Two Israeli soldiers have been sentenced to 30 days of military detention and removed from combat duty after one smashed the head of a statue of Jesus Christ in the Christian village of Debel in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel.The other soldier filmed the act, which was widely condemned.The Israeli military confirmed the disciplinary action on Tuesday following an investigation prompted by a photo circulating on social media showing the vandalism.The statue had fallen from its cross before being struck with a sledgehammer.In addition to the two soldiers directly involved, six other soldiers who were present but did... [Continue Reading]
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified due to renewed security incidents. These include reported attacks on vessels in the area and a recent interception by US forces of an Iranian cargo ship. The operational environment in the strait remains volatile with ongoing security concerns. In Lebanon, the 10-day ceasefire agreement with Israel continues to hold. Thousands of civilians have returned to southern Lebanon despite widespread destruction from previous hostilities. The ceasefire status remains stable with no reported violations as of the latest updates. Over the past weekend, a United Nations peacekeeper was killed in Lebanon. Reports indicate the... [Continue Reading]
An Israeli soldier was filmed using a sledgehammer to vandalize a statue of Jesus in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon.The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Israeli officials and local Christian leaders.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the soldier's conduct is under investigation and described the act as "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops." The IDF also stated that appropriate measures will be taken and efforts are ongoing to restore the statue.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret for any hurt caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.Israel's Foreign Minister issued an apology... [Continue Reading]
The US Navy has seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel ignored warnings to stop, escalating tensions in the region.US President Donald Trump announced the interception on his social media platform, stating that the ship was stopped by a US guided missile destroyer after failing to comply with orders.According to Trump, the USS Spruance fired on the Touska, hitting its engine room and disabling the vessel.US Marines have since taken custody of the ship and are inspecting its contents.The Touska is subject to US Treasury sanctions due to its prior history of illegal... [Continue Reading]
A French soldier was killed and three others wounded in an attack on United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on April 18, 2026.The attack occurred in the village of Ghandouriyeh while the patrol was clearing a road to reopen access to an isolated UNIFIL post.The soldier died from direct small-arms fire, and two of the three wounded peacekeepers were seriously injured.French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack as "unacceptable" and indicated that evidence pointed to the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah as responsible.He urged Lebanese authorities to take action against those responsible for the deliberate attack.Hezbollah... [Continue Reading]
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced on 17 April 2026 that Lebanon is entering a new phase of permanent agreements following a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.The ceasefire, which came into effect after intense fighting since 2 March, marks a shift from active hostilities to negotiations aimed at preserving Lebanon's sovereignty and unity.President Aoun stated that Lebanon is no longer "an arena for anyone's wars" and emphasized that the government has reclaimed decision-making power for the first time in nearly 50 years.He highlighted that Lebanon will now negotiate for itself and will not be a pawn in external conflicts.The recent... [Continue Reading]
Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping following the implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon.This announcement marks a significant development in the region's maritime security and international trade.The declaration was made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who stated that the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open for the duration of the ceasefire.However, military vessels remain banned from the waterway, according to a senior Iranian military official.The ceasefire in Lebanon, involving Israel and Hezbollah, has allowed displaced families to return to their homes in affected areas.The reopening of... [Continue Reading]
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has allowed civilians to begin returning to towns in southern Lebanon that were heavily damaged during recent hostilities.The ceasefire has brought a temporary halt to the fighting, enabling residents to assess the destruction in their communities.Immediate reports confirm that many towns in southern Lebanon remain in ruins following the conflict.Civilians are cautiously returning to their homes amid ongoing concerns about safety and infrastructure damage.There have been no new reports of casualties since the ceasefire took effect.However, the disruption caused by the conflict has left many residents displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance.This development... [Continue Reading]
A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect at midnight local time on April 16-17, 2026.The truce was announced by US President Donald Trump following direct talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The ceasefire aims to halt hostilities that have severely affected southern Lebanon and border areas amid a wider regional conflict involving Iran.It began at 21:00 GMT on April 16 and is intended to provide a temporary pause in fighting.The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than one million people.Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah positions, while... [Continue Reading]
