Lebanon - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Lebanon

Lebanon

May 6, 2026

Beirut 7:21 pm

17°C

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon.

A man sits watching as Lebanese first responders search for human remains among the rubble the day after a house was targeted in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, on May 1, 2026.

Culture

Lebanon's churches, mosques and archaeological sites damaged in Israeli strikes

Israeli strikes in Lebanon have damaged a growing number of cultural and religious sites, as sites in Israel have also sustained damage from Hezbollah and Iranian attacks.

Members of Lebanese security forces stand guard in the perimeter of the Parliament, a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president in Beirut on January 8, 2025. Lebanese political heavyweights held talks on January 8, a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president of the tiny Mediterranean country, already deep in economic and political crisis, and which has been without a president for more than two years. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Under US pressure, will Lebanon repeal Israel Boycott Law?

The 1955 law criminalizes all dealings with Israel, raising questions about how far Beirut can even go with its current engagement, currently at the ambassadorial level.

Latest News

Analysis

Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

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

US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), alongside US State Department Counselor Michael Needham (2L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (2R), speaks during a meeting.

Analysis

Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

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

'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun (L) stands next to the parliament speaker Nabih Berri as he delivers a speech at the parliament building in Beirut Jan. 9, 2025.

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

Editor-in-Chief

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

People in a barber shop watch Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on a television as he addresses his supporters during iftar, the breaking of fast meal, during the Islamic month of Ramadan in Sidon, southern Lebanon July 24, 2013. Nasrallah said on Wednesday the European Union had given Israel justification to attack Lebanon by blacklisting the armed wing of his group, and would bear responsibility for any Israeli military action. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS RELIGI

Is Saudi Arabia Targeting Hezbollah?

As attacks against Hezbollah targets escalate in Lebanon, some within the party accuse Saudi Arabia of having a direct role in the violence.

Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (2nd R), escorted by his bodyguards, greets his supporters at an anti-U.S. protest in Beirut's southern suburbs, in this September 17, 2012 file photo. European Union governments agreed on July 22, 2013 to put the armed wing of Hezbollah on the EU terrorism blacklist in a reversal of past policy fuelled by concerns over the Lebanese militant movement's activities in Europe. REUTERS/Sharif Karim/Files (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11UWC

EU Decision on Hezbollah A Signal to Iran

The EU decision to add Hezbollah to its terrorism list, and the fact that the EU was keen to distinguish between Hezbollah’s military and political wings, may be part of the EU’s desire to restart negotiations with Iran.

Protesters sleep outside a branch of Garanti Bank at Taksim Square in central Istanbul June 3, 2013. Turkish protesters clashed with riot police into the early hours of Monday with some setting fire to offices of the ruling AK Party as the fiercest anti-government demonstrations in years entered their fourth day. Turkey's streets were calm in the morning after a night of noisy protests and violence in major cities. The posters read, "A tree died, a nation awoke" (L), "Come with millions Tayyip" (2nd L), "Yo

Turkey Between Interest Rates And Conspiracy Theories

While Turkey was once praised as a "model" for the region, the recent economic woes facing Ankara and Erdogan’s insufficient response have shaken Turkey's perception in Arab countries.

Helen Thomas, dean of the White House press corps, takes her seat after recovering from a long illness in the Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, November 11, 2008. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES) - RTXAIW4

Helen Thomas Remembered

Legendary journalist and proud Arab-American Helen Thomas is remembered by admirers and friends as a staunch advocate of the oppressed.

Lebanon's Mahmoud El-Ali reacts during a match in Beirut May 18, 2011. Asian soccer was left reeling from another matchfixing scandal on Wednesday, with the AFC investigating a report from Lebanon where 24 players have been sanctioned following allegations that international and regional games were rigged. The Lebanese Football Federation on Tuesday announced the punishments, including lifetime bans for Malaysian-based defender Ramez Dayoub and Indonesian-based forward El-Ali, which centre on international

Lebanon's Football Scandal Reflects Political Divide

Lebanese athletics have been embroiled in numerous international sports scandals this year, with many officials and teams being arrested or banned from participating in tournaments.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrives for a news conference at Queen Alia International Airport in the Jordanian capital of Amman July 19, 2013. Israel and the Palestinians have laid the groundwork for a resumption of peace talks after an almost three-year stalemate, Kerry said on Friday. REUTERS/Mandel Ngan/Pool (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX11S9P

Kerry Delivers Ambiguity To Shuttle Diplomacy

Kerry's mission and the failure to resume the negotiations on a more firm and clear basis than those tried before are examined.

Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addresses his supporters via a video conference during iftar, the breaking of fast meal, during the Islamic month of Ramadan in Beirut's southern suburbs July 19, 2013. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) - RTX11S9O

Nasrallah's Calculated Moderation

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has adopted a more moderate approach, which some believe aims to diversify the party's allies and thwart the Western political war against it.

Lebanon's Hizbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah (L) shakes hands with compatriot Christian leader Michel Aoun during a news conference in a church in Beirut, Lebanon February 6, 2006. The Chief of Lebanon's Hizbollah joined forces on Monday with Maronite Christian leader Michel Aoun to call for normal diplomatic ties with Syria. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir - RTR1A3G2

Is the Aoun-Nasrallah Alliance Stagnating?

As relations between Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Party, led by Gen. Michel Aoun, and Hezbollah appear to be stagnating, both sides take time to reflect on the rationality of sustaining Lebanon’s first Shiite-Maronite coalition.

People inspect the site of the explosion that occurred on Tuesday in Beirut's southern suburbs July 10, 2013. A massive car bomb ripped through a Beirut stronghold of Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group that has been fighting alongside President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war, wounding 53 people on Tuesday. None of those hurt were seriously wounded, Health Minister Hassan Khalil told Reuters, and there were no fatalities. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11INJ

Hezbollah Regions Targeted As Syria War Spreads to Lebanon

Amid rising sectarian tensions and following Hezbollah’s decision to fight in Syria's civil war, attacks against Hezbollah-controlled regions throughout Lebanon have increased.

A Jewish settler recites morning prayers before some families began moving out of the Ulpana neighbourhood of the Beit El settlement near the West Bank city of Ramallah June 26, 2012. Settlers on Tuesday began moving out of apartment blocs that Israel's Supreme Court ruled had been built illegally on Palestinian-owned land, after reaching an agreement with the government to go quietly. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR34608

EU Right on Sanctions On Israeli Settlement Trade

Lebanese oppositon Christian leader and head of the Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun (C), accompanied with his parliamentary bloc, speaks during a news conference, after meeting Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman at the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut, during the start of the two-day parliamentary consultations to choose a new prime minister, January 24, 2011. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said Monday he will not take part in a government lead by Hezbollah and its allies.

Lebanese Alliance Shifts Ultimately Depend on Syria

After Lebanon’s parliament failed to pass a new electoral law, speculation began to circulate that Gen. Michel Aoun might end his long alliance with Hezbollah and Amal.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem July 14, 2013. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX11MDX

Squeaks in US-Israeli Relations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments on "Face the Nation" about what the US should do about Iran stir controversy.