Browsing: Region
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has underlined the importance of the immediate, sustained, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, rejecting its use as a means of collective punishment or a tool for political pressure.In its statement on behalf of the Arab Group during the emergency session of the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Saudi Arabia affirmed that the Palestinian issue remains at the heart of the conflict in the Middle East, and that achieving a just and lasting peace requires the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Arab Group reiterated its rejection of settlement policies, land confiscation, forced displacement, and the targeting of civilians.Saudi Arabia also affirmed the invalidity of all attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories or to alter the legal and historical status of Jerusalem and its holy sites, expressing its welcome for international efforts aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire, including the American efforts.On behalf of the Arab Group, Saudi Arabia called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and to implement its relevant resolutions, including Resolution 2334, stressing the need to implement international legal obligations in a way that contributes to protecting the Palestinian people and supporting the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East region. Related Story Source link
Iran’s Strait of Hormuz body said on Friday it would waive planned fees to use the strait during a 60-day negotiation period under the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States this week.Ships seeking passage through the strait while the interim agreement is in force must submit transit requests at least 48 hours before arrival, Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) said in a notice.Iran would waive fees for security, safety, environmental services and related insurance during the period, while requiring vessels to coordinate routes and transit times in advance due to areas affected by mines and to ensure safe navigation. Source link
Israeli occupation forces launched a series of intensive airstrikes on towns and villages in southern Lebanon, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries amid continued violations of the ceasefire agreement.The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that the city of Nabatieh and its surrounding areas came under heavy Israeli bombardment from midnight until dawn, with several towns and neighborhoods across the region targeted.According to the agency, Israeli warplanes carried out two separate airstrikes on Kfarjouz area, the University District in Al Nabatieh, and Al Baydar neighborhood in the town of Harouf, killing seven people and injuring ten others.Additional airstrikes targeted Ash'amiyah area, killing four people and destroying a residential house, while heavy artillery shelling was also reported.In the town of Kfarsir, three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The town of Qusaybah was also targeted in a dawn airstrike accompanied by artillery shelling.Meanwhile, an Israeli drone strike targeting a motorcycle in the town of Doueir killed one person and injured another.The town of Jebchit was subjected to a series of drone strikes by Israeli forces, coinciding with artillery shelling of the area.The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has not yet announced a final toll from the Israeli escalation in Nabatieh region, while initial reports indicate dozens of casualties.The latest attacks come despite the ceasefire arrangement in place, as Israeli forces continue to carry out military operations in various areas of southern Lebanon. Source link
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher stated that the Gaza Strip continues to face a severe crisis six months after the ceasefire, with Palestinians in the Strip suffering from insecurity and lack of access to clean water, healthcare, and education.Fletcher added, during a UN Security Council session today, that the agreement between the United States and Iran and the hopes for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon should bring renewed attention to Gaza. He explained that the Gaza Strip is the most dangerous place in the world to deliver aid, recalling the killing of nearly sixty aid workers during the three years of war.The UN Under-Secretary-General further explained that 70 percent of Gaza's population is in need of adequate shelter, that not a single hospital is fully operational, and that the sanitation situation is deteriorating. He also noted that the Israeli occupation forces are obstructing the entry of generators, engine oil, and spare parts.The UN official urged the opening of all border crossings and the removal of Israeli restrictions on essential supplies. He also called for exempting humanitarian aid from border restrictions, granting long-term visas to humanitarian workers, resuming the convoys coordinated by the Jordanian and Palestinian governments, and expanding medical evacuations.The UN official noted that since the ceasefire, Gaza is no longer classified as a state of famine (Phase 5), although it remains in a severe crisis (Phase 4). He added that 21,000 truckloads of aid have been collected, water and health services have been expanded, tens of thousands of children have been vaccinated, 100 classrooms have been rehabilitated, and shelter has been provided for more than 600,000 people.Fletcher explained that this was not enough, adding that Gaza was holding on thanks to temporary humanitarian solutions and the resilience of the Palestinians, ‘and this is an unsustainable situation.’ He emphasized that the population remained deprived of basic necessities such as security, shelter, clean water, healthcare, and education, adding that civilians continued to be killed and injured, noting that nearly 1,000 Palestinians had been killed since the ceasefire.Fletcher concluded his briefing with three key demands for the Security Council: the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, ensuring safe, sustained, and unimpeded access for aid, and providing sufficient funding. Source link
US President Donald Trump said this evening that his country expects a complete ceasefire on all fronts, calling on all parties in the Middle East to fulfill their commitments.The US president added in a post on the Truth Social platform: “The United States is committed to peace, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East region to maintain their commitment to allow our negotiations to beautifully unfold… We expect a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.”The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding last night, beginning with a 60-day negotiation period. It stipulates an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including the Lebanese front. However, the Israeli entity continues its aggression against Lebanon and has renewed its pledge not to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Source link
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday he had authorised a memorandum of understanding signed by the Iranian and US presidents, despite holding a different view, after receiving assurances from President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials that Iran’s rights and the interests of the “Resistance Front” would be safeguarded.In a written message to the Iranian nation, Khamenei said Pezeshkian, in his capacity as head of the Supreme National Security Council, had accepted responsibility for ensuring the agreement protected Iran’s interests and pledged not to yield if Washington made what he described as excessive demands.Khamenei added that future face-to-face negotiations with the United States would not mean accepting “the enemy’s position”. Related Story Source link
Iraq has affirmed its commitment to bolstering energy security through a strategic liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in collaboration with specialized American companies, as part of the government’s efforts to secure the fuel needed to operate power plants.Iraqi government spokesperson Haider Al Aboudi stated Wednesday that recent Iraqi-American talks addressed investment, energy, and electricity, in addition to facilitating the entry of American companies to operate in Iraq, noting that indicators have been established for the implementation of a floating LNG terminal in Khor Al-Zubair.In a statement, Al Aboudi said that the project aims to receive imported gas and convert it into fuel to supply power plants with their needs, particularly during peak periods, thereby contributing to the stability of the electrical grid and increasing the efficiency of energy supplies.He added that the government continues to work on implementing strategic projects that support economic development and provide a stable investment environment, within a vision that prioritizes the economy.Al Aboudi pointed out that strengthening cooperation with the United States in the energy sector is part of the strategic partnership between the two countries, emphasizing that the next phase will focus on vital projects that contribute to supporting infrastructure and achieving energy security for Iraq. Source link
The United States and Iran revealed the text of the MoU that was electronically signed between the two sides.The memorandum includes an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a commitment to negotiate a final agreement within 60 days, as well as measures related to sanctions relief, freedom of navigation, and reconstruction.The memorandum, which was published by both sides, declares the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Furthermore, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, in addition to respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs. The two sides commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent. The final agreement is expected to formalize the cessation of war and address outstanding issues between the parties.Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days.Iran also pledges to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels between the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman for 60 days. In addition, the memorandum includes a plan for the reconstruction and development of the Iranian economy, with implementation mechanisms to be finalized as part of the final agreement.Regarding sanctions, the United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, i.e. International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal.On the nuclear issue, Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The two sides have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpile enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon under the supervision of the IAEA. They also agreed to continue negotiations on uranium enrichment and Iran’s nuclear needs within the framework of the final agreement.The memorandum further states that the status quo will be maintained until a final agreement is reached. This includes no new US sanctions and no deployment of additional forces, while the current status of Iran’s nuclear program will remain unchanged.It also provides for the issuance of waivers allowing the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and related services, the release of frozen Iranian funds and assets, and the establishment of a joint mechanism to monitor implementation of the memorandum and compliance with the final agreement.According to the text, negotiations on the final agreement will begin after implementation of a number of key provisions related to the cessation of military operations, freedom of navigation, and the easing of economic restrictions. The final agreement is to be adopted through a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council. Related Story Source link
The Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Palestine Nestor Owomuhangi warned of the continued deterioration in the situation of women and girls in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He stressed that the humanitarian crisis, movement restrictions, escalating violence, and funding shortages are having a serious impact on women’s physical and mental health.In a press statement, Owomuhangi said that the situation in Gaza remains dire, despite a slight improvement compared to the most difficult periods during the war. He added that in the West Bank, access to health services is facing increasing challenges due to checkpoints and escalating settler violence.He noted that UNFPA continues to support reproductive health services and protection programs for women, but is facing a substantial funding shortfall that threatens the continuity of these services. Source link
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that some displaced families in Lebanon have begun cautiously returning to their homes following the announcement of the agreement between the United States and Iran.In a statement, OCHA said that approximately 2,700 people in South Lebanon left collective shelters on Monday, noting that it remains unclear whether these movements represent a temporary return to assess homes and property or a permanent return.The statement added that the number of displaced people residing in collective shelters has decreased by about 10,000 over the past four days, from approximately 134,000 on Friday to about 124,000 as of Tuesday evening.The office noted that although the intensity of violence has declined since Sunday, reports of incidents in southern Lebanon continue to emerge, directly affecting residents' ability to inspect their homes and move freely. It added that the presence of unexploded ordnance remains a major concern. In this regard, the office renewed its call for the protection of civilians and for ensuring a safe, voluntary and informed return, supported by the provision of sustained humanitarian assistance. Source link