Middle East Experience

Israel rejected a prior truce offer, though the White House blamed Hamas.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Hamas sees possible cease-fire with Israel within days

Multiple people have been killed as Israel launched new air raids on several neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning, Al Arabiya reported.The death toll in Gaza from Israeli airstrikes crossed 227, including 64 children, according to Palestinian officials. At least 12 people died in Israel from rockets fired by Hamas.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.At least five family homes were destroyed in Gaza on Thursday, according to Palestinian media reports. Forty-six government schools have been destroyed since Israel began launching airstrikes on Gaza, the Ministry of Education said on Thursday.The latest raids come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to push back against global pressure to implement a ceasefire.Netanyahu said that Israel’s attacks on Gaza will continue and are aimed at deterring the militant group Hamas from future confrontation.Hamas has launched several rockets towards Israel, 90 percent of which the Israeli army says its Iron Dome has intercepted.Several Hamas officials told CNN on Wednesday that a ceasefire with Israel is “imminent, possibly within 24 hours.”However, despite the mounting pressure, Israel seemed determined to continue its air raids on Gaza.Israel’s intelligence minister Eli Cohen said on Wednesday that despite international pressure, the country would “finish the operation when we decide we have attained our goals.”Read more:Ceasefire with Israel is ‘imminent,’ say Hamas officials amid rising Gaza death tollUS progressive Democrats seek to block arms sale to IsraelFacebook deploys special team as Israel-Gaza conflict spreads across social media
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Israel launches new raids on several neighborhoods in Gaza

A total of 10,452 Saudi Arabians traveled by air and land ports to international destinations in the first 24 hours after the Kingdom lifted its ban on citizens traveling abroad, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) said on Wednesday.A total of 4,735 Saudi citizens traveled by air to international destinations on May 17-18, while the total number of citizens traveling by land from the Kingdom during the same time period was 5,717, MOI added.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.In an infographic shared on Twitter, MOI stated that the top five destinations on May 17-18 for citizens traveling abroad by air were: the United Arab Emirates, with 1938 citizens traveling to it, Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and the United Kingdom.The King Fahad Causeway, which links Saudi Arabia to Bahrain via land, saw 3,362 Saudi citizens on May 17-18, according to the ministry.The Kingdom officially lifted its suspension on citizens traveling abroad and opened its land, sea, and air borders on May 17.Saudi Arabians who have received two vaccination shots, or one shot at least two weeks prior to travel, those who have recovered from coronavirus within the last six months, and those who are under 18 years old are currently the only citizens allowed to travel.Read more:Saudi airports, airlines resume international flights after COVID-19 suspensionSaudi Arabia plans to reopen to foreign tourists soon, tourism official confirmsSaudia Airlines eyes return to profitability by 2024: CEO
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Over 10,000 Saudi citizens traveled abroad in first 24 hours after flights resumed

Two little-known groups in northwest Syria are claiming responsibility for attacks against Turkish troops in the area, which some say may benefit al-Qaeda against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Little-known groups target Turkish military presence in Syria

The United States will sanction two Houthi officials for their leading roles in the offensive on Yemen's Marib, a senior US diplomat said Thursday, in a sign of Washington's frustration with the lack of positive engagement from the Iran-backed group.“The United States is dissatisfied with Houthi actions,” US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking told reporters during a phone call.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Lenderking, who has made five trips to the region since being appointed by Biden, said the US was imposing sanctions on the two officials to show the international community that Washington “does have levers to press; the United States is dissatisfied with the actions of the Houthis.”During the US diplomat's most recent trip to the region, the Houthis refused to meet with UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. Lenderking, again, scolded the group for rejecting the meeting. Asked if he met with Houthis, Lenderking did not say when his last meeting with the previously-designated terrorist group was.“As you know, we have met with the Houthis over the years, on a number of occasions and at different levels.Certainly, there is no restriction from the administration on my meeting with them, and I consider that constructive engagement,” Lenderking said.Despite the US going “out of its way” to send strong signals to the Houthis that it wants to be constructive in Yemen, Lenderking voiced his frustration with the group’s behavior.The Houthis are “not winning in Marib,” he said, referring to the group's offensive on one of the Yemeni government's last strongholds in the north.“If there were no offensive, if there was commitment to peace, if the parties were all showing up to deal constructively with the UN envoy there would be no need for designations,” Lenderking said.Read more: Saudi FM Prince Faisal says ball is in Houthis’ court for Yemen ceasefire
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US to sanction Houthi officials for their role in Marib offensive: Lenderking

Continued crossfire between Israeli forces and militant groups including Hamas are “unacceptable,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN General Assembly Thursday, saying “the fighting must stop immediately.”“I am deeply shocked by the continued air and artillery bombardment by the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza,” Guterres said of the salvos that have killed more than 200 Palestinians including 60 children.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“If there is a hell on earth, it is the lives of children in Gaza.”The General Assembly meeting was requested by Niger and Algeria, respectively the current chairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab Group at the United Nations.“It is imperative that we achieve de-escalation, to prevent an uncontainable cross border security and humanitarian crisis,” Guterres said, calling for the “resumption of negotiations” pursuing “a two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 lines.”On Wednesday, the 10th day of deadly violence between Israel and armed Palestinian groups in Gaza, a spokesperson for the Secretary-General said Guterres had had contact with Palestinians and officials in the Middle East, but not yet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Denouncing Israeli airstrike damage to “several hospitals,” the UN chief also called the levelling of media offices as well as the killing of a journalist in Gaza “extremely concerning.”“I am deeply distressed by damage to United Nations facilities in Gaza,” he said. “United Nations premises are inviolable, including during armed conflict. Humanitarian installations must be respected and protected.”He said an appeal for humanitarian aid donations would launch “as soon as possible,” specifying that the UN would release $14 million from the Humanitarian Fund for the Occupied Palestinian Territories.“There is no justification, including counterterrorism or self-defense, for the abdication by the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law,” Guterres said.“I am also deeply concerned by the continuation of violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where several Palestinian families are under the threat of eviction.”A years-long bid by Israeli settlers to illegally take over Palestinian homes is among the origins of the escalation in violence between Israel and Hamas that began May 10.Read more:WHO issues urgent appeal for $7 mln to fund Gaza, West BankIsrael launches new raids on several neighborhoods in GazaCeasefire with Israel is ‘imminent,’ say Hamas officials amid rising Gaza death toll
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UN’s secretary general says shocked by ‘unacceptable’ Israeli ‘bombardment’ on Gaza

After their solidarity visit to Israel earlier this week, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek, Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok and German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass visited the site of a building ravaged by Hamas rockets.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: German, Czech and Slovak foreign ministers arrive in Israel in show of solidarity

Amid increasing scrutiny of its human rights practices and skepticism by activists, an Egyptian government committee offers its own approach
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egyptian government committee offers its approach to human rights

All my friends and family have never know what a normal life is, resident Asmaa AbuMezied says..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Gaza Strip: ‘Sounds of war replaced birdsong’

Saudi Arabia rejected the recent measures by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories and said Israeli measures have caused an escalation in violence, the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the United Nations General Assembly.“We reject the Israeli measures that seek to expel the Palestinians from East Jerusalem. A solution to the Palestinian issue must be reached on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative and we welcome efforts to reach an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of aid,” Prince Faisal told an emergency session on the situation in Palestine at the UNGA on Thursday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The Palestinian cause is central to our policy so that the Palestinians can regain their lands,” he added.A day earlier, Saudi Arabia made clear that it is necessary to stop provocations in East Jerusalem and the escalation in Gaza, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said.Prince Faisal told Al Arabiya that he sensed an understanding of the need to stop the escalation in Gaza from the Biden administration.The top Saudi diplomat reiterated previous stances announced by Riyadh that there would be no stability in the Middle East without a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.The Arab Peace Initiative is a proposal to end the Arab–Israeli conflict, which was endorsed by the Arab League in 2002 at the Beirut Summit.Read more:
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia rejects Israeli measures in occupied Palestinian territories: FM