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
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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
Pakistan’s UN envoy condemns Israel’s occupation of Syrian Golan Heights, seeks ‘full withdrawal’
- Ambassador Munir Akram calls a peaceful transition to a more inclusive governance structure in Syria
- He also appeals for international assistance in Syria’s reconstruction, emphasizing United Nations’ role
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat at the United Nations on Wednesday condemned Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights and called for the restoration of Syrian territorial integrity alongside the establishment of an inclusive government structure.
Ambassador Munir Akram delivered his remarks during a Security Council briefing on Syria’s political and humanitarian situation. Pakistan, which began its two-year term as a non-permanent council member this month, has pledged to uphold the UN Charter and promote just resolutions to global conflicts.
The Security Council briefing follows the downfall of the former Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime after a swift offensive was launched by opposition forces led by the religio-political group Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).
The rebels quickly seized key cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Damascus, forcing Assad to flee to Russia, where he was granted asylum. While Damascus airport has resumed international flights to facilitate exiles’ return, Syria remains burdened by significant economic, political and security challenges.
“Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be restored,” the Pakistani diplomat told the council. “Israel’s occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights is illegal and ‘null and void’ as declared by Security Council ... The Council must demand Israel’s full withdrawal.”
Calling Syria a “fraternal country,” Akram welcomed positive statements from the interim administration but stressed the need for their practical implementation.
“Syria is at an important juncture in its history,” he noted. “The recent political developments offer the opportunity to restore normalcy, stability and peace in Syria. Yet this will depend on ensuring a peaceful transition to a new governance structure which is inclusive and stable and ensures Syria’s unity and territorial integrity.”
He also urged vigilance against the “danger of terrorism” emanating from Syria, citing concerns over the presence of foreign fighters and the potential resurgence of Al-Qaeda and Daesh.
“The antecedents of some of the groups, and the reported presence of foreign fighters, dictates caution,” Akram said.
Emphasizing the need to address Syria’s dire humanitarian crisis, thee Pakistani diplomat highlighted that over 70 percent of the population requires aid, with more than one million displaced in recent weeks.
He called for full funding of the UN Humanitarian Response Plan and support for the safe repatriation of Syrian refugees, including those in Turkiye.
He further appealed for international assistance in Syria’s reconstruction, urging collaboration with the new administration to rebuild institutions and stabilize the country.
“The role of the United Nations – especially the Security Council and the Secretary-General – will be indispensable to ensure effective action on all aspects of the challenges confronting Syria,” Akram said.
Al-Baha almond season flourishes with vibrant blooms
AL-BAHA: Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Al-Baha transforms into a stunning landscape in winter, with gardens and parks adorned in shades of white and pink blossoms of almond trees.
This year, the almond blossom season in the region is remarkable amid ideal weather conditions fostering dense, vibrant flowers. Local farmers are optimistic about the upcoming harvest, carefully tending to the trees to ensure optimal yield.
Almond cultivation is a longstanding tradition in Al-Baha, playing a vital role in the local economy by creating job opportunities for farmers and promoting agricultural trade. The exquisite almond blossoms also attract tourists, advancing the growth of ecotourism in the region.
The cultivation of almond trees is prevalent throughout the Sarawat Mountains in Al-Baha, as well as in the governorates of Baljurashi, Al Mandaq, and Bani Hassan.
READ MORE: Saudis are still nuts about almonds amid revival in cultivation
A single almond tree can yield about 200 kilograms of nuts each season, farmers say.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in Al-Baha has been instrumental in promoting almond tree cultivation by introducing investment opportunities and enhancing farmers' expertise through a range of informative workshops.
Saudi low fare airline ‘Flyadeal’ to begin operations in Pakistan next month— official
- Flyadeal is a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, Saudia
- Airline to operate two flights weekly each from Riyadh and Jeddah to Karachi
KARACHI: Saudi Arabia’s low fare airline, ‘Flyadeal’ is all set to launch its operations in Pakistan from next month, a Pakistani civil aviation officer confirmed this week, saying that it would offer cheaper fares to customers.
Flyadeal is a Saudi low-cost airline headquartered at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. It is a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, that commenced operations on Sept. 23, 2017. Initially, it served domestic destinations within the Kingdom. On Jun. 10, 2022, the airline expanded its network by launching flights from Dammam to Cairo.
The airline’s move to expand its operations to Pakistan takes place as Saudi Arabia seeks to boost its tourism sector under the Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to attract over 150 million domestic and international tourists annually to the Kingdom by the end of the decade.
“It will increase market competition by offering better facilities and more affordable tickets,” Air Commodore (retired) Shahid Qadir, director of security of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) told Arab News on Wednesday. He confirmed Pakistan had granted permission to the Saudi airline to conduct operations in the country.
Flyadeal’s fleet consists of Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline, which will initially operate two weekly flights to Karachi each from Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Jeddah cities, has hinted at plans to expand its network to include more Pakistani cities in future.
“Our new Karachi flights serving Jeddah and Riyadh are a stepping stone for further planned expansion in Pakistan,” Steven Greenway, Flyadeal’s chief executive officer, was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) in December.
Pakistanis constitute the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated population exceeding 2.5 million. Saudi Arabia remains the primary source of remittances for Pakistan. Furthermore, Pakistan is among the leading nations in terms of the number of pilgrims visiting the Kingdom for Islamic pilgrimages Umrah and Hajj.
