Jordan

2025-02-11

وكالاتأعرب العاهل الأردني الملك عبد الله الثاني، اليوم الثلاثاء، عن امتنانه للرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب على الترحيب الحار الذي حظي به خلال زيارته إلى واشنطن، موضحا أن الاجتماع بينهما في البيت الأبيض كان بناء.وفي تغريدة على حسابه بمنصة "إكس"، قال العاهل الأردني، إنه ناقش مع ترامب الشراكة الطويلة الأمد بين الأردن والولايات المتحدة، مؤكدا أن هذه الشراكة لا تزال قائمة من أجل الاستقرار والسلام والأمن المتبادل".وأوضح الملك عبد الله الثاني، أنه أكد على أهمية خفض التصعيد في الضفة الغربية، وكذا منع تدهور الوضع هناك والذي قد يكون له آثار بعيدة المدى على المنطقة بأكملها. Concluded a constructive meeting with President Trump at the White House today. Grateful for the President’s warm welcome. We discussed Jordan’s longstanding partnership with the United States. It continues to be a partnership for stability, peace, and mutual security. وأكد العاهل الأردني، أن المملكة الهاشمية ستواصل القيام بدور فعال مع شركائها للوصول إلى سلام عادل وشامل للجميع في المنطقة.وخلال مؤتمر صحفي مع الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب في واشنطن، اليوم الثلاثاء، قال العاهل الأردني الملك عبد الله الثاني إن المملكة الهاشمية ستناقش في السعودية كيفية العمل مع الولايات المتحدة بشأن غزة.وفي معرض رده على سؤال حول استقبال فلسطينيين، قال العاهل الأردني إنه "يجب أن نضع بالاعتبار كيفية تنفيذ ذلك بما يخدم مصلحة الجميع".وأشار العاهل الأردني، إلى أن المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية ستستقبل ألفي طفل من المرضى.وفي ما يخص وجود أرض يمكن أن يعيش عليها الفلسطينيون، أوضح العاهل الأردني: "علي أن أعمل ما فيه مصلحة بلدي". وأوضح الملك عبد الله، أنه سيكون هناك رد من عدة دول على مقترح الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب بشأن غزة، مؤكدا أن العرب سيأتون إلى أمريكا برد على خطة الرئيس دونالد ترامب بشأن غزة.ولفت العاهل الأردني، أن المملكة الهاشمية يجب أن تنتظر لترى خطة من مصر بشأن مقترح تهجير الفلسطينيين من غزة. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-09

and the successful interception of the majority of the missiles and drones launched marked a turning point in the war that began with Hamas’s attack on October 7. This shift has three main aspects: First, unlike the military and intelligence failure of October 7, Israel’s defenses were ready for this assault and were well coordinated with the forces of the United States, Britain, and several Middle Eastern countries. Those who were ready to eulogize Israel after the surprise attack of October 7 learned that it was not a true indication of the capabilities of the IDF. At the same time, it is too early to determine the extent to which this recent success has restored Israel’s deterrence capabilities. The second change was that the attack diverted regional and international attention toward Iran and away from Gaza, the hostages, and the Palestinian issue in general. Finally, the attack created a basis for regional and international cooperation against a common enemy. This stands in contrast to Gaza and the Palestinian issue, which have served as friction points between Israel, on the one hand, and the United States, the West, and the moderate Arab states on the other. However, the successful response to Iran does not alter the fact that Israel remains “captive” in Gaza. That is, not only are 132 hostages still in the hands of Hamas, but without some form of political horizon regarding Gaza and the Palestinian issue as a whole, Israel will remain “captive” in its current regional and international situation. On the face of it, the balance of regional power has not changed dramatically during the war: None of the states that have signed peace treaties or normalization agreements with Israel have withdrawn from them. While Jordan did recall its ambassador from Israel to Amman (not such an unusual occurrence in the history of the two states’ relations), when push came to shove, it stood with Israel against the Iranian attack. THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS signing ceremony at the White House in September 2020: It was an erroneous perception that peace agreements and normalization with our Arab neighbors could be achieved without paying any political price to our Palestinian neighbors, says the writer. (credit: Avi Ohayon/GPO) However, all that aided Israel against Iran chose to play down this fact in their local media. In other words, Israel has returned to its old position in the Middle East, as a “mistress” that Arab countries are willing to be helped by and even help, but behind the scenes. This constitutes a regression. Furthermore, one of the signatories to the Abraham Accords, Sudan, has renewed its diplomatic relations with Iran and is now receiving Iranian military and economic aid. Effectively, Tehran is exploiting the Sudanese civil war to remove the country from the Western sphere of influence and compel it to withdraw from the Abraham Accords. If this effort succeeds, Sudan could find itself serving as a regional weapons depot for Iran, used to arm and finance jihadist organizations , as it did before the Abraham Accords. IN THE LONG TERM, addressing the Iranian threat for Israel and the West relies not solely on military means but also on diplomatic strategies. In this context, two primary courses of action emerge: The first involves efforts to alter the regional power dynamics by enticing neutral or Iran-leaning actors with promises of substantial future benefits. These actors comprise Oman, Iraq, Syria, and notably, Sudan. Oman holds historical significance as the first Gulf state to establish ties with Israel in the 1970s, formalizing diplomatic relations in 1996. In the case of Iraq, it transcends mere alignment with pro-Iranian Shi’ite militias, as evidenced by the Iraqi prime minister’s coincidental visit to Washington during the Iranian assault on Israel. Syria’s historical alignment with Iran contrasts its past associations, notably with Egypt and Saudi Arabia until the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980. Notably, Hafez al-Assad backed the Western coalition against Iraq during the Kuwait invasion in 1990. Syria recently rejoined the Arab League following the withdrawal of opposition from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Arab states. The country is in dire need of massive amounts of aid, potentially paving the way for a shift in its foreign policy. Any such change would likely face opposition from Russia, though its current capacity is constrained by its war with Ukraine. In addition, though Hezbollah is the primary military force in Lebanon, there are many Lebanese—Christians, Sunnis, and even Shi’ites—who oppose the organization and are dissatisfied with the consequences of war for their country. Finally, the possibility should not be ruled out of Sudan returning to the Western camp if the rewards on offer are right. THE SECOND avenue of action focuses on addressing the Palestinian issue. This would entail the development of an Israeli-led plan or initiative, in collaboration with the United States and moderate Arab states, aimed at establishing a credible alternative to Hamas governance in Gaza. The ultimate goal would be to work towards the establishment of a Palestinian state in the long term, while also advancing the process of . Such efforts could potentially pave the way for additional agreements with various Arab and Muslim states, including Indonesia. However, it is important to acknowledge the significant challenges inherent in this endeavor, from the perspectives of both Israel and the Palestinians. Nonetheless, a demonstrated willingness to pursue progress and initiative in this direction could lay the groundwork for a regional diplomatic process and help mitigate criticism of Israel in both Arab and Western public opinion. At present, these ideas may appear to be far-fetched dreams. However, it’s worth noting that not long ago, the notion of Arab countries assisting Israel in a conflict against Iran would have seemed implausible. In light of this, we should embrace the vision expressed in Shimon Peres’s final book title: No Room for Small Dreams. This suggests that even seemingly ambitious goals are worth pursuing, as history has shown that remarkable shifts can occur when bold visions are pursued with determination. The writer teaches in the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is a board member of Mitvim—The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-08

