War Spreads across Gulf as Iran Hits Targets from Oman to Cyprus

Mar 2, 2026 | Israel has been under fire from Iranian drones and missiles through the day, shooting down the majority but taking more civilian casualties too.

The war has spread to Lebanon after Iran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, with heavy bombing in Beirut.

Hopes of a rapid end to the war are receding as the rhetoric and violence escalate on both sides.

The US president and his Secretary of War said their military operation was ahead of schedule.

And whilst neither gave a timeframe for its end, getting rid of Ayatollah Khamenei has come at a price for America and its allies, from downed jets and spiralling commodities prices to the deaths of civilians and soldiers.

All the while, the truly achievable aims of the American and Israeli attacks remain unclear.

US Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon during US-Israel War with Iran | BBC News

Mar 2, 2026 | The United States has urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.

It comes after the Lebanese health ministry said Israeli attacks in Beirut and southern Lebanon killed at least 31 people. Israel said it was responding to Hezbollah attacks.

"The security situation in Lebanon is volatile and unpredictable. Airstrikes have occurred throughout the country, especially in the south, the Beqaa, and parts of Beirut", the US Embassy in Beirut said.


Netanyahu seems to be having trouble trying to keep a straight face! How strange! — © Mark Alexander

Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Fire after Iran Attack | BBC News

Mar 2, 2026 | Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have exchanged strikes as the Iran conflict widens across the Middle East.

The Lebanese health ministry said Israeli attacks in Beirut and southern Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, with 149 injured. Israel said it was responding to Hezbollah attacks.

Meanwhile, apparent Iranian strikes around the region continue - with explosions reported in Bahrain and Dubai, while an oil refinery was attacked in Saudi Arabia.

In Kuwait, “several” US fighter planes have crashed, the Kuwaiti military has said.

Pope Leo Departs Lebanon after Historic Visit Marked by Masses and Messages

Dec 2, 2025 | Pope Leo XIV has departed Lebanon, concluding a historic visit that highlighted his calls for peace, unity, and reconciliation in the Middle East. During his stay, he led Masses, met Lebanese leaders, and paid tribute to the victims of past tragedies, leaving a lasting message of hope for the nation. For more details, watch our story and subscribe to our channel, DRM News.

I am not a Roman Catholic. Nevertheless, this wonderful man gives one hope in a world filled with conflict, troubles, and tribulations. This pope is most impressive. In my opinion; the Catholic Church is truly blessed to have such a marvellous and inspiring leader. — © Mark Alexander

Pope Leo Affirms Support for Two-State Solution during Trip to Lebanon | DW News

Dec 1, 2025 | Pope Leo has reaffirmed the Vatican's backing of two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling it the only way to guarantee justice for both sides. Beginning a three day trip to Lebanon, the pope also challenged the country's political leaders to become true peacemakers.

Pope Leo Visits Turkey on His First Trip Abroad: What Can We Expect? | DW News

Nov 26, 2025 | Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first trip abroad, which will take him to Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2 – where he aims to promote Christian unity and urge peace efforts amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, had planned to visit both countries but was unable to go because of his worsening health. Turkey and Lebanon are majority Muslim countries – and Francis put a strong focus on Muslim-Catholic dialogue during his twelve-year pontificate. But foreign travels are also an opportunity for the Vatican to conduct international diplomacy. So, what can we expect from Leo's visit to Turkey?

Life in Lebanon as the Country Falls

Oct 23, 2025 | Lebanon, the former “Switzerland of the Middle East”, stands on the brink of becoming a failed state. Years of civil war, border conflicts and corrupt government has left the country bankrupt and spiralling into chaos. The Beirut port explosion reduced the capital to tatters and exposed the utter failure of sectarianism politics. Lebanon now finds itself more vulnerable than ever to foreign influence, once again a key stake for international powers playing out their broader ambitions across the Mideast. But in this deeply divided country, a young generation is ready to battle for reform.

