dec. 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun (C) walks toward the Grand Serail in Beirut.

Joseph Aoun emerges as front-runner for Lebanon president on eve of vote

Hezbollah’s candidate dropped out and endorsed the Lebanese Armed Forces leader on Wednesday, as Lebanon seeks to elect a president after more than two-year void.

Amos Hochstein

US envoy Hochstein in Lebanon as Israel ceasefire teeters, election looms

Amos Hochstein's visit comes amid uncertainty over the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as well as an upcoming presidential vote in Lebanon's parliament.