TEL AVIV, Israel: Pressure built around Israel’s prison system Wednesday after fires broke out at several facilities and the government hunted for six Palestinian escapees who have been on the run since they tunneled out two days earlier.
Fires were reported at several prisons amid efforts to try to move inmates as a precautionary measure. An umbrella group representing prisoners from all Palestinian factions called on prisoners to resist being relocated to other facilities and to start fires in their cells if guards try to move them by force. The prisoners group also threatened a widespread hunger strike.
The Israel Prison Service said through a spokesperson that a fire broke out in two cells in different wings of Ramon Prison and that the blaze was brought under control. The Palestinian prisoners group reported fires in Ketziot Prison, and there were media reports of more unrest.
Recriminations reportedly rippled through Israel’s prison system, meanwhile, in the wake of the country’s largest jailbreak of its kind in decades. The six men who escaped, between 26 and 49 years old, apparently dug a tunnel out of Gilboa prison near the occupied West Bank and escaped early Monday.
The massive manhunt through Israel’s north and the occupied West Bank continued Wednesday as the new coalition government sought to maintain calm and Jews celebrated Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year.
The most well-known among the escapees is Zakaria Zubeidi, 46, who was a prominent leader in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, an armed group affiliated with Fatah, during the second intifada from 2000-2005. He was later granted amnesty along with other Fatah-affiliated militants, but was arrested again in 2019 on what Israeli authorities said were new terror suspicions.
As a child, Zubeidi had been part of a children’s theater troupe in Jenin established by Arna Mer-Khamis, an Israeli rights activist, that was the subject of a 2004 documentary.
The other five prisoners were members of the Islamic Jihad militant group, and the prisoners’ group said four were serving life sentences.
Inside the prisons, Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other factions each have an organized presence and appear to be acting together in the wake of the escape.
The jailbreak poses a potential dilemma for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose security forces coordinate with Israel. His Fatah party has praised the prison escape, but he has not commented on it.
Palestinians view prisoners held by Israel as heroes of their national cause, and have celebrated the prison break. If the escapees are apprehended in the occupied West Bank, many Palestinians are likely to blame the Palestinian Authority, which is already facing a popular backlash after the death of an activist in PA custody in June.
Fires flare in Israeli prisons amid manhunt for 6 escapees
https://arab.news/zxyke
Fires flare in Israeli prisons amid manhunt for 6 escapees
- Fires were reported at several prisons amid efforts to try to move inmates as a precautionary measure
- Recriminations reportedly rippled through Israel's prison system in the wake of the country's largest jailbreak
US senators aim to arm Trump with ‘sledgehammer’ sanctions against Russia
- Bill to allow Trump “to go after Putin’s economy” and those propping up Putin’s war machine,” says Sen. Lindsey Graham
- Trump has indicated he would be open to the sanctions bill as relations with Putin grow increasingly frosty
WASHINGTON: US senators on Sunday touted a bipartisan bill that would arm President Donald Trump with “sledgehammer” sanctions to use against Russia, ahead of a visit by the US special envoy to Ukraine.
Trump has indicated he would be open to the sanctions bill as relations with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin grow increasingly frosty.
US special envoy Keith Kellogg is due to begin his latest visit to Ukraine while Trump said he would make a “major statement... on Russia” on Monday.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he had majority backing in the Senate for his bill, which was gaining momentum as Washington-led peace efforts in Ukraine have struggled to make headway.
The bill would allow Trump “to go after Putin’s economy, and all those countries who prop up the Putin war machine,” Graham told broadcaster CBS news.
Trump, who has repeatedly said he is “disappointed” with Putin as Moscow unleashed deadly barrages of missiles against Kyiv, has hinted he might finally be ready to toughen sanctions.
Trump held off for the past six months while he tried to persuade Putin to end the war.
But the Republican president’s patience appears to be wearing thin, telling reporters during a cabinet meeting at the White House Tuesday that Putin was talking “a lot of bullshit” on Ukraine.
Last week, Trump also agreed to send Zelensky more weapons, including through a deal with NATO which would involve the alliance purchasing US weapons to send to Ukraine.
On Thursday, Trump appeared to back the bill without detailing whether he would use it to slap sanctions on Moscow.
“They’re going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it,” Trump told broadcaster NBC.
