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

Lebanon

Lebanon

April 21, 2025

Beirut 12:54 am

18°C

Teargas fumes erupt during clashes between supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there, in Beirut on February 15, 2025. An AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse crowds on February 15 after again blocking amidst calls by the Iran-backed group for a sit-in. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/

Analysis

Under US pressure, can Lebanon disarm Hezbollah without Iran's green light?

The issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament resurfaces amid US pressure, shifting regional dynamics, and Iran's decisive role.

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

Lebanese army troops patrol the destroyed southern border village of Adaisseh, following the Israeli forces withdrawal on February 18, 2025. Lebanon's army said it deployed in southern border villages and areas vacated by Israeli troops on February 18, as a withdrawal deadline expired under a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's army expands presence, dismantles 500 Hezbollah sites: What to know

The Lebanese army intensified its deployment in southern Lebanon, dismantling Hezbollah positions and confiscating weapons as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Gal Gadot

'Snow White' banned in Lebanon, Kuwait over Israeli star Gal Gadot

Lebanon's government banned Disney's latest film for its inclusion of Israeli actress Gal Gadot while countries like the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan plan to show the movie.

Aoun

Lebanon’s Aoun visits Doha as Qatar, France send military support

President Joseph Aoun’s trip to Qatar comes on the heels of his meeting with Saudi Arabia's envoy in Beirut.

Latest News

Lebanon’s PM Nawaf Salam makes first Syria visit, meets Sharaa as border tensions loom

Sharaa

Lebanon grills former security chiefs over Beirut port blast: What we know

A general view shows the northern collapsed section of the silos in the Port of Beirut, on Aug. 23, 2022 in Beirut, Lebanon.

Lebanon's Hezbollah ready to talk 'defense strategy' amid calls to disarm

A protester holds a framed portrait of Hassan Nasrallah.

Ortagus back in Lebanon to press for Hezbollah disarmament timetable, demarcation

US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut on February 8, 2025. Ortagus warned on February 7 against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government, saying the Iran-backed group was "defeated" in its war with Israel. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Senior News Editor

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

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

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart, in Cairo on Aug. 5, 2024.

Analysis

Turkey's FM met with Nasrallah days after Oct. 7 — does that mean he's 'pro-Iran'?

The recent revelation by Hakan Fidan has refocused attention on the top Turkish diplomat's supposed fondness for Iran.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Refugees from southern Lebanon and Beirut are transported to shelters in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 25, 2024.

Lebanon: At least 1,041 killed, nearly 120,000 displaced as Israel hints at ground op

More than 100,000 have been displaced in Lebanon by the recent fighting, leading to an influx into neighboring Syria.

An apartment block stands in partial ruins after being hit by an Israeli airstrike on, Sept. 30, 2024 in Beirut, Lebanon.

Who were Palestinian commanders in Lebanon targeted in latest Israeli strikes?

Israel has frequently targeted Hezbollah commanders and leaders in Lebanon since the start of the cross-border hostilities, as well as members of Palestinian armed groups that joined Hezbollah on the southern front.

LEBANON-ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Khiam on September 30, 2024. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP) (Photo by RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images)

US boosts defense posture as Blinken urges diplomacy between Israel, Lebanon

The White House is calling for a prioritization of diplomacy despite reports that Israel could be readying for a ground operation in Lebanon.

Israeli army tanks are deployed in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, Sept. 29, 2024.

Analysis

Israel buoyant after killing Nasrallah, mulls risky Lebanon ground invasion

After the killing of the Hezbollah chief, Israeli security chiefs disagree on a potential ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

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

Yoav Gallant

Gallant hints Israel preparing to launch ground offensive in Lebanon

Speaking with soldiers deployed near the border with Lebanon, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hinted that a ground invasion could take place soon.

Head of Hezbollah's Executive Council Hashem Safieddine arrives as trucks loaded with humanitarian aid provided by the Lebanese Shiite group set out for Syria in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Feb. 12, 2023.

Meet Hezbollah’s Hashem Safieddine, Iran’s confidant and likely successor for Nasrallah

Hashem Safieddine is considered close to Hezbollah’s slain leader Hassan Nasrallah but is seen as more ruthless and less pragmatic than the late leader of the group.

A Shiite Muslim cleric holds a poster reading "crossing a red line" in Persian next to an image of Hassan Nasrallah, the late leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, during an anti-Israel protest in Tehran's Palestine Square on Sept. 28, 2024, after Hezbollah confirmed reports of Nasrallah's killing in an Israeli air strike in Beirut the previous day.

From Yemen to Turkey, Mideast reacts to death of Hezbollah's Nasrallah

Leaders and groups in the Middle East have reacted to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed Friday in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut.

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah give a televised speech in a hanger in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh in Lebanon on May 24, 2024, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran in a helicopter crash.

Who was Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s formative leader killed by Israel?

After decades of leading Hezbollah and overseeing its rise both in Lebanon and in the region, Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut.

Smoke rises above Beirut's southern suburbs during an Israeli strike on September 27, 2024. Israeli bombing of Iran-backed Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon has killed hundreds of people this week, while the militant group has retaliated with rocket barrages. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel says it struck Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut

The strike followed days of intensifying Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

An injured child and others at a school in Beirut housing displaced people who fled Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, Sep. 26, 2024.

At least 700 killed, 120,000 displaced as UN calls Lebanon situation ‘catastrophic'

The ongoing Israeli escalation in Lebanon has displaced nearly 120,000 in less than a week, prompting 16,100 Lebanese to enter Syria.

A man checks the destruction following an overnight Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of Shebaa near along the border between the two countries, on Sept. 27, 2024.

Netanyahu softens position, says Israel discussing US-France cease-fire plan in Lebanon

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue battling Hezbollah, but on Friday he indicated Israel will continue talks with the United States over a possible cease-fire in Lebanon.