Doctors Without Borders rejects Israeli army claim of ‘terror activity’ at site of deadly attack in Gaza

Sky News revealed the findings of its investigation into the incident prompting the IDF to initiate its own ‘examination’ into the incident. (Doctors Without Borders))
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Updated 28 March 2024
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Doctors Without Borders rejects Israeli army claim of ‘terror activity’ at site of deadly attack in Gaza

  • 2 family members of staff member killed and 7 others injured by Israeli forces in February
  • Likely a tank shell ‘fired directly into the building,’ according to a media probe

DUBAI: Israeli forces have been accused of intentionally, and without provocation, attacking a Doctors Without Borders aid shelter housing 64 people in Al-Mawasi, Gaza, on Feb. 20 killing two relatives of a staff member and injuring seven others.

The attack came despite Israeli forces being informed of the precise location of the shelter, Doctors Without Borders, or the MSF, reportedly said. The Israeli army has claimed that there was “terror activity” at the site, which the MSF has rejected.

Sky News revealed the findings of its investigation into the incident on Wednesday, prompting the Israeli Defense Forces to initiate its own “examination” into the incident.

The news organization said it visited the site, and used on-the-ground footage, open-source techniques and interviews with witnesses and weapons experts to understand how the incident unfolded.

Witnesses told Sky News they heard loud noises that seemed to come from a tank track, while some also heard gunshots.

The evidence suggests the attack was initiated by a tank shell that entered through a window. “It’s difficult to draw definitive conclusions merely from imagery however I believe the damage is the result of a tank round being fired directly into the building,” said former British army artillery officer and director of Chiron Resources, Chris Cobb-Smith.

He dispelled any notions about it being an attack by Hamas, saying he was “unaware of any direct fire weapons of this caliber being operated by Hamas” and is “doubtful that anything of this size would have been able to be deployed and fired with the amount of IDF activity in the area.”

Witnesses and MSF members said they also heard gunfire before the building was hit.

Meinie Nicolai, general director of the aid organization, who visited the site soon after the attack, said bullets were fired at the front of the shelter.

The investigation further revealed that on the day of the attack, the Israeli army said on its Telegram channel that its forces were operating in northern, central and southern Gaza Strip and continuing “intensive operations in western Khan Younis,” but it did not mention the immediate area around the shelter.

Moreover, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee published an evacuation map on the same day of two neighborhoods further north in and around Gaza City, which did not cover the area where the shelter is located.

Emergency services arrived at the scene at least two-and-a-half hours after the attack due to security concerns, according to the investigation.

The injured were taken to the International Medical Corps Field hospital in Rafah, said the MSF.

“We are outraged and deeply saddened by these killings,” said Nicolai in February.

“These killings underscore the grim reality that nowhere in Gaza is safe, that promises of safe areas are empty and deconfliction mechanisms unreliable,” she added.

The IDF, which has launched its own investigation, said that it “fired at a building that was identified as a building where terror activity is occurring,” but did not provide any evidence.

The MSF said in a statement on Wednesday it “refutes any allegations of terror activity occurring in MSF-run structures.

“The shelter was used by humanitarian personnel and their family members, identified by an MSF flag, and notified to the Israeli authorities.”

In a statement, the IDF added: “After the incident, reports were received of the death of two uninvolved civilians in the area. The IDF regrets any harm to civilians and does everything in its power to operate in a precise and accurate manner.”

Under international humanitarian law, medical facilities and units must be respected and protected in all circumstances.

Oona Hathaway, an international law professor at Yale Law School, told Sky News that medical facilities are “presumed to be civilian objects and not subject to targeting during armed conflict.”

She added that if the IDF intentionally targets a civilian object, it counts as “potentially a war crime.”

Last week, the IDF launched an operation in and around Al-Shifa, saying senior Hamas operatives were based at the sprawling compound. Days of heavy fighting have followed, with the military reporting about 170 Palestinian militants killed and hundreds more arrested or questioned.


TikTok and SRMG join forces to back local talent, drive MENA media innovation

Updated 28 May 2025
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TikTok and SRMG join forces to back local talent, drive MENA media innovation

  • Partnership will accelerate creator economy and drive commercial growth by integrating TikTok’s platform with SRMG’s media ecosystem, events, and training initiatives, companies said

RIYADH: Leading media group SRMG has announced a strategic partnership with TikTok to empower the next generation of content creators in Saudi Arabia and across the MENA region, while also driving commercial growth through a series of innovative initiatives. 

The partnership will leverage TikTok’s expertise in amplifying content reach, unlocking monetization opportunities, and fostering deeper connections with the region’s digitally native audience. It also aims to expand TikTok’s footprint through integration into SRMG’s flagship events and diverse media platforms, particularly in the fields of entertainment, sports, and lifestyle.

A key initiative under the partnership was the launch of #TikTokAcademy, a local program tailored for Saudi Arabia and developed in conjunction with SRMG Academy. This initiative invites aspiring digital storytellers to submit original content across lifestyle, fashion, film and entertainment, news, and sports. Selected creators will gain exclusive training across SRMG’s media brands, gaining firsthand experience alongside editors, journalists, and producers.

