Lebanon - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Lebanon

Lebanon

December 17, 2025

Beirut 6:39 am

10°C

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US special envoy Tom Barrack, Jerusalem, Dec. 15 2

Analysis

Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back

The struggle between the Israeli prime minister and the envoy is an acknowledgment by Israeli leaders that "what will happen is what Trump wants to happen."

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

Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Rajji meets with Maj. Gen. Diodato Abagnara, UNIFIL head of mission and force commander, at the UN peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, Oct. 24, 2025.

Lebanon FM lashes out at Iran amid ambassador impasse: What to know

Lebanese officials have grown more frustrated at Tehran over its perceived meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs by making repeated comments about its ally, Hezbollah, and the importance of its weapons, at a time the country is working to extend control over all arms.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji visits the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on October 24, 2025, touring border villages and the Blue Line aboard a UNIFIL helicopter as part of efforts to assess the security situation along the frontier. (Photo by Courtney Bonneau / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's FM snubs Iran, turns down invitation to visit Tehran: What to know

Youssef Rajji declined an invitation from his Iranian counterpart to visit Tehran, saying, "The appropriate conditions for such a visit were not present.”

TOPSHOT - Syrian and Lebanese people in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli celebrate on December 9, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Fathi AL-MASRI / AFP) (Photo by FATHI AL-MASRI/AFP via Getty Images)

Clashes and protests in Lebanon over Syria's anniversary: What we know

As celebrations erupted in Lebanon to commemorate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah supporters held counter-rallies.

Latest News

Analysis

Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long?

An Israeli military tank patrols along the border fence separating northern Israel from southern Lebanon on November 24, 2025. Hezbollah held the funeral on November 24 for its top military chief and other members of the militant group a day after Israel killed them in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Lebanon, Israel to hold second round of direct talks: What we know

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun delivers a speech during a meeting of Pope Leo XIV with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut, on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images)

Who is Simon Karam, head of Lebanon’s delegation to talks with Israel?

Simon Karam

US pressure prompted Israel-Lebanon talks to avert war with Hezbollah

US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 18, 2025.

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

Senior News Editor

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

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

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

French envoy in Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah tension, presidential void

French presidential special envoy for Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian is on his fourth visit to Beirut this year.

Tear gas canisters are fired among journalists and demonstrators during a protest demanding better pay and living conditions. Beirut, Lebanon, April 18, 2023.

Can Lebanon's parliament further restrict press freedom in new law?

The media landscape in Lebanon has witnessed more attacks against journalists in recent years.

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel on November 22, 2023, amid increasing cross-border tensions as fighting continues with Hamas militants in the southern Gaza Strip. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: November 22, 2023, 8:00 pm

Son of Hezbollah parliament leader killed in Israeli strike: reports

The death could mark a major escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon amid the Gaza war.

Rabih and Farah

Israeli strike kills two TV journalists in south Lebanon

The killing of Al-Mayadeen reporters sparked outrage in Lebanon and condemnation over a bombing campaign that's killed at least 50 journalists since Oct. 7.

Layal al-Ekhtiar appears on Al-Arabiya, Nov. 17, 2023.

Why did Lebanon issue warrant for journalist over interview with Israeli official?

Journalists reporting on the prospects of Lebanon being dragged into a war have faced growing pressure and harassment.

A police car sits in front of the Islamic Center Hamburg (Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg) in Hamburg, Germany, Nov. 9, 2022.

Germany raids Islamic center allegedly linked to Hezbollah

The nationwide operation comes as Hezbollah and Israel continue to exchange fire along the Lebanese border.

Peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) attend the repatriation ceremony for Irish soldier Sean Rooney who was killed on a UN patrol, at Beirut international airport on December 18, 2022. - The United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon urged Beirut to ensure a "speedy" investigation into the fatal shooting of an Irish soldier this week. The convoy of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under fire near the village of Al-Aqbiya late on December 14, a

Lebanon releases suspected Hezbollah member accused of killing Irish UNIFIL peacekeeper

Mohamad Ayyad, who is believed to be linked to the paramilitary Hezbollah movement, was charged with the killing of an Irish UNIFIL soldier in southern Lebanon last year.

An Israeli soldier runs to a position during a drill in the annexed Golan Heights on Nov. 9, 2023.

Analysis

As Israel-Hezbollah tensions escalate, Iran not keen on 'all-out' war

Israeli security experts note that while Hezbollah might not be interested in an all-out war with Israel, it has certainly increased its attacks against it in recent days.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

AFP via Getty Images

Hezbollah fighters killed in Syria as conflict with Israel rages

Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah are continuing, though the Iran-backed group has signaled that it is being deterred from engaging in a full-blown war with Israel.

Iran Nasrallah

Iran's caution on Gaza war resonates in Hezbollah's Nasrallah speech

The Hezbollah leader offered little beyond Tehran's reserved approach to avoid a full-blown war with Israel, in a speech that Iranian hardliners had anticipated as a milestone in shaping the region's future.

11/03/2023 Tehran, Iran. In a pro-government rally in the Islamic Republic of Iran, people gathered at Imam Hossein Square in Tehran on November 3, 2023, to watch Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's speech regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Among the crowd, Lebanon's Hezbollah flags and Palestinian flags were proudly waved. During the speech in Beirut, Nasrallah addressed the Israeli army's attack on Gaza and issued a warning to Israel about a potential attack on Lebanon. (Photo by Hossein Beri

Analysis

Hezbollah's Nasrallah signals restraint, keeps options open in Gaza war

Israel likely to agree to US request for humanitarian pause; Blinken gets ‘clear commitment’ from Israel on West Bank violence; Gaza war casualties include over 30 journalists; Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO bid still isn't done.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

People gather in the Imam Hussein square in Tehran, during the televised speech of Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah November 3, 2023. Nasrallah told the United States on November 3, that his Iran-backed group was ready to face its warships and the way to prevent a regional war was to halt the attacks in Gaza. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Hezbollah's Nasrallah refrains from entering Israel-Hamas war, praises Iraq, Yemen proxies

In his first public speech since Hamas’ attack on Israel, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the operation was purely Palestinian, that his movement had no hand in it, and accused the US of direct involvement in the Gaza war.