Why it matters: MBZ's refusal underscores the position of many Arab countries that have said they won't foot the bill to maintain the status quo in the #WestBank and #Gaza after the war.

"The notion that Arab countries will come in to rebuild and pay the bill for what's currently happening is wishful thinking," an Emirati official told Axios.

#UAE rebuffs #Israel's #Netanyahu over #Palestinian workers' pay: "Ask Zelensky"
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/08/netanyahu-uae-mbz-zelensky-palestinians-unemployment

#Fixers with alleged links to Egyptian intelligence are making a fortune in ‘fees’ from people hoping to exit through the #RafahCrossing. #Egypt, a key regional player in negotiations on #Gaza, has long resisted opening the Rafah crossing, fearing that millions of people would flee into the neighbouring Sinai peninsula. #Israel

#Palestinians desperate to flee Gaza pay thousands in bribes to ‘brokers’ | Global development | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/jan/08/palestinians-flee-gaza-rafah-egypt-border-bribes-to-brokers

Expressing concern that the war between #Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group #Hamas in the #GazaStrip could spread in the wider #Middle East, he called for a “ceasefire on every front, including #Lebanon”.

'Indiscriminately striking' civilians is #WarCrime, #PopeFrancis says in major speech
https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/indiscriminately-striking-civilians-war-crime-pope-francis/

A variety of metal tubes and components as well as shell casings were stacked in an overground workshop area, while in another area, long metal racks holding missiles could be seen, with an elevator leading down into the tunnel. #Gaza #Israel #Hamas.

Israeli forces say they locate large underground #WeaponsFactory in Gaza
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israeli-forces-say-they-locate-large-underground-weapons-factory-in-gaza/ar-AA1mEMYw?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

#Jordan's army has stepped up a campaign against #DrugDealers after clashes last month with dozens of people suspected of links to pro-Iranian #militias, who were carrying large hauls over its border with #Syria along with weapons and explosives.

Jordan and its Western allies have blamed #Lebanon-based #Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militia as being behind the surge in smuggling. #captagon #Assad #Israel

Jordanian jets strike #Iran-linked drug dealers inside Syria
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-781341

Just wanted to comment that #Jordan's air force and it's pilots have always been top notch (the late King Hussein was an avid pilot). Which was why Jordanian air fields were among #Israel's primary targets in the 1967 Six Day war.

My guess is that US & Israeli intel helped guide the airstrikes on #Syria' s #captagon drug warehouses.

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Backstory on #Syria's multi-billion #captagon drug trade via a June 2023 BBC article. Captagon is a highly addictive #amphetamine-like drug that has plagued the #MiddleEast in recent years and has now spread to #Europe, #Africa and #Asia. #AssadRegime #Hezbollah #Israel

Syria: New Captagon drug trade link to top officials found - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-66002450

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#WaelAlDahdouh is one of the most well-known faces in #Gaza — and he has become a symbol of the embattled territory’s calamity.

#Israel’s #GazaWar leads to a massacre of #journalists
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/09/gaza-journalist-killed-israel-dahdouh/

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Dr Ng said #Singapore is contributing to the coalition operation in the #RedSea – launched by the #US on Dec 19, 2023 – as it aligns with the three principles of maritime security cooperation that the Republic articulated at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2005 when the #MalaccaStrait and #SingaporeStrait were threatened by #piracy and sea robbery. #Houthi #Israel

SAF to participate in multinational military operation to keep #RedSea safe
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/saf-to-participate-in-multinational-military-operation-to-keep-red-sea-safe

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#Hezbollah said that it had targeted the “enemy’s northern command centre in the city of #Safed with several drones” in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah field commander #WissamAlTawil in #Lebanon on Monday, as well as an attack on #Hamas’s deputy leader #SalehAlArouri in #Beirut last week.

‘Brink of war’: Hezbollah-#Israel trade further strikes across border | News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/9/brink-of-war-hezbollah-israel-trade-strikes-as-fear-of-escalation-rises

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“More children have died in #Gaza than in all other conflicts around the world this past year,” Abdullah said according to the speech which was carried on state media. “Of those who have survived, many have lost one or both parents — an entire generation of orphans.”

