Lebanon-Israel

Ahead of talks

Lebanese President demands 'non-negotiable' Israeli withdrawal

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun says an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is non-negotiable.

Lebanon's Fractured Minorities:

Why Israeli security architecture works better than UN buffers

The choice is between Israeli security architecture and a reconstituted Hezbollah. UNIFIL is not a factor. Opinion.

US announces 45-day extension of Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

State Department announces a 45-day extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire to allow for further talks. Hezbollah continues to violate the ceasefire by firing on northern Israel.

US official:

'Israel and Lebanon held productive and positive talks'

Israel and Lebanon hold "productive" talks in D.C. focused on disarming Hezbollah and lasting peace.

Ahead of Washington talks

Lebanese President urges US to halt Israeli operations

President Joseph Aoun urges US to pressure Israel as Lebanon prepares for direct talks in Washington later this week.

Lebanese PM:

'Open to peace with Israel under specific conditions'

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam says Lebanon is open to peace with Israel once withdrawal demands are met.

US to host new round of Israel-Lebanon peace talks next week

US State Department announces Israel-Lebanon talks May 14-15, focusing on peace and disarming Hezbollah.

Despite Aoun’s hesitation

US urges direct Lebanon-Israel engagement

US once again reiterates its backing for a Netanyahu-Aoun summit to reach peace.

Lebanese President:

'Meeting with Netanyahu is out of the question'

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects meeting Netanyahu, citing the need for a security deal before such a meeting occurs.

US Beirut Embassy calls for direct Lebanon-Israel meeting

US Embassy in Beirut says that Lebanon stands at a critical crossroads and has a historic opportunity to reclaim its sovereignty and independence by pursuing direct engagement with Israel.

Israel's ultimatum to Trump on Lebanon deal

Israel is demanding that the United States set a firm deadline for diplomatic talks by mid-May and is warning that its current policy of restraint and limited operations is eroding deterrence.

Israel’s ultimatum for a deal in Lebanon

Officials in Israel are making it clear that extending the ceasefire until mid-May is the last opportunity for negotiations. “We will not wait forever."

Israel and Lebanon: two victims of Iran and its proxies

The Israel-Lebanon equation is a hinge of the Iran conflict, if not of global history. In fact, southern Lebanon has become a frontline in a wider Iran-Israel conflict. Opinion.

Death of Sgt. Idan Fooks

Watch: Attack during rescue of wounded troops in Lebanon

Two explosive drones launched at IDF forces evacuating wounded soldiers from the incident in which Sgt. Idan Fooks was killed. One of the drones struck very close to the rescue team.

Trump:

'Peace between Israel and Lebanon is possible this year'

After announcing the extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by three weeks, Trump tells reporters he hopes to host both leaders in Washington soon.

Danon: Lebanon ceasefire is not 100%

Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon says Lebanon ceasefire is “not 100%," citing Hezbollah attacks and weak Lebanese enforcement.

Trump announces:

'Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will be extended by three weeks'

After attending Israel-Lebanon direct talks at the White House, Trump announces three-week extension of ceasefire.

Lebanon promotes Israel talks, Aoun declines Netanyahu meeting

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says talks with the US aim to extend the ceasefire and launch negotiations with Israel toward ending the conflict.

Lebanon’s PM:

'We will not be intimidated by Hezbollah'

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says his government is not seeking confrontation with Hezbollah but will not be intimidated by the Iran-backed terror group.

Report:

Huckabee to join US delegation for Israel-Lebanon talks

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will join the American delegation for the upcoming direct talks between Israel and Lebanon at the State Department on Thursday, reports CNN.

'We are no longer a pawn'

Lebanon’s President defends talks with Israel

In a national address following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, President Joseph Aoun defends direct talks with Israel, declaring Lebanon has reclaimed its decision-making power.

Minutes before ceasefire:

IDF elite unit establishes presence 12km inside Lebanon

Just hours before the ceasefire with Lebanon took effect, IDF elite soldiers conducted a special operation on Christofani Ridge in southern Lebanon, establishing an operational presence there.

Lebanese officials claim Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire 'coming soon'

Lebanese officials say a ceasefire with Hezbollah could be announced soon and take effect this week. However, Israel’s Security Cabinet ends hours of talks without approving any truce.