The US military completed the creation of a floating pier that is supposed to be positioned off the coast . However, currently, a spate of bad weather has kept the temporary pier from being positioned in place off the coast, according to Stars and Stripes. “As of today, the construction of the two portions of the JLOTS — the floating pier and the Trident pier — are complete and awaiting final movement offshore,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said. “Today, there are still forecasted high winds and high sea swells, which are causing unsafe conditions for the JLOTS components to be moved.” The swell on May 8 had reduced to around half a meter off the coast, but winds continued at around 15 knots. It remains to be seen when the floating pier will be in place. Once in place, the pier will be able to receive aid from Cyprus and other places, and then the aid can be brought to shore and stored at a site the IDF has created on land. That site is around 60 acres and will be able to hold containers and move them onto trucks for transport. This entire operation is complex. It took around two months to get this to happen. Small US army ships had to travel across the Atlantic and then through Crete to get here. Other ships were also sent to help. It is unclear if the “sea state conditions” that have made it hard to put the pier in place will continue to be a problem. If the pier has to be moved or cannot be used in a heavy sea state, then it could cause other logistical issues for the movement of aid. However, the sea is expected to be better in the spring and summer, making this unique US capability more relevant. The big question, though, is how this will change the situation in Gaza. With fighting , the pier can help to pick up the slack of aid being moved into Gaza. There are also other crossing points the IDF opened in the last two months, including a crossing point in the north and one at Erez. The IDF also re-opened the on May 8. Aid is also being moved through Ashdod and coming from Jordan. In addition, airdrops of aid continue to happen in Gaza. The report at Stars and Stripes says that “in the meantime, the U.S. is loading aid on the ship, MV Sagamore, currently in Cyprus.” The US says the vessel will be able to make trips back and forth to Cyprus. The Sagamore, according to the vessel information website Vessel Finder, says that this is an 184-meter cargo ship built in 2008. The pier’s creation is a major success for the US, demonstrating that this capability can work. It cost an estimated $320 million, and 1,000 US personnel were involved. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-07

Day 214 of Israel at war: Security sources affiliated with the terrorist organization Hamas have reported to the al-Aqsa channel that Egypt has officially informed the Gaza crossing authority about Israel's decision not to operate in the Rafah crossing. However, reports indicate that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are actively targeting Palestinian resistance targets in the vicinity of the crossing. According to reports, three IDF tanks were positioned approximately 200 meters from the Rafah crossing and have been firing shells at the crossing structure overnight.  Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed the official Qatar News Agency that Hamas has responded to the pacification proposal presented to both Hamas and Israel. Al-Ansari emphasized that Hamas' response is considered positive. Additionally, he announced that a Qatari delegation is scheduled to arrive in Cairo on Tuesday morning to resume indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas. To catch up on the full events from Monday Read more in-depth updates on the IDF confirms it has taken control of the Palestinian side of Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border Initial report: American aircraft carrier 'Eisenhower' has returned to the Red Sea Israeli activists block the humanitarian aid trucks from inside Israel going into Gaza  "We will continue to block the aid throughout the night. Aid is a gift that goes straight into the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas while our abductees suffer in captivity. No aid will pass until the last of the abductees returns." President Biden and King Abdullah II of Jordan convened at the White House to commemorate 75 years of bilateral partnership They discussed the latest Gaza developments, emphasizing the urgent need for a sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to achieving lasting peace, including a pathway to a Palestinian state with security for Israel. They also emphasized the importance of stability in the West Bank and pledged to work together to enhance regional integration This post can't be displayed because social networks cookies have been deactivated. You can activate them by clicking manage preferences. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-06

told US President Joe Biden in a private meeting on Monday that an Israeli offensive in Rafah would lead to a "new massacre" of Palestinian civilians and urged the international community to take urgent action. "The king warned of the repercussions of the Israeli ground, which could cause a regional spillover of the conflict," a statement from the Jordan royal court said after Abdullah had lunch with Biden at the White House. Israel carried out airstrikes in Rafah on Monday and told Palestinians to evacuate parts of the city where more than a million people uprooted by the seven-month war are crowded together. On Sunday, Hamas reiterated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruled that out. also attacked the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, which Israel said killed three of its soldiers. In a phone call on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu, Biden pressed Netanyahu not to go ahead with a large-scale Israeli military offensive in Rafah. The US president has been vocal in his demand that Israel not undertake a ground offensive in Rafah without a plan to protect Palestinian civilians. Palestinians react after Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 6, 2024. (credit: REUTERS) The Jordanian statement said Abdullah in his meeting with Biden "warned that the Israeli attack on Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinians are internally displaced as a result of the war on Gaza, threatens to lead to a new massacre." "His Majesty stressed the importance of all efforts that seek an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," it said. "The king and the US president affirmed their commitment to working to reach a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, stressing the importance of facilitating the delivery of sustainable humanitarian aid to the Strip in light of the dire needs." The Biden administration and Israeli officials remain at odds over Israel's planned military incursion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah where it told Palestinians to start evacuating some parts on Monday. Biden last met King Abdullah at the White House in February and the two longtime allies discussed a daunting list of challenges, including the looming Israeli ground offensive in southern Gaza and suffering of Palestinian civilians. Jordan and other Arab states have been highly critical of Israel's actions and have been demanding a ceasefire since mid-October as civilian casualties began to skyrocket. The war began after Hamas stunned Israel with a cross-border raid on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 252 hostages taken. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-06

Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan shared her nuanced perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a recent interview with CBS's "Face the Nation," highlighting moments of empathy and understanding towards Israel.  She expressed her daily effort to empathize with Israeli mothers who have children held hostage by Hamas, acknowledging their pain with the statement, "I challenge myself every single day to put myself in the shoes of an Israeli mother."  Queen Rania emphasized the urgency of resolving the conflict swiftly, calling for the return of hostages and an end to the war.  This post can't be displayed because social networks cookies have been deactivated. You can activate them by clicking manage preferences. Notably, she extended her sympathies towards Israel's traumatic experiences, particularly the events of October 7, urging for a constructive response. While discussing the anti-Israel protests on college campuses, Queen Rania emphasized the peaceful nature of the majority of demonstrations and rejected efforts to characterize protesting students as "pro-Hamas."  In addressing Israel's approach to the conflict, she offered constructive criticism, suggesting alternative strategies such as surgical strikes against Hamas as a means to mitigate civilian suffering.  ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-05

Israelis and others living in the Middle East must have noticed increased in recent years.  Scientists in Sweden report that climate change is transforming dust storms—a natural phenomenon in the eastern Mediterranean—into a more frequent and widespread threat to health and economies throughout the region. Dust levels have increased in many parts of the Middle East, chiefly due to global warming. Still, other human activities also share credit, said Prof. Zahra Kalantari, an expert in environmental and engineering geosciences for sustainability at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology. She blamed factors such as oil extraction, military conflicts, and a lack of cross-border coordination of water management.   The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment under the title “Dust and climate interactions in the Middle East: Spatio-temporal analysis of aerosol optical depth and climatic variables,” maps the spread of aerosolized dust and pinpoints where and when trends in precipitation and evaporation have changed course for the worse – and Israel is in the middle of it.  After analyzing multiple sets of data over the last four decades, the researchers found an increase in dust levels in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, parts of Iran and Egypt, and countries around the Persian Gulf, while they have declined in northern Iran and southwest Turkey. The area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in northern Iraq and along the Syria-Iraq border was reported to have the highest concentration of dust sources in the region. a graphic depicts the intensity of change over the last 20 years. (credit: KTH Royal Institute of Technology) The area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in northern Iraq and along the Syria-Iraq border was reported to have the highest concentration of in the region, reflecting a sharp increase over the last 20 years. While not explicitly mentioning Israel in the published study, even though it is shown on the illustrative map (with the “West Bank” marked alongside Israel), she noted that frontal dust storms are more likely to occur in Jordan, its surrounding areas, and the northern Arabian Peninsula. The researchers documented a notable decrease in precipitation in northern Iraq, Syria, southwestern Iran, and southern Turkey. Factors such as deforestation, military conflict, dam building, over-irrigation, and water extraction have intensified the natural effects of the area's arid and hot climate. Kalantari said one serious result is the reduction of soil moisture and vegetation coverage, which generally help reduce dust levels. She said the environmental consequences include soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and desertification. Economic losses may result from damaged infrastructure, disrupted agriculture, and reduced tourism. She added that social disruption also can be expected, and vulnerable populations will suffer disproportionately. Kalantari declared that regional cooperation, uncommon in the Middle East, is vital to address complex factors and implement effective dust control measures. Comprehensive strategies are imperative to mitigate adverse health, ecology, and socio-economic development effects. The researchers call for “a comprehensive strategy focusing on environmental management and policy reforms.” Prescriptive measures include reforestation, soil conservation, water conservation, regional cooperation, sustainable urban planning, advanced monitoring systems, public awareness campaigns, and climate adaptation measures. She concluded, “These efforts, combined with research and cross-border collaboration, are essential for a sustainable environment that is resilient to in the region.” The Environment and Climate Change portal is produced in cooperation with the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The Jerusalem Post maintains all editorial decisions related to the content. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-03

Hamas, the terrorisy group controlling the Gaza Strip, attempted to divert a significant humanitarian aid shipment intended for Gaza from Jordan, according to statements made by a U.S. State Department spokesman. Matthew Miller, speaking during a press briefing, revealed that Hamas managed to hijack the aid shipment earlier in the week. However, the aid was ultimately recovered and returned to the organization responsible for its distribution. "The UN is in the process of recovering the goods, or has already recovered them, but Hamas committed an unacceptable act in diverting this aid," Miller emphasized, highlighting the gravity of the situation. He further noted that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is expected to issue a statement condemning the incident imminently. Miller expressed deep concern over Hamas's actions, stressing that the diversion of humanitarian aid jeopardizes the well-being of innocent civilians in Gaza who are in desperate need of assistance. "If there is one thing Hamas could do to undermine the delivery of aid, it would be to divert it for its own use, instead of letting it go to innocent civilians who need it," he stated. Describing the incident as the "first widespread case of hijacking seen" in Gaza, Miller indicated that Hamas held the aid trucks for a period before eventually releasing them.  ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-02

