Author: Gulf News Week
Interior Ministry says the raid killed Mohammed Shahadeh, describing him as one of ISIL’s senior commanders in Syria.Syrian authorities say security forces have carried out a second operation against ISIL (ISIS) fighters near Damascus, killing a senior figure described as the group’s governor of Hauran.In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Interior said the raid killed Mohammed Shahadeh, also known as Abu Omar Shaddad, calling him one of ISIL’s senior commanders in Syria and a direct threat to local security.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israel says member of Iran’s IRGC among several killed in Lebanon strikeslist…
Celebrated director of ‘Jenin, Jenin’ documentary leaves behind legacy of artistic resistance.Acclaimed Palestinian actor and filmmaker Mohammad Bakri has died in northern Israel, ending a five-decade career that established him as one of the most influential voices in Palestinian cinema.Bakri died on Wednesday at Galilee Medical Centre in Nahariya after suffering from heart and lung problems, hospital officials said.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Israel says member of Iran’s IRGC among several killed in Lebanon strikeslist 2 of 2Pope Leo laments suffering of Gaza Palestinians in first Christmas sermonend of listHis passing removes a towering figure whose work…
Four Palestine Action members are continuing hunger strikes in the UK, following a protest practice with a long history — from Ireland and India to South Africa and Guantanamo.Four members of the advocacy group Palestine Action have pledged this week to continue their hunger strike amid grave medical warnings and the hospitalisations of their fellow protesters.The group’s members are being held in five prisons in the United Kingdom over alleged involvement in break-ins at a facility of the UK’s subsidiary of the Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems in Bristol and a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire. They are protesting…
Raids across Istanbul seize weapons as authorities seek 22 remaining suspects still at large.Turkish security forces have disrupted planned attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations after arresting more than 100 suspected ISIL (ISIS) operatives in Istanbul, officials said.Authorities conducted raids across 124 locations on Thursday, apprehending 115 suspects they were seeking, the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said in a statement.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Syria says key ISIL leader captured near Damascuslist 2 of 2Aleppo clashes expose hurdles in SDF’s integration into Syrian armyend of listThe operation came after police received intelligence that ISIL members were…
Global wars are ‘leaving behind rubble and open wounds’, pontiff says.Pope Leo has decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his first Christmas sermon as pontiff, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.Leo, the first American pope, said on Thursday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable showed that God had “pitched his fragile tent” among the people of the world.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘Half joy, half sadness’: Christmas celebrations resume in Bethlehemlist 2…
Strike comes hours after a previous Israeli attack the night before, in ongoing near-daily ceasefire violations.The Israeli army says an operative with the external arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is among several people killed in strikes it has carried out across Lebanon in another breach of its ceasefire with Hezbollah.Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said the drone strike on Thursday hit a vehicle on the Hosh al-Sayyed Ali road in the Hermel district, killing two people.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israel, Lebanon officials meet as pressure mounts to disarm Hezbollahlist 2 of 3Israel strikes…
Record winners Egypt, led by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, face South Africa in the first titanic battle of the tournament.Who: Egypt vs South Africa What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Where: Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco When: Friday at 4pm (15:00 GMT) How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on media Sport from 12:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.Record Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt face South Africa on Friday in the first battle of the titans group matchup in the 2025 edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) showpiece.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist…
Riyadh calls seizure of oil-rich provinces ‘unjustified escalation’ as fragile anti-Houthi alliance shows cracks.Saudi Arabia has publicly called on Yemen’s main southern separatist group to withdraw from two eastern provinces they seized this month, in a move that threatens to deepen divisions within the governing coalition opposed to the Houthi rebels.Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the demand on Thursday, describing military operations by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) as an “unjustified escalation” after the group took control of the oil-rich Hadramout and al-Mahra governorates earlier in December.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2UN chief Guterres condemns…
Jordan’s military said the attacks ‘neutralised arms and drug traffickers’ and destroyed their laboratories and factories.Jordan’s military has launched strikes on drug and weapons smugglers in the country’s northern border regions with Syria, targeting sites used as “launch points” by trafficking groups into Jordanian territory, according to reports.The Jordan News Agency, Petra, said the strikes on Wednesday “neutralised a number of arms and drug traffickers who organise weapons and narcotics smuggling operations along the northern border of the Kingdom”.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Captagon: Syria’s Hidden Drug Empirelist 2 of 4Iraq, Lebanon intel cooperation leads to destruction…
Christmas returns to Bethlehem with joy and sorrow amid hardships, as Palestinians unite in celebration and resilience.Bethlehem, occupied West Bank – Manger Square and the narrow alleyways that surround it filled with the sound of drums and brass as Bethlehem’s scout troupes marched through in their pristine uniforms.They sang Christmas carols and played traditional Palestinian music, combining a celebration of Christmas with their own national identity.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Christmas joy returns to Bethlehem amid Israeli raids across West Banklist 2 of 3Israeli forces injure dozens in occupied West Bank raidlist 3 of 3Victory against Israeli…