35 C Middle East / The Times of India
Israel's stated commitment to defending the Syrian Druze is, by the admission of some of its leaders, consistent with a long-term strategic goal -- the weakening of Syria. The State of Israel feels indebted to the Druze and their exceptional commitment to the Israeli army, said Efraim Inbar, a researcher at the INSS. According to Inbar, defending the Druze is also part of the new post-Assad geopolitical landscape in which Israel is trying to protect the Druze and Kurdish minorities from the Sunn
Israel would not be involved in food distribution under a US-led plan for the Gaza Strip but would provide ecessary military security, Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said on Friday. The Israelis are going to be involved in providing necessary military security, because it is a war zone, but they will not be involved in the distribution of the food, or even in the bringing of the food into Gaza, the US ambassador said.
Omani Foreign Minister announced a ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthi militia, aiming to de-escalate tensions and ensure safe passage in the Red Sea. While Trump claimed Houthi capitulation, they vowed to continue attacks on Israel. Despite recent Israeli strikes on Yemen, analysts doubt air strikes alone can end the conflict, deeming a ground offensive unlikely.
Following a weekend soccer match between Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl in Dubai, police arrested several individuals involved in post-game fights, a rare occurrence in the UAE. The clashes involved fans throwing water bottles, lighting flares, and, according to reports, throwing stones.
Syria's finance minister has said Qatar will help the Islamist-led government to pay public sector salaries for the coming months through a mechanism he said had been exempted from US sanctions. We thank the Qatari government for the generous grant provided to pay part of the current wages and salary bill, Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said in a statement carried by state news agency SANA late Wednesday.