Gaza war: Hamas ready to start talks on ceasefire deal
Hamas expressed its readiness to immediately start a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on points of contention in the Gaza ceasefire deal proposed by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, the group said on Sunday in a statement.
Earlier in the day, Egypt and Qatar said they had continued efforts to converge views and overcome disagreements to reach a truce between Hamas and Israel.
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Middle East Eye
41 minutes ago
- Middle East Eye
Syria after Assad: Returning to Damascus after years of war, I found hope
Blacklisted by the Assad regime since 2014 for my consistently vocal opposition, it was with great relief that I landed at Damascus International Airport last month to enter the new Syria. Evidently, few British women travel alone to Damascus these days, not least because the UK government designates the entire country as a 'red' zone, advising against all travel and thereby invalidating any travel insurance. After buying my visa, I hit a problem at the immigration desk in Damascus. My blacklisting flashed up on the computer system, meaning I could not receive a passport stamp and be allowed in like everyone else. During the Assad era, all my visa applications were refused after 2014, but I managed to enter in 2018 "under the radar" so to speak as part of a group invited by the Syriac Orthodox Church, under a group visa. This April 2025 visit was the first time I'd visited since then, in April 2018. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Instead, I was taken to a different part of the airport for an interview with a security official, who accepted my explanation of the blacklisting but said he needed to check whether I was also on an Interpol list. I laughed out loud at the thought that I might be considered an international criminal. In the end, I was allowed in after about an hour's delay, but the official told me to contact his office upon departure to ensure the matter was resolved once and for all. Throughout my time in Damascus, I stayed in the house I had bought in the Old City in 2005, living alongside my Syrian friends who have been there for the last decade. The house has collected its fair share of empty cartridge shells in the courtyard, but is otherwise essentially unscathed. Unlike Homs and Aleppo, the Old City of Damascus never suffered aerial bombardment by the Assad regime and allied Russian air forces. For the first few years of the war, my house served as a haven for five refugee families after their own homes in the suburbs were destroyed. Then, in 2014, it was stolen - like so many houses all over Syria - by greedy opportunists taking advantage of absentee landlords. Thankfully, I managed to reclaim it. Museums open but neglected My impressions upon my latest visit were of a city exhausted by war, polluted and dirty, choked with traffic - a city whose infrastructure was in desperate need of TLC. Yet the mood of all my friends was overwhelmingly positive. Friends who left as refugees and settled in Turkey in 2012 are returning with their families. They see it as their duty to help rebuild the country. Investment opportunities abound for small-scale projects unhampered by sanctions. The author is pictured at her house in Damascus in April 2025 (Photo supplied by Diana Darke) Revisiting Damascus's cultural sites, both in the Old City and beyond, I found them all open, well-staffed and selling tickets, just as they had been before the war - although museums like the medical school of Bimaristan al-Nuri were somewhat tired and neglected, its once-lush courtyard now bare and dusty. The valuable Qurans of the Museum of Arabic Epigraphy were still in storage in the basement of the National Museum, where they had been taken for safekeeping during the war. The National Museum itself only had its Classical and Hellenistic sections open, although I was told other areas would reopen in the coming weeks. At the Umayyad Mosque, I observed a change inside the courtyard: there are now waist-high chains dividing the space into women's and men's areas The shop at the museum entrance was selling the same books, fridge magnets and postcards I recognised from before the war, and the gardens and cafe were unchanged. Al-Azem Palace was as magnificent as ever, beautifully maintained, its courtyards well-watered and rich with the scent of jasmine and roses. At the Umayyad Mosque, I observed a change inside the courtyard: there are now waist-high chains dividing the space into women's and men's areas, with the women channelled into a far corner to enter the prayer hall, while the men can go straight inside from the main Bab al-Barid entrance. Such a division means that, strictly speaking, I cannot go to see the Barada panel, the most beautiful and famous mosaic ensemble in the mosque. But no one seemed to mind if I ducked under the chain, following the example of many local mixed family groups. I felt largely invisible and entirely at home throughout my trip - except in Homs, where I visited the newly restored Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque. A hostile self-appointed warden refused to let me enter the prayer hall at all, despite my hooded gown, forcing me instead to enter a tiny screened area reserved for women, from which it was difficult to see the rest of the mosque. Her manner made me feel very unwelcome, the first time I had felt