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BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Hezbollah warned residents of more than two dozen Israeli “settlements” on Saturday to immediately evacuate, saying they had become legitimate targets because it said Israeli troops were stationed there.
Iran-backed Hezbollah also issued a similar warning to a few communities in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.
TEL AVIV: Yellow ribbons of solidarity with Israel’s Gaza hostages featured alongside colorful performances at Tel Aviv’s drag festival that opened this week, days after a ceasefire brought hope of the captives’ return.
The ceasefire between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas militant group came into effect on Sunday, with the first three hostages released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. Some 30 more of the 94 hostages who remain in the enclave are meant to be freed over the next five weeks.
“I think we can continue our lives, we can continue celebrating,” said the show’s host, Kimberly Swan. “But the most important thing right now in our country is to bring our hostages back home.”
The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. It was the country’s deadliest day and the pain it inflicted on Israelis still endures.
“It always feels like something is missing,” said performer Joanna Russ. “Like our brothers and sisters are not next to us.”
Israel’s 15-month offensive in Gaza has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, health authorities there say, and laid waste to the enclave. Israel has faced fierce international criticism, including among artists around the world, for its campaign.
Some performers at the festival in freewheeling Tel Aviv said they hoped to rekindle ties with drag performers abroad. “We are here to say we miss the queens and we hope they don’t have a stigma about us,” performer Nona Chalant said.
DAVOS: Turkiye attacking Kurdish forces in northern Syria would be dangerous and would create more refugees in neighboring Iraq, said Fuad Hussein, Iraq’s foreign minister, at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.
DAVOS: During the World Economic Forum, key Middle Eastern leaders addressed pressing regional issues, highlighting the importance of cooperation and political solutions for lasting peace.
Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Al Safadi, emphasized the need for understanding the root causes of conflicts, particularly the October 7 incident, in order to prevent future violence. He reiterated Jordan's commitment to partnering with the US to promote peace in the Middle East.
Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani, voiced concerns about the impact of international sanctions, stating that their removal is crucial for Syria’s development and a better future for its people. He also called for greater support in advancing Syria’s political process.
Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, warned that instability in northern Syria could lead to an influx of refugees into Iraq and jeopardize security, particularly with the potential release of thousands of terrorists from prisons in the region. He also expressed concern about the ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, urging both sides to pursue a diplomatic approach.
DUBAI: Representing King Abdullah at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah held meetings recently with regional leaders to reinforce Jordan’s commitment to fostering cooperation and addressing pressing challenges in the region.
The crown prince met with Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, head of Bahrain’s delegation, to discuss ties between the two nations, according to reports.
Their talks focused on enhancing economic and technological cooperation and advancing training programs to help young people prepare for the workplace.
In addition, they reviewed regional developments, stressing the importance of sustaining the Gaza ceasefire and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In a separate meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the discussions focused on relations between Jordan and Iraq.
The officials also spoke about boosting collaboration, especially in economic and technology fields, and addressing key regional issues.
The crown prince also participated in a session on enhancing the skills and productivity of people in the age of artificial intelligence.
The session addressed the WEF’s 2020 initiative to train 1 billion people globally by 2030, which is aimed at closing skill gaps and preparing workers for rapid technological advancements.
The participants at the 55th WEF, held under the theme “Cooperation for the Smart Age,” include heads of state, global CEOs and entrepreneurs, who have gathered to discuss strategies for growth, investing in people, and managing challenges in the energy sector and beyond.
The crown prince was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s Ambassador to Switzerland Nawaf Al-Tal, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Dr. Zaid Al-Baqain.
Jenin: A Palestinian official said hundreds of residents of the occupied West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp were leaving their homes Thursday, days into a large-scale Israeli raid in the area.
“Hundreds of camp residents have begun leaving after the Israeli army, using loudspeakers on drones and military vehicles, ordered them to evacuate the camp,” where Israel’s military launched an intense military operation this week, Jenin governor Kamal Abu Al-Rub told AFP.
The army told AFP that it was “unaware of any evacuation orders for residents in Jenin as of now.”
Salim Saadi, a Jenin resident who lives on the edge of the refugee camp, told AFP that the army had asked camp residents to leave between 9:00 am (0700 GMT) and 5:00 pm.
“There are dozens of camp residents who have begun to leave,” he said.
“The army is in front of my house. They could enter at any moment.”
The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin on Tuesday, saying it aims to uproot Palestinian militants in the camp and the city.
The offensive began just days after a ceasefire deal paused fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli assault has killed at least 10 Palestinians and injured 40 more, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Operation Iron Wall,” as it has been dubbed, will “eradicate terrorism” in the West Bank city known as a bastion of Palestinian militancy.
