Israeli series 'Fauda' tops weekly Netflix rankings in Lebanon

The fifth season of the Israeli counterterrorism drama "Fauda" ranked first on Netflix in Lebanon from September 7-13, following its global release on September 8. The series also entered the Top 10 in six other Arab states, including Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, and Kuwait. The new season focuses on trauma and a deep-cover operation in Marseille, France, rather than the Gaza conflict, and stars Lior Raz as Doron Kavillio. Former Israeli intelligence official Col. Jacques Neriah stated that Lebanon's interest is likely due to the show's quality and curiosity about an adversary, not a political shift. French-Lebanese journalist Maya Khadra noted the series' appeal lies in its portrayal of complex characters and may allow Arab viewers to understand Israeli collective trauma, suggesting "mutual curiosity" despite regional tensions.