Asked during a cabinet meeting about his interest in the bill, Trump said: “I’m looking at it very strongly.”
“This congressional package that we’re looking at would give President Trump the ability to impose 500 percent tariffs on any country that helps Russia,” said Graham, adding that those could include economies that purchase Russian goods like China, India or Brazil.
“This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war,” said Graham.
“Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and make sure diplomacy is not empty,” the Ukrainian leader said about the proposed bill in an X post.
Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal were to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday night.
Blumenthal told CBS news they would also discuss the legally thorny issue of unlocking frozen Russian assets in Europe and the United States for access by Ukraine.
“The $5 billion that the United States has also could be accessed, and I think it’s time to do it,” said Blumenthal.
EU envoys near agreement on lower Russian oil price cap
BRUSSELS: European Union envoys are on the verge of agreeing an 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine that would include a lower price cap on Russian oil, four EU sources said after a Sunday meeting.
The sources said all the elements of the package had been agreed, although one member state still has a technical reservation on the new cap.
The sources — speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential talks — said they expect to reach a full agreement on Monday, ahead of a foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels the following day that could formally approve the package.
The sources said they had also agreed to a dynamic price mechanism for the price cap. On Friday, the European Commission proposed a floating price cap on Russian oil of 15 percent below the average market price of crude in the previous three months.
One of the sources said the initial price would be around $47 a barrel based on the average price of Russian crude for the last 22 weeks minus 15 percent. Further, the price would be revised based on the average oil price every six months instead of the proposed three months.
Slovakia — which has held up the proposed package — is still seeking reassurances from the European Commission on its concerns about plans to phase out Russian gas supply but it has agreed to the new measures, the sources said.
Sanctions require unanimity among the EU’s member countries to be adopted.
The Group of Seven (G7) price cap, aimed at curbing Russia’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine, was originally agreed in December 2022. The European Union and Britain have been pushing the G7 to lower the cap for the last two months after a fall in oil futures made the current $60 a barrel level largely irrelevant.
The cap bans trade in Russian crude oil transported by tankers if the price paid was above $60 per barrel and prohibits shipping, insurance and re-insurance companies from handling cargoes of Russian crude around the globe, unless it is sold for less than the price cap.
The Commission proposed the package in early June, aimed at further cutting Moscow’s energy revenues, including a ban on transactions with Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipelines, and financial network that helps it circumvent sanctions.
Another one of the sources said the new package will list a Russian-owned refinery in India, two Chinese banks, and a flag registry. Russia has used flags of convenience for its shadow fleet of ships and oil tankers.
Search called off for crew of Houthi-hit ship, maritime agencies say
- The strikes on the two ships marked a resumption of a campaign by the Iran-aligned fighters who attacked more than 100 ships from November 2023 to December 2024 in what they said was solidarity with the Palestinians
ATHENS: Maritime agencies Diaplous and Ambrey said on Sunday they had ended their search for the remaining crew of the Eternity C cargo ship that was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi militants last week.
The decision was made at the request of the vessel’s owner, both agencies said.
The Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated Eternity C sank on Wednesday morning following attacks over two consecutive days, according to sources at security companies involved in the rescue operation.
Ten of the ship’s complement of 22 crew and three guards were rescued. The remaining 15 are considered missing, including five who are believed to be dead, maritime security sources said. The Houthis said they had rescued some of the crew.
The crew included 21 Filipinos and one Russian. Three armed guards were also on board, including one Greek and one Indian, who were both rescued.
“The decision to end the search has been taken by the vessel’s Owner reluctantly but it believes that, in all the circumstances, the priority must now be to get the 10 souls safely recovered alive ashore,” maritime risk management firm Diaplous and British security firm Ambrey said in a joint statement.
The Houthis also claimed responsibility for a similar assault last Sunday targeting another ship, the Magic Seas. All crew from the Magic Seas were rescued before it sank.
The strikes on the two ships marked a resumption of a campaign by the Iran-aligned fighters who attacked more than 100 ships from November 2023 to December 2024 in what they said was solidarity with the Palestinians.