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at 21:00 GMT on April 16, announced by US President Donald Trump after discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.The ceasefire aims to halt hostilities between the two countries amid ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah.The truce was confirmed by Trump in social media posts and followed a phone call with both leaders.Trump also announced plans to host Netanyahu and Aoun at the White House for direct talks, marking the first meaningful dialogue between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.The ceasefire comes after intense fighting that has resulted... [Continue Reading]
US President Donald Trump announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to speak on Thursday, marking what could be the first direct communication between the two countries in decades.This announcement comes amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving Iran-backed groups.Trump's claim has not been confirmed by either Israeli or Lebanese officials.The proposed talks would represent a significant diplomatic development given the longstanding hostilities between the two nations.The conflict escalated after Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group backed by Iran, attacked Israel on March 2.This led to an Israeli military offensive in Lebanon, intensifying regional tensions.Lebanese authorities have... [Continue Reading]
Towns and villages in southern Lebanon have been extensively destroyed by Israeli demolitions, according to satellite images and videos analyzed by independent experts.More than 1,400 buildings have been confirmed destroyed since 2 March, with the actual damage likely higher due to limited ground access and satellite coverage.The demolitions follow an order from Israel's Defence Minister on 22 March to accelerate the destruction of Lebanese homes near the Israeli border, citing a strategy modeled on previous operations in Gaza.This campaign is part of Israel's ongoing military actions against Hezbollah.The destruction has caused significant displacement, with over 1.2 million people estimated to... [Continue Reading]
Leaders of Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to hold talks on Thursday, marking the first direct communication between the two countries' leaders in 34 years.This announcement was made by US President Donald Trump following recent high-level negotiations in Washington, DC.The talks come after a rare face-to-face meeting between senior officials from Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday, the first such engagement since 1993.President Trump described the effort as an attempt to "get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon." The conflict between Israel and Lebanon escalated after Hezbollah, a Tehran-aligned group, launched attacks on Israel on March 2.Since then, Israeli... [Continue Reading]
Three paramedics were killed in successive Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, Lebanese officials reported, amid ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.The attacks targeted rescue teams and ambulances responding to earlier strikes in the Nabatieh region.A team from the Islamic Health Association was attacked while attempting to rescue people in the town of Mayfadoun, resulting in one paramedic killed and another missing.A second team from the same association was also attacked, with three paramedics wounded.Subsequently, two ambulances from the Risala Scout Association and the Nabatieh Ambulance Service were struck, killing two paramedics and wounding three others.Among the victims was Fadel Serhan,... [Continue Reading]
Israel launched a series of deadly airstrikes across southern Lebanon on April 15, killing at least 13 people despite ongoing diplomatic efforts between Lebanon and Israel in Washington.The attacks targeted multiple towns including Jbaa, Ansariyeh, and Qadmus, with strikes also reported south of Beirut in Saadiyat and Jiyeh.Lebanon's state-run National News Agency confirmed the fatalities, reporting that a family home in Jbaa was hit, resulting in the deaths of four family members.Additional casualties were reported in Ansariyeh and Qadmus.The Israeli military stated it struck over 200 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon within the past 24 hours.The strikes occurred just one... [Continue Reading]
Yesterday the war crossed a line! For years the Sejjil ballistic missile existed mostly as a symbol. A weapon paraded in military videos, discussed in defense briefings, whispered about in strategic circles as one of Iran’s most serious capabilities. A weapon that analysts described as deterrence, not something meant to be used. But on March 15, 2026, that line disappeared. Iran reportedly launched the Sejjil (also known as Ashoura) as part of what Tehran called the 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4, a massive strike package that also included the Fattah hypersonic missile and the Qadr ballistic missile system.... [Continue Reading]
The Thin, Bloody Line Between Justice and Jungle Rule IS KILLING WITHOUT MERCY NOW LEGAL? By Anthony Sterling In September 2025, the United States military launched what became known as Operation Southern Spear, a lethal campaign targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels in international waters. The stated objective was to combat narco trafficking networks operating beyond territorial jurisdiction. The ethical shock came on 2 September 2025, when a double strike in the Caribbean left survivors clinging to wreckage for nearly an hour. Drone footage reportedly showed two individuals waving from debris after the first impact. Instead of rescue, three additional munitions... [Continue Reading]
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]