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh stayed longer than usual in Turkey when he visited in mid-April along with a large Hamas delegation. It’s not the first time Hamas leaders have been greeted in Turkey with fanfare by Turkey’s president. Ankara has long backed Hamas and hosted its delegations over the years. Hamas has been hosted by US major non-NATO ally Qatar since 2012, and the West has supported its allies hosting Hamas, which is an inconvenient aspect of the H. Hamas is backed by two Western allies and carried out the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas is unlikely to move completely from one Western ally to another because it receives more protection by being hosted for high-level meetings by both Ankara and Doha. However, there is now speculation in Israeli media about whether the Haniyeh meetings and his subsequent stay in Turkey for several days symbolize more to come. This comes amid months of rumors that from Qatar, where it has been hosted since 2012. The rumors about Hamas seeking to extend its stay in Turkey came from a report at Asharq al-Awsat. The report was then re-reported in Maariv and other media. “Sources close to Hamas told the newspaper that the purpose of the visit to Istanbul is to discuss Turkey's role as a debating country and Ankara's role after the war. According to the sources, Hamas does not want to cause further embarrassment to Qatar, and its officials would prefer to leave and reduce the pressure.” In another report, a senior Hamas official claimed the group would relocate to Jordan if it were asked to leave Qatar. Al-Arabiya noted that Hamas official “Mousa Abu Marzouk insisted that any talk of Hamas leaders leaving Qatar is currently unfounded, but said that Jordan could serve as an alternative destination.” The report also noted that “Doha was asked by Washington to host them.” The Hamas official said, “All this talk about Hamas’ departure from Qatar is worthless,” in an interview with the al-Alam news channel. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian meets with Palestinian group Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh in Doha, Qatar December 20, 2023. (credit: IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) On April 20, The Wall Street Journal reported that “Hamas’s political leadership is looking to move from its current base in Qatar, as US legislators build pressure on the Gulf state to deliver on cease-fire negotiations that look likely to fail.” The article in the Journal made it appear that if Hamas was asked to leave Doha, then it could “upend delicate talks to free dozens of Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza and likely make it more difficult for Israel and the US to pass messages to a group designated by Washington as a terrorist organization. Hamas leaders have lived in Doha, the Qatari capital, since 2012 in an arrangement supported by the US” That report said that Hamas could consider Oman as a possible destination. Understanding how Hamas and Doha handle messaging on this issue is important. Prior to October 7, Israel and the West were told that having Hamas hosted in Qatar, and also having it welcomed in NATO member Turkey, would moderate Hamas. The messaging was that diplomacy and engagement would lead to stability. However, Hamas stockpiled masses of weapons in Gaza and built hundreds of miles of tunnels, becoming exponentially more powerful in the decade and a half its members were greeted and hosted in Doha and Ankara. Hamas received support from Iran and has also had high-level meetings in Russia, but it is the fact that it has friends in high places among Western allies that gave Hamas the comfort to feel that it had the impunity to carry out October 7. In addition Israel was lured into a sense that Hamas was deterred prior to October 7 because it seemed implausible a group hosted by western allies would ever carry out such a massive terror attack. Israel believed the Hezbollah and Iranian proxy threats were worse than Hamas because Hamas has a foot in both camps, it is both backed by Iran and also friendly with western allies. One could argue that Hamas has had tacit or indirect Western backing over the decades. For instance, many Western NGOs partner with Hamas in Gaza and describe its police and its role as bringing “law and order” to Gaza. How those same NGOs square that with images of the dead body of Shani Louk being paraded through the streets by their Hamas partners on October 7 is unclear. Nevertheless, there is ample evidence that Western NGOs see Hamas as “law and order” in Gaza, preferable to the “chaos” of not having Hamas. Hamas gunmen are often seen taking over aid trucks in Gaza in coordination with humanitarian aid groups. This leads us back to the question of whether Hamas would relocate from Doha. Doha’s messaging today is that any relocation would jeopardize the hostages. However, since Hamas violated the first hostage deal on December 1, no more deals have taken place. The messaging by Hamas is clear. Prior to October 7 it was “deterred” and having it hosted by western allies supposedly enabled Israel and the West to “engage” with it and prevent war. Then Hamas carried out the worst attack in Israel’s history, and the messaging shifted to assert that Hamas must be hosted by Western allies in order to do hostage deals, deals that never seem to happen. The messaging from Hamas is that they want a deal to remain in Gaza, to get numerous of their murderous prisoners back, and then have impunity to carry out more attacks. Hamas enjoys impunity primarily because it has the cover of Western allies. Jordan or Oman do not give it a similar cover. Hamas leaders such as Khaled Meshaal were once located in Jordan, but even the Kingdom found hosting them was not helpful. Hamas has spent four decades spreading terror and undermining peace, so why would a wise country like Jordan want to host them? After all, it is Hamas that was responsible for harming peace during the Oslo years, increasing bus bombings, and then illegally taking over Gaza in 2007 and ejecting the Jordanian-backed and Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Oddly, the West decided to play both sides, as they also did in Afghanistan. They trained the Palestinian Authority Security Forces, but they hedged their bets by being open to their allies hosting Hamas. Hamas, through being hosted by Western allies, became exponentially stronger since 2012. Its rockets, which once only flew a few kilometers, and its once small tunnels grew into monstrous proportions, openly, with the West watching it happen. Doha became a major non-NATO ally of the US, hosting Hamas and the Taliban. The Taliban were brought back to power in Kabul in 2021. It appears that major non-NATO ally status was a reward for hosting these groups. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others who are partners of the West got increasingly the cold shoulder; the more they cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood, the more they didn’t want to host Hamas, and the more they embraced peace with Israel. The message is clear for Hamas. It grew exponentially powerful and wealthy through Western allies. Iran may have supplied the know-how for the missiles and weapons, but the wealth and impunity for attacks and cover against war crimes prosecution comes through Western allies. This is why Hezbollah today faces more challenges than Hamas because it is a Shi’ite sectarian-based Iranian proxy. Hamas is setting its sights on the West Bank to take over when PA President Mahmoud Abbas passes. As such, it will want the backing of Ankara, Doha, and the West when it seeks power in Ramallah. If Hamas is relegated to only being backed by Iran or stuck in a place like Oman, it won’t be able to swoop into control of the West Bank after the Gaza war eventually ends. The long game for Ankara and Doha, and their Western allies, is to have a foothold in Gaza and the West Bank via Hamas. Hamas understands this and knows that it is sometimes used as a tool for larger agendas, and it exploits that to carry out massacres such as October 7. There are no other cases of Western allies hosting terrorist groups who massacre thousands of people and take hundreds of hostages, including citizens of Western countries. Al-Shabab or Boko Haram don’t get the red carpet in meetings in Turkey. Hamas, due to its Muslim Brotherhood roots, its important role in Palestinian politics, and its war against Israel, is hosted by Western allies because both the West and Western allies have an interest in keeping Hamas corralled in their corner and not just a pariah group backed by Iran. This has been a disaster for the Gaza, but the interests are larger than Gaza. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-01