Hezbollah threat

Report: Israel weighs Lebanon operation

Israel is weighing a Lebanon operation as Hezbollah rebuilds under the ceasefire. Netanyahu discussed expanded strikes with Trump, while US officials urge waiting to allow further talks with Beirut.

Lebanese PM:

'All weapons must be under state authority, not Hezbollah'

Lebanon’s PM says all weapons must be under state authority, rejects fears of civil conflict, and vows efforts to stop Israeli attacks while seeking full Israeli withdrawal.

Hezbollah leader:

'Disarmament plan is an Israeli-American plot'

Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem rejects Lebanon’s move to disarm the group, calling it an “Israeli-American plan”.

Lebanese President:

'Diplomatic efforts have reduced risk of war with Israel'

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says the threat of renewed war with Israel has eased thanks to diplomatic efforts and a de-escalation mechanism, despite ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

Lebanon FM claims:

'Israel planning major military operation against Lebanon'

Lebanon’s FM Youssef Rajji warns Israel plans a major strike, while also criticizing Hezbollah and Iran.

UN delegation urges Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire compliance

A UN Security Council delegation urges Israel and Hezbollah to uphold the 2024 ceasefire, backs Lebanon’s plan to disarm Hezbollah, while warning peacekeepers must not be targeted.

Lebanese PM:

Naqoura meeting will not lead to Israel-Lebanon normalization

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam said adding a civilian delegate to the ceasefire committee is not a step toward normalization, insisting Lebanon is not entering peace talks with Israel.

In wake of tension:

Prime Minister announces cooperation with Lebanon

For the first time, Israel and Lebanon will send civilian representatives to the Naqoura ceasefire committee meeting, aimed at advancing economic dialogue and laying groundwork for future cooperation.

Officials in Jerusalem present:

New evidence of Hezbollah’s accelerated armament

US envoy Morgan Ortagus receives evidence from senior Israeli officials pointing to Hezbollah’s rapid rearmament and Lebanon’s lack of action.

Hezbollah calls on Pope to reject Israeli 'aggression' in Lebanon

Hezbollah terrorist organization urges Pope Leo XIV to reject Israeli "aggression" ahead of his Beirut visit, insisting it has respected the ceasefire despite its attempts to rearm.

Lebanon hails UNIFIL extension as key to border stability

Lebanon welcomes UN's unanimous vote to extend UNIFIL mandate through 2026, calling it a step toward border stability and urging Israel's full withdrawal and return of Lebanese detainees.

Southern Lebanon:

IDF targets Hezbollah’s military infrastructure

IDF strikes Hezbollah's military site in southern Lebanon, targeting infrastructure after Hezbollah violates Israel-Lebanon agreements. Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirms the IDF’s commitment to preventing threats to Israel, holding Lebanon’s government responsible for upholding the ceasefire.

Hezbollah vows to keep arms, rejects disarmament

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declares the group will not disarm, citing Israeli threats and Lebanon’s inability to defend itself. He accuses Israel of violating ceasefire terms while signalling willingness to negotiate only after a full Israeli withdrawal.

Lebanon:

IAF targets Hezbollah weapons, rocket launchers in strikes

Israel Air Force conducts intelligence-based air strikes on military sites in southern Lebanon belonging to Hezbollah, in which weapons and rocket launchers belonging to Hezbollah were identified.

Defense Minister reiterates:

If there are UAVs launched, there won't be Hezbollah

Defense Minister Israel Katz responds to IDF elimination of Hezbollah aerial unit terrorist, stressing that UAV launches constitutes a serious violation of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon.

As ceasefire deadline nears

Lebanon rejects Israeli presence in south

Lebanon's parliamentary speaker says his country has rejected Israel's request to maintain a presence in five southern locations beyond the February 18 deadline for fully implementing the ceasefire.

White House announces:

Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon extended to February 18

White House announces that the arrangement between Lebanon and Israel will continue to be in effect until February 18. The original arrangement expired on Sunday, but the IDF remained in Lebanon, due to the fact that the ceasefire has yet to be fully enforced by Lebanon.