As part of the partnership, SRMG’s cultural and entertainment events such as the Billboard Arabia Music Awards and Hia Hub, will provide a prominent platform to spotlight TikTok creators and raise their profile. SRMG will also activate its extensive media network, including, Hia Magazine, Sayidaty, Arriyadiyah, and Billboard Arabia to amplify content and showcase creators through editorial and digital platforms.

This aligns with broader industry momentum, as the media sector added SAR 14.5 billion ($3.86 billion) to the GDP in 2023, with ambitions to more than triple that by 2030 and generate 67,000 jobs by 2024. The entertainment sector is booming as well, bringing in over SAR 1 billion in revenue and engaging more than 75 million people in the past five years. Social media is a major driving force behind this surge, with Saudi Arabia ranked among the top countries for usage, fuelling a new era of content creation, digital storytelling, and influencer-led innovation.

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Commenting on the partnership, Bassil Al Mouallimi Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at SRMG, said: “We believe in the power of community and in the influential role the new generation plays in shaping the future of media in our region.” He noted that “the region’s creative economy is witnessing remarkable and rapid growth, particularly across the media, entertainment, and social platform sectors.” Al Mouallimi added: “Our strategic partnership with TikTok marks a significant step in solidifying our presence at the heart of this creative movement. We are working to connect talented creators with global platforms and foster an environment that empowers them to thrive and make a meaningful impact.” He emphasized that “this goes beyond simply producing trend-driven content — it’s about building sustainable career paths, amplifying authentic voices, and driving growth in the content economy.”

Kinda Ibrahim, TikTok’s General Manager of Content Operations in MEA, South and Central Asia said “At TikTok, we are committed to empowering a new generation of storytellers by giving them the tools, platform, and global stage to express themselves and shape culture. Saudi Arabia is home to an incredibly engaged and creative community. Through this partnership with SRMG, we are doubling down on our efforts to nurture local talent, fuel the region’s creative economy, and help creators thrive, not just in the Kingdom, but across the world.” 

This strategic partnership builds on the momentum of earlier joint initiatives, including the launch of the Billboard Arabia TikTok Music Charts, a first-of-its-kind platform spotlighting the most streamed and culturally influential songs in the Arab world. It also follows the rollout of SRMG Academy’s first technology journalism course, powered by TikTok, designed to train the next wave of Saudi storytellers in navigating and reporting on the fast-evolving tech landscape.


Adviser to UAE president warns of regional gridlock without strategic shifts

(AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)
Updated 28 May 2025
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Adviser to UAE president warns of regional gridlock without strategic shifts

DUBAI: Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, defended the country’s foreign policy and addressed the Arab world’s uncertain geopolitical landscape during a panel discussion at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.

“How can you explain everything that is happening in the Arab world now?” asked Taher Baraka, presenter at Al Arabiya.

Gargash responded with a single word: “Uncertainty.”

Elaborating on this theme, he pointed to the fragile resurgence of nations such as Syria and Lebanon as central to the region’s current volatility.

“We have two Arab worlds,” he said. “There is the GCC, and then there are Arab countries that are suffering.”

Gargash emphasized the UAE’s proactive foreign policy, which he described as essential to fostering stability and peace for the Emirati people.

“We know we have to address the problems in our region,” he said. “Yes, there are challenges — but there is also significant potential.”

He also addressed criticism surrounding the UAE’s decision to normalize ties with Israel, a move that has sparked debate across the Arab world.

“Normalization is being used as a scare tactic,” he said. “But it is a sovereign decision, and for us, it was the right choice.”

Despite this stance, Gargash reaffirmed the UAE’s enduring support for the Palestinian cause.

“Our commitment to the Palestinian people and their right to a state remains unchanged. Their suffering brings us real pain,” he said.

Gargash argued that without normalization, the Arab world risks clinging to outdated strategies that perpetuate conflict and division.

Using the metaphor of a “bottleneck,” he described the political paralysis in Syria and Lebanon, where armed militias continue to undermine national sovereignty.

“We cannot have two armies in one country,” he said. “We need realistic priorities.”

Gargash highlighted the UAE’s role in supporting crisis-hit nations, pointing to the large Lebanese and Syrian diasporas in the Emirates.

“The UAE has been the breathing lungs for Lebanon and Syria during the height of their crises. Many of their citizens came here and thrived. If they can innovate here, they can innovate in Lebanon or Syria,” he said. 


New currency in the works, says Syrian economy minister

Updated 28 May 2025
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New currency in the works, says Syrian economy minister

  • Syria is striving to become an open economy and attract foreign investment

DUBAI: Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar has said his country is working on developing a new currency but will not make any hasty decisions.

Speaking at the Arab Media Summit on Wednesday, Al-Shaar said the new Syrian government was “dealing with this calmly and patiently” and pointed to the economy’s flaws under Bashar Assad’s regime.

