Youssef Diab

Youssef Diab
Arab World People drive on a street past portraits of slain Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and buildings damaged in Israeli strikes in the recent war, amid the first round of municipal elections, in the Ghobeiry neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburb on May 4, 2025. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

Spy Cases Surge in Hezbollah Strongholds, Exposing Leadership Breach

A widening Israeli spy scandal has become a nightmare for Lebanon’s Hezbollah, with the threat it poses rivaling that of the Israeli military campaign…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World A video grab of prisoners carrying out mock hangings at Roumieh prison, east of Beirut. Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanon’s Rioting Inmates Call for General Amnesty Law

Riots at Roumieh prison, east of Beirut, renewed on Thursday to pressure the Lebanese parliament to adopt a general amnesty law and slash the prison year from…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World Thick smoke rises over Nabatieh as a result of intense Israeli airstrikes targeting the area (EPA). 

Israeli Airstrikes in South Lebanon Signal Shift with Use of Bunker-Busting Bombs

In a sharp escalation of military activity, Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon in recent days have carried significant military and political signals—most…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Features Hezbollah fighters carry the coffin of former Secretary-General Hashem Safieddine during his funeral on February 24, 2025. (AP)

Proposal of Merging Hezbollah Fighters with Lebanese Army Collides with Reality

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s proposal for Hezbollah fighters to be merged with the army has been met with skepticism and provided fodder for political…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World Removal of a photo of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah (Beirut Municipality) 

Lebanon Begins Clearing Beirut, Airport Road of Political Banners

Lebanese authorities have launched a sweeping campaign to remove political party flags, posters, and slogans from Beirut’s streets and the main road to Rafic…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World A plane takes off from Beirut airport on October 7, 2024 (Reuters).

Beirut Airport Security Moves to Curb Hezbollah’s Influence

Lebanese authorities have begun curbing Hezbollah’s influence at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport by revoking the security clearances of numerous…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World 03 September 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: A general view of the damaged Beirut port, the place of a massive explosion that rocked Beirut on 04 August 2020. (dpa)

Judicial Development Reopens Probe into Beirut Port Explosion

Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor Jamal al-Hajjar annulled on Monday a ruling by his predecessor Ghassan Oueidat two years ago that ordered a stop to any cooperation…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)
Arab World A plane takes off from Beirut airport. Reuters file photo

Lebanon Foils Money Smuggling Operation from Iran to Hezbollah via Türkiye

Lebanese airport security intercepted an attempt to smuggle $2.5 million in cash from Iran to Lebanon via Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Türkiye. The funds were…

Youssef Diab (Beirut)