At the supermarkets in Beirut, hyperinflation has led to the food changing price every day. Lilian, 24, hoped to become a diplomat but the economic crisis forced her to quit her studies. Now she is has joined the protest movement and pawns her clothes to buy food. The man most people blame for this desperate situation is Riad Salameh, head of the central bank for the past three decades and accused of embezzling close to a billion dollars. The IMF and World Bank has offered to bail out Lebanon if the central bank opens up its account books. Something that Salameh – with the support of the whole political class – absolutely refuses to do.

Yet economic collapse isn’t the only cause of the country’s woes. In southern Lebanon, safety risks along the border with Israel are a main source of instability. This is a stronghold for Hezbollah, which operates as a state within a state, providing for every aspect of daily life in exchange for absolute loyalty. Further north, the Bekaa valley is the other Hezbollah stronghold. But it is also home to one of Lebanon’s most serious problems the Syrian refugee crisis. The mass arrival of 1.5 million Syrian refugees has further destabilised a nation long distrustful of Syria. Everything is done to hide the Syrian problem. Large international NGO are prevented from working here and the refugees themselves, like 12-year-old Abdelfateh, are forced to slave long hours to survive.

No population census has been held for decades in Lebanon to avoid threatening the fragile balance of sectarian powers. But the sunnis are convinced they form the largest section of the population.They feel oppressed and increasingly look towards Saudi Arabia or Turkey’s Muslim brotherhood for help. But despite everything, people like Lilian are determined to confront these endemic problems. “My destiny is to stay here and engage in political action…. The proverb “Lebanese love life” is very true, we love life despite everything!”

This documentary was produced by Kaliste Productions and directed by Alfred de Montesquiou. It was first released in 2021.

Lebanon: A People in Crisis (Re-upload) | ARTE.tv Documentary

Oct 6, 2025 | Undermined by the corruption of its leaders, the country is going through one of the worst economic crises in its history. Since the collapse of the banking system, Lebanese people have seen their living standards plunge.

The local currency has lost up to 90% of its value, and inflation is soaring. There are also shortages of fuel, electricity, and medicines. Some citizens even say Lebanon is on the brink of becoming a failed state.

Lebanon: A People in Crisis (Re-upload) | ARTE.tv Documentary
Available until 30/09/2028

Lebanon’s Crisis: The Last Hope | The Country That Lost Everything

Jun 30, 2025 | Lebanon was once called the Switzerland of the Middle East. Today, it's on the edge of collapse. This documentary shows how everyday life in Lebanon has become a struggle for survival.

Uncovering Lebanon’s Rich History and Culture - Breath-taking Views - Travel Documentary

Oct 2, 2024 | For so long battered by the course of history, Lebanon has found unparalleled energy to rebuild itself. The center of Beirut is today the symbol of this dynamism with a spectacular rehabilitation of historic buildings affected by the war and which mix modernism and tradition.

On the Verge of Collapse: Lebanon’s Battle for a Future | Dispatch | HD Documentary| Reupload

Oct 15, 2024 | Long considered the Switzerland of the Middle East, Lebanon is now going through the worst economic crisis in its history. 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. In one year, food prices have jumped 500% due to galloping inflation.

For Riad, who runs a grocery store in the suburbs of Beirut, business has become hellish. Every morning, calculator in hand, he changes the labels of his products according to the day’s exchange rate. An operation all the more complex as his store is plunged into darkness, due to lack of electricity. The Lebanese government no longer provides more than two hours of electricity per day in the country. It is impossible for the population to heat, light or use their refrigerator. Taking advantage of the situation, a network of private generators has emerged.

The Lebanese pound, the local currency, has lost 90% of its value. The only ones to get away with it are those who are paid in dollars. The greenback, which is exchanged for a fortune against the local currency, has given birth to a new privileged social class in the country. A salesman in an international pharmaceutical company, Joseph lives like a king in a ruined Lebanon. Thanks to his new purchasing power, he repaid his house loan in two months, instead of… twenty years!

In a bankrupt state, plagued by corruption, six out of ten Lebanese citizens now dream of leaving the country. In Tripoli, in northern Lebanon, Mohammed and his son left by sea to reach Germany. Although their trip was cut short off the Turkish coast, the young father is still ready to take all the risks to reach the European El Dorado.