Luxury meets the sea at Sofitel Bahrain’s water villas
- “These overwater villas represent a new era of luxury in Bahrain, offering an experience that was once only found in remote island destinations,” said Mehdi Hanayan, cluster general manager of Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa
Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa has introduced a new pinnacle of luxury hospitality with its exclusive overwater villas — an experience that seamlessly blends French refinement with Bahraini heritage. Nestled above the tranquil waters of the Arabian Gulf, these four private retreats — Emerald, Ruby, Pearl and Topaz — offer an extraordinary escape, redefining seclusion and indulgence in the region.
Each villa spans an expansive 360 square meters, featuring a master suite, two additional bedrooms, an elegant living area with panoramic sea views, and a private deck with a temperature-controlled infinity pool. With space to accommodate up to nine guests, these villas provide an intimate yet ultra-luxurious retreat designed for those who seek privacy without compromise.
HIGHLIGHT
With space to accommodate up to nine guests, these villasprovide an intimate yet ultra-luxurious retreat designed for those who seek privacy without compromise.
Strategically positioned for uninterrupted Arabian Sea views, these villas offer a level of privacy rarely found in the region. Whether waking up to the sound of gentle waves or unwinding in a private infinity pool against a backdrop of breathtaking sunsets, guests are immersed in pure serenity.
Inside, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to enhance the guest experience. From Balmain Paris bathroom amenities to an integrated Bose audio system and a 65-inch Smart LED HDTV, each villa offers world-class comforts in an intimate setting. Guests can also enjoy a Nespresso coffee machine, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a fully equipped dining area with a kitchenette for bespoke in-villa dining.
While the villas offer complete seclusion, guests have full access to Sofitel Bahrain’s award-winning facilities, including the renowned Thalassa Sea and Spa, pristine private beaches, and an array of fine dining options. Whether indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment, enjoying a sunset stroll along the beach, or savoring exquisite French-Arabic fusion cuisine, every aspect of the Sofitel experience is designed to cater to the most refined tastes.
“These overwater villas represent a new era of luxury in Bahrain, offering an experience that was once only found in remote island destinations,” said Mehdi Hanayan, cluster general manager of Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa. “We are proud to bring this level of exclusivity to the Arabian Gulf, seamlessly blending French sophistication with Bahraini warmth to create an extraordinary retreat for our guests.”
With their exquisite design, unparalleled privacy and breathtaking setting, these villas are an experience. Whether for an intimate honeymoon, a last minute getaway, or a private family holiday — Sofitel Bahrain’s overwater villas set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in the region.
Exclusive and rare, these overwater villas are available for reservations now. Escape to the Arabian Gulf’s most extraordinary retreat — where luxury meets the sea.
SAB named ‘best bank’ in Saudi Arabia for 2025
- In support of Vision 2030, SAB expanded its mortgage portfolio to SR35 billion, enhancing access to homeownership
Saudi Awwal Bank, one of the leading banks in the Kingdom, has been named “Best Bank in Saudi Arabia for 2025” by Euromoney, recognizing the bank’s strong financial performance, continued digital advancement, and commitment to social responsibility over the past year.
In 2024, SAB reported a net profit of SR8.07 billion ($2.15 billion), a 15 percent increase over the previous year. Its operating income reached SR14 million, supported by a 16 percent return on tangible equity, reflecting consistent performance and effective capital deployment.
Lending remained a key area of growth, with net loans and advances rising by 20 percent to reach SR259 billion, in line with SAB’s strategy to support the financing needs of individuals and businesses across the Kingdom.
SAB continued to strengthen its digital capabilities, expanding its share of the digital payments market to 17.3 percent. The bank launched SAB 360°, an AI-powered platform offering clients real-time financial insights and streamlined onboarding processes through an enhanced KYC platform, reducing processing time by 40 percent. It also maintained its focus on convenience and security by being one of the early adopters of Samsung Pay in the local market.
In support of Vision 2030, SAB expanded its mortgage portfolio to SR35 billion, enhancing access to homeownership. The bank also progressed its ESG agenda, financing renewable energy projects generating a combined 4.5 GW of clean energy capacity, and introduced Shariah-compliant ESG investment solutions for private banking clients.
Tony Cripps, managing director and CEO of SAB, said: “This award reflects the strength of our business model, the dedication of our people, and our commitment to leading with purpose. We are proud to play a key role in shaping the future of banking in the Kingdom and supporting national transformation.”
The recognition reinforces SAB’s position as a trusted financial partner, focused on delivering long-term value to its customers, shareholders, and the broader financial ecosystem in the Kingdom.
