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Lebanon

October 3, 2024

Beirut 2:25 pm

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US navy men stand aboard the USS Eisenhower, one of the world's largest warships, off the Cypriot coast, Oct. 25, 2006.

US downplays Lebanon evacuation plans as all-out war looms

As State Department urges Americans to flee on a dwindling number of commercial flights, a private rescue group is laying the groundwork for potential evacuations from Lebanon.

Defence Secretary John Healey visits RAF Akrotiri, during a visit to Cyprus to meet troops as the government steps up efforts for a potential evacuation of Lebanon.

US, China, France, others weigh Lebanon evacuation plans for nationals

The situation in Lebanon and the region has quickly deteriorated, prompting several countries to come up with plans to secure the safe evacuation of their nationals from the country.

A Middle East Airlines commercial aircraft taking off from Beirut's international airport flies amid smoke billowing above the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs, in the aftermath of overnight Israeli airstrikes, on Sept. 28,2024.

Middle East airlines alter, axe flights following Iran missile attack on Israel

Late on Tuesday, Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in what it said was in retaliation for last Friday’s assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Lebanon-based militia Hezbollah.

This picture shows the remains of an Iranian missile on the ground in the Negev desert near Arad, on October 2, 2024, in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on October 2 it would launch an even bigger attack it is targeted. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel’s four options for retaliating against Iran

On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must decide how to respond to the Iranian missile attack against Israel.

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

Latest News

Analysis

Lebanon invasion: Will Israel stop at Litani River or go beyond?

An Israeli army main battle tank moves at a position along the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on October 1, 2024. The Israeli army on October 1 said it launched a ground offensive in Lebanon and that its forces engaged in clashes, further escalating the conflict after a week of intense air strikes that killed hundreds. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said, however, the Israeli operation did not amount to a "ground incursion" and while Hezbollah denied any troops had crossed the border, an Isr

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Even with killing of Nasrallah, Hezbollah nowhere near defeated

A man points to a television set displaying an image of the late leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.

Colin P. Clarke

By Colin P. Clarke

In Pittsburgh, US, reporting on counterterrorism, militancy

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As Israel's invasion begins, Lebanon's displaced shelter in streets with 'nowhere to go'

A woman sits with her belongings in Martyrs' Square as she seeks shelter after being displaced by Israeli airstrikes, on Sept. 29, 2024, in Beirut, Lebanon.

Analysis

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

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

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

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

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 Amman, reporting on refugees

Adnan Nasser

In Beirut, reporting on Lebanon

Rodayna Raydan

In Boqaata, reporting on culture

Lebanon fire

At least 492 killed in Israeli strikes on south, east Lebanon

The Israeli army has been sending warnings to Lebanese citizens to distance themselves from areas where Hezbollah might be storing weapons, as it intensifies its airstrikes in the country.

Analysis

Israel detects Hezbollah limitations, doubles down on tech edge, attacks

Recognizing Hezbollah's limitations, Israel has frequently pushed the boundaries of its military engagement, including the targeted killing of senior Hezbollah commanders and the strikes this Friday.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A man reacts while holding a Hezbollah flag during the funeral of people killed after hundreds of paging devices exploded in a deadly wave across Lebanon the previous day in a south Beirut district on Sept. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Iran faces strategic dilemma as Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalates

Iran's delay in fulfilling its pledged revenge for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has now been compounded by the escalation between its top enemy, Israel, and its most favored proxy, Hezbollah, leaving Tehran having to choose between military engagement and strategic patience.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Members of the Lebanese Shiite Movement Hezbollah salute during the funeral of a comrade who was killed the previous day by the explosion of a communication device, in Adloun south of Tyre in southern Lebanon on September 19, 2024.

Analysis

Hezbollah’s exploding pagers to fuel widespread MidEast consumer electronic fears

Brazen Israel-linked attacks could presage a new age of warfare, where the Internet of Things and everyday tech can be weaponized at scale.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Smoke billows from a house in Baalbek in east Lebanon after a reported explosion of a radio device, on September 18, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters. Communication devices exploded on July 18 in Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, as the Iran-backed group vowed to retaliate against Israel after a deadly wave of pager blasts that has raised fears of an all-out war. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

What are Israel's military options as conflict escalates with Hezbollah?

Israel must now decide if it prepares for an all-out war against Hezbollah or opts for a different strategy.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US President Joe Biden speaks at the Economic Club of Washington, DC, on Sept. 19, 2024.

Analysis

Is there anything Biden can do in the Middle East?

Israel had to "use or lose" Hezbollah beeper bombs; UAE emphasizes ‘realignment’ ahead of Washington visit.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

TOPSHOT - People gather in front of a building targeted by an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 20, 2024. The strike on Hezbollah's stronghold in Lebanon's capital Beirut reportedly killed at least eight people and wounded dozens of others, with a source close to the movement saying a top military leader was dead. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Who was Ibrahim Akil, top Hezbollah member killed in Israeli strike?

Washington accused Ibrahim Akil of involvement in the bombing of US marines and kidnapping of American citizens in Lebanon in the 1980s.

Hezbollah fighters carry the coffins of people killed after hundreds of paging devices exploded in a deadly wave across Lebanon the previous day, during their funeral procession in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 18, 2024. Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on September 17, killing at least nine people and wounding around 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Pager attacks shake Hezbollah; are they prelude to Israel-Lebanon deal?

Despite US warnings about the unintended consequences of war with Hezbollah, Israel's leaders claim the extent and intensity of the fire can be controlled.

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

MIRIAM ALSTER/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Middle East teeters on brink of war in Biden’s final stretch

The Biden administration is urging both sides to de-escalate, but with no Gaza cease-fire in sight and a US president in his lame-duck period, Washington has little room to maneuver.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Hezbollah chief says 'inevitable' response to Lebanon blasts coming

Hassan Nasrallah’s speech comes after a series of pager and walkie-talkie blasts across Lebanon, increasing fears that Israel will launch a wider war in the country nearly one year into ongoing cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

A man holds an Icom walkie talkie device after he removed the battery during the funeral of persons killed when hundreds of paging devices exploded in a deadly wave across Lebanon the previous day, in Beirut's southern suburbs on Sept. 18, 2024.

From Taiwan to Hungary: What we know about manufacturing of Hezbollah pagers

Companies in Hungary, Bulgaria and Taiwan have been linked to Israel’s detonation of pagers used by the group.

AFP via Getty Images

At least 14 killed, 450 injured as second wave of blasts targets Hezbollah devices in Lebanon

Hezbollah has vowed to respond to the pagers attack, which it pinned on Israel, as the two parties continue to exchange fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border.