JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said Saturday its forces struck Hezbollah fighters inside a south Lebanon mosque overnight, the first such strike since clashes erupted between Israel and the militants last year.
“Overnight, with the direction of IDF (army) intelligence, the IAF (air force) struck Hezbollah terrorists who were operating within a command center that was located inside a mosque adjacent to the Salah Ghandour Hospital in southern Lebanon,” the military said in a statement.
“The command center was used by the Hezbollah terrorists to plan and execute terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the state of Israel.”
The Salah Ghandour Hospital, which is run by the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee, said nine of its medical and nursing staff were wounded by heavy strikes, most of them seriously, after it received an Israeli warning to evacuate.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the grounds of the hospital in the southern town of Bint Jbeil were “subjected to Israeli shelling.”
The hospital’s director Mohammed Sleiman told AFP it took a direct hit and was evacuated.
Israel army says struck Hezbollah fighters inside south Lebanon mosque
Israel army says struck Hezbollah fighters inside south Lebanon mosque
Israel issues first Gaza evacuation warning in weeks
- The evacuation call is the first in weeks for Gaza as the Israeli military has largely shifted its focus to fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon
- Palestinians living in areas near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza have been warned to evacuate
GAZA: The Israeli army warned residents to evacuate part of central Gaza on Saturday, saying the military was preparing to use “great force” against Hamas fighters in the area.
The evacuation call is the first in weeks for Gaza as the Israeli military has largely shifted its focus to fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Hamas and the terrorist organizations continue their terrorist activities within your area and, as a result, the IDF (military) will act with great force against these elements,” the evacuation order posted by the Israeli army said, with an attached map listing the blocks to be evacuated.
Palestinians living in areas near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza have been warned to evacuate under the latest order posted on X.
Israel has destroyed large swathes of Gaza since Hamas’s October 7 attack last year, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly pledging to secure total victory over the militants.
A year later, the confirmed death toll from the Hamas attack — including hostages killed in captivity — has reached 1,205 on the Israeli side, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Militants abducted 251 hostages during the attack, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military has said are dead.
In Gaza, nearly all of its 2.4 million residents have been displaced at least once.
At least 41,825 people have been killed, most of them women or children, according to the territory’s health ministry. The United Nations has acknowledged the figures as reliable.
The Israeli military has often returned to areas where it has previously conducted operations in response to reports of resurgent Hamas activity.
Long waits for Canadian visas leave Gazans in limbo
- Canada pledged temporary residency for up to 5,000 Gazans in May
- Just over 300 arrived since program first launched in January
TORONTO: Reem Alyazouri’s escape from a bombarded Gaza City through Egypt ended in Toronto on Sept. 4.
But as she and her family wrestle with applications for work permits and health insurance, her mother and father remain stuck in Cairo waiting for Canadian visas after fleeing Israel’s war in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza seven months ago.
“My mind is busy with my parents,” she said. “I feel guilty, believe me. When I came here and I left them behind they told us, ‘Go and start your life. ... Don’t worry about us.’“
The family is trying to come to Canada through a temporary residence program for Gazans with relatives here. Alyazouri’s brother Hani Abushomar, a Canadian citizen, applied for six of his family members to join him in Canada hours after the program was launched in January.
Nine months and a harrowing exit from Gaza later, his mother and father remain stranded in Cairo. They completed the last major step of the visa application process — submitting biometric information — six months ago.
They are among thousands of Palestinians waiting for visas from Canada, a country that prides itself on welcoming people from around the world.
Canada said in May it would bring in up to 5,000 Gazans — expanding on a pledge in December to take in 1,000 from the Palestinian enclave. Months later, just over 300 have arrived, with 698 applications approved out of over 4,200 submitted.
Reuters spoke with multiple applicants who said they have been waiting for months since submitting biometric information, dashing their hopes of a swift reunion with relatives in Canada.
Canada has made no promises on how long it would to take to process visas for Gazans fleeing the conflict and says it has little control over who is able to leave the enclave.
A cross-border attack by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 last year, in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage, ignited the war that has flattened most of Gaza, displacing most of its 2.3 million people and killing more than 41,800 people, according to Gaza health authorities.
Canada’s focus “is on keeping families together and bringing them to safety as quickly as possible,” immigration department spokesperson Julie Lafortune wrote in an email. The primary barrier is getting out of Gaza, she added.