Despite common archeology dogma, a new study shows that not all residents of the southern Levant region left their homes 8,000 years ago but stayed and even thrived during a centuries-long drought. At around 6,200 BCE, the world's climate began to change, much like nowadays. However, unlike today - where the climate is getting warmer - 8,000 years ago, it was getting colder. This resulted in a drought that launched what was later called the 8.2ka, which lasted for the next two to four centuries in the southern Levant: modern-day Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, , and the Sinai desert.  Until now, archaeologists thought that this sudden cooling in global climate led to the widespread abandonment of coastal settlements in the southern Levant. However. researchers at the University of Haifa, Bar-Ilan University (BIU) in Ramat Gan, and the have produced new evidence suggesting that at least one village formerly thought abandoned not only remained occupied but thrived throughout this period. They said the study helped fill a gap in our understanding of the early settlement of the Eastern Mediterranean coastline. They have just published their study in the journal Antiquity, titled “Continuity and climate change: the Neolithic coastal settlement of Habonim North, Israel.” The village of Habonim North was discovered off the Carmel Coast in the mid-2010s and later surveyed by a team led by the University of Haifa’s Ehud Arkin Shalev. The study was led by Assaf Yasur-Landau, head of the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies at the University of Haifa, and Roey Nickelsberg, a doctoral candidate there. BIU Prof. Ehud Weiss and Dr. Suembikya Frumin also participated. “This study helped fill a gap in our understanding of the early settlement of the Eastern Mediterranean coastline,” said Prof. Thomas Levy, a co-author on the paper, co-director of US-San Diego’s Center for Cyber-Archaeology and Sustainability (CCAS,) and chairman of Archaeology of Ancient Israel and Neighboring Lands in the anthropology department in the university’s graduate division. “It deals with human resilience.” An experienced scuba diver, Levy spent 40 years carrying out archaeological fieldwork in the deserts of Israel and Jordan. Picture of where the excavation took place, uploaded on 1.5.2024 (credit: UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE) Before its excavation and analysis, there was little evidence of human habitation along the during the 8.2ka event. The dig, which involved a weeks-long, 24/7 coordinated effort between the partners in the two countries, was the first formal excavation of the submerged site.  Led by Assaf Yasur-Landau, head of the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies at the University of Haifa, and Roey Nickelsberg, a doctoral candidate at the University of Haifa, the international team excavated the site using a combination of sediment dredging and sampling, photogrammetry, and 3D modeling. Team members uncovered pottery shards or “sherds”; stone tools, including ceremonial weapons and fishing net weights; animal and plant remains; and architecture.  Using radiocarbon dating, the researchers tested the recovered bones of wild and domesticated animals, the charred seeds of wild plants, crops like wheat and lentils, and weeds that tend to accompany these crops. Their results traced these organic materials back to the Early Pottery Neolithic (EPN,) which coincided with the invention of pottery and the 8.2ka event. Pottery sherds, stone tools, and village architecture were also evidence of activity at the site during the EPN and, surprisingly, during the Late Pottery Neolithic, when the village was thought to have been abandoned. As for how the village likely weathered the worst climate instability, the researchers point to signs of an economy that diversified from farming to include maritime culture and trade within a distinct cultural identity. Evidence includes fishing net weights, tools made of basalt, a stone that does not naturally occur along this part of the eastern Mediterranean coast, and a ceremonial mace head. “Our study] showed that the Early Pottery Neolithic society displayed multi-layered resilience that enabled it to withstand the 8.2ka crisis,” noted Yasur-Landau, a senior author on the paper. “I was happily surprised by the richness of the finds, from pottery to organic remains.”  Although scientists debate the cause of the 8.2ka event, some speculate that it began with the final collapse of the Laurentide ice sheet. The ice sheet-shaped much of the North American landscape as it retreated from modern-day Canada and the northern US. As it melted, the ice sheet would have changed the flow of ocean currents and affected heat transport, leading to the observed drop in global temperatures.  Many of the activities uncovered in the village, including creating culturally distinct pottery and trade, formed the basis for later urban societies. “To me, what’s important is to change how we look at things,” said Nickelsberg. “Many archaeologists like to look at the collapse of civilizations. Maybe it’s time to start looking at the development of human culture rather than its destruction and abandonment.” ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-01

attacked two aid convoys from Jordan who were on their way to Gaza, Jordan's Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday. "Two carrying food, flour, and other humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip were attacked by settlers," the ministry said, without giving details of the incident. IDF humanitarian aid trucks enter through the Northern crossing of Israel in to Gaza on April 12, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT) Both convoys continued on their way and reached their destination in the Gaza Strip, the ministry said in a statement. Honenu, an Israeli legal aid agency, responded in a statement that four men who "blocked aid trucks [heading] to Gaza" near the large of Ma’aleh Adumim had been arrested by Israeli police. One of the convoys was bound for the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza and the other for the Erez crossing, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-01

Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait was in Cairo on Tuesday where he met with Egyptian President . It was the Kuwaiti leader’s first official visit to Egypt after assuming his position as Emir. Egypt invited the Emir for the visit. Egypt and Kuwait have positive ties and relations and there are an estimated 700,000 Egyptians living in Kuwait, the UAE-based Al-Ain media reports. In addition around 20,000 Kuwaitis study and live in Egypt. Egypt and Kuwait are both concerned about a looming Israeli, the southern Gaza city controlled by Hamas on the Egyptian border. Kuwait generally has hostile views of Israel, more hostile than other Gulf states, whereas Egypt has peace with Israel. The two countries say they are worried about the “dire humanitarian consequences if Israel launches an attack on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip,” Al-Ain’s report says. The two countries issued a call for a ceasefire. These kinds of calls are pro-forma, a ritual in these kinds of state visits. The call for a ceasefire included calls for “facilitating safe, adequate and sustainable access for humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in the occupied territory and implementing relevant Security Council resolutions.” The countries discussed other issues as well. “In the final statement, the two sides stressed the necessity of establishing an international mechanism within the Gaza Strip to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, stressing their rejection of Israel’s continuation of its military operations, including the possibility of its extension to the Palestinian city of Rafah, and warning of the dire humanitarian consequences that would result from such a step,” the report said. A view of tents set up for displaced Palestinians amid fears of Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, April 25, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed) is being increased to Gaza, via numerous new channels. There are air drops, there is aid coming from Jordan, there is aid that arrives from Egypt, there is support from the Gulf, France and other countries via Al-Arish in Egypt and also via Jordan; there is a new maritime corridor from Cyprus to Ashdod, there is a new northern entrance to the Gaza strip for aid, and the US is building a floating pier off the coast of Gaza. Hundreds of trucks cross daily into Gaza. However, there is concern that an IDF operation in Rafah might disrupt some of this and also cause many Gazans to flee Rafah, an area they already fled to when leaving northern Gaza in October and November after the Hamas attack and massacre of October 7. Egypt and Kuwait’s leaders said they were concerned that an operation in Rafah might lead to escalation or expand the conflict and risk stability in the region. “The two sides appreciated the close coordination on regional and international issues of common interest and stressed the need to give priority to the culture of peace, dialogue, and diplomatic settlement of disputes and differences in the Middle East region, in order to achieve development and peaceful coexistence among its countries, in a manner consistent with the values of tolerance, respect for the sovereignty of states over their territories, and non-interference in their affairs,” Al-Ain reported. Once again, this is a boilerplate statement and very common for these types of meetings. Of interest, the two sides “stressed the importance of the security and stability of navigation in the region's waterways in accordance with the provisions of international law and international conventions, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982, in order to guarantee the freedom and smoothness of navigation and provide security and stability therein.” This is a clear reference to the Iran-backed Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, attacks that harm trade that passes via the Red Sea and Suez and harms Egypt. As such it is clear that Egypt appears to be upping its rhetoric in this regard. Kuwait knows well the importance of free navigation of the seas because Iran, the large neighbor of Kuwait, has threatened shipping in the Gulf. In addition, during the Iran-Iraq war, tankers had to be re-flagged during the so-called “Tanker war” in which Iran and Iraq attacked commercial vessels. The US intervened in the tanker war to protect Kuwaiti tankers in 1986. The US carried out operations against Iran. Later, Iraq under Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, drawing the US into the Gulf War. That war set in motion much of the modern Middle East as we know it. For instance, the Scud threat to Israel led to the deployment of Patriots in Israel. Palestinians, who backed Saddam’s invasion, were expelled from Kuwait after it was liberated. Osama Bin Laden claimed to be enraged about US forces stationed in Saudi Arabia and this led him increasingly toward anti-American extremism and the road to 9/11. Egypt played a key role in the Gulf War. Under Hosni Mubarak, Egypt attempted to mediate the crisis in 1990 prior to Saddam’s invasion. Saddam betrayed Mubarak after a meeting in Jeddah where Egypt sought to broker peace via the Arab League. Egypt then joined the coalition to expel Saddam. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-01

