Latest news with #Al-Majalla
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Mediators to present new proposal to Israel and Hamas for Gaza ceasefire
Mediators are expected to present a new proposal to Israel and Hamas this weekend on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, in a bid to break the deadlock between the two sides. The new proposal, drafted by Egypt in co-ordination with Qatar and the United States, calls for a long-term ceasefire of at least five to seven years, backed by international guarantees. Mediators say the proposal aims to strike a balance between the demands of both parties. The Saudi magazine Al-Majalla reports that on the third day of the ceasefire, negotiations would begin on the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for the remaining hostages, as well as Israel Defense Forces redeployment, demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, arrangements for postwar governance and the official declaration of a permanent ceasefire. David Barnea, director of the intelligence agency Mossad, is meeting Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, after reports that Qatar is now pressing Hamas to disarm. READ MORE Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza more than a month ago, with the stated objective of increasing pressure on Hamas to release the 59 hostages it is still holding, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, who were taken in the militant group's attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. Israel also has also blocked all deliveries of humanitarian aid and other supplies to Gaza for seven weeks, an action criticised by the United Nations as 'further depriving people of the means for survival and undermining every aspect of civilian life'. Meanwhile, the IDF is continuing its daily attacks and has issued new evacuation orders to residents of northern Gaza. Some 420,000 Palestinians – 20 per cent of Gaza's population – are estimated to have been displaced again over the last five weeks, after a ceasefire in place since mid-January broke down. Underlining the worsening humanitarian crisis across Gaza, the World Food Programme said on Friday it had depleted all its food stocks for families in the enclave, warning that its hot meal kitchens would run out of food in the coming days. Basic commodities are scarce, pushing up prices to levels far beyond the reach of the vast majority of Gaza's impoverished population. Canned meat, which used to cost the equivalent of 50 cent, now costs more than €3. A litre of oil has rocketed to €12 and a kilo of sugar has risen from €1.70 to more than €12. In some places a single cigarette sells for more than €20. Israel is reluctant to end the blockade, believing Hamas will once again seize much of the aid. The IDF has voiced opposition to taking responsibility for distributing the aid, believing this endanger soldiers' lives. During a visit to southern Gaza on Thursday, the IDF's top general, Lieut Gen Eyal Zamir, told troops: 'We continue our operational pressure and to tighten our hold on Hamas as needed, and if we do not see progress in the return of the hostages, we will expand our activities into a more intense and significant operation until we reach a decisive outcome. 'Hamas is responsible for starting this war, Hamas is still cruelly holding the hostages, and is responsible for the dire situation of the population in Gaza.' However, escalating the military operation would require calling up tens of thousands of reservists, many of whom have already served hundreds of days since the war began with the surprise Hamas attack on southern Israel a year and half ago. More than 51,350 people have been killed in the Gaza war according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Some 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage in the Hamas attack, according to Israel.
Shafaq News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's former PM Al-Kadhimi breaks silence on return
Shafaq News/ Iraq's former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said his recent return to the country after stepping down in 2022 marks the beginning of a new phase of political engagement while outlining conditions for any future participation in parliamentary elections and warning of political polarization. In remarks published Tuesday in an interview with Al-Majalla magazine, Al-Kadhimi said he left Iraq after the end of his term to recuperate from years of public service, which included leading the Iraqi National Intelligence Service before assuming the premiership in 2020. "Some described it as a warrior's rest — and that's partially true," Al-Kadhimi said. 'It was a period of reflection, observation, and writing — but also of preparing ideas and strategies in response to the rapid transformations in the region and the world.' Al-Kadhimi said he was motivated to return by accelerating regional developments, which he believes require 'constructive ideas and a return to rational dialogue, away from reckless adventures.' He emphasized Iraq's Arab identity, stating that Baghdad must remain aligned with the broader Arab consensus and 'cannot replace its strategic depth.' While refraining from confirming whether he will run in Iraq's upcoming elections, Al-Kadhimi outlined two key conditions for participation, the first is a credible electoral process with the highest degree of transparency, referencing past concerns over manipulation and mobilization since Iraq's first post-2003 election. The second is a call for shared national responsibility, urging all political actors—inside and outside government—to prioritize the country's stability regardless of political alignment. 'Our options remain open,' he said, noting ongoing dialogue with various political forces that share his vision for reform and moderation. On foreign relations, Al-Kadhimi strongly defended Iraq's strategic partnership with the United States, describing it as vital to the country's development and institutional progress. 'Unfortunately, some figures promote populist slogans about severing ties with Washington, while privately seeking US approval and connections,' he said, warning against what he termed 'hypocrisy mixed with ignorance.' Al-Kadhimi also stressed the need for Iraq to play a mediating role amid rising US-Iran tensions, saying Baghdad should serve as a 'bridge for dialogue' not only between Washington and Tehran, but also among Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. "Iraq is uniquely positioned—geographically and historically—to help reduce regional polarization," he said, calling for a balanced foreign policy grounded in national interests, regional integration, and security priorities.