British surgeon says Gaza ‘beyond worst thing’ he’s seen, as #Jordan’s king warns #Israel creating a ‘generation of orphans’ | CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/09/middleeast/gaza-orphan-british-doctor-jordan-king-intl-hnk/index.html

The international criminal court (#ICC) has confirmed it is investigating potential crimes against #journalists since the outbreak of war between #Israel and #Hamas, according to #ReportersWithoutBorders (RSF). #TheHague

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/09/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-hamas-israel-gaza-palestine-war-us-antony-blinken-tel-aviv-visit?page=with:block-659d77998f0869c265cfddf8#block-659d77998f0869c265cfddf8

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In three months, according to figures released last week by the International Organization for Migration, about 76,000 people have been driven from southern #Lebanon.

Local authorities in #Tyre, a pretty seaside city with ancient ruins, are registering between 200 and 300 newly displaced people each day. #Hezbollah #Israel #Gaza

‘Everyone is leaving’: bombardments drive tens of thousands from southern Lebanon
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/09/everyone-is-leaving-bombardments-drive-tens-of-thousands-from-southern-lebanon

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US Secretary of State #AntonyBlinken urges Israel to support Palestinian leaders willing to live peacefully alongside Israelis and warned the daily toll in its war with #Hamas in #Gaza was far too high. #Israel

Top US diplomat urges Israel to make hard choices, work with #Palestinians
https://www.rappler.com/world/middle-east/israel-war-hamas-updates-january-10-2024/

After months of all-out war to root out #Hamas' brutality has drawn #Israel into what looks like a no-win situation, a war in which it is trying to destroy the militant group but can't keep up the same pressure without backlash over the devastation it brings. #Gaza

Israel's military is facing a no-win situation
https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-no-win-situation-gaza-after-months-war-crush-hamas-2024-1

A legal hearing into the war in #Gaza has opened in #TheHague, as the international court of justice (#ICJ) hears arguments alleging that #Israel is committing genocide of #Palestinians.

Middle East crisis live: #SouthAfrica’s genocide case against Israel over war in Gaza opens in The Hague
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/11/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestine-south-africa-genocide-case-icj?page=with%3Ablock-659fa0728f08b223cc64ceaa#block-659fa0728f08b223cc64ceaa

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While the security firm Ambrey did not name the vessel, shipping tracking service TankerTrackers said the vessel was the #StNikolas, which in 2023 had been seized by the #US in a sanctions enforcement operation under a different name, #SuezRajan.

The tanker's AIS tracking system was turned off as it headed in the direction of the Iranian port of Bandar e-Jask. #Iran #US #Israel #ArabianSea

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/update-3-oil-tanker-involved-in-u-s-iran-dispute-boarded-by-armed-guards-near-oman/ar-AA1mNDTx?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

#Israel has shown “chilling” and “incontrovertible” intent to commit genocide in #Gaza, with full knowledge of how many civilians it is killing, the UN international court of justice in #TheHague has heard, at the opening of a case Israel has described as baseless. #ICC

Israel shows ‘chilling’ intent to commit genocide in Gaza, #SouthAfrica tells UN court | #IsraelGazaWar
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/11/south-africa-accuses-israel-of-genocide-gaza-the-hague-international-court-of-justice

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Large demonstrations organised by #Israel supporters and pro-#Palestinian groups converged outside the international court of justice (#ICC) in #TheHague on Thursday as the court began hearings in the #Gaza genocide case against Israel.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/11/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestine-south-africa-genocide-case-icj?page=with:block-65a01dde8f08438ab216c622#block-65a01dde8f08438ab216c622

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The #UnitedStates and #Britain have started carrying out strikes against targets linked to #Houthis in #Yemen, four US officials have told Reuters. #RedSea #Iran #Israel

Middle East crisis live: UK and US strike Houthi sites in Yemen and ‘will not hesitate’ to launch further measures, says Biden
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/11/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestine-south-africa-genocide-case-icj?page=with%3Ablock-65a07c018f08319df20494c6#block-65a07c018f08319df20494c6

