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Lebanon

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Lebanon. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Beirut

Head of State

Vacant

Head of Government

Prime Minister Najib Mikati

The aftermath of an Israeli strike in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Israel launches deadly strike near Beirut as it widens offensive in Lebanon

Escalating hostilities in Lebanon strain a fragile ceasefire ahead of crucial negotiations in Washington.

29 May 2026 - 12:39PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US boasts viable Iran deal: no nuclear weapons, Hormuz open. Will Trump agree?

29 May 2026 - 6:04AM

Middle East

Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon ‘a combat zone’, imperilling ceasefire

28 May 2026 - 11:12AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel’s Lebanon strikes challenge Trump’s Iran talks amid Hezbollah’s defiance

Israel’s offensive aimed at weakening the group complicates US-Iran peace efforts, analysts say.

28 May 2026 - 4:23PMvideocam

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel says it killed Hamas’ new armed wing chief in Gaza strike

Mohammad Odeh eliminated after his predecessor was killed in a similar attack this month.

28 May 2026 - 3:53PM

Middle East

Israel pounds Lebanon with heaviest bombing in weeks, expands ground operations

Strikes kill and wound dozens as Israeli forces push beyond the ‘Yellow Line’ in southern Lebanon.

27 May 2026 - 3:59PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US hits Iran with fresh strikes amid negotiations to end war

Marco Rubio insists a deal with Iran remains within reach after the US military claimed its attacks were in ‘self-defence’.

26 May 2026 - 9:34PM

A billboard in Tehran depicting the Strait of Hormuz reads 'Forever in Iran's Hand'. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Israel steps up Lebanon strikes to ‘crush’ Hezbollah

Netanyahu pledges to intensify Israeli firepower, citing drone threats since April 17 ceasefire.

26 May 2026 - 9:51AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran signals moves to reconnect to global internet after wartime blackout

Presidential decree aims to restore connectivity to its pre-war state after almost 90 days of digital isolation.

26 May 2026 - 10:12AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump now ties Iran deal to major expansion of Abraham Accords

US president suggests Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other regional powers normalise ties with Israel to secure peace.

26 May 2026 - 8:42AM

US President Donald Trump speaks on the phone inside his limousine on Monday. Photo: EPA

Middle East

Israeli far-right ministers want ‘return to war in Lebanon’ despite peace talks

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated for strikes on Beirut and cutting off electricity to Lebanon.

25 May 2026 - 8:21PMvideocam

Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir delivers a speech during a gathering by right-wing activists near the border with Gaza on October 21, 2024, calling to establish a new Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP

China’s military

China boosts peacekeeping budget share amid warnings UN may be sidelined

SIPRI says Beijing’s participation in such UN missions helps ‘project an image of itself as a responsible major power’.

25 May 2026 - 4:57PMvideocam

War and conflict

Global tensions, funding crisis threaten peacekeeping missions, SIPRI warns

Alarm as peacekeeping deployments fall to lowest levels in at least 25 years.

25 May 2026 - 9:28AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US voices hope for Iran deal as Pakistan mediator seeks breakthrough

With Trump warning of renewed strikes, Pakistan’s army chief is expected in Tehran for ‘talks and consultations’.

22 May 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

Pedestrians in downtown Tehran walk past a mural depicting a US aircraft carrier under missile attack. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Vance says Iran talks making ‘good progress’, but US forces ‘locked and loaded’

Vice-President J.D. Vance said US and Iran are working together positively; however, military campaign will restart if negotiations collapse.

20 May 2026 - 7:28AMvideocam

US Vice-President J.D. Vance speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Israel strikes kill at least 7 in Lebanon as Hezbollah denounces US-brokered talks

Despite a ceasefire, Israel continues to strike widely in southern Lebanon as it targets Hezbollah.

18 May 2026 - 10:09AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Drone strike sparks fire on edge of UAE nuclear power plant complex

UAE investigates the source of drone attack, as Trump warns the ‘clock is ticking’ for Iran.

18 May 2026 - 3:02PM

Middle East

Lebanon and Israel extend ceasefire despite new strikes

The US State Department will soon hold further negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement between the two countries.

16 May 2026 - 4:08AM

Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

US casts first day of Israel-Lebanon talks as ‘positive’

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues in Lebanon as officials hold high-stakes talks ahead of Sunday deadline.

15 May 2026 - 10:39AM

Middle East

Israel strikes Lebanon as 380 reported killed since April 17 ceasefire

Hezbollah leader vows to turn battlefield into ‘hell’ as Lebanon and Israel get set for more talks in Washington.

13 May 2026 - 11:43AM

Middle East

Israeli soldiers jailed for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

Viral photo shows an Israeli soldier with his arm around statue, holding a cigarette up to its mouth.

12 May 2026 - 12:22PM

An IDF soldier appearing to put a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Photo: Reuters

Israel

Israel’s election may end the Netanyahu era but not the ‘forever wars’

After nearly two decades and six terms in office, Israel’s prime minister could be on his way out. But little looks likely to change.

11 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Israelis protest against the war with Iran and Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv on May 2. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Playing games’: Trump calls Iran’s response to US peace proposal ‘unacceptable’

Both sides remain far apart as Tehran demands war reparations and control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran state TV.

11 May 2026 - 10:57AM

US, Israel war on Iran

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

9 May 2026 - 4:56AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iranian tanker amid reports Washington and Tehran near deal

Trump reiterated that Iran ‘cannot have a nuclear weapon’ as both sides combined military pressure with diplomatic efforts to end deadlock.

7 May 2026 - 4:29AMvideocam

Oil tankers remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. Photo: ISNA/AFP

Middle East

Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire

The first aerial attack on the capital since April kills a senior Hezbollah commander.

7 May 2026 - 10:47AM

First responders in the Beirut southern suburb of Haret Hreik on Wednesday after an Israeli strike. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

4 May 2026 - 10:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

4 May 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

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