Author: Steven Sahiounie

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag discussed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in a phone call on Tuesday. Kaag’s call addressed the impediments imposed by Israel on aid access, and the exacerbating gravity of the humanitarian disaster in the strip. Shoukry was keen to know the UN official’s plans to mitigate the severity of the crisis facing Palestinian civilians in the strip. The outcomes of Kaag’s talks with Israeli officials to ease the movement of aid trucks at the crossings were also discussed. Both exchanged views on…

Lufthansa will add an environmental charge of up to 72 euros ($77) to its fares, the airline group said on Tuesday, joining at least one European rival in doing so as the industry battles to cover the cost of meeting new EU rules on reducing emissions.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mohammad Mustafa, praised during a telephone call with Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, the courageous and positive step taken by the Government of the Republic of Armenia to recognize the State of Palestine officially. On behalf of the Palestinian people, the government and leadership, Mustafa expressed gratitude and appreciation for this decision, which reflects Armenia’s principled positions based on international law. Mustafa stressed the importance of the historic and brotherly relations between the Armenian and Palestinian peoples, which have always played an important role in the development of relations between the…

French soldiers will not be sent to fight in Ukraine in the foreseeable future, French President Emmanuel Macron said. “I don’t think that war will come to our territory, I want to reassure you. We won’t engage in hostilities on Ukraine’s territory right tomorrow either, I can assure you,” AFP quoted him as telling the Generation Do it Yourself podcast. The French president said that he understands concerns of those who “are afraid that the conflict might spread into France.” After a conference on Ukraine in Paris on February 26, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the participants had considered sending ground…

President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Russia, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday, citing Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.TASS said Ushakov did not disclose the timing but said the dates had been agreed. Another state agency, RIA, said Abbas had planned to come to Russia in November last year, but the visit was postponed at the request of the Palestinian side.Russia says it wants to help resolve the conflict in the Middle East and that peace will not be possible without the establishment of a Palestinian state. Source: Arab News

The US Secretary of State is set to emphasize the need for a practical governance plan for Gaza and the importance of avoiding further escalation during his meeting with the Israeli Security minister. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to emphasize, in his meeting with Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallant, the importance of developing a practical plan for the governance of the Gaza Strip in preparation for “the day after,” according to the US State Department. Additionally, Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a press briefing that Blinken will emphasize the importance of preventing any further escalation in…

His Majesty King Abdullah II and France President Emmanuel Macron, on Monday in Paris, discussed the ongoing dangerous developments in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian situation. During a meeting at the Elysée Palace, the two leaders renewed the call on the international community to increase humanitarian aid flow to Gaza through all possible means, stressing their commitment to continue providing aid to the Strip. According to a royal court statement, His Majesty and President Macron reaffirmed the need for an immediate ceasefire, and the protection of civilians. The meeting, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Brigitte Macron,…

Far more Democrats could skip Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress on July 24 than the 58 who did the last time he spoke, Newsweek reported. Earlier this week, US Senator Elizabeth Warren announced that she would not attend Netanyahu’s presentation before Congress on July 24 due to the “humanitarian catastrophe he created,” referring to the war on Gaza. Warren slammed Netanyahu’s dismissal of US policy regarding a “two-state” solution while responding to reporters, saying, “He has also made clear that he does not support US policy for a two-state solution that will let the people of Israel and Palestinians develop their own nation self-determination,…

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mohammad Mustafa, met today with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Ramallah, where they discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian Territory and ways to stop the Israel aggression on the Palestinian people and strengthen the relief effort in the Gaza Strip. Mustafa stressed that the implementation of the latest UN Security Council resolution 2735 is a good start to reach a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip. He underscored the importance of further joint efforts to stop all actions and incursions of the occupation and…

By: Steven Sahiounie, Journalist and political commentator The Middle East is sitting on a powder keg, and every minute that passes brings heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The Middle East is sitting on a powder keg, and every minute that passes brings heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Canada, the U.S., Great Britain and Kuwait have all warned its citizens in Lebanon to evacuate. The impending war is caused because Israel refuses to a ceasefire in Gaza. Hezbollah says they will continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza as the continuing genocide is perpetrated by Israel, but as…