Lebanon remains locked in a vicious cycle since last year's cease-fire that never truly ended the war and facing an unrestrained Israel.

BEIRUT -- Lebanon and Cyprus signed a long-delayed sea border agreement on Wednesday, ending an almost 20-year impasse that had stalled some oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian fuel.

Smoke could be seen in the busy Haret Hreik neighborhood, with one video that circulated on social media showing dozens of people crowded around the area of the strike.

Israel has attacked Beirut’s suburbs just two days after Lebanon’s president said he was open to negotiations.

Israel killed militant group Hezbollah's top military official in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut, the Israeli military said, despite a U.S.-brokered truce a year ago.

Social media users pondered and debated the design inspiration behind the Lebanese capital’s annual Christmas decorations

The strike comes days before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the country and as Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks.

BEIRUT/NICOSIA (Reuters) — Lebanon and Cyprus signed a long-awaited maritime demarcation deal on Wednesday, paving the way for potential exploration of offshore gas fields and energy cooperation in the Mediterranean.