Region

Amid the stringent military measures imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities to restrict access to Al-Aqsa Mosque, some 80,000 worshipers prayed Isha and Taraweeh on the 24th day of the holy month of Ramadan at the mosque, according to the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem.The department highlighted that most of the worshippers were either Jerusalemites or from within the territories of 1948, as the Israeli occupation authorities deprive thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank of reaching Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque.Local sources reported that the Israeli occupation forces obstructed the worshippers from reaching Al-Aqsa to pray through the Damascus and Lion Gates, and engaged in vetting their identities, ultimately arresting several young people and preventing them from entering the mosque.

The Israeli encroachments on Lebanon have continued despite the ceasefire deal on Nov. 27, 2024.The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the Israeli drones were seen hovering at a low altitude over Beirut until reaching the southern suburb, with field sources stating that the Israeli mortar attacks targeted the outskirts of the town of Shebaa.On Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire deal was enacted, mandating the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon's border villages within sixty days. Lebanon's government later agreed to extending the deadline to February 18, with the Israeli troops withdrawing from the vast majority of areas, except five border points.

Separate Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed two media workers, including an Al Jazeera journalist.Hossam Shabat, a journalist who worked for Al Jazeera Mubasher, was killed in northern Gaza on Monday. Witnesses told the network that his car was targeted in the eastern part of Beit Lahiya.Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said Shabat, 23, had been previously wounded in another Israeli attack “but he insisted on continuing news reporting” in Gaza.“The Israeli military targeted his vehicle” without giving “any prior warning”, Abu Azzoum said.The colleagues of Shabat, have shared his final words.In a post on X, prewritten by Shabat, his team wrote, “If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed — most likely targeted — by the Israeli occupation forces.” Shabat wrote that over the last 18 months of war, he has dedicated “every moment” to his people.“I documented the horrors in northern Gaza minute by minute, determined to show the world the truth they tried to bury. I slept on pavements, in schools, in tents—anywhere I could. Each day was a battle for survival. I endured hunger for months, yet I never left my people’s side.”“I ask you now: do not stop speaking about Gaza,” Shabat added. “Do not let the world look away. Keep fighting, keep telling our stories — until Palestine is free.”Earlier Monday, an Israeli army attack on Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, also killed journalist Mohammad Mansour, who worked for Palestine Today.Abu Azzoum said Mansour was killed “in his house... alongside his wife and his son”, in an attack that also came without any prior warning.(Courtesy Al Jazeera)

Egypt has floated a new proposal aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, security sources said Monday, as Palestinian health authorities said Israeli strikes had killed at least 65 people in the enclave in the previous 24 hours.The proposal, made last week, follows an escalation in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas militants on March 18, ending a two-month period of relative calm after 15 months of war.Gaza health officials said Israeli airstrikes and shelling have killed nearly 700 Palestinians since then, including at least 400 women and children.Among those killed Monday were two local journalists, Mohammad Mansour and Hussam Shabat, medics said. The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate said at least 206 journalists have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since early October 2023, when the conflict erupted. There was no immediate Israeli comment.Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said several of its senior political and security officials had also been killed.Later Monday, the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it crossed into Israel. Warning sirens had sounded in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other areas.The Egyptian plan calls for Hamas to release five Israeli hostages each week, with Israel implementing the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week, two security sources said.Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, with 24 thought to be still alive.Both the US and Hamas have agreed to the proposal, the security sources said, but Israel has not yet responded.A Hamas official did not confirm the proposed offer, but told Reuters that "several proposals are being discussed with the mediators to bridge the gap and to resume negotiations to reach common ground that would pave the way to start the second phase of the agreement".The sources said the Egyptian proposal includes a timeline for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, backed by US guarantees, in exchange for the release of remaining hostages.Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement but has said it is willing to negotiate a renewed truce and was studying proposals from US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.On Monday, Hamas released a video it said showed hostages Elkana Bohbot, 35, and Yosef Haim-Ohana, 24.In Gaza's southernmost city Rafah, the municipality said thousands of people were stuck inside the Tel Al-Sultan district where some Israeli military forces had entered, with families trapped among the ruins, with no water, food, or medicine.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Monday that Jordan's diplomatic efforts to cease Israeli aggression in Gaza and to halt unlawful Israeli activities in the West Bank remain continuous.During a Lower House of Parliament session, Safadi stated that Israel violated the terms of the exchange agreement, which was brokered through Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediation, and subsequently resumed its military aggression in Gaza.He further noted that Israel had suspended the provision of humanitarian, medical, and food aid to Gaza at the beginning of the current month.Safadi emphasized that these actions constitute a clear breach of the exchange agreement. He also disclosed that the agreement included the establishment of a joint operations center tasked with monitoring adherence to its provisions

