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. Israel
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. Lebanon
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. Lebanon
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. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis UAE gauges new Lebanon deals amid Levant economic stabilization push By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Hope for Yemen? Plus, three quick takes on the IMF’s outlook for Iran, Lebanon and Egypt The UN-Saudi peace initiative may be the best hope in an otherwise gloomy regional forecast during "The Great Lockdown." Saudi Arabia
Lebanon’s waste crisis worsens amid COVID-19 outbreak A local NGO is taking care of medical waste produced by health institutions amid the coronavirus crisis in Lebanon, which is already grappling with an acute trash crisis. Lebanon
Lebanon’s coronavirus response is working, yet faces challenges Critics say the Lebanese government's figures are unreliable amid the coronavirus crisis, fearing severe strains on the health care system in case of a major outbreak of the novel virus. Lebanon
‘All hands on deck:’ Middle East embassies inundated with citizens stranded in US Middle East embassies are overwhelmed with calls from citizens trying to return home as COVID-19 spreads in the United States. Oman
How is Lebanon dealing with refugee camps amid coronavirus outbreak? Since the coronavirus reached Lebanon, there have been growing concerns about the spread of the epidemic inside the country’s overcrowded Palestinian and Syrian refugee camps. Lebanon
Lebanon calls on international donors to provide coronavirus relief funds Lebanon's president said he welcomed any financial assistance from "the friends of Lebanon.” Lebanon
How the pandemic, plummeting oil prices could reshape Middle East COVID-19 will weaken fragile states, raising risk of failure but creating openings for diplomacy. Saudi Arabia
Families of Americans detained abroad want more US government attention, study finds An analysis of US hostage policy found that efforts to free Americans wrongfully detained abroad are hampered by unclear policies and confusion. Lebanon
Coronavirus forces Lebanese protesters into new posture Anti-government protests have largely subsided in Lebanon due to government measures aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus, but some activists continue to spread the message and are optimistic about the movement's future. Lebanon
Is Syria unable, or unwilling, to fend off Iran coronavirus contagion? While close links between Damascus and Tehran put the former at great risk of an influx of COVID-19 cases, Syria's reliance on Iran for political and military support may make stemming the spread more difficult. Lebanon
Defaulted Lebanon hopes to pay off debts with cannabis As soon as parliament returns from its closure over the novel coronavirus outbreak, a bill legalizing cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes is expected to pass as lawmakers address the country’s worst economic crisis in decades. Lebanon
Beirut in the time of coronavirus outbreak Beirut has turned into a ghost city as shops and restaurants that remained open during the civil war closed their doors in implementation of a general mobilization decision issued by the government to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Lebanon
