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Lebanon

Lebanon

December 17, 2025

Beirut 7:47 pm

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The Internal Security Directorate in the Zabadani area of rural Damascus thwarted an attempt to smuggle a shipment of weapons and seized large quantities of RPG shells that were hidden in an organized manner and prepared for smuggling towards Lebanon, on Dec. 17, 2025.

Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know

Syrian authorities have stepped up operations targeting smuggling attempts mainly destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon since the fall of President Bashar al‑Assad’s regime last year.

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.”

Latest News

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

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)

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

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

Syrian refugees prepare to leave Lebanon toward Syrian territory.

Lebanon deports dozens of Syrian refugees amid spike in racist rhetoric

The deportation of more than 50 Syrians to the war-torn country comes amid growing anti-Syrian sentiment in Lebanon.

A Lebanese demonstrator returns a tear gas canister that was fired by security forces during a protest demanding better pay and living conditions in the capital Beirut on April 18, 2023. - Lebanese security forces fired tear gas at protesters demonstrating in Beirut on Wednesday against deteriorating living conditions, as the currency plummeted to new lows against the dollar. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon raises minimum wage from $27 to $92 a month

Hundreds of retired soldiers protested outside government headquarters as the Cabinet discussed an increase in public sector salaries.

US Treasury Department

UK sanctions Lebanon art dealer accused of financing Hezbollah

Already sanctioned by the United States back in 2019, Lebanese art dealer Nazem Said Ahmad was sanctioned by the British government on Tuesday.

The US Treasury Department building is seen in Washington, DC, January 19, 2023, following an announcement by the US Treasury that it had begun taking measures Thursday to prevent a default on government debt, as Congress heads towards a high-stakes clash between Democrats and Republicans over raising the borrowing limit. - The world's biggest economy could face severe disruption with Republicans threatening to refuse the usual annual rubber stamping of a rise in the legal borrowing limit, and this could pu

US imposes sanctions on Hezbollah-linked money laundering network

The new sanctions target individuals and companies across nine countries, including Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, tied to a Belgian-Lebanese art and diamond dealer.

A boy stands in the balcony of a building ravaged by Lebanon's Civil War, in Beirut's Ras al-Nabeh district on April 13, 2023. - The Lebanese civil war broke out on April 13, 1975 and ended in 1990 with the Taef agreement. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/afp/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon dysfunction hits new peak on 48th anniversary of war

Judge Ghada Aoun has lifted a ban on Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh ahead of his summoning in Paris next month and the municipal elections are likely to canceled for the second year in a row.

TOPSHOT - Israeli soldiers take up a position with a tank near Shtula, bordering Lebanon, on April 7, 2023. - Israel launched air strikes before dawn on April 7 in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, saying it was targeting Palestinian militant group Hamas in retaliation for several dozen rockets fired at Israel from both territories. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israeli fears grow of united Hezbollah-Hamas-Iran front

Netanyahu’s dream of a regional Israel-led alliance with Sunni Arab states against Iran has been shattered, as Israel’s fierce enemies unite.

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

Retired servicemen remove razor wire barricade outside Lebanon's central bank during a demonstration demanding inflation-adjustments to their pensions, in Beirut on March 30, 2023. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

In Lebanon, journalists come under legal intimidation as press freedom declines

Two editors-in-chief of independent Lebanese news outlets have been summoned by security services, reigniting freedom of the press issues in Lebanon.

Israeli soldiers deploy in an open area near Kibuttz Malkia, in northern Israel bordering Lebanon, on April 7, 2023. - On April 6, the Israeli army said more than 30 rockets had been fired from Lebanese territory into Israel in the largest escalation on the northern border since Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day war in 2006. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel, Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to avoid confrontation, but for how long?

After two days of rockets first from Gaza and then from the Lebanese border, tensions seem to have calmed, at least temporary.

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

The Palestinian Hamas movement's leader Ismail Haniyeh flashes the victory sign following a speech at a public rally during his visit to the southern Lebanese city of Saida, on June 26, 2022. (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon’s Hezbollah hosts Hamas chief as rockets fly over Israel border

The delegation has reportedly discussed efforts to coordinate action against Israel.

Smoke rises above buildings in Gaza City as Israel launches air strikes in Gaza

Israel launches airstrikes in Lebanon, Gaza following rocket attacks

In the most serious escalation since 2006, Israel has carried out airstrikes inside Lebanon following a barrage of rockets that was launched from southern Lebanon earlier in the day.

Retired Lebanese army and security forces veterans attempt to remove razor wire barricade during a demonstration demanding inflation-adjustments to their pensions, outside the government palace in Beirut on March 30, 2023. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

US slaps sanctions on two brothers in Lebanon for corruption

As Lebanon's economy deteriorated, the US Treasury said Lebanese businessmen Raymond Zina Rahme and Teddy Zina Rahme profited from public corruption.

A vendor sells traditional sweets at a market in the southern city of Sidon (Saida) on March 23, 2023 as Muslim devotees shop during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Grueling Ramadan for Lebanon's Muslims as prices, dollarization bite

As all goods are priced in dollars this year, food prices have skyrocketed, making the holy month more burdensome for the Lebanese whose wages are limited while the value of the local currency continues to deteriorate.