The United States won’t rest until all the hostages are returned from Gaza, US Secretary of State told activists who had gathered outside his hotel in Tel Aviv, demanding the release of the remaining 133 captives. “Bringing your loved ones home is at the heart of everything we’re trying to do, and we will not rest until everyone – man, woman, soldier, civilian, young, old – is back home,” Blinken said as he stopped to speak to the demonstrators as they stood behind a steel barricade fence waving Israeli and American flags.   “There is a very strong proposal on the table right now. Hamas needs to say yes and needs to get this done.  That is our determination, and we will not rest, we will not stop until you’re reunited with your loved ones,” Blinken said. “So please keep strong, keep the faith.  We will be with you every single day until we get this done,” he stressed. Blinken is in Israel after stops in Saudi Arabia and Jordan as part of a push to finalize a hostage deal and oversee issues related to the delivery ofUS Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engages with family members and demonstrators at a Tel Aviv protest for the release of hostages, May 1, 2024 (credit: DAVID AZAGURY/US EMBASSY JERUSALEM) Earlier in the day, when he met with US President Isaac Herzog, he reiterated the same message, stressing that the He also reiterated that “even as we’re working with relentless determination to get the ceasefire that brings the hostages home, we also have to be focused on people in Gaza who are suffering in this crossfire of Hamas’s making, and so focused on getting them the assistance they need – the food, the medicine, the water, the shelter – is also very much on our minds.” Blinken also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is expected to speak with Minister Benny Gantz later in the day and visit the port in Ashdod from where cargo heading for Gaza is unloaded. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-05-01

The and fears of an impending Israeli military invasion in Rafah continue to impact tourism in Israel and Palestine, with no end in sight to the slump. The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics reported a rise in tourist entries to 79,500 in March 2024 from 68,100 in February, though this was significantly lower than the 375,600 entries in March 2023. From January to March 2024, visitor entries totaled 206,700, a steep decline from the 966,200 tourists during the same period in 2023. Following the October 7 Hamas attack, international airlines ceased flights to Israel due to security concerns. Since began, tourist entries into Israel dropped dramatically, with only 180,000 arriving in the last quarter of 2023 versus an expected 900,000. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 415,300 Israelis traveled abroad in March 2024, up from 343,800 in February but still below the 746,300 who traveled in March 2023. PASSENGERS AT Ben-Gurion Airport get ready to leave Israel. (credit: GILI YAARI/FLASH90) Although some foreign airlines have resumed flights, tourism in Israel is gradually recovering but has not returned to normal. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported that visitor numbers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem reached 2.5 million from January to the beginning of October 2023—around 278,000 visitors per month; since then, they have plummeted to less than 1% of this figure. The ongoing war is causing Palestinian cities to lose about $2.5 million daily, with 60% of these losses affecting Bethlehem. Specifically in Bethlehem, 90 antique stores and 450 crafts operators have suffered significant losses, leading to closures. The crisis has also deeply impacted the city’s tour guides, photographers, pottery workshops, and street vendors, leaving most jobless. “We used to have 35,000 employees in the tourist industry in Palestine, but so far, less than 3% are working,” Majed Ishaq, director general of marketing at the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, told The Media Line. “We have few religious tourists, mostly Christians, in the cities of Jericho, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, but most of them come through Jordan since many flights from abroad do not fly to Tel Aviv,” he added. Ishaq also noted that a major challenge is the omission of the Holy Land from the International Tour Operators Catalogue, as it is now deemed an unsafe travel destination. Meanwhile, neighboring countries like Jordan, Egypt, and even Syria are attracting more tourists, perceived as safer than Israel and Palestine. “Some of our tour operators from East Jerusalem can move freely within Israel and the Palestinian Territories, while others, mainly from the West Bank, require a permit to work in Israel,” Ishaq explained. “Due to the war, many have not managed to renew their permits, making it almost impossible to obtain Israeli authorization in time,” he added. Unlike Israel, which benefits from domestic tourism, travel is very difficult for Palestinians. It may take hours to pass through Israeli checkpoints, making travel between the Palestinian territories and Israel unbearable for a one-day visit, Ishaq stated. He also mentioned that the Palestinian Tourism Ministry is struggling financially due to the economic crisis in the West Bank and Gaza and the loss of income from Palestinians who previously worked in Israel. In contrast, government subsidies in Israel are helping to keep parts of the industry afloat. “Our ministry is financially assisting those affected by the tourism downturn, paying 80% of salaries for those employed in travel agencies. We also provide marketing support,” Peleg Lewi, the international affairs adviser for the Israeli minister of tourism, told The Media Line. However, complications persist. “The situation for freelance guides is particularly complicated since they do not receive a salary. The ministry has tried employing them in schools, but this has not been very successful so far,” Lewi added. Lewi pointed out that domestic tourism, including visits from faith-related groups and discounted accommodations for those relocated from northern Israel, is helping the country withstand a crisis worse than COVID. However, the industry is concerned about potential military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in the north. “Despite we foresee not only religious tourism but also support from international activists and Muslims boosting our economy,” Ishaq asserted. On the other hand, Lewi speculated that “while overall foreign tourism in Israel may remain stable, Israelis’ travel abroad will change. Many are likely to choose destinations where they feel safer, and it’s probable that Western Europe won’t be among these.” ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-30

