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Lebanon

Lebanon

March 9, 2025

Beirut 11:00 pm

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A vehicle drives past buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes during the latest war, near the border wall in the southern Lebanese village of Ramia on March 5, 2025. Lebanese official media said two people were wounded on March 5 when Israeli drones attacked a vehicle in the south, a day after a deadly raid and despite a November 27 ceasefire. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Despite hopes of Trump's envoy, Lebanon-Israel normalization deemed unrealistic

US special envoy Steve Witkoff's recent statements on Lebanon potentially normalizing ties with Israel suggest, experts say, the Trump administration may be misreading the country's regional and domestic dynamics.

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

ultra-Orthodox

Israeli army escorts ultra-Orthodox Jews to religious site in south Lebanon: What to know

The Israeli military allowed hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Israeli civilians into southern Lebanon to visit a religious site, meeting condemnation from Lebanon's army.

Lebanon ruins

World Bank estimates $11B reconstruction bill for Lebanon after Israeli war

The war in Lebanon came as the country was already struggling with its worst economic crisis in decades.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam walks among Lebanese army soldiers as he visits the southern village of Khiam near the border with Israel, on Feb. 28, 2025.

US green lights $95 million in aid for Lebanon’s army

The Trump administration made an exception to its foreign assistance freeze for a $95 million aid package headed to Lebanon's armed forces.

Latest News

Lebanon’s Aoun in Saudi Arabia seeking army support, $3 billion grant

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (L) is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) upon his arrival in at al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, on March 3, 2025.

France says Israel-Lebanon deconfliction holding — but for how long?

Lebanese army soldiers stand on an earthen barrier constructed by Israeli forces in the town of Yaroun, Lebanon, on Feb. 2, 2025.

Analysis

Lebanon faces IMF test as new cabinet prioritizes economy, reconstruction

TOPSHOT - UNIFIL vehicles drive past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Yaroun near the border with Israel on February 19, 2025. Israeli forces withdrew from a series of border villages including southeast Lebanon's Odaisseh, Kfar Kila, Mais al-Jabal, Markaba and Hula under an extended ceasefire deadline that expired on February 18, but remained in five points near the border. (Photo by Fadel ITANI / AFP) (Photo by FADEL ITANI/AFP via Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Feature

How Trump's USAID cuts threw Lebanon's education system into tailspin

usaid

Mayah Hamadeh

By Mayah Hamadeh

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

Adnan Nasser

In Beirut, reporting on Lebanon

Rodayna Raydan

In Boqaata, reporting on culture

A gathering on Feb. 15, 2025 blocks the road to the airport in Beirut, Lebanon. The protests were organized by Hezbollah against the Lebanese government's refusal to allow planes from Iran to land on its territory.

Lebanon seizes $2.5M in cash intended for Hezbollah at Beirut airport

Lebanese officials say a traveler from Turkey was detained and $2.5 million in cash was confiscated at the Beirut airport.

President Joseph Aoun (C) chairs the first meeting of Lebanon's new government at the Baabda Palace, east of Beirut, on Feb. 11, 2025.

Lebanon’s government wins confidence vote ahead of Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia

The Lebanese parliament gave their backing to the new government's ministerial statement, which excluded acknowledgement of Hezbollah, days before President Aoun is set to visit Saudi Arabia.

TOPSHOT - Israeli Air Force F-15 and F-35 fighter aircraft fly over Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium on the outskirts of Beirut on February 23, 2025 during the funeral of slain Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine. Tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black vowed support for Hezbollah at the Beirut funeral of slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, after the group was dealt major blows in its last round of hostilities with Israel. The September killing of the charismatic leader, who led He

Analysis

Israel flexes muscles in Syria, Lebanon in warning to Sharaa, Hezbollah

The flyover during Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral and the warnings this week by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reflect Israel’s concerns over its borders with both Lebanon and Syria.

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

Israeli soldiers walk along the buffer zone between northern Israel and southern Lebanon, Feb. 18, 2025.

Analysis

Israel facing 3 options after extending military presence in south Lebanon

Israeli forces remain at five outposts after their deadline to withdrew, and the parameters for their departure remain unclear.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Beirut

In Lebanon, Hezbollah prepares for Nasrallah's funeral: What to know

Preparations for Sunday’s funeral for Hassan Nasrallah are underway as massive crowds are expected to attend.

Fighters loyal to the interim Syrian government deploy at a position along the Anti-Lebanon mountain range near al-Qusayr.

Syria arrests Hezbollah-linked smugglers in Damascus: What to know

A crackdown on smuggling operations between Lebanon and Syria has intensified since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

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/

Lebanon extends Iran flight ban, will close airport during Nasrallah funeral

The flight suspensions come as Hezbollah supporters had been organizing daily protests around Lebanon’s only civilian airport in protest against a ban on Iranian flights to and from Beirut.

Lebanese children hold their national flag as they walk above the rubble of a destroyed building as families return with the Lebanese army to the southern village of Marwahin, near a border fence with Israel, on Jan. 28, 2025.

Trump admin appears to relax Israel's deadline to withdraw from Lebanon

A Trump administration official put the onus of Israel's withdrawal on the Lebanese Army, questioning whether its forces were up to the task of backfilling positions vacated by the Israeli military.

A commercial aircraft takes off from the runway of Beirut's international airport near the city's southern suburbs on Aug. 9, 2024.

Lebanon bars Iranian flight from landing in Beirut, sparking protests

The incident marks the latest in a series at the Beirut airport, which has been a key point of tension between Iran and people within Lebanon’s government who are cautiously distancing themselves from Iran’s influence.

Lebanon government

Meet the 5 women in Lebanon's new government

Lebanon’s prime minister on Saturday announced the formation of a new government cabinet, including five women who will serve as ministers of education, environment, social affairs, tourism and youth and sports.

People wait at the entrance of the Al Masnaa eastern Lebanese border crossing with Syria on Jan. 3, 2025, after Syria imposed new restrictions on the entry of Lebanese citizens.

Four killed in Syria-Lebanon border clashes between HTS and clans: What to know

An offensive launched by Syria along its border with Lebanon on Thursday escalated into intense clashes between Syrian forces and Lebanese armed groups, including those associated with multiple Lebanese clans.

US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus speaks at Baabda Palace, Beirut, Feb. 7.

US envoy visits Lebanon, says US 'grateful' to Israel for defeating Hezbollah

Morgan Ortagus reaffirmed the Trump administration position that Hezbollah cannot be part of the next Lebanese government, even as Beirut warned that this could create a parliamentarian crisis.