Arab News
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Al-Majalla at 45: A legacy of excellence, a future of innovation
The Middle East's leading Arabic current affairs magazine Al-Majalla is celebrating its 45th anniversary, coinciding with the second anniversary of its digital transformation, which introduced a suite of new digital products, an upgraded bilingual website in Arabic and English, and enhanced social media and interactive digital platforms. Since its establishment in 1980, Al-Majalla has held a unique position in the media landscape as a reliable source of news and bold intellectual discourse. Over the decades, it has earned the trust of thought leaders and decision-makers, delivering in-depth, balanced analyses that explore and analyze the issues shaping our world. Al-Majalla has conducted exclusive interviews with global and regional leaders, published groundbreaking investigative reports spanning politics, culture, economics, and technology, and served as a premier platform for the most important political and intellectual voices from the Middle East and beyond. For more than four decades, Al-Majalla has provided unique coverage of pivotal events in regional and global history, led by a distinguished group of journalists and editors-in-chief who have left a significant mark on the media landscape, including Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, Othman Al-Omair, and Adel Al-Toraifi. Throughout its history, the magazine has been a trusted source for insightful perspectives and precise analyses on significant historical milestones. Al-Majalla was among the first to recognize the Iranian threat, closely monitoring Iran-backed organizations and movements. It extensively covered the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, being the first to report on the Kuwaiti government's meeting in Saudi Arabia in 1990. The magazine also provided detailed coverage of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's departure from Beirut in 1982, uncovering the secret negotiations that led to his exit. Over the years, Al-Majalla has interviewed some of history's most influential figures, including US President Ronald Reagan, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, King Hussein of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, poet Nizar Qabbani, and boxer Muhammad Ali. As a trusted reference, Al-Majalla has also attracted a distinguished group of writers, intellectuals, and specialists from across the region and the world, such as Nobel Prize-winning novelist Naguib Mahfouz, Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani, and Sudanese novelist Tayeb Salih. Since its relaunch two years ago, Al-Majalla has achieved significant milestones and secured exclusive interviews, reinforcing its prestigious status in the region and beyond. Among its key achievements was an exclusive report on a 'ceasefire proposal' in Gaza, which gained widespread attention from major Arabic and international media outlets. It also exclusively published the 'full story' of former Syrian President Bashar Assad's escape, revealing details never told before about the days leading to the fall of the Assad regime. Other widely covered investigative pieces included 'top-secret' communications between Israel and the Assad regime and the Hamas-Fatah agreement on Gaza governance. Additionally, Al-Majalla conducted exclusive interviews with key political figures shaping today's landscape, such as former Turkish President Abdullah Gül and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte — making it the first Arab media outlet to interview him after he assumed his new position. Jomana R. Alrashed, CEO of SRMG, reflected on Al-Majalla's enduring legacy: 'For over four decades, Al-Majalla has documented the transformations of the region and the world, staying at the forefront of unfolding events while maintaining a steadfast commitment to in-depth, credible, and accurate reporting. Its legacy stands as a testament to a clear editorial vision, upheld by an exceptional team of distinguished journalists and intellectuals, driven by unwavering passion and dedication.' Speaking on Al-Majalla's relaunch two years ago in a refreshed and modernized format, Alrashed highlighted the evolving role of media: 'In today's rapidly shifting media landscape, we must honor our strong heritage while embracing modern platforms and formats that resonate with the next generation of readers, leaders, and decision-makers. Our role extends beyond news reporting — we are a mirror to reality, a window into the future, and a bridge that connects generations politically, culturally, and socially.' Beyond its journalistic achievements, the platform has been recognized for its visual storytelling and illustrative journalism, winning prestigious awards alongside major international media institutions like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Economist. Among these accolades were two international awards from the Society of Illustrators in New York, honoring the artwork 'A Grim Anniversary' on the first year of the Russia-Ukraine war and 'Pursuing Fusion' on nuclear fusion. The magazine also made the shortlist for the 2025 Communication Arts Awards, competing among 2,867 artistic entries worldwide. The transformation over the past two years has led to remarkable success. Page views have surged by 910 percent, daily visitors have increased by 714 percent, and monthly visitors have grown by 629 percent. To continue to stay ahead in the digital era, Al-Majalla launched its talk show, Hadith Al-Majalla, featuring influential figures discussing key cover stories. Guests have included American expert Andrew Tabler, former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Qudwa, and former Iraqi Foreign and Finance Minister Hoshyar Zebari. The magazine also hosted a panel discussion at the renowned Frontline Club in London, where former US Ambassador Robert Ford participated in a debate as part of the Debating MENA series, attended by top media figures, diplomats, and experts. Editor-in-Chief of Al-Majalla Ibrahim Hamidi said: 'Today, we celebrate 45 years since the founding of Al-Majalla. This distinguished legacy, crafted with expertise and foresight by leading journalists and intellectuals, presents both an opportunity and a challenge for us. It is an opportunity to build upon this rich heritage with a modern, forward-thinking approach that resonates with the world today, and a challenge that motivates us to preserve, enrich, and elevate this legacy with the highest standards and ambitious goals. 'Over the past two years, in the age of the information revolution, we have focused on delivering insightful, in-depth content, enhanced by elegant language and cutting-edge visual and interactive media, distributed across social platforms to reach a wide and diverse audience. Our mission is to serve as a dynamic bridge that connects our region to the world and unites generations. Just as Al-Majalla transformed magazine journalism more than four decades ago, we now aim to take competitiveness to new, uncharted heights.'