CONTENTS:Introduction, Why More UAE Residents are Looking for Tobacco-Free OptionsNicotine Pouches: A Discreet and Convenient AlternativeHow UAE’s Wellness Trends Align with Smoke-Free LivingBusiness Professionals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Embracing Healthier ChoicesReducing Tobacco Use in the Region: A Step Towards a Healthier NationThe Role of Innovation in Shaping Smoking Cessation AlternativesFinal WordsIntroduction, Why More UAE Residents are Looking for Tobacco-Free OptionsThe United Arab Emirates proportionately has a lower number of adult smokers than many other Middle Eastern countries, with reported numbers of 11.9% (mainly males). Nevertheless, cigarettes are still responsible for nearly 19% of deaths in the United Arab Emirates. Smoking is banned in many public areas with the region’s National Anti-Tobacco Control Committee seeking a total ban on smoking in all public areas. What’s more, smoking is not permitted in closed public spaces and under 18s are forbidden to smoke. Smoking advertising is also restricted. Nevertheless, despite these measures, there is still a smoking pandemic in the UAE but on a positive note, more and more smokers in the region seek smoking cessation, with many looking for tobacco-free options. Recently, nicotine pouches have started to filter into the UAE. While these new, smokeless alternatives are still largely unregulated, their popularity in the UAE is growing. It’s that popularity coupled with mounting pressure on the government to pass regulations to introduce a smokeless category that arguably shows that residents in the UAE want a suitable smoking alternative. Moreover, as nicotine pouches are tobacco-free and fume-free products they genuinely are safer than cigarettes and therefore for the government, these should be a very attractive, healthier alternative that could pave the way towards a smoke-free UAE.Nicotine Pouches: A Discreet and Convenient AlternativeLet’s look at what white snus isThese smokeless products resemble tiny, silky sachets that are filled with a blend of pure-grade nicotine, flavorings (similar to vape juice flavors), sweetener, water and plant-based fibers. They are worn orally (never ingested) and release a steady stream of nicotine and flavors into the mouth.The nicotine and flavors are absorbed through the mouth’s membrane, bypassing the digestive system, creating an intense, pleasurable sensation that feels like a tingling, accompanied by feelings of happiness, energy and relaxation. That sensation lasts approximately half an hour or longer – and successfully puts a stop to cravings for cigarettes, making them incredibly efficient smoking cessation products.There are many benefits, as follows:Nicotine pouches are smoke-free so don’t pollute the air and neither do they affect non-users. There’s no risk of passive smoking.As they aren’t inhaled, they don’t affect the respiratory system.Being tobacco-free, they’re non-carcinogenic, removing the many hazards of cigarettes and e-cigarette use.They do not smell and are mess-free.The sachets are so small, they’re entirely inconspicuous.Being plant-based, these nicotine pouches are biodegradable so they’re better for the environment.They aren’t subject to bans and can be used anywhere, at any time.How UAE’s Wellness Trends Align with Smoke-Free LivingThere’s more too. Nicotine pouches align themselves well with the UAEs growing wellness industry. For one, the UAE is renowned for its top-quality medical health and tourists travel to the region to undergo medical treatment, (medical tourism). The UAE’s tourism strategy is to add 4 million hotel guests by 2031, many of whom will travel to the area solely for medical purposes. Moreover, thanks to the exceptional natural beauty of the UAE, there are hundreds of top-notch wellness resorts focusing on combining health, relaxation and rejuvenation.As a luxurious area, the UAE boasts stylish living spaces that include personalized spa and exercise facilities. Residents have high disposable incomes too which has bolstered its wellness market – worth $67.9 billion in 2023 expected to reach $118.6 billion by 2032 (GCC figures including the UAE). It is fair to say that residents take their health very seriously and that is why nicotine pouches fit in well with the UAE’s preference for healthier lifestyles.Business Professionals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Embracing Healthier ChoicesThat trend extends to business professionals, especially those coming from Dubai and Abu Dhabi – where the wellness tourism industry is especially robust. The feeling is that protecting one's health and wellness is of utmost importance and with business professionals frequently spending time abroad in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, innovation in smokeless alternatives have piqued interest. So much so that these products are beginning to gain noticeable traction in the UAE, as more business professionals embrace them as a replacement for smoking and vaping.Reducing Tobacco Use in the Region: A Step Towards a Healthier NationThe UAE’s government is also committed to reducing the impact of smoking. The government has raised taxation on cigarettes while increasing public education on the dangers of smoking through extensive health campaigns. What’s more, there’s extensive support for smoking cessation in the region and certain public areas are designated as smoke-free to protect non-smokers. While there is not a blanket ban on smoking in all public spaces (yet), there’s every hope that there will be in the future. Regulating nicotine pouches will help to reduce the impact of smoking – and there’s hope that this will happen soon.The Role of Innovation in Shaping Smoking Cessation AlternativesAdded to the above, smokeless alternatives are a superb example of disruptive technology and these are the first products since vaping devices and vape juices that have appeared on the market to challenge tobacco cigarettes. Perhaps e-cigs are safer than traditional cigarettes but in recent years, there’s rising evidence to show that they severely impair respiratory and cardiovascular health. Nicotine pouches, on the other hand, do not affect respiratory function and there’s little evidence to show they pose a risk of heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, in terms of smoking cessation, nicotine pouches do work. They are different to traditional nicotine replacement therapies because they create a sensation, unlike nicotine patches, nicotine sprays, nicotine lozenges and nicotine gum. They also come in desirable flavor choices and a variety of nicotine dosages to suit all users. It’s this type of innovation that’s shaping these products to be really exciting smoking cessation alternatives for people living in the UAE.Final WordsThe UAE is experiencing rapidly growing interest in smoke-free alternatives like nicotine pouches and arguably, this is part of a shift towards healthier lifestyles. The government is concentrating much effort on educating citizens on the dangers of cigarettes and there is hope that it will also look to regulate smokeless products, as they’re proving a promising alternative for smoking cessation, as well as a healthier substitute for smoking. The discreet, plant-based products offer plenty of benefits, such as being fume-free, tobacco-free and eco-friendly too. As wellness trends rise across the UAE, nicotine pouches align well with the nation’s commitment to health and innovation. Perhaps their increasing popularity reflects citizens' desires for a smoke-free future? Certainly regulating these products and encouraging their presence in the UAE could well pave the way for a smoke-free region in the future.

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is recognised as a hub in terms of entrepreneurship and business innovation. Businesses are flourishing, nurtured by the growth of the accessible, flexible, alternative lending landscape that has evolved and is expanding at a considerable rate of knots. Consumers, too, are benefitting from the advantages that this new digital world offers.Growth of Digital Lending in the UAE and the Wider Middle EastThe wider Middle East, of which the UAE is a significant part, has experienced a 52% increase in CAGR in its digital banking scene since 2012. A recent report by Arthur D Little puts the asset value of the area at $3.2 trillion, with the UAE holding the lion's share. Over the past two years, the UAE has seen a growth in CAGR of 8.7%, and by 2029, its holding is projected to reach a total of $175.7 billion.The digital lending sector of the UAE offers consumers and businesses much easier access to loans than does the old traditional banking sector. The new loan and loan comparison platforms we are seeing use advanced data analytic algorithms and the power of artificial intelligence (AI). They are the new disruptive option that has already become firmly established and for which demand is steadily growing. Digital lending and loan tendering are quickly being recognised as integral components of the Fintech infrastructure.The Way in Which Loan Tendering Platforms Help Consumers Reach Smarter Financial DecisionsRather than approaching one particular lender, loan comparison platforms obtain loan proposals on your behalf from a number of different financial institutions. The platforms operating in the UAE are similar to those available in Finland, such as Pika Laina, which offers private loans of up to €70,000 within minutes of you completing your application.Rather than having to wait days or even weeks for a loan offer, which can worsen your financial position and cause more stress, Pika Laina’s rapid response, whereby you’re given up to 30 loan options from different sources, gives you the time you need to make more rational decisions. Also, the user-friendly loan calculator they provide makes it so easy to examine different loan amounts and terms, which facilitates making financially smarter decisions.The Popularity of Instant Loans – Fast and Reliable Cash SolutionsPeople tend to think of the UAE as the home of the wealthy, and yes, to some extent, that is the truth. But it doesn’t apply to everyone. Like any country or region, there are those who are less well off, and even among the more wealthy, there are those who have cash flow problems from time to time.The recent arrival of urgent cash loan apps like Cash Now, LNDDO, and Credy Loan, has been welcomed by the general public, business owners, and entrepreneurs too, who see them as game changers. This is proven by the fact that the uptake of these apps has increased by 20%. They perform a vital role for those who need cash on an urgent basis to cover unexpected emergencies or sudden high bills.A New Gateway for Entrepreneurs and StartupsThe UAE is a great incubator for startups, and in 2024 alone, over 8,600 new businesses were registered. Of this number, more than 750 startups were Fintech companies. According to research undertaken by Startup Genome, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai are the frontrunners, forming incentivised environments.Abu Dhabi has the fastest-growing startups in terms of ecosystems in the MENA region. It com prised a little under USD 6 billion value-wise during 2021-2024. The aforementioned research also reported that early-stage startup funding totalled USD224 million. Of this, venture capital funding between 2021 and 2023 was over $1 billion, thanks to the action of startups operating under Hub 71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem.Finland is also home to one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems in the world. It’s the perfect gateway for entrepreneurs, scale-ups and startups, with loan comparison platforms like this one, which is offering tendering services for business loans up to €8 million. They both offer an easy way of comparing and applying for cheap loans quickly and efficiently.Loans to Fund the Home Renovation Trend in the United Arab EmiratesAs the population in Dubai expands, home renovations are becoming increasingly popular. Renovation trends include:Luxury bathroomsState-of-the-art kitchensIndoor/outdoor livingOpen-plan living areasEco-friendly updatesFor the wealthy, financing such renovations isn’t a problem, but for many, it means borrowing money to cover the cost.It’s not just the UAE where home renovating has become a popular trend. The same applies to Finland, where the spending on renovation and home goods is forecast to hit the €7.1 billion mark by 2028. This is an increase of €0.5 billion or 1.3% from expenditure in 2023. As in the UAE, many people don't have the ready cash to fund these projects, so they turned to the services of credit loan comparison sites, who will tender loan offers from as many as 30 different sources, tailored to the applicant's requests.Consolidation Loans for Those Who Have Overstepped Their BorrowingThe trend of taking out multiple loans and credit cards is something that increased disproportionately with the arrival of COVID-19 and the recent rise in the cost of living. In 2020, UAE inflation was negative at minus 2.08%, but following the pandemic, it rose steadily, and by 2022, it had reached a positive 4.83%, a rise of 6.91%. It meant many people took a number of loans and credit cards and ended up struggling to keep up with the repayments.It was a similar story in Finland, where the cost of living between 2020 and the end of 2022 rose by 9.4%. The only way now that many households can survive is by obtaining a loan to consolidate their debts and save money on repayments.In the UAE, people applied to financial institutions like Mashreq. In Finland, many households find the best consolidation deals by going through online loan tendering agencies. Applying a loan costs nothing and will present you with dozens of loan proposals from €1,000 to €60,000, which can ease your financial commitments and can eventually even result in increasing your credit rating.

Israeli occupation forces arrested 27 Palestinians on Monday from several areas in the West Bank.Palestinian news agency (WAFA) reported that Israeli occupation forces arrested 10 Palestinians from the Salfit Governorate, five from Nablus, three each from Jenin, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm, in addition to two brothers from occupied Jerusalem, and another from Ramallah, after raiding and searching their homes.Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have escalated in recent months, with occupation forces intensifying raids, arrests, and indiscriminate shooting in various cities.

Ten Palestinians were killed and others wounded Monday morning as a result of the ongoing Israeli bombardment of various areas in the Gaza Strip.Palestinian medical sources said that six citizens were killed as a result of an Israeli airstrike on a tent housing displaced persons in the Qizan Rashwan area, south of Khan Yunis.A number of Palestinians were wounded in another airstrike on a tent housing displaced persons west of the city. A citizen was also wounded in the bombing of a vehicle parked in the courtyard of a house in the Al-Zana area, east of the city.Medical crews transported a number of wounded people to Kuwait Specialized Hospital after Israeli warplanes targeted the tents of displaced people west of the city.A Qatar News Agency (QNA) correspondent reported that Khan Yunis has been witnessing intense shelling by the Israeli occupation since midnight last night, targeting several homes, tents for displaced people, and parked vehicles in several parts of the city.Medical sources reported that approximately 16 people were killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes and shelling on the central and southern Gaza Strip and Gaza city since dawn today.In the same context, four citizens were killed and several others were wounded as a result of Israeli shelling of two residential homes in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, east of Gaza.In the central Gaza Strip, an Israeli army helicopter fired toward the western areas of Deir Al-Balah, while an injury occurred as a result of Israeli shelling targeting a car maintenance workshop near the entrance to the Maghazi refugee camp.Four people were also wounded in an Israeli helicopter attack on the Al-Sawarah area, southwest of the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp.In the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli artillery shelling targeted the vicinity of the Ministry of Social Development's barracks in Beit Lahia.Last Tuesday, the Israeli entity resumed its aggression on the Gaza Strip after a two-month pause under a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on Jan. 19

An Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza killed a Hamas political leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, on Sunday, the resistance group said, as Palestinian officials put the death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000.Hamas said the airstrike on Khan Younis killed Bardaweel and his wife.At least 50,021 Palestinians have been killed and 113,274 wounded since the beginning of the war, the health ministry said.After two months of relative calm in the war, Gazans have again been fleeing for their lives after Israel effectively abandoned a ceasefire, launching a new all-out air and ground campaign on Tuesday against Hamas.Explosions echoed throughout the north, central and southern Gaza Strip early Sunday, as Israeli planes hit several targets in those areas.At least 30 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis so far Sunday, health authorities said. Bardaweel was a member of the Hamas decision-making body, the political office."His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fuelling the battle of liberation and independence," the group said.Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement by refusing to begin negotiations for an end to the war and a withdrawal of its troops from Gaza. But Hamas has said it is still willing to negotiate and was studying "bridging" proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning on X for residents in the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah in the south of the strip.The military later said troops had encircled Tel Al-Sultan.The Israeli military said that one of its divisions that had operated in Lebanon was preparing for possible activity in Gaza.It said soldiers were allowing the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone via organised routes for their safety.The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 50,000 residents remained trapped in Rafah after they were surprised by an Israeli army raid into their areas, warning their lives, and those of rescue teams, were at risk.Palestinian and international officials also warned about the return of the risk of famine in the enclave."Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis. Banning aid is a collective punishment on Gaza: the vast majority of its population are children, women & ordinary men," the head of the United Nations agency on Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarin posted on X.

The death toll from the Israeli occupation's aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 50,021 martyrs, since the beginning of the aggression on October 7, 2023.The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported Sunday that hospitals in the Gaza Strip received 41 martyrs over the past 24 hours, including two who were pulled from the rubble, in addition to 61 injured.Palestinian medical sources added that the number of injuries has jumped to 113,274 since the beginning of the aggression, while a number of victims are still under the rubble and scattered on the roads, with ambulance and rescue crews unable to reach them.The statement added that the death toll and injuries since the occupation resumed its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip last Tuesday has reached 673 martyrs and 1,233 wounded.

At least 20 Palestinians were martyred and several others injured early Sunday following a series of Israeli occupations airstrikes targeting Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip.Eight people were martyred and others wounded when Israeli warplanes bombed the home of a family in Al-Jenena neighborhood in Rafah, the Palestinian news agency (WAFA) reported.Additionally, two others were martyred in Al-Hashaheen area of Rafah, while several were injured when an Israeli strike targeted the home of a family in Al-Nasr neighborhood in the northern part of the city.In Khan Younis, four Palestinians were martyred and others injured when occupation airstrikes hit a house belonging to a family in Al-Fukhari area to the east. Two women, including a child, were martyred and others injured in an Israeli strike on a house in Al-Yabani neighborhood west of the city.Another two Palestinians were martyred and others injured when an Israeli airstrike hit a tent sheltering displaced people in Al-Mawasi area, while two more were martyred and several injured in an airstrike on the home of a family in the northern part of the city, WAFA said.In Gaza City, four Palestinians were injured when occupation airstrikes targeted a home in Al-Tuffah neighborhood to the east of the city. The injured were transferred to the Arab Hospital in Gaza City for treatment, WAFA added.The Israeli entity resumed its aggression on the Gaza Strip last Tuesday, following a two-month pause under a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on Jan. 19. However, the occupation violated the terms of the ceasefire throughout those two months, as it continued to bomb various areas in Gaza, resulting in martyrs and injuries. The Israeli entity also refused to adhere to the humanitarian protocol and further intensified its siege on the Strip, exacerbating an already unprecedented humanitarian crisis there.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced on Sunday that several of its paramedics were injured by Israeli occupation forces' gunfire while they were surrounded in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.The Red Crescent said in a statement that the occupation forces surrounded a number of its ambulances while they were covering the targeting of Al-Hashashin area in Rafah.It also reported that several of its paramedics were injured and that contact was lost with the crew, which has been surrounded for several hours and remains trapped.Israel resumed its aggression on the Gaza Strip last Tuesday, after a two-month pause following a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on January 19. However, the occupation violated the ceasefire terms over the past two months, continuing to bombard various areas of the Gaza Strip, resulting in deaths and injuries. It also refused to implement the humanitarian protocol and intensified its suffocating siege on the Gaza Strip, which is suffering from an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy.

The Israeli occupation forces stepped up their offensive on Saturday in Tulkarem city and its refugee camps by increasing arrests, forcing the evacuation of Palestinians, as well as conducting raids and destroying infrastructure.Local sources reported that the Israeli occupation forces forced dozens of Palestinians in the Tulkarem camp to evacuate their homes in the eastern neighborhood of the city. The forces then seized and converted the homes into military barracks after giving the residents a short ultimatum to leave.Israeli bulldozers conducted large-scale dredging operations in the camp, further destroying the infrastructure. They also sealed off the alleys and entrances with rubble and dirt barriers, while the sound of explosions could be heard inside the camp, the sources said.In the Nur Shams refugee camp, the occupation forces detained women as they attempted to enter their homes in the Jabal Al Salihine area to retrieve essential belongings. Additionally, a house was set on fire in the Al Manshiyah neighborhood as part of the systematic devastation policy being carried out in the camp.In the Akatba suburb of Tulkarem, the occupation forces' bulldozers destroyed the infrastructure in the employees' housing area opposite the Nur Shams camp. The occupation forces intensified their deployment on Nablus Street in Tulkarem, sealing off parts of the street with earthen barriers and seizing several residential buildings in the northern neighborhood, converting them into military barracks.For the 55th consecutive day, the Israeli occupation troops have continued their aggression on Tulkarem city and assaulted the Nur Shams camp for the 42nd day, resulting in casualties, displacing thousands of residents, and decimating the infrastructure.

