Gazans report 'random firing in street' as Israel launches 'unprecedented offensive'
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Dubai Eye
39 minutes ago
- Dubai Eye
Israel maintains military pressure on Gaza City ahead of planned offensive
The Israeli military maintained its pressure on Gaza City with heavy bombardments overnight, residents said, ahead of a Thursday meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers on plans to seize the enclave's largest city. The military a day earlier called up 60,000 reservists in a sign that the government was pressing ahead with the plan, despite international condemnation. Although one military official said that most reservists would not serve in combat and that the strategy to take Gaza City had not yet been finalised. Calling up tens of thousands of reservists is also likely to take weeks, giving time for mediators to attempt to bridge gaps over a new temporary ceasefire proposal that Hamas has accepted, but the Israeli government is yet to officially respond to. The proposal calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas and of 18 bodies. In turn, Israel would release about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The Israeli government has restated that all of the remaining 50 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza must be released at once. Israeli officials believe that around 20 of them are still alive. GAZA CITY SEIZURE Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with some cabinet ministers on Thursday to discuss his plan to seize Gaza City, according to Haaretz and other Israeli media, without giving more details. The plan was approved this month by the security cabinet, which he chairs, even though many of Israel's closest allies have urged the government to reconsider. Netanyahu is under pressure from some far-right members of his coalition to reject a temporary ceasefire and instead to continue the war and pursue the annexation of the territory. In Gaza City, thousands of Palestinians have left their homes as Israeli forces have escalated shelling on the Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods. Some families have left for shelters along the coast, while others have moved to central and southern parts of the enclave, according to residents there. Israeli tanks have been edging closer to densely populated Gaza City over the past 10 days. Israeli officials have said evacuation notices would be issued to Palestinians there before the military moves in. Two more people have died of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza in the past 24 hours, the territory's health ministry said on Thursday. The new deaths raised the number of Palestinians who have died from such causes to 271, including 112 children, since the war began. Israel disputes malnutrition and starvation figures posted by the Gaza health ministry.
Middle East Eye
5 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Under US pressure, Lebanon begins disarming Palestinian factions in refugee camps
Lebanon's move to disarm Palestinian factions within the 12 refugee camps in the country began on Thursday with the Burj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut, the prime minister's office announced. The move stems from a 21 May meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, during which they agreed that only the Lebanese state should bear arms. But it is also a result of US pressure on Lebanon to consolidate all weapons under the purview of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and away from groups that directly threaten Israel, chief among them being Hezbollah. It is ultimately also a condition of the ceasefire Lebanon signed with Israel in November, despite Israel's continued bombing campaigns in southern Lebanon which violate the ceasefire. A senior Palestinian Fatah commander in Burj al-Barajneh, Sobhi Abu Arab, told the Lebanese al-Jadeed broadcaster on Thursday that the weapons that are being immediately handed over are "illicit weapons" that his men have rounded up in the camp, and not their own. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Fatah is the Palestinian party whose members form the largest part of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. When asked where these weapons came from, Abu Arab responded: "From all over... but what would you want with that information?" He gave no indication that the state had specifically asked for the disarmament of Fatah fighters in the camp. What happens in these camps since Palestinians were ousted from their homes in 1948 during the ethnic cleansing campaign for the creation of the Israeli state, has largely fallen outside Lebanese jurisdiction. Abu Arab insisted that the Lebanese public should "rest assured" that "the Lebanese and Palestinians are one", and that he has coordinated the weapons handover with the Lebanese intelligence and security establishment. Crackdown During his visit to Paris last month to meet President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam came to realise that Lebanon's situation was far more precarious than many believed, Middle East Eye reported this week. France, long known for mediating Lebanon's political crises, made it clear to Salam that the country could not survive without implementing reforms, particularly the disarmament of non-state actors, namely Hezbollah, under international supervision. Lebanon: Inside the efforts to disarm Hezbollah Read More » There would be no renewal of the UN peacekeeping force Unifil's mandate, as France could not bear the full cost without US funding; no donor or reconstruction conference without Saudi participation; and no security stability, given Israel's determination to disarm Hezbollah by force if Lebanese authorities failed to do so themselves. Salam briefed President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and moved to convene a cabinet session to discuss a US proposal for Hezbollah's disarmament. Less than two weeks later, Salam returned to Baabda Palace, away from the media, determined to approve the US proposal, presented by envoy Thomas Barrack, in full with a timetable, as a way to "shield the state from the next wave of international escalation". But Hezbollah accused Salam of breaking his official commitments, saying: "When Prime Minister Nawaf Salam adopts the American envoy's roadmap, he is going against all the commitments he made in his ministerial statement, as well as those in the president's inauguration speech." Hezbollah denounced the government's move as a "grave sin" that strips Lebanon "of the weapon of resistance" against Israel, and vowed to disregard it.
Arabian Business
5 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Kuwait to attract $32bn investment and create 50,000 jobs under New Kuwait 2035 mega projects
Kuwait is rolling out one of its most ambitious development drives to date, with plans to attract up to KD10bn ($32.6bn) in private and foreign investment, generate annual revenues of KD1bn ($3.26bn) by 2030, and create more than 50,000 new jobs. The programme is anchored in the New Kuwait 2035 Vision and combines sweeping reforms, strategic partnerships, and mega projects in energy, transport, infrastructure, smart cities, and industrial zones. The government says the strategy will also reduce pressure on the state budget by around 30 per cent while strengthening long-term economic sustainability. Kuwait megaprojects Integrated government action — linking economic diplomacy with global partners and supported by new regulatory frameworks — is driving this transformation, which aims to boost transparency, accelerate project delivery, and diversify national income sources. A Ministerial Committee for Monitoring Agreements with China has held 22 meetings to fast-track projects and remove obstacles. Progress has already been made on the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port project, with the execution contract signed in March. Environmental cooperation includes afforestation programmes, ecosystem rehabilitation, and land reclamation. Kuwait has also elevated its historic ties with Japan to a comprehensive strategic partnership, expanding cooperation across trade, investment, renewable energy, and petrochemicals. Major power and infrastructure projects Among the largest projects under way are the second and third phases of the Al Zour North Power Plant, designed to meet rising demand for power and water. The project encourages private sector participation to cut costs, accelerate completion, and optimise resource use — reflecting the government's broader push to integrate private capital into infrastructure development. Kuwait's 2025–26 development plan, approved in March, includes 124 projects: 69 under ministries, 21 with affiliated entities, and 34 with independent institutions, making it one of the country's most ambitious pipelines. Reforms to boost investment The government has rolled out wide-ranging reforms, including: A new real estate brokerage system A smart licensing project Amendments to the Companies Law A taxation framework for multinational groups Launch of the Real Estate Developer System Kuwait has also advanced the third phase of its Capital Market Development Program, a key step toward upgrading to advanced emerging market status and boosting investor confidence. Global institutions lift outlook The World Bank projects Kuwait's economy will rebound to 2.2 per cent in 2025, driven by infrastructure projects, OPEC+ production adjustments, and non-oil sector growth. Growth is forecast to stabilise at 2.7 per cent between 2026–27. S&P Global Ratings expects continued growth supported by reforms, while EFG Hermes highlighted improved decision-making and raised its forecast for banking sector expansion starting from 2026. Leadership commitment Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah said positive economic indicators and rising foreign investment confirm the government's determination to deliver on its development goals. He stressed that the progress reflects the vision of the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, adding that the reforms and mega projects will reinforce Kuwait's position as a regional investment hub.
