Lebanon

Spotlight on Syria (May 14-21, 2025)

Israeli security officials reportedly held direct talks with representatives of the Syrian government in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan; the IDF denied the meeting. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa reportedly approved the transfer of the Syrian archive on the late Mossad agent Eli Cohen to Israel as a goodwill gesture; Syrian President al-Sharaa welcomed American President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria and pledged that the country would no longer serve as a battleground for external power struggles. Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shibani met with United States Secretary of State Rubio, who praised the regime in Damascus for its calls for peace with Israel; Syrian security forces prevented the smuggling of weapons, some of which were reportedly intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Read more...

Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (May 14-21, 2025)

Iran’s Supreme Leader called Israel “a dangerous and deadly cancerous tumor that must be uprooted”; Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon met with the commander of the Lebanese army and discussed developments in the country; The commander of the Qods Force visited Iraq and met with Iraq’s national security advisor and senior members of the pro-Iranian Shiite militias; The Houthis claimed responsibility for four attacks on Ben Gurion Airport using ballistic missiles and drones. The IDF Spokesperson reported two cases of intercepting a ballistic missile and another interception of a drone. In response, the IDF attacked two Houthi seaports. The Houthis, in response, threatened to continue the attacks and also announced the imposition of a “siege” on the Israeli port of Haifa. 
Read more...

Challenges Faced by Hezbolla after the November 27, 2024 ceasfire

 The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement of November 27, 2024, which ended the fighting that began on October 8, 2023, placed Hezbollah at a crossroads, the most significant since the organization's founding in 1982. Its situation was the result of the loss of its top leadership, primarily secretary general Hassan Nasrallah and his designated successor Hashem Safi al-Din, as well as commanders and thousands of operatives. In addition, key military-terrorist capabilities and infrastructure were destroyed and the organization's status inside Lebanon was damaged.
Read more...

Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (May 13 – 20, 2025)

The IDF launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots, a large-scale ground operation combined with aerial attacks targeting Hamas and other terrorist organizations. An assassination attempt was made on the life of Muhammad al-Sinwar, considered head of Hamas' military wing. Palestinians reported hundreds of casualties and damage to hospitals in the Gaza Strip; The Qatari prime minister announced that the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas held in Doha had reached a dead end. Hamas continued to demand a deal involving the release of all the hostages in exchange for the Palestinian prisoners and called for American and international guarantees to end the war; Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas instructed the Fatah leadership and PLO "factions" to renew contact with Hamas and integrate it into the Palestinian political system to reach an agreement which would include restoring control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority; One Israeli civilian was killed and a civilian and a police officer were injured in two terrorist attacks. Israeli security forces continued extensive counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria.
Read more...

Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah and Lebanon (May 12 – 19, 2025)

IDF forces continued operations targeting Hezbollah’s presence in south Lebanon, which is in violation of the ceasefire, preventing the organization from rebuilding its military capabilities. The forces eliminated Hezbollah terrorist field commanders and operatives in south Lebanon; Hezbollah secretary general Na'im Qassem called on Lebanese state institutions to increase pressure on Israel against its "ongoing aggression and violations." He also admitted that Iran had served the "resistance” and that they had benefited from it in every respect; Lebanese leaders claimed that American-led international pressure should compel Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon and halt its attacks in the country. Lebanese President Aoun said Hezbollah had to understand it had no choice but to accept the concept of the state's monopoly on weapons, but added that it had to be achieved through dialogue and not hastily, to avoid confrontation; The United States is reportedly pressuring the Lebanese government to shut down Hezbollah’s financial arm; An indictment was filed against a person affiliated with Hezbollah accused of collaborating with Israel by providing information enabling Israel to target senior Hezbollah terrorists during and after the war; Lebanon is preparing for a visit by Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is expected to discuss the disarmament of armed Palestinian "factions" in the refugee camps. President Aoun questioned whether Palestinian arms were truly meant "to liberate Palestine" or to kill Palestinians and Lebanese.
Read more...

Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (May 7-14, 2025)

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei re-emphasized the importance of the Palestinian issue for the Muslim world and called for not ignoring the “crimes of the Zionist regime.” The Iranian foreign minister emphasized in discussions with his Arab counterparts the need for cooperation between regional countries to stop Israel’s attacks in the Gaza Strip; A Hamas delegation led by the head of the movement’s Shura Council met in Doha with the head of Iran’s Strategic Council for Foreign Policy and discussed developments in the Gaza Strip; Against the backdrop of a possible Israeli military action against nuclear facilities in Iran, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards warned Israel about the consequences of such an attack; Senior Hezbollah officials reportedly asked the Iranian leadership not to leave Revolutionary Guards officers in Lebanon for fear that Israel would eliminate them; The Houthis claimed responsibility for seven attacks against Israel using ballistic missiles and drones, including the first launch toward Ramon International Airport, and threatened to continue the “air blockade” on Israel. The IDF Spokesperson confirmed three incidents of intercepting a ballistic missile and another interception of a drone. An Israeli warning was published to evacuate the three Houthi seaports; The Houthis welcomed the US decision to stop airstrikes against them, saying it was an American “failure” and an “embarrassment” for Israel. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman praised the “steadfast stance” of the Yemeni people in support of Palestinians against Israel.
Read more...