Lebanon's President General Joseph Aoun warned of attempts to drag Lebanon back into a cycle of violence once again.According to the Lebanese Presidency's Media Office, President Aoun considered the non-compliance with the ceasefire deal in southern Lebanon, along with the incidents transpiring there since Feb. 18, 2025, as a persistent assault on Lebanon and a blow to the rescue plan that all Lebanese people have agreed upon.He appealed to all of Lebanon's friends to pay attention to what is being plotted against Lebanon, calling on all relevant forces in southern Lebanon, particularly the monitoring committee established under the November 2024 agreement, and the military, to seriously monitor developments to avoid any repercussions.Many towns in southern Lebanon came under a new Israeli mortar shelling at dawn on Saturday.

Israeli occupation forces have destroyed the only hospital in Gaza dedicated to treating cancer patients.The Gaza Ministry of Health announced that the Israeli army had blown up the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the sole medical facility specialising in cancer treatment in Gaza strip. The Israeli forces had occupied the hospital building for an extended period, using it as a military base during their control of the so-called Netzarim Corridor amid the ongoing assault on Gaza.The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital was completed in 2017, after construction began in 2011. The facility covered 33,400 square meters, consisting of eight buildings, including four major operating rooms, intensive care units, laboratories, and 180 patient rooms.Upon the Israeli army's return to the corridor following the resumption of its assault last Tuesday, the hospital was rigged with explosives and completely demolished.Israel resumed its aggression on Gaza at dawn last Tuesday, ending a two-month pause that had begun under a ceasefire agreement on January 19.The death toll from Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7, 2023, has risen to 49,747, with 113,213 injured, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.Over the past 48 hours, Gaza hospitals have received 130 martyrs, including two recovered from the rubble, along with 263 injured individuals.

Israel conducted deadly strikes on Lebanon Saturday in response to a rocket attack from across the border, as Hezbollah denied responsibility for the launch.Lebanon's official National News Agency reported one girl among two killed in an Israeli strike on the southern town of Touline, amid the largest escalation of attacks since a November 27 ceasefire.The Israeli army had said earlier Saturday that three rockets, all of which were intercepted, were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, setting off air raid sirens in the region for the first time since November."Hezbollah denies any involvement in the rocket fire from southern Lebanon into the occupied Palestinian territories (Israel)," the group said in a statement, calling Israel's accusations "pretexts for its continued attacks on Lebanon".Hezbollah said that it stands "with the Lebanese state in addressing this dangerous Zionist escalation on Lebanon".While Hezbollah has long held sway over areas of Lebanon bordering Israel, other Lebanese and Palestinian groups have also carried out cross-border attacks.Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned the country risked being dragged into a "new war" after months of relative calm.But Israeli defence chiefs said they held the Lebanese government responsible for all hostile fire from its territory regardless of who launched it."We cannot allow fire from Lebanon on Galilee communities," Defence Minister Israel Katz said, referring to towns and villages in the north, many of which were evacuated after Hezbollah began firing on Israel in support of Hamas in October 2023.NNA said Israeli air strikes and shelling had targeted several areas of the south.One Israeli strike killed two people including a girl in Touline, NNA reported. It had earlier reported Israeli strikes wounded two people in the border village of Kfarkila.The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it was "alarmed by the possible escalation of violence" following the morning's rocket fire."We strongly urge all parties to avoid jeopardising the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk," it said.The Lebanese prime minister meanwhile "warned against renewed military operations on the southern border, because of the risks they carry of dragging the country into a new war," his office said.Hezbollah has long held sway in much of south and east Lebanon, as well as south Beirut, but the group was dealt devastating blows, including the killing of longtime chief Hassan Nasrallah, during its war with Israel.Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hezbollah is supposed to pull its forces back north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometres from the Israeli border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.Israel is supposed to withdraw its forces across the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border but has missed two deadlines to do so and continues to hold five positions it deems "strategic".Israel has carried out repeated air strikes during the ceasefire that it said targeted Hezbollah military sites that violated the agreement.The Lebanese army said it had dismantled three makeshift rocket batteries in an area north of the Litani on Saturday.Gaza assault enters day fiveSaturday's flare-up on the Lebanese border came five days into Israel's renewed offensive against Hamas in Gaza, which shattered the relative calm that had reigned since a January 19 ceasefire.Israel's defence minister said Friday that he had ordered the army to "seize more territory in Gaza"."The more Hamas refuses to free the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed by Israel," Katz said.The return to military operations was coordinated with US President Donald Trump's administration but drew widespread condemnation.Hamas took issue Saturday with Washington's characterisation of its position, insisting that it stood ready to release all its remaining hostages as part of a promised second stage of the ceasefire."The claim that 'Hamas chose war instead of releasing the hostages' is a distortion of the facts," the group said.When the first stage of the ceasefire expired early this month, Israel rejected negotiations for the promised second stage, calling instead for the return of all its remaining hostages under an extended first stage.That would have meant delaying talks on a lasting ceasefire, and was rejected by Hamas as an attempt to renegotiate the original deal.

