Lebanon War

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)

Analysis

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

The US blocked Israel from widening its strikes on Hezbollah this week, yet another flare-up in their enduring conflict seems likely despite first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

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

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)

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

While Israel and Lebanon continue talks, Israeli airstrikes have persisted, and Hezbollah shows no sign of complying with disarmament requirements.

Simon Karam

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

Karam is a veteran diplomat and a legal scholar who served as Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States from 1992 to 1993.

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.

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

According to an Israeli security source, US envoy Morgan Ortagus’ visit was perceived in Israel as a warning that President Donald Trump will not accept Israel launching a large military campaign in southern Lebanon.

Latest News

Lebanon and Israel hold first direct talks in decades: What to know

A view of a concrete wall built by Israel near the Blue Line in southwest Yaroun, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2025.

Culture

Lebanon’s first lady Nehmat Aoun takes center stage during Pope's visit

Adri Salido/Getty Images

Pope Leo gets rock star's reception in Lebanon, drawing cheers, celebrations

Pope Leo XIV waves to a crowd of youths upon his arrival at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke, north of the capital Beirut, on December 1, 2025. Leo prayed for peace in Lebanon and the region on December 1 on day two of his trip to the multi-confessional country, with joyful Lebanese welcoming the pontiff at two famous pilgrimage sites. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon celebrates Pope Leo’s visit as Israel escalates attacks

A giant billboard of Pope Leo XIV along the highway leading to Beirut's international airport, Nov. 20, 2025.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of El Mahmoudiyeh on November 27, 2025. The Israeli military said it had carried out a series of strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on November 27, the latest despite the year-old ceasefire with the militant group. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon slams Iran over Hezbollah comments as one-year ceasefire wobbles

Relations between Iran and Lebanon have been strained since Hezbollah, Tehran’s main proxy in the region, emerged weakened from last year’s war with Israel.

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon’s citizenship offer for FIFA head sparks debate over equal rights

Lebanon’s president has announced he will grant citizenship to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, sparking a wave of outrage.

Bassam Hammoud the vice president of the Jamaa Islamiya in Lebanon, brandishes a rifle as he delivers a speech during a demonstration in Sidon in southern Lebanon on July 19, 2024, a day after an Israeli strike in the Bekaa region killed Mohammed Hamed Jabara, the commander of the Hamas-allied group in Lebanon. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Lebanon's Jamaa Islamiya in spotlight as US moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood

The Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, is a major Sunni political party in the country. But its armed wing has repeatedly attacked Israel during the war with Hezbollah, putting the group under US scrutiny.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Hezbollah

Analysis

As it prepares for Hezbollah’s retaliation, Israel anticipates limited fighting in Lebanon

After Israel killed Hezbollah military commander Ali Tabatabai, the militant group faces demands for retaliation from its base.

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

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

After president, Lebanon's PM says ready to negotiate with Israel: What we know

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has reiterated the president's offer to engage in talks with Israel as the Israeli military continues to pound Lebanon.

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal (L) with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, March 2025.

US cancels Lebanon army chief visit amid frustration over Hezbollah: What to know

Washington canceled a planned visit by Lebanon’s army commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, signaling growing US frustration over Lebanon’s delay in disarming Hezbollah.

EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A Lebanese soldier sits on top of a military vehicle outside the municipality building of the southern Lebanese border village of Blida in the aftermath of an Israeli army raid on the village, on October 30, 2025. The Israeli military on October 30 killed a municipal worker in a raid in southern Lebanon, prompting the Lebanese president to order the army to confront such incursions. Israel's military confirmed the raid, saying it was operating against Hezbollah infrastructure

Lebanon's new army chief to make first visit to US: What to know

Regional and international diplomatic activity in Lebanon is increasing as concerns of a new war between Israel and Hezbollah mount, with Washington working to maintain the ceasefire.

A demonstrator wearing a bandana in the colours of the Lebanese flag smokes a cigarette as retired Lebanese army and security forces veterans gather to protest outside the government palace headquarters in the centre of Beirut on March 22, 2023, demanding inflation-adjustments to their pensions. (Photo by Joseph EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Why Lebanon now leads the world in rising cancer rates

A recent study found that Lebanon has the world’s fastest-rising cases of cancer and cancer-related deaths. Ali Mokdad, co-author of the study, says tobacco is the main culprit.

Aoun Gorka

Gorka praises Lebanon's President Aoun, discusses money laundering

Gorka, who led the US Treasury Department delegation that met Aoun, referred to the president as a “friend” and "Christian leader" in a post on X and said he could help expand the Abraham Accords.

Residents hang a poster bearing a portrait of Hezbollah's slain leader Hassan Nasrallah and the flag of the Iran-baked party on the rubble of a destroyed house in the southern border village of Adaisseh, following the Israeli army's withdrawal on Feb. 18, 2025.

Hezbollah rejects talks with Israel as attacks spark fear of renewed war

Hezbollah’s response to President Joseph Aoun’s call for talks with Israel have further deepened divisions in the country.

A large picture of Naim Qassem (C), current leader of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, is displayed near another of the group's slain longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of Israel's assassination of Nasrallah and other group leaders, in the town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr near Tyre in southern Lebanon on September 27, 2025. The Iran-backed group, weakened by a deadly war with Israel last year, has organised a series of commemorative events to mark Nasrallah's

Analysis

With Hezbollah rearming, Israel considers heavy hits in Lebanon

A diplomatic source told Al-Monitor that Washington is trying to avoid an all-out war in Lebanon but “maybe a significant attack [against Hezbollah] will do the trick."

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

A bulldozer removes the wreckage of a vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone strike in the southern Lebanese village of Doueir near the city of Nabatieh, on Nov. 3, 2025.

Israel escalates Lebanon attacks amid US frustration over Hezbollah disarmament

Lebanon has been under growing pressure from the US to completely disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, which emerged weakened from its war with Israel.