GAZA: The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Monday that an Israeli operation in Khan Yunis killed 70 people and wounded more than 200, after the military warned it would “forcefully operate” in the area.
The military warning affected the eastern Khan Yunis sector of the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone in southern Gaza and sent thousands of Palestinians fleeing.
The military said it would act to curb rocket fire in the area. Khan Yunis had already seen heavy fighting earlier this year.
The latest incident comes nine days after the health ministry said 92 people were killed in a strike on Al-Mawasi, when Israel said it was targeting Hamas’s commander.
Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas and has launched intense military operations in areas of Gaza that it previously had declared free of the militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure to reach a truce and hostage-release deal, was on his way to Washington to address the US Congress.
Netanyahu will meet US President Joe Biden, who has pushed him to agree to a ceasefire, more than nine months into the Gaza war ignited by the Palestinian militant group’s October 7 attacks on Israel.
In late June Netanyahu had said the war “in its intense phase” was about to end.
The evacuation order for the Al-Mawasi area came just two months after the military directed Palestinians there for their own safety.
“Due to the Israeli occupation’s attacks and massacres in Khan Yunis governorate from the early hours of this morning until now, 70 people have been martyred and more than 200 wounded,” the Gaza health ministry said.
The Israeli military did not offer comment on the toll, when asked by AFP.
But in a statement, the military said its fighter jets and tanks “struck and eliminated terrorists in the area.”
It said forces targeted more than “30 terror infrastructure” sites in Khan Yunis. Israeli warplanes also hit a weapons storage facility, observation posts, tunnel shafts and structures used by Hamas militants, it added.
Facing yet another displacement, Palestinians filled the dusty streets of Khan Yunis with cars, motorbikes, donkey-drawn carts, and on foot, carrying what belongings they could.
Hassan Qudayh said his family fled in “panic.”
“We were happily making breakfast for our children, as we had been safe for a month, only to be stunned by shells, warning leaflets and martyrs in the streets,” he told AFPTV.
“This is the 14th or 15th time we’ve been displaced.
“Enough! We’ve been suffering for 10 months.”
Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
The militants also seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom are still in Gaza, including 44 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 39,000 people, also mostly civilians, according to data from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
The relentless fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis.
Yussef Abu Taimah from Al-Qarara in Khan Yunis said his family went to the humanitarian zone but found no space.
“Even the sidewalks are full of people and tents. We are tired and fed up. Enough of this displacement and migration.”
Months of intermittent talks for the first ceasefire and hostage-prisoner swap since November have yielded little progress.
Netanyahu will meet Biden on Tuesday and deliver a landmark speech to Congress on Wednesday, amid unprecedented strains between Israel and its ally the United States.
The Israeli leader has repeatedly resisted pressure from the Biden administration to accept a truce, which far-right members of his coalition opposes.
Washington fears a voter backlash over the mounting civilian war toll in Gaza, while protests by anti-government demonstrators and families of hostages in Israel are pressuring Netanyahu at home.
“Never before has the atmosphere been so fraught,” said Steven Cook, a Middle East specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations.
“There is clearly tension in the relationship, especially between the White House and the Israeli prime minister,” Cook said in a commentary.
The visit comes with the Gaza war again fueling regional violence.
Israel on Saturday attacked Yemen for the first time, in retaliation for a deadly drone strike on Tel Aviv by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
There were also further exchanges of fire between Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and the Israeli military at the weekend, as tensions remained high along the border.
An Israeli delegation will travel to Doha on Thursday to discuss new demands for a Gaza truce and hostage-prisoner exchange, a source with knowledge of the talks said.
Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been working to secure a deal between Israel and Hamas.
Gaza health ministry says dozens killed, after Israel evacuation order
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Gaza health ministry says dozens killed, after Israel evacuation order
- The Palestinians were killed by tank salvoes in the town of Bani Suhaila and other towns fringing the eastern side of Khan Younis, with the area also bombarded by air
- “It is like doomsday,” one resident, who only identified himself as Abu Khaled, said
Migrants rescued from energy platform off Tunisia after four days, charity says
A reconnaissance plane operated by Sea-Watch had spotted the group on the Miskar platform
ROME: A charity vessel has rescued more than 30 migrants including two children who had been stranded for four days on a gas platform in the Mediterranean off the coast of Tunisia, the Sea-Watch organization said on Tuesday.
“This morning, Sea-Watch’s fast ship Aurora left (the Italian island of) Lampedusa to rescue them. Now the people are safe, assisted by our crew,” it said in a statement.
A reconnaissance plane operated by Sea-Watch had spotted the group on the Miskar platform on Saturday, with an empty rubber dinghy floating nearby.