The UN warned yesterday that all of Gaza’s approximately 1mn children were facing “massive trauma” as fighting in the war-ravaged territory resumed, and amid dire aid shortages.Humanitarians described an alarming situation in Gaza, amid a growing civilian death toll since Israel resumed aerial bombardment and ground operations this week after a six-week ceasefire.Sam Rose, the senior deputy field director in Gaza for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, highlighted the psychological shock for already traumatised children to one again find themselves beneath the bombs.This is a “massive, massive trauma for the one million children” living in the Palestinian territory, he told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Gaza.The breakdown of the ceasefire that took effect on January 19 comes as the population is already dramatically weakened from 15 months of brutal war sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 storming of Israel.“It’s worse this time,” Rose warned, “because people are already exhausted, they’re already degraded, their immune systems, their mental health, (and) populations on the verge of famine.“Children who had come back to school after 18 months out of school, now back in tents,... hearing the bombardment around them constantly.“It’s fear on top of fear, cruelty on top of cruelty, and tragedy on top of tragedy.”‘NIGHTMARE’James Elder, a spokesman for the UN children’s agency Unicef, said traumatised children usually only start to process their trauma when they begin returning to normalcy.“Psychologists would say our absolute nightmare is that they return home and then it starts again,” he told reporters.“That’s the terrain that we’ve now entered,” he said, warning that Gaza was the only “example in modern history in terms of an entire child population needing mental health support”.“That’s no exaggeration.”Gaza’s civil defence agency said 504 people had been killed since Tuesday, including more than 190 under the age of 18.The toll is among the highest since the war started more than 17 months ago with Hamas’ storming of Israel.It has also been a deadly period for humanitarians, with seven UNRWA staff killed just since the ceasefire broke down, bring the total number killed from that agency alone to 284 since the Gaza war began.A Bulgarian worker with another UN agency was also killed this week, as was a local staff member of Doctors Without Borders, the medical charity said yesterday.Humanitarians warned the situation on the ground has been made worse by Israel’s decision earlier this month to cut off aid and electricity to Gaza over the deadlock in negotiations to prolong the ceasefire. “We were able to bring in more supplies in during the six weeks of the ceasefire than ... in the previous six months,” Rose said, warning though that that progress was “being reversed”. Currently, he said, there is only enough flour supply in Gaza for another six days. Asked about Israel’s charge that Hamas has diverted the more than sufficient aid inside Gaza, Rose said he had “not seen any evidence” of that.“There is no aid being distributed right now, so there is nothing to steal.”He warned though that if aid is not restored, “we will see a gradual slide back into what we saw in the worst days of the conflict in terms of looting ... and desperate conditions among the population”. Elder meanwhile described the vital aid items that aid agencies were unable to bring into Gaza. “We’ve got 180,000 doses of vaccines a few kilometres away that are life-saving and are blocked,” he said.He also pointed to a “massive shortage” of incubators in Gaza even as pre-term births were surging. “We have dozens of them, again sitting across the border,” he said. “Blocked ventilators for babies.”