Application processing times vary “based on the details and complexity of each file, and many factors are outside of the IRCC’s control,” Lafortune said, referring to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada department.
The immigration department would not say how many applicants have submitted biometric information and are waiting in Egypt.
Barriers to entry
Immigration lawyers say the wait for Gazans is longer than those faced by other groups fleeing conflict or disaster, and that the small numbers approved contrast with hundreds of thousands of visas granted to Ukrainians under a similar program offering temporary status.
One Canadian immigration expert said some of the visa requirements for Gazans — such as having to provide employment information dating back to when they were 16 — are unusual.
“Canada has a lot of experience in designing temporary, ad hoc programs and this one has an inordinate amount of barriers and hurdles for people to meet,” said University of Ottawa law professor Jamie Chai Yun Liew, who focuses on immigration.
Liew said the Gaza program is moving slower than other Canadian temporary immigration programs, including those for Ukranians and survivors of the 2023 earthquake in Syria and Turkiye.
As of April, Canada had approved nearly 963,000 applications under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel since March 2022. So far nearly 300,000 people have arrived in Canada under that program.
Australia has granted about 3,000 visitor visas to people from Gaza since October 2023 and about 1,300 have arrived in the country, said Graham Thom, advocacy coordinator with the Refugee Council of Australia, a research and advocacy group.
’Everything is uncertain’
Gazans who have managed to get to Egypt live in limbo, surviving off savings or donations, without access to government services, said immigration lawyer Debbie Rachlis, adding she represents dozens in that position. Many are survivors of trauma.
They beat the odds just by getting that far, and for most, the escape came at great personal risk. The Gaza City neighborhood where Alyazouri and Abushomar’s family lived has been “erased,” he said. They were forced to flee from their home multiple times. Alyazouri’s daughter was injured.
“Something in my heart is broken,” Alyazouri said.
The Canadian government said it continues to put forward the names of applicants to local Israeli officials, “but does not ultimately decide who can exit Gaza.”
“Israel has agreed to Canada’s request to the exit of extended family members in Gaza as part of their expanding humanitarian efforts. However, at present, the Rafah border crossing is closed,” Lafortune wrote, referring to the main entry point between Gaza and Egypt.
Abushomar has been waiting with his mother and father for visas in Egypt, where people in their position lack papers to work, access health care or open a bank account. He says he will eventually have to return to Canada to work and worries for his parents, especially his mother, who has dementia and joint problems.
For now, Abushomar says, “Everything is uncertain.”
Team Abu Dhabi duo ready for powerboating battle after Wyatt claims pole in China
- Veteran Emirati Thani Al-Qemzi calls on his vast experience as typhoon looms at Grand Prix of Shanghai
SHANGHAI: Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qemzi and Alberto Comparato are ready for a tough examination in tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Shanghai, China after Sharjah Team’s Rusty Wyatt secured pole position for Round 4 of the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship.
Rough waters stirred by powerful winds have plagued the championship’s return to Shanghai following a 20-year absence, and Wyatt adapted best to dominate today’s single qualifying session as he looked to extend his lead in the title race.
The Canadian rookie won by an impressive 1.25 seconds from Sweden’s defending world champion Jonas Andersson, who was followed by Victory Team’s Erik Stark as the top three in the championship standings made their mark.
Veteran Emirati driver Al-Qemzi, making his 156th race start, will be looking to call on his vast experience to climb through the field after qualifying eighth, 13 years after securing one of his 10 Grand Prix victories in China.
He was forced to return to the pontoon with technical issues after completing just two qualifying laps, but returned to the circuit later, although he was unable to improve his position.
Abu Dhabi teammate Comparato also has a lot of work to do when he starts in ninth position on the new and demanding 2,153m circuit on the Huangpu River, with typhoon conditions forecast for this weekend.
With that in mind, a last-minute decision was taken to start qualifying 30 minutes early today and reduce it from the normal three phases to a single 40-minute session.
But as conditions deteriorated following the completion of qualifying, the two scheduled sprint races, both carrying championship points, were canceled, and tomorrow’s Grand Prix was switched from the afternoon to a 9 a.m. local time start.
The race could become a test of nerve if there is no reprieve from the stormy weather that greeted the teams on their arrival in Shanghai and forced the cancelation of Friday’s first free practice session because of safety concerns.