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The military targets include logistical hubs, air defence systems and weapons storage locations, they said. #RedSea #Yemen #Houthis #Israel

The #US and #UK militaries have used warship-launched #Tomahawk missiles and #FighterJets in the strikes, several US officials have told the Associated Press.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/11/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestine-south-africa-genocide-case-icj?page=with:block-65a0811c8f082f41f4525cf1#block-65a0811c8f082f41f4525cf1

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Initial reports suggested that as many as a dozen sites in #Yemen had been targeted, aimed at military targets, using fighter jets and ship-launched Tomahawk #CruiseMissiles, suggesting a broad assault intended to quickly deter the #Houthis.

#US and #UK strike Houthi sites in Yemen in response to ‘unprecedented’ attacks | #RedSea
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/12/us-uk-air-strikes-yemen-houthi-rebels-red-sea-crisis

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#SouthAfrica has filed a lawsuit with the #UN’s top court asking judges to impose emergency measures ordering #Israel to immediately halt the #Gaza offensive, alleging that Israel’s actions in the war there amount to #genocide. #TheHague #ICC

Israel to defend its war in Gaza at the UN's top court
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/12/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-yemen-houthi-rebels-joe-biden-us-uk-airtstrikes-red-sea-crisis-israel-gaza-war?page=with:block-65a0f1ef8f082f41f4525f97#block-65a0f1ef8f082f41f4525f97

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The ship loaded around 145,000 metric tonnes of oil in the #Iraqi port of #Basra and was heading to #Aliaga in western #Turkey via the #SuezCanal, Empire Navigation told Reuters. It said it had lost contact with the vessel, manned by a crew of 19 including 18 #Filipino nationals and one #Greek national. #StNikolas #Israel #Gaza

UPDATE 9-#Iran seizes oil tanker involved in #US-Iran dispute in #GulfOfOman
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/update-9-iran-seizes-oil-tanker-involved-in-u-s-iran-dispute-in-gulf-of-oman/ar-AA1mPrIt?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

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The #Houthis are an armed group from a sub-sect of #Yemen's #Shia Muslim minority, the #Zaidis. They take their name from the movement's founder, Hussein al Houthi.

Formally known as the Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), the group was formed in the 1990s to combat what they saw as the corruption of the then president, #AliAbdullahSaleh. #Iran #Israel

Who are the #Houthi rebels and why are they attacking #RedSea ships?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67614911

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#UK says west will back words with action as #Houthis threaten reprisals and #Hezbollah says all navigation in area is in danger. #Israel #Gaza

#RedSea tensions simmer as all sides warn of possible further attacks | #Yemen
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/14/red-sea-tensions-simmer-as-all-sides-warn-of-possible-further-attacks

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The numbers that capture the state of #Gaza after 100 days of war are staggering: Nearly 2 million displaced, thousands of homes destroyed and nearly 24,000 dead — 10,000 of them children.

Since the outbreak of war on Oct. 7, when the militant group #Hamas broke into southern #Israel and killed 1,200 people and kidnapped some 250 more, the toll of Israel's response on Gaza, which is governed by Hamas, has been catastrophic for the territory.

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/14/1224673502/gaza-numbers-100-days-israel-hamas

#Germany intends to send the F-124 Gessen frigate to the #RedSea on Feb. 1 as part of a new #EU mission (separate from the US-UK fleet) to protect maritime trade from attacks by Yemeni #Houthi rebels, German newspaper Welt reported on Jan. 14.