The charity added that the migrants had been left “exposed to the cold and without care for four days after the dinghy they were using to escape from Libya went adrift.”
Alarm Phone, a group that operates a help line for sea migrants, on Monday said on X that it had spoken to the migrants on Sunday and been informed that one person had died and others were sick.
European governments, keen to curb irregular immigration, have signed agreements with Tunisia and Libya that they will intercept and take back sea migrants, despite criticism from human rights groups.
‘New phase of Lebanese-Saudi ties’ after Riyadh talks: Aoun
- Countries agreed to develop cooperation across all sectors, Aoun said after Monday’s landmark meeting — the first official Lebanese visit to the Kingdom in eight years
- Before leaving, Joseph Aoun sent a telegram to the crown prince, conveying ‘the Lebanese people’s deep appreciation for King Salman’s historic stances toward Lebanon and its people’
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have “laid the solid foundations for a new phase of relations” with the Kingdom.
The two countries agreed to develop cooperation across all sectors, Aoun said after Monday’s landmark meeting — the first official Lebanese visit to the Kingdom in eight years.
Before leaving Saudi Arabia for Cairo on Tuesday, Aoun sent a telegram to the crown prince, conveying “the Lebanese people’s deep appreciation for King Salman’s historic stances toward Lebanon and its people.”
Extensive discussions between the crown prince and Aoun were held on Monday evening at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
The meeting was attended by, on the Saudi side, Minister of State and Cabinet member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd; Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz; Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal; Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif; National Guard Minister Prince Abdullah bin Bandar; Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman; Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; National Security Adviser Musaid Al-Aiban; Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi; Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Al-Bukhari; and adviser to the foreign minister on Lebanese Affairs Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan.
On the Lebanese side, the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Youssef Raji and Lebanese Ambassador to the Kingdom Fawzi Kabbara, among others
The talks “fell within the framework of enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries and paving the way for the signing of several agreements in various fields,” a statement said.
Aoun and the crown prince held a 45-minute private meeting, “during which they continued discussions on issues of mutual interest to both countries and their brotherly peoples.”
In a joint statement issued after the talks, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon “emphasized the importance of strengthening Arab cooperation and coordinating positions on key regional and international issues.”
The Saudi Press Agency said that both sides highlighted “the importance of the full implementation of the Taif Agreement, the implementation of relevant international resolutions and the extension of the Lebanese state’s sovereignty over all its territory, as well as the exclusive possession of arms by the Lebanese state, the national role of the Lebanese army and the importance of supporting it and the need for the Israeli occupation’s army to withdraw from all Lebanese territory.”
The two sides agreed on working to ease restrictions on trade and travel.
They also highlighted the importance of implementing the principles laid out by Aoun in his inaugural speech.
Aoun and the crown prince agreed on “the urgent need for Lebanon’s economic recovery and to address the crisis” and that Lebanon must “begin the internationally demanded reform, based on the principles of transparency and the enforcement of binding laws.”
The Lebanese leader invited the crown prince to visit his country, a gesture that was met with “appreciation and a warm reception” from the Saudi leader, the statement said.
A source familiar with the Riyadh talks told Arab News: “There was a shared understanding of the necessity for reforms in Lebanon to enable the needed support.
“The resumption of exports from Lebanon to the Kingdom requires a thorough review, which may take up to three months.”
The source added: “Everything is on track, and the outcomes of the visit were excellent. This is what truly matters.”
Rabih El-Amine, chairman of the Lebanese Executives Council, said: “This visit stands out as exceptional. Lebanon has a remarkable opportunity to reshape its relations with Arab nations, with Saudi Arabia as the essential gateway.”
He added: “We expect the resumption of Saudi tourism and investment in Lebanon. However, this requires a stable environment, with a strong state capable of ensuring security, an independent and impartial judiciary to protect investments, and the revitalization of the banking sector in Lebanon to restore international market confidence.”
Aoun left Riyadh on Tuesday morning to attend an Arab League summit on Gaza in Cairo, where he also held several meetings with Arab and UN officials.
He met UN chief Antonio Guterres along with several officials from international organizations in the Egyptian capital.
Aoun said: “The presence of Israelis on several Lebanese hills, coupled with the absence of the Lebanese army in those areas, could hinder the achievement of stability and the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement."
A Lebanese statement said that Guterres expressed his “astonishment at the continued presence of Israeli forces in several areas of southern Lebanon, considering that this situation does not contribute to stability in the region.”
Aoun also discussed the issue of returning Syrian refugees in Lebanon to their homeland with the UN chief.
In a statement, Guterres said: “Lebanon is committed to an effective reform policy aimed at revitalizing its economy and society, and it is essential to respect the sovereignty of Lebanon, with no foreign forces remaining on its territory except for UNIFIL.”