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned of catastrophic loss of life if the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is not resumed, noting that the situation in the Strip is extremely worrying as the bombing of the Strip continues for the fourth consecutive night.UNRWA director of operations Sam Rose said supplies have not entered Gaza since the beginning of March, approximately 19 days, the longest period since the war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023.At the biweekly press conference of UN agencies in Geneva Friday, Rose said that, according to the Palestinian ministry of health, approximately 600 people have been killed, including approximately 200 women and children.The UN official added that if the ceasefire is not resumed, this means catastrophic loss of life, destruction of infrastructure and property, an increased risk of infectious diseases, and massive psychological trauma for the 1mn children and 2mn civilians living in Gaza.Rose estimated that 1mn people would be deprived of food rations in March.He added that six of the 25 bakeries supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) had already been forced to close.The Israeli entity resumed its aggression on the Gaza Strip at dawn last Tuesday, after a two-month pause under a ceasefire agreement that went into effect on January 19. However, the occupation violated the terms of the ceasefire throughout the two months, continuing its bombing of various areas in the Gaza Strip, causing casualties and injuries.It also refused to implement the humanitarian protocol, and tightened its stifling blockade on the Strip, which is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy.The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor too warned of the catastrophic consequences of the Israeli entity's resumption of ground attacks in the Gaza Strip, coinciding with the imposition of forced displacement under the guise of evacuation orders and the continued heavy aerial bombardment.This is forcing hundreds of thousands to flee once again without any shelter, after the Israeli occupation forces destroyed the vast majority of homes, shelters, and buildings in the Strip.The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement Friday that its field team monitored the Israeli occupation forces' incursion into western Beit Lahia on Thursday evening, coinciding with airstrikes and intense artillery shelling during the night.This forced thousands of residents living in tents and dilapidated homes to be forcibly displaced, without any protection and under bombardment, to areas lacking the most basic necessities of life.It stressed that the Israeli occupation army had escalated its violations in other areas.Over the past few hours, it carried out ground incursions into two locations in Rafah, outside the buffer zone where its forces are stationed along the border with Egypt. It also continued to issue illegal evacuation orders to forcibly displace residents from towns east of Khan Yunis and the city of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.It said that thousands of residents of these areas were forced to flee and abandon their belongings due to the lack of means to transport their few belongings. He noted that they found themselves once again facing the suffering of forced displacement to a place of no shelter, after re-arranging dilapidated temporary accommodations near their destroyed homes over the 42 days following the ceasefire on January 19.Meawhile, France on Friday reiterated its rejection of any form of annexation in the occupied West Bank or the Gaza Strip.This came after the Israeli defence minister ordered the army to seize more territories in Gaza and threatened to annex it.In a statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot affirmed that his country opposes "any form of annexation," whether in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip.He added that France adheres to a clear vision for the future of the region, which is a solution based on two states living in peace alongside mutual recognition and security guarantees.Barrot stressed that this solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

The UN warned Friday that all of Gaza's approximately one million children were facing "massive trauma" as fighting in the war-ravaged territory resumed, and amid dire aid shortages.Humanitarians described an alarming situation in Gaza, amid a growing civilian death toll since Israel resumed aerial bombardment and ground operations this week after a six-week ceasefire.Sam Rose, the senior deputy field director in Gaza for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, highlighted the psychological shock for already traumatised children to one again find themselves beneath the bombs.This is a "massive, massive trauma for the one million children" living in the Palestinian territory, he told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Gaza.The breakdown of the ceasefire that took effect on January 19 comes as the population is already dramatically weakened from 15 months of brutal war sparked by Hamas's deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel."It's worse this time," Rose warned, "because people are already exhausted, they're already degraded, their immune systems, their mental health, (and) populations on the verge of famine."Children who had come back to school after 18 months out of school, now back in tents,... hearing the bombardment around them constantly."It's fear on top of fear, cruelty on top of cruelty, and tragedy on top of tragedy."James Elder, a spokesman for the UN children's agency UNICEF, said traumatised children usually only start to process their trauma when they begin returning to normalcy."Psychologists would say our absolute nightmare is that they return home and then it starts again," he told reporters."That's the terrain that we've now entered," he said, warning that Gaza was the only "example in modern history in terms of an entire child population needing mental health support"."That's no exaggeration."Gaza's civil defence agency said 504 people had been killed since Tuesday, including more than 190 under the age of 18.The toll is among the highest since the war started more than 17 months ago with Hamas's attack on Israel.It has also been a deadly period for humanitarians, with seven UNRWA staff killed just since the ceasefire broke down, bring the total number killed from that agency alone to 284 since the Gaza war began.A Bulgarian worker with another UN agency was also killed this week, as was a local staff member of Doctors Without Borders, the medical charity said Friday.Humanitarians warned the situation on the ground has been made worse by Israel's decision earlier this month to cut off aid and electricity to Gaza over the deadlock in negotiations to prolong the ceasefire."We were able to bring in more supplies in during the six weeks of the ceasefire than ... in the previous six months," Rose said, warning though that that progress was "being reversed".Currently, he said, there is only enough flour supply in Gaza for another six days.Asked about Israel's charge that Hamas has diverted the more than sufficient aid inside Gaza, Rose said he had "not seen any evidence" of that."There is no aid being distributed right now, so there is nothing to steal."He warned though that if aid is not restored, "we will see a gradual slide back into what we saw in the worst days of the conflict in terms of looting ... and desperate conditions among the population".Elder meanwhile described the vital aid items that aid agencies were unable to bring into Gaza."We've got 180,000 doses of vaccines a few kilometres away that are life-saving and are blocked," he said.He also pointed to a "massive shortage" of incubators in Gaza even as pre-term births were surging."We have dozens of them, again sitting across the border," he said. "Blocked ventilators for babies."