Qadir said Flyadeal will become the third Saudi origin airline to conduct operations in Pakistan. The Kingdom’s national flag career, Saudia and Flynas, a private Saudi low-cost airline, are already conducting operations in Pakistan.
The Pakistani official said Flyadeal’s entry into the Pakistani market is expected to enhance travel options for passengers.
“Thousands of Pakistani passengers will greatly benefit from it,” he said.
Flyadeal’s first flight will depart from Riyadh on Feb. 1 and return from Karachi on the same day. The second flight will fly from Jeddah on Feb. 3 and return the same day.
A Russian missile attack in southern Ukraine has killed at least 13 civilians, officials say
- Russia has frequently launched aerial attacks on civilian areas during its almost three-year war with Ukraine
- “There is nothing more brutal than aerial bombing of a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer,” Ukraine President Zelensky wrote on Telegram
KYIV: A daytime Russian missile attack on the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least 13 civilians and wounded about 30 others on Wednesday, officials said.
Footage posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Telegram channel shows civilians lying in a city street littered with debris. The post shows them being treated by emergency services and taken away on gurneys.
Russia has frequently launched aerial attacks on civilian areas during the almost three-year war. Thousands of civilians have been killed in Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.
Zelensky and regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said Wednesday’s attack killed at least 13 civilians. Minutes before the attack, Fedorov had warned of a threat of high-speed missiles and devastating glide bombs being fired at the Zaporizhzhia region.
Russian troops started launching the glide bombs at Zaporizhzhia in the middle of the afternoon, and at least two bombs struck residential buildings in the city, Fedorov said.
He announced that Thursday would be a day of mourning in the region.
“There is nothing more brutal than aerial bombing of a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
Zelensky said earlier Wednesday that countries wanting to end the war should offer Ukraine assurances about its future defense. Kyiv officials fear that any ceasefire or peace deal will just give the Kremlin time to rearm and invade again unless it is deterred by military force.
“To be honest, I believe that we have a right to demand serious security guarantees from … the countries that aim for the peace in the world,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky was responding at a news conference in Kyiv to comments the previous day by President-elect Donald Trump that he understood Russia’s opposition to neighboring Ukraine joining NATO.
The United States, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia have stood in the way of Ukraine immediately joining the 32-nation alliance, Zelensky noted. The alliance has said only that the country is on an “irreversible path” to membership.
Earlier, the Ukrainian military said it struck a fuel storage depot deep inside Russia, causing a huge blaze at the facility that supplies an important Russian air base.
Russian officials acknowledged a major drone attack in the area, and said that authorities had set up an emergency command center to fight the fire.
Ukraine’s General Staff said the assault hit the storage facility near Engels, in Russia’s Saratov region, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) east of the Ukrainian border. The depot supplied a nearby airfield used by aircraft that launch missiles across the border into Ukraine, a statement on Facebook said.
Ukraine has been developing its arsenal of domestically produced long-range missiles and drones capable of reaching deep behind the front line as it faces restrictions on the range that its military can fire its Western-supplied missiles into Russia.
The attacks have disrupted Russian logistics in the war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022, and embarrassed the Kremlin.
Zelensky said last year that his country has developed a weapon that could hit a target 700 kilometers (400 miles) away. Some Ukrainian drone attacks have hit targets more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) away.
The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, said that an unspecified industrial plant in Engels sustained damage from the falling drone debris that sparked a fire, but nobody was hurt.
Engels, which has a population of more than 220,000, is on the left bank of the Volga River, and is home to multiple industrial plants. Saratov, a major industrial city of about 900,000, faces Engels across the river.
“The damage to the oil base creates serious logistical problems for the strategic aviation of the Russian occupiers and significantly reduces their ability to strike peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilian objects. To be continued,” the statement from Ukraine’s General Staff said.
Russian authorities restricted flights early Wednesday at the airports of Saratov, Ulyanovsk, Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, in an apparent response to the Ukrainian attack.
The main base of Russia’s nuclear-capable strategic bombers is just outside Engels. It has come under Ukrainian drone attacks since the early stages of the war, forcing the Russian military to relocate most of the bombers to other areas.
Qaisariya Souq: Historic market in the heart of Al-Ahsa
- Dating back to 1822, the 7,000-square-meter souq plays a vital economic role, reflecting Al-Ahsa's historical, cultural, and economic significance, alongside other heritage sites
DAMMAM: Al-Qaisariya Souq, renowned for its historic architecture, narrow covered walkways, and diverse shops, remains a beloved destination for shoppers and heritage enthusiasts, standing as one of the most famous traditional markets in the Arabian Peninsula and a prominent landmark.
Located in central Hofuf in Al-Ahsa Governorate, the market draws residents from across the region and Gulf countries, as well as tourists from around the world, attracted by its unique atmosphere and cultural significance.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized its importance by including the market on its World Heritage List in 2018.
Dating back to 1822, the 7,000-square-meter souq features 14 gates and over 422 shops along open-air corridors. Its shops are adorned with carved wooden doors, the walkways are illuminated by lanterns, and the ceiling is crafted from stained wood, while vendors display their wares outside their shops.
Visitors can find a wide variety of products, including clothing, fabrics, abayas, handbags, food, utensils, gold, and handicrafts.
Al-Qaisariya Souq plays a vital economic role, reflecting Al-Ahsa's historical, cultural, and economic significance, alongside other heritage sites like ancient neighborhoods, palaces, towers, mosques, and other traditional markets.