The frigate is equipped for radio reconnaissance, capable of simultaneously detecting 1,000 targets, armed with anti-aircraft missiles, and can deploy attack helicopters. #Israel #Gaza

https://news.yahoo.com/germany-f-124-gessen-frigate-162600923.html

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#KermanBombing #QassemSuleimani #Israel

#Iran's strikes in northern #Syria came after #IS claimed responsibility earlier this month for two suicide bombings targeting a commemoration for an Iranian general slain in a 2020 US drone strike
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/16/middle-east-crisis-live-news-updates-us-iran-missile-strikes-iraq-red-sea-crisis-yemen-houthis-gaza-palestine-hamas-war-israel?page=with:block-65a616ff8f0884186719326c#block-65a616ff8f0884186719326c

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#DAVOS #Switzerland #Qatar #Israel #Gaza #Hamas

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/16/middle-east-crisis-live-news-updates-us-iran-missile-strikes-iraq-red-sea-crisis-yemen-houthis-gaza-palestine-hamas-war-israel?page=with:block-65a64db28f08e4f5a26305ac#block-65a64db28f08e4f5a26305ac

The #UN agencies did not directly blame #Israel but said aid delivery was hindered by the opening of too few border crossings from Israel, a slow vetting process for trucks and goods going into #Gaza, and continuing fighting.

‘No food, no water’: aid officials think pockets of #famine exist in Gaza | #IsraelGazaWar
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/16/no-food-no-water-no-heating-famine-exists-in-gaza-say-officials

This is part of #EU's push to be more independent defense-wise instead of being mostly reliant on the #US. #France, in particular, has been wanting this to happen for the longest time.
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EU member states gave initial backing on Tuesday (16 January) for the creation of a #NavalMission to protect ships from attacks by #Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in the #RedSea, according to several European diplomats. #Israel #Houthis

https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-to-move-ahead-with-red-sea-mission-to-deter-houthis/

The strikes in #Pakistan came less than a day after Iranian missile strikes in #Syria and #Iraq, part of a string reprisals against #Tehran’s enemies in the wake of a double suicide bombing in the city of #Kerman on 3 January which killed more than 80 Iranians. #IslamicState (IS) claimed responsibility for that attack. #Balochistan #KermanBombing #Israel #Gaza

Iran strikes ‘militant bases’ in Pakistan in latest #MiddleEast flashpoint
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/16/iran-launches-airstrikes-on-sunni-militant-bases-in-pakistan

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#Israel #Gaza

Here are some of the latest images sent to us by wires in #Gaza, where there has been no let-up in Israeli attacks.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/18/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-latest-news-us-military-strikes-houthi-rebels-yemen-pakistan-attack-iran?page=with:block-65a890698f0845976a84021e#block-65a890698f0845976a84021e

#Israel #Gaza #RedSea
The #US military has fired another wave of missile strikes against #Houthi-controlled sites, marking the fourth time in a week that it has directly targeted the group in #Yemen.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/18/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-latest-news-us-military-strikes-houthi-rebels-yemen-pakistan-attack-iran?page=with:block-65a8a7398f08a3ffd92948d1#block-65a8a7398f08a3ffd92948d1

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New Delhi: #India's navy said on Thursday that it responded to a #DroneAttack distress call from a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel (#GencoPicardy) in the #GulfOfAden and that the ship's crew were safe, with a fire on board under control. #Houthi #Yemen #Israel #Gaza

Navy says Indian crew safe after attack on vessel in Gulf of Aden
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/navy-says-indian-crew-safe-after-attack-on-vessel-in-gulf-of-aden-2854354

#DAVOS, #Switzerland (Reuters) -At least $15 billion will be needed to rebuild houses in #Gaza, the head of the #PalestineInvestmentFund said on Wednesday, underlining the scale of devastation caused by #Israel's offensive.

"We still didn't talk about #infrastructure, we didn't talk about the #hospitals that were damaged, #the grids...," he said at the #WorldEconomicForum in Davos.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/at-least-15-billion-needed-for-gaza-housing-palestinian-official/ar-AA1n8aJs?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

Emergency responders risked their lives in the fighting on 7 October and several days afterwards to rescue the wounded and retrieve the dead. The chaos meant there were significant failings in preserving evidence of #GenderBasedViolence and what is coming to be seen as the systematic use of #rape as a weapon of war by #Hamas. #Israel #Gaza

Evidence points to systematic use of rape and #SexualViolence by Hamas in 7 October attacks (Warning: contains graphic descriptions)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/18/evidence-points-to-systematic-use-of-rape-by-hamas-in-7-october-attacks