Author: Steven Sahiounie

Footage obtained by Al Jazeera shows massive destruction of historical landmarks in Gaza City as a result of continuous Israeli bombardment since October 7. Among those affected is the El Samra Historical Bathhouse, also known as Hammam El Smara, on Omar al-Mukhtar Street in Gaza City, which now lies in ruins. El Samra was the last public bathhouse left in Gaza from the Ottoman era, built more than 800 years ago. Gaza’s ancient Great Omari Mosque, tracing its roots to the pre-Islamic era atop an ancient Philistine temple site, has also been reduced to rubble. In the Daraj neighbourhood, Israeli…

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says, “The number of people killed by air strikes, believed to be carried out by Israeli forces, has risen to 23.” The UK-based organisation added that those people killed in the air raids on al-Bokamal, Syria were from Iran-backed armed groups and included five Syrians and six Iraqis. The reports come after Israeli air raids earlier targeted Aleppo, Syria. Source: AlJazeera

The greenback’s share of global reserves plummeted below 60% in the third quarter of 2023, according to data

The Israeli newspaper Maariv has quoted Foreign Minister Eli Cohen as saying that the Israeli government bears responsibility for Hamas’s attack on October 7 and that an investigation committee must be formed to hold those who were negligent accountable. Cohen added that talking about settlement in the Gaza Strip is “premature” and that restoring security “comes first”. Source: ALJazeera

Hussein Al-Sheikh, the Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee, asserted today that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent statements about Israel’s intention to regain control over the Philadelphi Route and the Rafah border crossing is indicative of Israel’s plan to re-occupy the Gaza Strip. Al-Sheikh, in a concise statement on X, said he views this move as “a blatant violation of agreements with Egypt and a termination of all agreements with the PLO.” Al-Sheikh emphasized the need for “a unified Palestinian and Arab decision to confront the repercussions of this aggressive war.” He highlighted “Netanyahu’s attempts to impose new facts on…

‘All countries, institutions need to take a united stand against the killing of innocent children and women in Gaza,’ Erdogan says in his video message on New Year eve Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that “all countries and institutions” ought to unite in their opposition to the killing of defenseless women and children in the Gaza Strip for a better future. “All countries, institutions need to take a united stand against the killing of innocent children and women in Gaza,” Erdogan said in his video message on New Year eve. “We hold hope for a better future…

Lloyd Austin and Grant Shapps both agreed the attacks by the Yemen-based Houthi group in Red sea “violate freedom of navigation protected by international law, and threaten citizens of multiple countries”, according to the Pentagon. “Both secretaries highlighted the attacks are unacceptable and profoundly destabilising to the international rules-based order,” a statement said. “Secretary Austin noted these attacks constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action.” The US launched a 20-country coalition to protect commercial ships after the Houthis said they would attack all vessels, going to or coming from Israel, in solidarity with Gaza. Source: AlJazeera

The international aid group Mercy Corps is warning about famine and disease affecting Palestinians in Gaza as Israel’s attack continues. Kate Phillips-Barrasso, vice president of Mercy Corps, says relentless fighting and insufficient humanitarian aid were compounding the crisis. She said half a million people face “catastrophic hunger and starvation”, warns of famine. The amount of lifesaving goods being allowed inside Gaza is a drop in the ocean and has not yet increased to the level necessary to meet Gaza Palestinians basic and critical needs, even after Israel opened its Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) border crossing. Phillips-Barrasso said the aid…

Former Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Yousef Salama, was killed this morning in an Israeli airstrike on his home in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. WAFA correspondent reported that Israeli warplanes targeted the home of Sheikh Salama, Former Minister of Awqaf , leading to his murder and the injury of several members of his family. In a preliminary toll, the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza, which began on October 7, has resulted in more than 21,650 deaths and approximately 56,000 injuries. Thousands are still missing, with 70% of…

The Palestinian Authority (PA) foreign ministry says Israel is targeting the UN agency that aids Palestinian refugees to widen the scope of displacement and change the demographic character of the besieged coastal enclave. In a statement, the ministry also said Israel is trying to expel Palestinians from or push them to leave the Gaza Strip. “This is taking place by destroying homes, killing people en masse, and ensuring that poverty and lack of medicine leads to diseases,” it said. Source: AlJazeera