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Hamas to accept the terms of a hostage deal as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that to destroy its battalions irrespective of any agreement. “Our focus right now is on getting and [the] hostages home. That is the most urgent thing and it’s also, I think, what is achievable,” Blinken told reporters in Jordan, hours before arriving in Israel on Tuesday night.He is slated to meet with Netanyahu on Wednesday to discuss the deal, as the situation hits a fateful moment in which there is likely to be a deal or a . A woman takes part in a protest demanding a hostage deal, in Tel Aviv, Israel, February 1, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/SUSANA VERA) He spoke to reporters at a warehouse of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization where aid shipments from US-based charities are gathered. Blinken arrived in Israel after meeting with King Abdullah in Jordan, and in Riyadh with Arab foreign ministers and with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.He discussed the hostage deal and the importance of increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza in each of his conversations.An issue for Hamas in arriving at a hostage deal has been preventing Israel from continuing the war. Netanyahu clarified on Tuesday that this was out of the question.“It’s out of the question to consider that we would stop the war before achieving all of its goals,” Netanyahu said.“We will enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalions there – with or without a [hostage] deal, in order to achieve absolute victory.”The US has opposed a Rafah operation with a viable Israeli plan to protect the Palestinians in Gaza but has agreed that Hamas cannot remain in Gaza.US National Security Communication Advisor John Kirby said, “We don’t want to see a major ground operation in Rafah” and certainly not one that hasn’t “factored in safety and security of those 1.5 million” Palestinians who have sought refuge there.Israel has believed that a Rafah operation is an important pressure lever to sway Hamas to make a deal. Initial reports out of Cairo, where Egyptians had seemed to advance the matter, were positive, but on Tuesday night, some skepticism had set in, as to whether Hamas could let go of its demand for a permanent ceasefire. The initial framework for a deal had included the release of 40 of the remaining 133 hostages in exchange for a six-week pause to the war. Israel would also be expected to release terrorists it had jailed for killing Israelis.There have been reports that Hamas dropped the number of live hostages included in the deal to 33 and KAN reported on Tuesday that the number could even be as low as 18.A Hamas delegation left Cairo late Monday to consult with the group’s leadership on the latest, tweaked proposal and was expected to report back within two days, two Egyptian security sources said.Egyptian security sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some amendments had been made on conditions for a final ceasefire in Gaza demanded by Hamas, and around the Palestinian group’s demand for an Israeli withdrawal from the coastal enclave.Hamas had said on Saturday that it had received Israel’s latest position and would study it before submitting a reply.Israel had initially been expected to send a delegation to Cairo for additional talks on Tuesday, but held back from doing so, until it had a firm answer from Hamas, according to media reports.Netanyahu has been under pressure from hostage families, who fear that making a deal for only some of the hostages would make it harder to free all of them. The prime minister’s coalition partners on the Right have warned they would disband the government if Netanyahu did not conduct a military operation in Rafah.Separate from the issue of hostages, Blinken is also expected to discuss needed improvements on the issue of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.Blinken said he would “go over with the Israeli government the things that still need to be done if the test is going to be met of making sure that people have what they need.” Reuters contributed to this report. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-30

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Arab officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday, emphasizing the urgent need for a cease-fire in Gaza and efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Following his meetings, Blinken plans to embark on visits to Jordan and Israel on Tuesday. Addressing the pressing issues at hand, Blinken stated, "The quickest way to bring this to an end is to get to a cease-fire and the release of hostages."  He reiterated the need for Hamas to consider an Israeli proposal, describing it as "extraordinarily generous" and stressing, "At the moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas." In Riyadh, Blinken convened with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, to discuss ongoing efforts to reach an immediate in Gaza. The two diplomats also explored strategies for regional integration and establishing "a pathway to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel." Regarding broader negotiations, Blinken underscored the necessity of a concrete political horizon for Palestinians, stating, "I think it’s clear that in the absence of a real political horizon for the Palestinians, it’s going to be much harder, if not impossible, to really have a coherent plan for Gaza itself." The discussions in Riyadh come amidst escalating tensions and humanitarian concerns in Gaza, where Israel continues its military operations against Hamas. Despite the ongoing conflict, Blinken and other top officials are actively pushing for a long-term political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-30

In a recent interview with the Iranian channel 'Al-Alam', Mousa Abu Marzook, a member of Hamas' political bureau, pushed back against rumors surrounding the potential relocation of Hamas leadership from Qatar, denouncing such claims as "media propaganda with no basis in reality."  Abu Marzook reaffirmed Hamas' commitment to its presence in Qatar, stating, "Most of the people in Hamas' leadership have Jordanian passports, and if they are forced to leave Qatar, they will move to Jordan," emphasizing the group's preparedness to adapt to changing circumstances. Addressing ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, Abu Marzook asserted Hamas' autonomy and determination to shape the conflict's outcome independently.  He declared, "We (Hamas) will determine the fate of the war, not the Zionist regime or the USA, who thought they could destroy Hamas in a week."  Moreover, Abu Marzook accused the United States of exerting pressure on Qatar to , suggesting that American influence had prevented Hamas from relocating to Jordan, its purported "natural place."  He portrayed Hamas as a pivotal actor in the region's geopolitical landscape, asserting, "Hamas is taking part in a global war against the USA, other Western countries, and the Zionist entity."  In asserting Hamas' authority over the Rafah crossing, Abu Marzook challenged Israel and the United States, claiming that their attempts to disrupt operations at the crossing had failed.  He said, "Now they must coordinate with Hamas, as Hamas is the one that will shape the future." ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-30

