logo
Arab Parliament Speaker Condemns Israeli Escalation in Gaza, Calls for Immediate Action

Arab Parliament Speaker Condemns Israeli Escalation in Gaza, Calls for Immediate Action

Asharq Al-Awsat20-07-2025
Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al Yamahi strongly condemned Israel's dangerous and bloody escalation against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.
In a statement, Al Yamahi described the systematic starvation and deadly siege in Gaza, leaving vulnerable populations to face death, as a full-fledged crime occurring before a silent world. He voiced calls on the international community to shirk its moral, legal, and humanitarian responsibilities towards a people facing annihilation through mass starvation, a scenario deemed unbearable to human conscience.
Al Yamahi also condemned the Israeli occupation forces' bombing of places of worship in Gaza, describing it as a war crime and holding the occupying forces fully responsible for the attack.
He urged the international community to take immediate and effective action to halt the aggression, open urgent and sustainable humanitarian aid corridors, and hold occupation leaders accountable as war criminals.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Hamas is starving Gaza, not Israel': Will Israel occupy Gaza?
‘Hamas is starving Gaza, not Israel': Will Israel occupy Gaza?

Al Arabiya

time19 minutes ago

  • Al Arabiya

‘Hamas is starving Gaza, not Israel': Will Israel occupy Gaza?

For 22 months, Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas. As the war in Gaza nears the two-year mark, does victory now mean occupation? There are reports that Israel is poised to take full control of the Gaza Strip. What would that mean for the remaining hostages and the civilians caught in the crossfire? Gaza is all but flattened. The health ministry there says 61,000 people are dead. Israel is accused of genocide and causing mass starvation. And the Hamas leadership in Gaza has been killed. But Israel's Prime Minister says the war needs to continue. The world is starting to wonder if 'victory in Gaza' actually means occupation. Israeli media is quoting a senior official close to the PM as saying: "The die is cast — we're going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip." The Israeli Defence Force is reportedly against the idea — as is the group representing the families of the hostages. But supporters of the plan argue it's the only way to ensure Israel is safe and Hamas is destroyed. On this episode of Counterpoints we'll debate: – Is Israel serious about occupying the Gaza Strip? – Will Arab League calls to Hamas to disarm have any impact? – And is starvation being used as a weapon of war? Guests: • Ahmed Eldin, host of Out Loud with Ahmed Eldin and journalist on Substack • Yaakov Amidror, former IDF Major General and Israeli National Security Adviser (2011–2013)

Iran says it backs Hezbollah decisions as Lebanon mulls disarming group
Iran says it backs Hezbollah decisions as Lebanon mulls disarming group

Al Arabiya

timean hour ago

  • Al Arabiya

Iran says it backs Hezbollah decisions as Lebanon mulls disarming group

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran supports its ally Hezbollah in its decisions, after the group rejected a Lebanese government plan to disarm it. 'Any decision on this matter will ultimately rest with Hezbollah itself. We support it from afar, but we do not intervene in its decisions,' Araghchi said in a television interview, adding that the group has 'rebuilt itself' following setbacks during its war with Israel last year.

Lebanese army carries out special operation, eliminates 3 notorious drug lords in Baalbek
Lebanese army carries out special operation, eliminates 3 notorious drug lords in Baalbek

Arab News

timean hour ago

  • Arab News

Lebanese army carries out special operation, eliminates 3 notorious drug lords in Baalbek

BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army Command confirmed on Wednesday the death of three of the country's most notorious and dangerous drug traffickers, who were killed during an armed clash between army units and the wanted individuals in Baalbek. The security operation, hailed by Lebanese media as 'a major milestone in the war on drugs' and 'a clear message to fugitives that the era of impunity is nearing its end,' took place less than 24 hours after the Cabinet instructed 'the army to develop a plan for seizing illegal weapons by year's end and submit it to the government by the end of August. The Army Command announced in a statement that 'during the pursuit of a vehicle carrying wanted members of the Zeaiter family in the Sharawneh neighborhood of Baalbek, a clash broke out between the suspects and army units, resulting in their deaths.' The individuals have been identified as Ali Monzer Zeaiter, Abbas Ali Saadoun Zeaiter, and Fayyad Salem Zeaiter and were wanted for a series of serious crimes, including the killing of soldiers, kidnapping, armed assaults on army posts and patrols, and armed robbery. The Directorate of Orientation reported that 'the wanted individuals had been involved for years in large-scale drug trafficking across multiple Lebanese regions, contributing to the rise of crime and drawing thousands, especially youth, into lives of crime.' It added that previous operations to bring the individuals to justice failed, with some resulting in injuries among its soldiers. The Army Command denied reports that homes or relatives of the wanted individuals, or any residents, had been targeted during the operation. It also refuted claims of any clashes between residents and army personnel. Baalbek is predominantly influenced by powerful tribal families, many of which have historically served as a supportive base for Hezbollah. Some wanted individuals have long been shielded by both the party and their tribal affiliations. Sharawneh, the Baalbek neighborhood targeted in the army raid, has become a refuge for dozens of wanted arms and drug traffickers, many equipped with rockets and machine guns. The area is notoriously difficult for security forces to access, operating as a closed zone under the influence of complex and deeply rooted tribal influence. Eyewitnesses in the city reported that the army 'deployed drones during the operation to conduct precision strikes in the area.' Ali Monzer, regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the Bekaa Valley's drug trade, is infamous for repeatedly evading security prosecution. He was wanted on hundreds of arrest warrants for crimes including drug trafficking, armed assaults, and kidnappings. Around five years ago, he moved to Baalbek's Sharawneh neighborhood. A military source revealed: 'The operation was the result of meticulous surveillance of his movements. The aim was not only to capture him, but also to deliver a significant blow to the drug networks that have entrenched themselves in the Sharawneh neighborhood.' The kingpin was previously involved in a 2022 armed attack on a Lebanese army patrol, which left a sergeant dead and several others wounded. During that raid, Ali Monzer sustained two gunshot wounds but managed to escape despite his critical injuries. On July 24, the army tracked him using a drone, suspecting him to be among a group of wanted individuals fleeing in a four-wheel-drive vehicle through the Bekaa Valley. The drone launched a missile near the vehicle, successfully disabling it. However, he escaped before army forces could reach the scene. On Wednesday, Hezbollah issued a statement rejecting the Cabinet's decision, passed during its Tuesday night session, to restrict the possession of weapons to the state. The party accused Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government of 'committing a major sin by adopting a resolution that strips Lebanon of its ability to resist the Israeli enemy, effectively granting Israel what it failed to achieve through military aggression.' Hezbollah further claimed the decision was driven by pressure from US Envoy Thomas Barrack, calling it 'part of a surrender strategy' and 'a clear betrayal of the core principles of Lebanon's sovereignty.' However, in the same statement, Hezbollah affirmed its 'openness for dialogue aimed at ending Israeli aggression against Lebanon, liberating occupied territories, securing the release of prisoners, rebuilding what was destroyed by the aggression, and contributing to the construction of a strong state.' The party 'expressed its willingness to discuss a national security strategy but emphasized that such discussions must not take place under the threat of aggression,' adding that Tel Aviv 'must first fulfill its obligations.' The group also called on the Lebanese government to 'prioritize all necessary measures to liberate Lebanese territories still under occupation, in accordance with its ministerial declaration.' Meanwhile, Israel continued its strikes on Hezbollah, launching a drone attack on a motorcycle in the town of Touline, killing a child and injuring his father, who were both riding the vehicle. An Israeli airstrike late Tuesday night targeted the Baalbek region deep within Lebanon, reportedly striking 'a vehicle carrying a Hezbollah member.' According to Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, 'the individual, identified as Hossam Qassem Ghorab, was a Hezbollah operative accused of operating from Lebanese territory to coordinate cells in Syria, planning rocket attacks on the Golan Heights.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store