Netanyahu Urges UN Forces Leave Lebanon Combat Zones | REUTERS

Oct 13, 2024 | The United Nations said Israeli tanks burst through the gates of a base of its peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, the latest accusation of Israeli violations and attacks that have been denounced by its own allies.

PM Netanyahu's Message to the People of Lebanon

Oct 8, 2024 | PM Netanyahu's Message to the People of Lebanon: "You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza." | This is a message to the people of Lebanon:

Israel Tells US It Plans to Launch Limited Ground Incursion into Lebanon - US Official | BBC News

Sep 30, 2024 | Israel has told the US it plans to launch a limited ground incursion into Lebanon as soon as Monday, a US official has said.

Hezbollah's deputy leader said it's ready for an Israeli ground offensive, as Israel continues air strikes across Lebanon.

It's the first speech by a high-ranking official since Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Naim Qassem said the battle "may be long".

n Lebanon, officials said more than 1,000 have been killed in the past two weeks, while up to a million people may now be displaced.


That was a very powerful, short speech by Benjamin Netanyahu. True words! – © Mark Alexander

'Lebanon Will Pay a Big Price If War Escalates' - Minister Tells Sky News

Sep 24, 2024 | Lebanon's economy minister has warned his country will pay a “very big price” if Hezbollah continues to escalate the war against Israel. Amin Salam told Yalda Hakim the war will take Lebanon to a “very difficult place”.

Naftali Bennett to Lebanese People: Stand Up against Hezbollah!

Sep 24, 2024

Walkie-talkies Explode in Lebanon, Day after Pager Blasts - Reports | BBC News

Sep 18, 2024 | More blasts have been reported in Beirut, a day after exploding pagers killed 12 and injured thousands across Lebanon.

A BBC reporter says one blast happened at a funeral, other sources say "communication devices" seem to have exploded.

Multiple sources say Mossad, the Israeli spy agency, was behind the attack on Tuesday - Israel has not commented.

Expert Explains How Israel Could Face 'Extraordinarily Dangerous' Moment

Aug 3, 2024 | CNN’s Jim Sciutto speaks with the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs Andrew Miller about the Middle East, as the region braces for an Iranian retaliation to the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran.

Countries Urge Nationals to Leave Lebanon as Middle East War Fears Grow | BBC News

Aug 4, 2024 | The US has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available”, as fears grow that war in the Middle East may spread. The UK, Sweden, France, Canada and Jordan have issued a similar warning.

Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets at the town of Beit Hillel in northern Israel at around 00:25 local time on Sunday (21:25 GMT Saturday). Footage posted on social media showed Israel's Iron Dome air defence system intercepting the rockets. There have been no reports of casualties. Israel’s air force responded by striking targets in southern Lebanon.

Iran has vowed “severe” retaliation against Israel, which it blames for the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday.

Israel is yet to comment on his death.


Crainte d'une escalade militaire au Moyen-Orient : après le Liban, la France recommande à ses ressortissants de quitter l’Iran : Les inquiétudes s'amplifient après la multiplication des menaces de l'Iran et de ses alliés contre Israël. »

Israel Strikes Beirut Suburb, Targeting Hezbollah Commander

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Tensions have soared between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah since a strike on Saturday in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights killed children and teenagers playing soccer.

Israel carried out a strike in Beirut on Tuesday night, retaliating for an assault that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend. The Israeli military said it had targeted a commander whom it blamed for the attack, fueling Western concerns that Israel’s long-running conflict with the powerful Lebanese militia Hezbollah could escalate further.

The Israeli strike was the second time during the war that the Israeli military has targeted Lebanon’s capital, after the killing of a senior Hamas leader there in January.

The explosion in Beirut came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that there would be a “severe” response for the Golan Heights attack, which hit a field where young people were playing soccer. Israel blamed Hezbollah, and the group denied responsibility for the assault, which landed in the Druse Arab village of Majdal Shams. Western officials had urged Israel to exercise restraint in its response. » | Ronen Bergman, Adam Rasgon and Euan Ward | Tuesday, July 30, 2024