Day 207 of Israel at war | In a bid to advance efforts towards a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. President Joe Biden had separate phone calls with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The discussions centered on a commitment to ensuring the complete implementation of any potential deal reached between the conflicting parties. According to a source who spoke to i24NEWS, the agreement must include the release of all female soldiers. "There will be no deal without our female soldiers and women out of Gaza," the source emphasized. To catch up on the full events from Monday, Read more in-depth updates on the Hamas official denies reports of leadership relocation to Jordan "Most of the people in Hamas' leadership have Jordanian passports, and if they are forced to leave Qatar, they will move to Jordan" Columbia University begins suspending protesters following deadline to dismantle anti-Israel encampments "Today, Columbia University began suspending students as part of this next phase of our efforts to ensure safety on our campus" First Look: Construction begins on Gaza aid pier The pier, which is being built to support USAID and humanitarian partners, will serve as a crucial hub for receiving and delivering essential aid supplies to Gaza ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-29

There’s been new progress in negotiations for a hostage deal, White House Press Secretary Karin Jean Pierre told reporters in Washington Monday as Israel waited for that could see the return of some but not all of the remaining captives in Gaza. “There is a deal on the table, and they need to take it. We believe that all efforts need to be brought to bear to convince Hamas to accept the proposal immediately,” she said. US President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the counters of a deal on Sunday and is expected to speak with the Emir of Qatar and the President of Egypt on Monday, Jean Pierre said.  “We have to get to this hostage deal, so we can get to a ” that would allow for the increase in the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid into Gaza, she said. An initial deal had looked at the release of 40 hostages — women, elderly, and infirmed — in exchange for a six-week pause to the war, It expected that should a deal be in place, Israel would temporarily suspend its plans to enter Rafah to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions there. Demonstrators rally on Kaplan street in Tel Aviv calling for elections and the release of hostages, April 27, 2024. (credit: Via Maariv) KAN reported that the deal may only include , It added that as part of the deal, Israel would withdraw its forces from the Netzarim corridor and that it would agree not to personally inspect Palestinians heading to northern Gaza from the south. At the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, that an extraordinary effort had been made to arrive at a deal. The US has worked alongside the main mediators of the deal, Egypt and Qatar, to ensure that the hostages are returned. “Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily – extraordinarily – generous on the part of Israel.  And in this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas.  They have to decide, and they have to decide quickly. “So we’re looking to that, and I’m hopeful that they will make the right decision and we can have a fundamental change in the dynamic,” Blinken said. As part of the push for a deal, he is expected to visit Jordan and Israel after leaving Saudi Arabia. Among the topics under discussion with Israeli officials, will be US concerns over the Rafah operation. It wants to ensure that Israel has plans to protect civilians in Rafah, as it pursues Hamas. “We’ve said clearly and for some time now on Rafah that in the absence of a plan to ensure that civilians will not be – will not be harmed, we can’t support a major military operation in Rafah.  And we have not yet seen a plan that gives us confidence that civilians can be effectively protected,” Blinken said. While in Saudi Arabia he held talks on a deal that would see a security pact between Riyadh and Washington and a normalization deal between Israel and the Kingdom as well as a path to Palestinian statehood. Blinken said that such an agreement was the best response to Iranian aggression in the region. “I think the single biggest, most effective rebuke to both Iran and Hamas would be Israel having normal relations with every country in this region and the realization of a Palestinian state.,” Blinken said. He noted that the work the US and Saudi Arabia had done on their own bilateral agreement, had been mostly completed. “In terms of our own agreements, I think, is potentially very close to completion. But then to move forward with normalization, two things will be required: calm in Gaza and a credible pathway to a Palestinian state.   “So to the extent we finish our work between us, then I think what’s been a hypothetical or a theoretical question suddenly becomes real.  And people will have to make decisions,” Blinken said. While in Riyadh he meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was also in Riyadh for the World Economic Forum meeting, also described the Israeli proposal as "generous." It included a 40-day pause in fighting and the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners as well as Israeli hostages, he told a WEF audience. "I hope Hamas does take this deal and frankly, all the pressure in the world and all the eyes in the world should be on them today saying 'take that deal'," Cameron said. Cameron is among several foreign ministers in Riyadh, including from the US, France, Jordan, and Egypt, as part of a diplomatic push to bring an end to the Gaza war. Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-29

The US has seen measurable progress in the humanitarian situation in Gaza, said on Monday, but he cautioned that it still wasn't sufficient and vowed to press Israeli officials later this week to do more. Blinken’s remarks during a Middle East trip to check in on humanitarian aid to Gaza come about a month after Biden issued a stark warning to Netanyahu, saying Washington’s policy could shift if Israel fails to take steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. Speaking at the opening of a meeting with the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Blinken cited the opening of new border crossings and higher amount of humanitarian aid as evidence of progress. "But, it is not enough. We still need to get . We need to improve de-confliction with the humanitarian assistance workers," Blinken said, referring to a mechanism that will ensure Israel does not strike aid groups. "We finally have to make sure that we're not just focusing on inputs but on impact. All of this is going to be focus of the next few days for me, as I travel onto Jordan and Israel," Blinken said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media as he departs for Tel Aviv, during his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East, in Manama, Bahrain, January 10, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL) The top US diplomat is on a tour of the Middle East, his seventh since the region plunged into conflict on October 7 when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250 others according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel has attacked Hamas in Gaza, killing more than 34,000 Palestinians, health authorities there say, in a bombardment that has reduced the densely populated enclave to a wasteland. , the United Nations warns, after six months of war. Following Riyadh, Blinken will head to Jordan and then Israel, where the focus of his trip will shift largely to how to sustain increased humanitarian aid into Gaza and identifying what the remaining obstacles are to doing so. "I’ll have a chance to meet with humanitarian groups, with the Israeli Government, to hear from them where more work is needed, and to continue to press for tangible, immediate, and sustained progress." A spiraling humanitarian crisis has prompted calls from Israel's Western and Arab partners to do more to facilitate the entry of aid to the enclave, where most people are homeless, many face famine, and where civilian infrastructure is devastated and disease widespread. The amount of humanitarian aid going into the Gaza Strip will be ramped up in coming days, Israel's military said on Sunday, citing new corridors that use an Israeli seaport and border crossings into the Palestinian enclave. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال: