Browsing: Region
Israeli occupation authorities continued to close Al-Aqsa Mosque for the tenth consecutive day.Local sources reported that the closure coincides with stringent military measures imposed by occupation forces in the occupied city of Jerusalem, aimed at preventing thousands of worshippers from reaching the mosque to perform prayers within its compounds.Occupation forces have kept Al-Aqsa Mosque closed since the beginning of last week, forcing worshippers to leave and preventing the performance of Isha and Tarawih prayers. This comes amidst a heavy deployment of occupation forces across Jerusalem, where worshippers were forced to perform the third Friday prayer of the holy month of Ramadan in the vicinity of Damascus Gate (Bab al-Amud). Source link
The Bahraini Civil Defence announced that a fire broke out at a facility in the Ma’ameer area following a blatant Iranian attack.According to Bahrain’s news agency, emergency teams successfully brought the blaze under control, and no injuries or loss of life were recorded during the incident.The General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force announced today that its air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 102 missiles and 171 drones since the start of the Iranian attacks on the country. Source link
The Lebanese Parliament today approved a two-year extension of its term due to the current circumstances in the country.A statement issued by the Parliament indicated that the General Assembly approved the extension with a majority of 76 votes, 41 against, and 4 abstentions.Parliamentary elections, a constitutional requirement held every four years to elect 128 members of parliament, were originally scheduled for May.Since Monday, Lebanon has been under Israeli offensive which so far resulted in the deaths of 394 people, including 83 children, and injuries to 1,130 others. Source link
Kuwait held funeral ceremonies on Monday for two members of the General Directorate of Land Border Security who were martyred while performing their national duty.The funeral ceremony was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al Sabah, along with several senior officers.The two martyrs, who held the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel (Staff) and Major, were martyred at dawn yesterday, Sunday, during the performance of their national duty as part of the security missions assigned to the Ministry of Interior. Source link
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries recorded strong performance in the agriculture, livestock, and fishing sectors in 2024. This reflects the growing role of these sectors in supporting food security and bolstering economic diversification efforts in the GCC, despite the environmental and natural challenges facing the region, particularly the limited availability of arable land and scarce water resources.The GCC Statistical Center revealed in its latest data that the contribution of the agriculture and fishing sector to the GDP at current prices reached approximately USD 40 billion in 2024, representing a 5.1 percent increase compared to 2023. Its contribution to the overall GCC GDP remained stable at 1.7 percent.Furthermore, the value of agricultural and fishing exports rose to USD 7.8 billion, reflecting a 17.5 percent increase, while imports reached USD 38.7 billion, a 10.1 percent increase during the same period. This demonstrates the ongoing GCC efforts to enhance production efficiency and strengthen the food security system.This growth was driven by increased plant, animal, and fish production, along with improved intra-regional and international trade in agricultural and fish products. Total Gulf plant production reached approximately 12.7 million tons in 2024, a 3.9 percent increase compared to approximately 12.2 million tons in 2023, while Gulf livestock reached approximately 42.5 million head, achieving a 3.6 percent growth rate in 2023. Source link
Israeli warplanes carried out a series of raids today targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon.The Lebanese National News Agency reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted the Shi’ah area in Beirut’s southern suburbs, and another Israeli airstrike targeted the Saint Therese area in the same suburbs.In southern Lebanon, one person was killed when an Israeli drone targeted the town of Shebaa in the Hasbaya district. The Israeli entity also carried out a raid on the Al-Maslakh neighborhood in the city of Bint Jbeil in the Nabatieh Governorate.Meanwhile, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that Israeli airstrikes targeting the town of Tayr Debba in the Tyre district killed at least three and injured 15 others. Rescue and debris removal operations are still ongoing.The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced earlier today that the raids carried out by the Israeli entity on the town of Jouaya in the Tyre district resulted in the death of three citizens and the injury of 16 others. Source link
The death toll from Israel’s offensive in Gaza has risen to 72,133, with 171,826 wounded since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023.Medical sources said hospitals in Gaza received seven bodies and 17 wounded people over the past 24 hours, with several victims languishing under the rubble or lying on roads, as paramedics and rescuers are unable to reach them.The sources clarified that the total number of fatalities since the ceasefire on Oct. 11, 2025, has soared to 648, and 17,728 injuries, while 755 bodies have been dug out. (QNA) Source link
The Ministry of Defence of Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that four drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Rub’ Al Khali while heading toward the Shaybah Oil Field.The statement was made by Maj. Gen. Turki Al Maliki, the official spokesman for the Defense Ministry, in remarks carried by the Saudi Press Agency.Earlier on Monday, the ministry said that a drone had been intercepted and destroyed east of the Al Jouf Region.It also announced the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base, in addition to thwarting two attempted attacks by drones after they were shot down north of Riyadh. The ministry also said five drones heading toward multiple locations inside Saudi Arabia had been intercepted and destroyed. Source link
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert warned that the ongoing military actions in Lebanon will clearly not deliver a lasting win to anyone, instead they will will only deepen instability and inflict further suffering.In a statement issued Saturday, Hennis-Plasschaert called for the cessation of hostilities and for committing to restraint and engaging in dialogue.The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon said, “Last week, Lebanon was in relatively good shape. Its armed forces were supporting the steady advancement of state authority. Preparations for legislative elections were in full swing. Long-awaited reform was underway. A World Bank loan was poised to kick-start reconstruction. And, warming relations between Lebanon and Syria were opening new areas for bilateral cooperation.”She added, “Of course, things were not perfect. Far from it. Persistent air strikes, political in-fighting and institutional stagnation remained a daily Lebanese reality. But, there was progress. Progress which has now come to a screeching halt.In the early hours of Monday morning, the country was dragged back into a state of turmoil and violence.”The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon said that the situationis set to get worse, calling on the end to hostilities.Hennis-Plasschaert stressed, “The choice is clear: stay on a path of death and destruction, or commit to restraint, engagement and dialogue. Long-lasting solutions are not unattainable, but within reach.” Source link
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday morning the martyrdom of two of its personnel while carrying out their national duty.In a statement, the ministry identified the martyrs of duty as Lt.-Col. Staff Abdullah Emad Al Sharrah and Maj. Fahad Abdulaziz Al Majmad, of the General Directorate of Land Border Security, who were martyred at dawn today while performing their national duty as part of the security tasks assigned to the Ministry of Interior.The ministry expressed profound sorrow and grief over the loss, affirming that its security personnel continue to carry out their duty with courage and dedication in protecting their homeland and safeguarding its security and stability. Source link