Tag: Palestinians

Israel-Hamas war already hitting regional economies: IMF chief

By Robbie COREY-BOULET RIYADH, Oct 25, 2023 (AFP) – The raging war between Israel and Hamas is already battering the economies of nearby countries, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund told a Saudi investor forum on Wednesday. Israel’s neighbours are feeling the effects, especially those that rely on tourism, Kristalina Georgieva said at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in the Saudi capital Riyadh. “You look at the neighbouring countries — Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan […]

UN warns Gaza fuel shortage will stop aid work by end of day

By Adel ZAANOUN with Rosie SCAMMELL in Jerusalem GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Oct 25, 2023 (AFP) – The main UN aid agency in besieged Gaza warned it will have to stop operations by the end of Wednesday because it is running out of fuel as Hamas said the death toll from Israeli strikes had surged by more than 700 in a single day. Alarm has grown about the spiralling humanitarian crisis in the heavily bombarded […]

UN chief says Hamas attacks ‘did not occur in vacuum’, Israel demands Guterres resign

By Amelie Bottollier-Depois with Shaun Tandon in Washington UNITED NATIONS, United States, Oct 24, 2023 (AFP) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday alleged violations of international law in Gaza and urged an immediate ceasefire as Israel pounds the Palestinian territory in response to Hamas attacks, with the crisis deeply dividing the Security Council. Israel voiced anger over the UN chief’s plea before a high-level session of the Security Council, where the Palestinian foreign minister […]

Markets gyrate as investors eye Mideast crisis, economic fears

LONDON, Oct 24, 2023 (AFP) – World stock markets saw choppy trading Tuesday though Wall Street moved ahead in anticipation of a flood of strong corporate earnings, even as economic and geopolitical fears still dog sentiment ahead of this week’s eurozone interest rate decision. Volatile US Treasury yields had affected stock trading Monday in the US, where some indexes rebounded after a sluggish start but the S&P 500 fell to its lowest close since May. […]

Israel-Hamas war threatens world economy, bankers tell Saudi forum

By Robbie COREY-BOULET and Haitham EL-TABEI RIYADH, Oct 24, 2023 (AFP) – The Gaza war raging between Israel and Hamas could deal a heavy blow to the global economy, banking titans told a glitzy investment forum in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The dour mood from some of the gathering’s most high-profile speakers underscored how the conflict threatens attempts by the world’s biggest oil exporter to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels. Hamas militants who […]

Hamas: Two more women hostages freed

GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Gaza’s Hamas rulers said Monday that they had freed two more women abducted from Israel during the October 7 attacks. The Palestinian Islamist group’s military wing said the two elderly women, identified as Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper, had been freed for “compelling humanitarian” reasons following mediation by Qatar and Egypt. Their husbands were still in captivity, among more than 200 hostages still held by Hamas, […]

Gulf-ASEAN summit calls for permanent ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza

(AFP) – Gulf and Southeast Asian leaders on Friday condemned attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip and called for a permanent ceasefire, according to a statement published after a summit meeting. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also called for the release of some 200 hostages held by Hamas militants, as well as the restoration of basic services for Palestinians and the delivery of humanitarian […]

President Biden holds talks with western allies on Israel-Hamas conflict, stresses humanitarian concerns

WASHINGTON, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden discussed the Israel-Hamas war Sunday with leaders of major Western powers, the White House said, as Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza. Biden spoke with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, the White House said. “The leaders reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of […]

Washington warns against escalation as US bolsters military presence in the Middle East

WASHINGTON, Oct 22, 2023 (AFP) – The United States warned Iran or its allies against any escalation in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas, two top US officials said Sunday, hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region. With tensions mounting, Washington also announced Sunday it had ordered non-emergency staff to leave its embassy in Iraq. “We are concerned at the possibility of Iranian proxies escalating their attacks against […]

Pres. Biden ‘overjoyed’ after Hamas frees two US hostages

WASHINGTON, Oct 20, 2023 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden said Friday he was “overjoyed” after Hamas released two American hostages abducted during the militant group’s surprise attack from Gaza on Israel. Biden spoke by phone to the two women after they were freed and promised they would have the government’s support “as they recover from this terrible ordeal,” the White House said. “Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by […]

Israel army orders evacuation of northern city after Lebanon clashes

JERUSALEM, Oct 20, 2023 (AFP) – The Israeli army announced plans to evacuate the northern city of Kiryat Shmona on Friday, after days of clashes with Hezbollah fighters along the border with Lebanon. “A short while ago, the Northern Command informed the mayor of the city of the decision. The plan will be managed by the local authority, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Defence,” the military said in a statement. Lebanon’s Iran-backed […]

Aid for Gaza piles up as Israel rallies troops for invasion

By Yahya Hassouna with Majeda El-Batsh in Jerusalem RAFAH, Palestinian Territories, Oct 20, 2023 (AFP) – Desperately needed international aid piled up Friday near Gaza, with Palestinians in dire need of food and water after relentless bombing by Israel, still reeling from the bloodiest attack in its history. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the Islamist militant group launched a massive attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people, […]