Macron:

'All sides in Lebanon ceasefire must honor their commitments'

French President calls on all parties to the Lebanon ceasefire to honor their commitments as soon as possible, after Israel announces a delay in withdrawal from Lebanon.

US supports Israel:

'Short, temporary ceasefire extension urgently needed in Lebanon'

White House says that a temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed in Lebanon, after Israel explains that the IDF withdrawal from Lebanon will continue past Sunday's deadline due to Lebanon not fully enforcing the ceasefire agreement.

Israel and Lebanon:

'We remain committed to the ceasefire agreement'

Axios reports, citing officials with knowledge of the matter, that Israel and Lebanon informed the White House that they remain committed to the ceasefire agreement despite recent border tensions.

Hezbollah leader claims 'victory' over Israel

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem claims the group's "divine victory" over Israel surpassed the victory the group claimed after the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

Ceasefire with Lebanon:

A necessary though imperfect deal caps Netanyahu’s finest hour

The ceasefire with Hezbollah won’t as yet ensure the safety of northern Israel. But could anyone else have resisted U.S. heat for so long and achieved as much? Opinion.

Lloyd Austin:

'Ceasefire is good for Israel and good for Lebanon'

US Secretary of Defense welcomes ceasefire agreed to by Israel and Lebanon: Our support for Israel's security remains ironclad, and so does our support for Israel's right to defend itself from Iranian-backed terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas.

Dangerous precedent - a bad deal as an inaugural gift?

We cannot afford to rush into a deal that relies on shortcuts, implicit understandings, and bilateral agreements that can be revoked. Opinion.

Report:

US efforts for ceasefire in Lebanon have hit a dead end

Reuters reports that the US proposed a “60-day truce” that was deemed "unrealistic". Envoy Amos Hochstein: This is false.

Blinken:

'Good progress on efforts for ceasefire in Lebanon'

US Secretary of State says there has been “good progress” on efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Lebanon, but “we still have more work to do.”

Open letter to the people of Israel as the new year unfolds

Yes, yes, I know you are not barbarians, but do you want to win against barbarians, or not? Go forth in audacious war, and hurt the Jihadist where it humiliates them.

Watch:

Danon speaks to the Lebanese people in Arabic

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN turns to the citizens of Lebanon during UN Security Council address, tells them in Arabic that “the land of Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese people, not to Iran!”

US officials:

Washington no longer pushing Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

US officials tell CNN the US is no longer pushing to revive its proposed deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and is instead focused on shaping and limiting Israeli operations in Lebanon and against Iran.

In Lebanon, it is the United States that must cease-fire

Amos Hochstein never lets failure get in his way. The negotiator who brought us the Lebanon-Israel Maritime Accords, a boon for Hezbollah, now wants to prevent Israel from achieving victory. Israel does not need his interference. Opinion.

US officials:

'Possibility of a limited Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon'

US officials tell CNN there is the possibility of a limited ground incursion into Lebanon, but Israel does not appear to have made a decision yet.

Lebanese Foreign Minister:

'Biden's comments were not promising'

Lebanese Foreign Minister disappointed with Biden's remarks at the UN General Assembly about the crisis between Israel and Lebanon.

US official:

'A ground invasion of Lebanon will not reduce tensions'

Senior State Department official says US does not support rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, will discuss "concrete ideas" with allies and partners to prevent the war from expanding.

Beeper explosions, version 2:

Multiple explosions during funeral of Hezbollah MP's son

Local reports say several communications devices exploded in Dahieh area of Beirut, including in private homes, injuring 450 and killing at least 14.

Watch:

Lebanese UAV flew over Israel for over 10 minutes

A UAV launched by Hezbollah infiltrated from Lebanon into Israeli territory and flew a distance of about 30 kilometers in Israeli airspace without being intercepted.

Reports in Lebanon:

Israel struck deep in the country's territory

Media in Lebanon report Israeli drone strike near the city of Baalbek. Security sources say the strike attributed hit a pickup truck which carried military equipment.

US envoy in Beirut:

'The clock is ticking for a ceasefire'

US envoy Amos Hochstein visits Lebanon, says clock is ticking for a Gaza ceasefire that could also help end the cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel.