Lebanon

Israeli ministers call for bombing Beirut despite ceasefire

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Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Jerusalem. [Photo by AMIR COHEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images]

Two Israeli Cabinet ministers called Sunday for resuming airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital of Beirut despite an ongoing ceasefire, Anadolu Agency reports.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel should “fire for every violation” by Hezbollah and for every drone launched by the Lebanese group.

“Dahiyeh must tremble,” he said on US social media company X, referring to Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “take down buildings in Dahiyeh today.”

READ: Ben-Gvir calls for Israel to take Lebanese women and children hostage

“The fire toward the northern settlements is a test of the Dahiyeh equation that the Prime Minister announced,” Smotrich said on X.

The call by the hardline politicians came after the Israeli army reported a drone attack from Lebanon targeting military positions in northern Israel.

The Israeli army continued its daily airstrikes in Lebanon despite a fragile ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since April 17.

The Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people, wounded nearly 11,500 and displaced over 1.5 million since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.

READ: Israel won’t withdraw from southern Lebanon under US-Iran understandings: Israeli media

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Continue ReadingIsraeli ministers call for bombing Beirut despite ceasefire

Trump says Israeli strike on Beirut ‘should not have happened’ amid Iran peace talks

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United States President Donald Trump walks toward the White House upon his arrival in Washington, DC, from Memphis, Tennessee, United States, on March 23, 2026. [Celal Güneş – Anadolu Agency]

US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized an Israeli attack on Beirut, asserting that the strike should not have occurred while Washington is on the verge of a peace agreement with Iran, Anadolu reports.

“This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a peace deal,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

He argued that the incident Israel was responding to was “small and meaningless,” resulting in no casualties, and urged all parties to “stand down” to avoid disrupting the diplomatic process.

“We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon,” he said, calling for an immediate halt to all Israeli attacks in Lebanon, as well as a cessation of strikes by Hezbollah.

READ: 3 killed as Israeli army launches airstrikes in Lebanese capital in new ceasefire violation

“This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it,” added Trump.

Earlier, Axios, citing Israeli and US officials, claimed Israel had informed US Central Command before the Beirut attack.

Trump on Saturday said that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, even as Tehran disputed the timeline. Sources in Tehran told the Fars News Agency that the proposed memorandum of understanding remains “under consideration” and no final decision has been announced.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, accused Washington on Sunday of lacking the “will or ability” to meet its obligations, citing continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

While Iran has called for ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon, release of its frozen assets and end of the US blockade of its ports; the US is demanding that Tehran halt its nuclear program and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: Iran threatens to halt US negotiations if Israeli attacks continue in Lebanon

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Continue ReadingTrump says Israeli strike on Beirut ‘should not have happened’ amid Iran peace talks

Hezbollah says it shot down Israeli drone over eastern Lebanon

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Hezbollah fighters on September 25, 2024 [AFP via Getty Images]

Hezbollah said Thursday that it shot down an Israeli military drone over eastern Lebanon, claiming the aircraft was targeted with a missile in the Bekaa region, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, the group said its fighters downed a Heron 1 drone belonging to the Israeli army.

According to the statement, the drone was flying over the Nahle area in the eastern Bekaa Valley when it was struck by “a specialized missile.”

There was no comment from the Israeli military on Hezbollah’s statement.

Earlier Thursday, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that it had targeted Israeli army vehicles and troop concentrations in the southern Lebanese towns of Tayr Harfa, Deir Siriane, and Odaisseh with drones and missiles in response to Israeli ceasefire violations and ongoing assaults.

Despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17, Israel has continued its aggression in Lebanon since March 2, killing 3,711 people and wounding 11,483 others as of Wednesday, while displacing more than one million people, according to official figures.

READ: Israeli army says Hezbollah fighter crossed border as northern communities placed on high alert

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingHezbollah says it shot down Israeli drone over eastern Lebanon

Iran’s parliament speaker says negotiations with US focused on lasting security, not normalization

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Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on 11 April, 2026. [Iranian Foreign Ministry/Handout – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Monday that negotiations with the United States are aimed at ending the war and establishing lasting security rather than normalizing relations between the two countries, Anadolu reports.