Aoun met Yemeni leader Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi and emphasized the importance of “solidarity among Arab nations and the necessity for a unified Arab entity.”
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid told Aoun that his country “places great importance on the situation in Lebanon and looks forward to continuing cooperation.”
In response, Aoun highlighted energy cooperation with Iraq, and called for a strengthening of ties in the field.
Separately, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji discussed Lebanese-Syrian relations with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani.
Meanwhile, Israel ramped up its violations of Lebanese sovereignty, striking a car in the Tyre district with a drone, killing the driver.
Israel claimed that the target was a “key figure” in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the death of a citizen without disclosing his name, while media reports from the south named the deceased as Khadr Hashim.
UAE and UK officials discuss joint efforts to combat illicit financial flows
- Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting transparency, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and upholding international standards
ABU DHABI: UAE Minister of State Ahmed Al-Sayegh and UK Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis met in Abu Dhabi to discuss the UAE-UK partnership in tackling illicit financial flows, Emirates News Agency reported on Tuesday.
The high-level meeting brought together senior representatives from both nations to explore key areas of cooperation, including financial security, anti-money laundering measures, and emerging risks in the global financial system.
Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting transparency, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and upholding international standards in the fight against financial crimes.
They also emphasized the importance of joint initiatives and knowledge exchange in fostering a secure and resilient financial ecosystem.
Jarvis said: “The government understands the importance of international cooperation in tracking, intercepting, and stopping the flow of illicit funds between the UK and UAE. This partnership remains critical to our nations’ missions for countering global crimes and protecting national security, which is the foundation of our Plan for Change.”
UN envoy slams Israel’s ‘unacceptable’ Syria escalation
- UN envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said Tuesday he was “deeply concerned by continued violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.”
- Such actions, he warned in a statement, “are unacceptable and risk further destabilising an already fragile situation“
GENEVA: The United Nations envoy for the Syrian Arab Republic on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel’s “military escalations, including airstrikes” on its northern neighbor.
Syrian state media said Israeli strikes hit the Tartus area on Monday, after a war monitor reported a blast near the city’s port and the Israeli army said it struck a “military site” further north.
That came after Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes after a lightning Islamist-led offensive ousted president Bashar Assad in December, in what it said was a bid to prevent Syrian military assets from falling into hostile hands.
It also sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the strategic Golan Heights since 1974.
UN envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said Tuesday he was “deeply concerned by continued violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.”
Such actions, he warned in a statement, “are unacceptable and risk further destabilising an already fragile situation, heightening regional tensions, and undermining efforts toward de-escalation and a sustainable political transition.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that southern Syria must be completely demilitarised, warning that his government would not accept the presence of the forces of the new Syrian Islamist-led government near its territory.
Even before Assad’s fall, during Syria’s civil war which broke out in 2011, Israel carried out hundreds of strikes in the neighboring country, mainly on government forces and Iranian-linked targets.
The same day Assad was ousted, Israel said its troops were entering the UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights.
Israel seized much of the Golan Heights from Syria in a war in 1967, later annexing the area in a move largely unrecognized by the international community.
Pedersen’s statement called on Israel “to cease violations, uphold its international obligations, and refrain from unilateral measures that exacerbate conflict.”
It urged “all parties to respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity.”
“Constructive dialogue and strict adherence to international agreements and international law are essential for security in Syria and the broader region.”
Trump administration again labels the Houthis a ‘foreign terrorist organization’
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the department had restored the designation
WASHINGTON: The State Department on Tuesday reinstated the “foreign terrorist organization” designation for Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group, fulfilling an order announced by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the department had restored the designation, which carries with it sanctions and penalties for anyone providing “material support” for the group.
“Since 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as US service members defending freedom of navigation and our regional partners,” Rubio said in a statement. “Most recently, the Houthis spared Chinese-flagged ships while targeting American and allied vessels.”
The Houthis have targeted more than 100 merchant vessels in the critical trade corridor with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023. In January, the group signaled that it will limit its attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip but warned wider assaults could resume if needed.
Trump’s first Republican administration had similarly designated the Houthis in its waning days, but the designation had been revoked by President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration over concerns it would badly affect the delivery of aid to Yemen, which was considered to be facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The United Nations said last month that it suspended its humanitarian operations in the stronghold of Yemen’s Houthi rebels after they detained eight more UN staffers.
The rebels in recent months have detained dozens of UN staffers, as well as people associated with aid groups, civil society and the once-open US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital. None of the UN staffers has been released.
The Iranian-backed Houthis have been fighting Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014, when they descended from their stronghold in Saada and took control of Sanaa and most of the north.