As conditions eased later, Wyatt set the fastest time ahead of Stark in the second free practice session, with Al-Qemzi recording the third-best lap ahead of Frenchman Peter Morin and Andersson, and Comparato in ninth spot.
Few are better equipped to handle the conditions, and their effect on the race schedule, than Al-Qemzi, who has seen it all in an F1H2O career that began back in 2000, and he will be determined to get the maximum out of himself, and Team Abu Dhabi 5, tomorrow.
Indian troops kill 31 suspected Maoist rebels in forest battle
- Fighting erupted when counterinsurgency troops, acting on intelligence, cornered nearly 50 suspected rebels
- The Indian military has been battling the Maoist rebels across several central and northern states since 1967
PATNA: At least 31 suspected Maoist rebels were killed in a battle with Indian troops in central India, police said Saturday.
The fighting erupted on Friday when counterinsurgency troops, acting on intelligence, cornered nearly 50 suspected rebels in the Abhujmaad forest area along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts in Chhattisgarh state, said state police Inspector General Pattilingam Sundarraj.
Sundarraj said the operation was launched on Thursday, and the battle began the next day, lasting about nine hours. He said search operations were continuing in the area and that the troops had recovered some arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles. There were no reports of casualties among the troops.
There was no immediate statement from the rebels.
Indian soldiers have been battling the Maoist rebels across several central and northern states since 1967, when the militants, also known as Naxalites, began fighting to demand more jobs, land and wealth from natural resources for the country’s poor indigenous communities. The insurgents are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.
Years of neglect have isolated many local villagers, who face a lack of jobs, schools and health care clinics, making them open to overtures by the rebels. The rebels speak the same tribal languages as many local villagers and have promised to fight for a better future especially in Chhattisgarh, one of India’s poorest states despite its vast mineral riches.
Authorities say at least 171 militants have been killed so far this year in Chhattisgarh.
Friday’s fighting was the deadliest clash this year.
In April, government forces killed at least 29 suspected Maoist rebels in in Chhattisgarh, three days ahead of the start of India’s national election.
The rebels have ambushed police, destroyed government offices and abducted officials. They’ve also blown up train tracks, attacked prisons to free their comrades and stolen weapons from police and paramilitary warehouses to arm themselves.
Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical growth accelerates with strategic investments and Vision 2030
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s rise as a global leader in the petrochemicals industry is a product of strategic foresight, substantial investments, and a commitment to economic diversification, experts have told Arab News.
As the Kingdom seeks to reduce its dependence on oil revenue, its petrochemicals sector has emerged as a cornerstone of its industrial strategy, playing a pivotal role in Vision 2030.
Strategic investments, advanced infrastructure, and cost advantages have rapidly positioned the nation as a global leader in chemicals and plastics production, significantly boosting the sector in just a few years.
Hector Casas, principal at Arthur D. Little Middle East, highlighted in an interview with Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical capacity is expected to “double in the next five years, from approximately 75 million tonnes per year to more than 140 million tonnes per year.”
The Kingdom’s access to competitive energy prices will drive this expansion and strengthen its position as a major player in the global petrochemical industry, making it exceptionally competitive in the sector.
“This growth encompasses projects in both basic petrochemical products and high-specialty products that add more value to the oil molecule,” he said.
Nadim Haddad, partner in the Energy Practice IMEA and global head of Oil and Gas at Oliver Wyman, added: “Saudi Arabia is acquiring assets globally in the petrochemical industry that will further cement its role as a pioneer and leader of the industry.”
The global petrochemical market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by rising demand for plastics, chemicals, and advanced materials in emerging markets.
“Saudi Arabia is strategically positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, reinforcing its status as a global petrochemical powerhouse,” added Casas.
As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy, with the petrochemicals industry playing a key role in reducing reliance on oil and driving industrial growth through technological advancement and strategic partnerships.
Foundations of the petrochemical industry
The foundations of Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical industry are deeply intertwined with the history of its oil and gas sector. Following the discovery of vast oil reserves in the 1930s, the Kingdom quickly recognized the potential of petrochemicals as a means to add value to its hydrocarbon resources.
The establishment of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation – also known as SABIC – in 1976 marked a turning point, as the Kingdom began to channel its abundant natural gas resources into the production of chemicals and plastics.
SABIC has grown into one of the world’s largest and most diversified chemical companies, with operations spanning over 50 countries. Its success is driven by a strategic focus on vertical integration within the hydrocarbon value chain, allowing the company to produce a wide range of petrochemical products at competitive costs.