In an audio message on his official social media accounts, Qalibaf said recent tensions stemmed from ceasefire violations and what he described as a maritime blockade.

“The military field, diplomacy, public participation and service to the people are all parts of a single integrated framework,” he said.

Qalibaf said diplomacy does not prevent military operations and military operations do not prevent diplomacy, arguing that both tools should be employed when necessary.

“The goal of negotiations is ending the war and creating lasting security, not normalizing relations with the United States,” he said.

He added that diplomacy should not be viewed merely as closed-door talks and diplomatic gestures, saying Iran must pursue what he described as “a carefully engineered victory based on strength and rationality.”

According to Qalibaf, developments in Lebanon demonstrated that diplomacy and military action can work together, with some attacks prevented through diplomatic pressure and others through military measures.

He also said successes in both diplomatic and military arenas had enabled support for Lebanon and efforts to counter the “maritime blockade.”

“The choice is not between war and negotiations; each should be used when appropriate,” he said.

READ: Israel to halt attacks on Iran at Trump’s request, to continue offensive in Lebanon, Israeli official says

The parliament speaker said recent remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding a memorandum of understanding contradicted previously agreed provisions, arguing that they showed Washington was “neither seeking a ceasefire nor dialogue.”

Qalibaf added that Iran’s armed forces have maintained freedom of action and called for unity, resilience, public trust and vigilance against narratives aligned with adversaries.

Tensions escalated on Sunday when Israel bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut despite an ongoing ceasefire, prompting Iran to launch missiles toward northern Israel in retaliation.

Israel subsequently carried out several waves of airstrikes against Iran, while Tehran responded with additional missile launches.

Iran’s military said early Monday it was halting attacks on Israel while warning of a “crushing” response if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continued.

Israeli media, citing unnamed officials, reported that Israel had agreed to halt airstrikes on Iran but would continue military operations in southern Lebanon.

READ: Iran ends attacks on Israel, warns of ‘crushing’ response if Lebanon strikes continue

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Continue ReadingIran’s parliament speaker says negotiations with US focused on lasting security, not normalization

Israel to halt attacks on Iran at Trump’s request, to continue offensive in Lebanon, Israeli official says

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U.S. President Donald Trump (R) welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, United States on December 29, 2025. [Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)/Handout – Anadolu Agency]

Israel agreed to halt airstrikes on Iran upon a request from US President Donald Trump, but will continue its offensive in Lebanon “at full force,” a senior Israeli official said Monday, Anadolu reports.

“At Trump’s request, we are halting strikes on Iran,” the official said in statements carried by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

“We are continuing in Lebanon at full force according to the equation that if they fire toward the settlements – we will strike in Dahieh” in Beirut.

The official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conversion with Trump over the phone “was overall good.”

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, citing an unnamed Israeli official, also said the army “will cease fire in Iran, but not in southern Lebanon.”

Iran’s military said early Monday it was halting attacks on Israel, warning of a “crushing” response if Israeli attacks against Lebanon continued.

READ: Netanyahu meets US legal delegation amid growing international scrutiny of Israel

Tensions escalated on Sunday, when Israel bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut, despite an ongoing ceasefire, prompting Iran to launch missiles at northern Israel in retaliation, with Israel launching several waves of airstrikes against Iran.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 3,600 people, injured over 11,000 others and displaced more than 1.6 million since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.

In a post on his Truth Social platform early Monday, Trump called on Israel and Iran to stop fighting “immediately” in the wake of their tit-for-tat airstrikes.

The region has been on edge since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, triggering Iranian retaliation on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.

A temporary ceasefire was reached on April 8, but negotiations later stalled amid disputes over its implementation and subsequent regional developments.

READ: Trump urges Tel Aviv, Tehran to halt fighting

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Continue ReadingIsrael to halt attacks on Iran at Trump’s request, to continue offensive in Lebanon, Israeli official says