that way in a Syrian mosque throughout decades of visits, starting from 1978. Remarkable resilience I also visited three churches during my visit: the Ananias Chapel, where St Paul had his 'Damascene conversion'; the Saydnaya Monastery, whose name is shared by the nearby notorious prison; and Umm al-Zinnar in Homs, rebuilt after extensive bombing. The latter two visits coincided with Palm Sunday, so the churches were decorated with real palm fronds, and my male Muslim friends were also welcomed and given sachets of incense for a blessing. At Umm al-Zinnar, they too drank the holy water, as has long been normal behaviour in Syria, where Muslim-Christian relations have traditionally been close. Arab Christianity Frescoes at Mar Elian, Homs (photo by Diana Darke) The Homs souk is now bustling after the return of refugees who had been displaced to Idlib in 2014. They were restoring their homes and reopening their shops. At the Ananias Chapel, we encountered a church service where a man and a woman from the small congregation of about 15 people alternated in leading prayers for the safety of their community and the future of Syria. I felt buoyed by the optimism of my friends, whose will to unite and rebuild is strong. Syrians have a remarkable resilience and ability to adapt Traditions run deep in these anxious communities. Several early popes were born in Syria, and Pope John Paul II visited Damascus in 2001, even entering the Umayyad Mosque - the only pope ever to cross the threshold of a mosque. Upon my departure from the airport, I received confirmation that my blacklisting had been officially lifted, enabling me to return to Syria anytime. As my flight took off, heading west, I looked down at the majestic, snow-covered peak of Mount Hermon, now under Israeli control. This is yet another challenge facing Syria's new leadership: the ongoing Israeli occupation and land grabs. It remains to be seen how Syria will navigate the choppy waters ahead but overall, despite the many problems still facing the country, I felt buoyed by the optimism of my friends, whose will to unite and rebuild is strong. Syrians have a remarkable resilience and ability to adapt. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Tahawul Tech
an hour ago
- Tahawul Tech
GovTech Innovation Forum and Awards 2025 Archives
The GovTech Innovation Forum and Award 2025 celebrated the pioneering achievements of public sector entities who dedicate themselves and their technology to improving the lives of UAE citizens. Revisit this exceptional evening with our highlight video.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Ahmad Bin Shafar continues representing the region globally on the board of directors of the International District Energy Association
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: In a further testament to the UAE's leadership in the district cooling sector, H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), continues to play a global role by retaining his position as Member Emeritus on the Board of Directors of the International District Energy Association (IDEA) for the seventh consecutive term. IDEA is the world's leading organization in the field of district energy. Bin Shafar's continued membership reflects recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the district cooling industry both regionally and globally. It also highlights his key role in sharing best practices from the UAE on international platforms and reinforcing the nation's position as a global hub for sustainable cooling solutions. This achievement marks a continuation of the long-standing partnership and collaboration between Bin Shafar and IDEA, during which the industry has undergone major transformations toward greater efficiency and sustainability. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping policies, guiding strategic discussions, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders around the world. H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar said: 'It is an honor to continue serving the district cooling sector through this membership, which I consider an added responsibility to enhance our region's role in shaping the future of energy efficiency. District cooling has become both an environmental and economic necessity, and my role within IDEA reflects our ongoing commitment to enriching communities through innovative and environmentally friendly cooling solutions.' This announcement comes at a time when global demand for efficient, energy-saving cooling solutions is rising amid climate change and global warming. District cooling technologies play a significant role in reducing electricity consumption, lowering carbon emissions, and delivering substantial long-term economic benefits. It is worth noting that the International District Energy Association, headquartered in the United States, includes among its members a distinguished group of companies, institutions, and public and private sector entities from around the world. The association plays a key role in knowledge sharing and in promoting the adoption of district cooling and heating systems as part of the transition toward sustainable cities. Through his reappointment, H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar continues to elevate the UAE's presence on the global stage, reaffirming the commitment of its wise leadership to supporting national talent and enabling them to help shape the future of vital sectors worldwide.
