Paula Astih

Paula Astih
Arab World Smoke rises from the site of a series of Israeli airstrikes that targeted the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of al-Katrani on December 18, 2025. (AFP)

Lebanese Deputy PM to Asharq Al-Awsat: No Political Negotiations with Israel

Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri denied on Saturday that the appointment of civilian negotiators between Lebanon and Israel means that political…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A member of the Civil Defense stands on the rubble of a house hit by an Israeli airstrike in the town of Jbaa in South Lebanon. (Reuters)

Lebanese State Formally Launches Reconstruction Effort with Modest Public Funding

More than a year after the end of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which caused widespread destruction in South Lebanon, the Lebanese state has formally…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A joint patrol of UNIFIL forces and the Lebanese Army in the Marjayoun area near the border with Israel (AFP)

Hezbollah Unhappy with Political Negotiations with Israel but Unlikely to Confront the State

Hezbollah officials have avoided commenting on the Lebanese government’s decision to appoint former ambassador Simon Karam as head of the Lebanese delegation…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Hezbollah supporter marches near previously Israeli-struck site in Beirut suburb (EPA)

Two Years After Gaza Support, Lebanon Faces Post-Hezbollah Era

Lebanon is marking the second anniversary of Hezbollah’s entry into the “Support and Backing Gaza” battle on Oct. 8, 2023, facing what many describe as a “post…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Members of the military inside the Shatila camp. (Lebanese army)

In a First, Lebanese Army Carries Out Security Operation Inside Palestinian Camp

In an unprecedented move since the 1969 Cairo agreement, the Lebanese army carried out a major security operation inside the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A pickup truck carrying weapons at Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp, northern Lebanon, 13 September 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon: Palestinian Factions Hand Over Weapons in Ain al-Hilweh

The Lebanese state and the Palestinian Authority have taken a major step forward by successfully securing the removal of weapons from the Ain al-Hilweh refugee…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal meets with senior staff, unit and battalion commanders, and a number of officers to discuss the exceptional phase in Lebanon (Army Command). 

Lebanese Army Completes Plan to Place Weapons Under State Control

The Lebanese Army has finalized a comprehensive plan, mandated by the Cabinet on August 5, to ensure that all weapons are brought under state authority by the…

Paula Astih
Arab World Soldiers deployed in the southern suburbs of Beirut during a Hezbollah convoy, on Aug. 7, 2025. (AFP)

‘Shiite Duo’ in Lebanon Retracts Call for Protests against Govt Decisions

The “Shiite duo” of Hezbollah and Amal retracted a call for streets protests against the Lebanese government’s decisions to impose state monopoly over weapons,…

Paula Astih (Beirut)