2-4-2024 US Proposal for Lebanon Peace Deal on Hold Pending Gaza Cease Fire Proposals by U.S. Envoy Amos Hochstein for a diplomatic solution to Lebanon’s internal political stalemate and to the Israel-Hizballah border conflict are on hold, awaiting potential outcomes of a “Gaza ceasefire.” Local issues, especially municipal elections, may see resolution or delay, while […]

6-3-2024 Hezbollah Claims 1,194 Attacks on Israel During the Last 150 Days On March 5, the IDF launched operations targeting five locations in Lebanon, including Zebkin (Zur district), Ayta ash Shab, Majdal Zoun, Houla, and Kafra, where an attack led to the ignition of fuel oil. Concurrently, Israeli warplanes engaged in low-altitude flights over southern

13-2-2024 Hezbollah Strikes Israeli Targets, Israel Confirms Strike on Police Station.  Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of five members in southern Lebanon and claimed responsibility for seven operations targeting Israeli sites. They claimed to have struck an Israeli soldiers’ gathering in Birkat Risha with Burkan missiles, and targeted Zarit and Baranit barracks with Falaq 1 missiles.

3-1-2024 Escalating Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah announced it targeted a group of Israeli soldiers near the Al-Marj site, resulting in casualties. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes and artillery shelling in South Lebanon, particularly around the towns of Merkaba, Rab Thilaine, and Hula. This exchange of fire follows the assassination of

December 5, 2023 Israel’s Strategic Misstep with Hizballah: Military Expert. Israeli General Kobi Marom warns of a grave strategic mistake in Israel’s approach to Lebanon’s Hizballah. He criticizes Israel’s response to the recent attack, stressing the significant security challenge posed by Hizballah in the north. Marom urges the Israeli government to define clear objectives and

November 1, 2023 Lebanese official: The United States urges Hezbollah to avoid conflict with Israel. A senior Hezbollah figure revealed that the United States, along with some of its allies, has sent multiple messages imploring the Lebanese resistance movement to refrain from entering into a conflict with Israel. Hezbollah has responded by emphasizing its commitment

October 3, 2023 Total Energies, Eni, and Qatar Energy Bid for Lebanese Exploration Blocks (Al Maydeen). A consortium including Total Energies, Eni, and Qatar Energy has applied to bid on two blocks in Lebanon’s maritime waters in the second licensing round. These companies already hold petroleum rights in the fourth and ninth blocks, with Qatar

September 1,2023 Amos Hochstein: Turning Border Disputes into a Vacation Activity! (Anahar). White House Senior Adviser Amos Hochstein discusses border demarcation with Lebanon and Israel. After visiting southern Lebanon, including recreational sites, he considers resolving the long-standing border dispute following 2022 maritime demarcation. Tensions in the Hizballah-held area prompt discussions on ending land border contention.

August 1,2023                                 From University Professor to Governor of Banque du Liban: Wassim Mansouri’s Journey and Political Challenges (Al Sharq Al Awsat). Wissam Mansouri’s appointment as First Deputy Governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank faced uncertainties over the past three months, with

Jul 8-10, 2023   Around 30 Lebanese Soldiers, Hezbollah Members Crossed Briefly Into Israeli Territory (Times of Israel). Around 30 Lebanese soldiers and some Hezbollah members briefly crossed into Israeli territory last week before returning to Lebanon. Most of the armed groups spent approximately 20 minutes on the Israeli side of the border without breaching the

Jun 1, 2023 Palestinian Group Blames Israel for Blasting at Lebanon Base, Killing Five Members (New Arab). A blast at a base close to the Lebanese-Syrian border belonging to a Palestinian militant group has killed five and wounded several more. Deadly Blast at Palestinian Terror Group Base in Lebanon; Israel Denies Involvement (Times of Israel).

May 3-5,2023  Lebanese Government Proposes Plan to Relocate Syrian Refugees to Third Country (Janoubia). Lebanese officials have proposed to address the issue of displacement with senior UN officials worldwide. They emphasize the need for an international conference on displacement in Lebanon and its threat to the Lebanese state.    Total Inks Contract for Drilling Rig, Set

Lebanon in April 2023 April 3, 2023   The Court of Appeal in Paris is Considering the Validity of the Property Seizure of Lebanese Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh (AFP). The Paris Investigation Chamber is discussing the requests submitted by Salameh to recover more than ten properties and funds that were frozen in France, including

Lebanon in March 2023 1 March 2023 Lebanon Top Prosecutor Tells Judge Investigating Banks to Pause Probe (Al Arabiya English).  Lebanon’s top prosecutor on Tuesday told a judge investigating the financial transactions of commercial banks to temporarily halt her work, a week after the country’s caretaker prime minister also moved to block her investigations. Lebanese

Lebanon in February 2023 2 February 2023   After 25 years, Lebanon Changes its Official Currency Exchange Rate (Al Nahar). The Central Bank announced on Wednesday that the new official exchange rate for the pound is 15,000 to the dollar. This constitutes a 90 percent devaluation from the previous official rate of 1,507.50 pounds per