“The regime had different channels to pay salaries, one was through royalties that were imposed on traders and the other was through captagon production. When the regime fell, these stopped so there is a shortage in liquidity currently,” he explained.

Liquidity was the main challenge faced by Syria’s economy, he added, as the previous regime had retrieved most of the country’s liquid assets from overseas before it fell.

“We are working on retrieving our funds from abroad in cash; unfortunately the regime was able to retrieve most of it but something is better than nothing,” he said.

Earlier this year, the UAE invested $800 million to develop the Syrian port of Tartous after the US lifted sanctions.

Al-Shaar said Syria was striving to become an open economy and attract foreign investment but was being selective to avoid creating economic chaos.

“Brotherly countries of the Middle East are all looking forward to protecting Syria from chaos, the Syrian people are tired of (it) and cannot bear any more,” he added.


Takreem Foundation gala honors Arab cultural luminaries

Updated 28 May 2025
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Takreem Foundation gala honors Arab cultural luminaries

  • Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa and Pierre Choueiri among award recipients

DUBAI: Bahrain’s Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa and Lebanese advertising mogul Pierre Choueiri were among those honored by the Takreem Foundation last week at a gala dedicated to celebrating Arab excellence on a global stage.

Emirati writer, art expert and philanthropist Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi was also among the prominent figures honored for their significant contributions to the region’s cultural landscape.

Sheikha Mai, a Bahraini politician and passionate advocate for heritage preservation, received a lifetime achievement award for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting Arab culture and consistently championing the importance of preserving historical sites.

As president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives dedicated to restoring and revitalizing the country’s rich heritage. Her close collaboration with UNESCO, particularly in her role as chair of the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage, further underscores her dedication to protecting and promoting Arab cultural heritage on a global scale.

Her award recognizes her enduring impact on cultural preservation efforts within Bahrain and across the Arab world.

Choueiri, chairman and CEO of the Choueiri Group, a leading media company in the region, received a special distinction for his contributions to the cultural landscape. While not explicitly a cultural figure himself, Choueiri’s recognition is tied to his support of Al-Multaqa Literary Salon.

Al-Multaqa, also honored at the event, is a renowned platform for intellectual exchange centered around Arabic literature, philosophy, and art. Founded in 1998 by Asma Seddiq Al-Mutawa, who accepted the award on behalf of the platform, it has gained recognition for its vibrant discussions, particularly those revolving around Arabic novels.

Recognized by UNESCO, the salon has played a vital role in fostering a vibrant reading culture, supporting emerging writers, and promoting intellectual discourse throughout the Arab world.

The Takreem Foundation’s decision to honor both Sheikha Mai and Choueiri reflects the organization’s holistic view of cultural impact. It recognizes not only those directly involved in cultural creation and preservation but also those who provide crucial support and platforms for cultural exchange.

Established in 2010, Takreem continues to highlight the achievements of Arabs across various fields, holding its awards ceremonies in major cities throughout the region and beyond. Through these events and fundraising galas, the foundation aims to inspire future generations and foster a greater appreciation for Arab contributions to the world.


Israel calls New York Times report on Iran nuclear talks ‘fake news’

Updated 28 May 2025
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Israel calls New York Times report on Iran nuclear talks ‘fake news’

  • New York Times reported Netanyahu threatened to disrupt talks on a nuclear deal between the US and Iran by striking Iran’s nuclear facilities

JERUSALEM: Israel on Thursday rejected a report in the New York Times that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been threatening to disrupt talks on a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran by striking Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facilities.
Netanyahu’s office issued a statement in response to the article which said simply: “Fake news.”
Citing officials briefed on the situation, the New York Times said that Israeli officials were concerned that US President Donald Trump was so eager to reach a deal with Iran that he would allow Tehran to keep its nuclear enrichment facilities, a red line for Israel.
It said Israel was particularly concerned about the possibility of any interim deal that would allow Iran to maintain its nuclear facilities for months or even years while a final agreement was reached.
The report said US officials were concerned that Israel could decide to strike Iran with little warning, and said US intelligence estimated that Israel could mount an attack on Iran in as little as seven hours.
It added that Israeli officials had warned their US counterparts that Netanyahu could order a strike on Iran even if a successful diplomatic agreement is reached.
The newspaper said that Netanyahu’s minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer and David Barnea, head of the foreign intelligence agency Mossad, met Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome on Friday.
The two then traveled to Washington for a meeting on Monday with CIA director John Ratcliffe before Dermer met Witkoff again on Tuesday.
One of the main sticking points in the talks between US and Iranian officials has been the US insistence that Iran must give up its nuclear enrichment facilities, a demand that Iran rejects.
On Monday, US Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem said she had had a “very candid conversation” with Netanyahu on the negotiations with Iran.
She said she had told the Israeli prime minister that Trump had asked her to convey “how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out.”
Trump bypassed Israel on his trip to the Middle East this month and has made policy announcements that have shaken Israel’s assumptions about its relations with the US
Netanyahu has dismissed speculation about a falling out with the US administration, while Trump has also brushed off any suggestion of a break.