This leadership not only reflects Saudi Arabia’s natural resource wealth but also its strategic investments in infrastructure, research, and human capital development.
Casas emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia’s strategic investment in downstream petrochemical industries, particularly the acquisition of SABIC: “With the energy transition, the demand for oil as fuel will potentially start to decrease, while the demand for petrochemical-based products like plastics and synthetic fibers is increasing.”
He added: “Saudi Arabia is cognizant of this shift and understands that it possesses potentially more oil reserves than could be exploited, given expected trends in demand.”
Haddad highlighted the importance of the Kingdom’s integration with the oil and gas value chain which he said is built on the availability of feedstock to build an advantageous cost position on the global market.
“Jubail Industrial City, one of the largest industrial cities with state-of-the-art infrastructure, played a key role in building the foundation that helped accelerate the growth of the petrochemical industry,” Haddad explained.
Economic diversification and Vision 2030
The government’s focus on economic diversification is driving significant investments in the sector, including the development of new production facilities, the expansion of existing capacities, and the adoption of advanced technologies that enhance efficiency and sustainability.
Vision 2030 envisions Saudi Arabia as a global industrial hub, attracting foreign investment and fostering innovation in high-value industries. The petrochemicals industry, with its vast potential for value addition, is a key component of this vision.
The Kingdom’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, combined with its state-of-the-art infrastructure, makes it an ideal destination for investors seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for petrochemicals in emerging markets.
Haddad underscored the importance of downstream investments in this strategy: “Downstream investments in chemicals are one of the key pillars of Saudi Arabia’s industrialization strategy, creating the link between the petrochemical industry and end uses.”
He went on to explain that these investments will allow Saudi Arabia to capture the economic value-add that it was previously unable to capture, localize value chains, reduce reliance on imports, and increase the diversification of its exports.
Expanding production capacity and technological innovation
Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical sector has seen remarkable growth in recent decades, with production capacity reaching approximately 118 million tonnes annually. This has been driven by continuous investments in infrastructure, technology, and capacity expansion.
The Kingdom’s focus on producing more advanced specialty products, such as performance polymers, engineering plastics, and high-value chemicals, reflects its commitment to moving up the value chain and capturing a larger share of the global market.
Technological innovation plays a crucial role in the competitiveness of Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical industry. The Kingdom is investing heavily in research and development to drive innovation across the value chain.
SABIC’s dedicated R&D centers, located in strategic regions around the world, are at the forefront of developing new materials and processes that enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create value-added products.
As Casas pointed out: “Saudi Arabia is very active in R&D and technology in the petrochemical sector. SABIC’s R&D program and Home of Innovation are a clear showcase of this.”
Moreover, Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals company, is making significant strides in integrating its upstream and downstream operations.
The acquisition of a 70 percent stake in SABIC for $69.1 billion has further strengthened Aramco’s downstream capabilities, positioning it as a global leader in the production of petrochemicals.
Casas noted the strategic impact of this acquisition: “The acquisition of SABIC by Aramco has not only positioned the latter as a major petrochemical player worldwide but also enabled significant optimization and synergies in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, marketing, and sales.”
In terms of technological advancements, ADL’s expert highlighted four key fronts: “The development of mega-scale oil-to-chemical complexes, the focus on high-specialty chemicals, the digital transformation to drive efficiencies, and the emphasis on emissions reduction and sustainability.”
These advancements are crucial for Saudi Arabia to maintain its competitive edge in the global market.
Strategic partnerships and international collaborations
Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical industry has benefited significantly from strategic partnerships and international collaborations. Joint ventures with leading global companies have been instrumental in bringing advanced technologies, expertise, and capital to the Kingdom.
These partnerships have not only enhanced Saudi Arabia’s production capabilities but also facilitated the transfer of knowledge and technology, which is critical for the industry’s long-term growth.
One of the most notable examples of such collaboration is the Sadara Chemical Company, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical.
Established with an investment of $20 billion, Sadara is the largest integrated chemical complex in the world built in a single phase. The facility produces a wide range of value-added chemicals and plastics, many of which are being produced in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
Sadara’s success underscores the importance of international partnerships in driving innovation and expanding the Kingdom's petrochemical portfolio.
Haddad elaborated on the role of such partnerships: “Joint ventures and partnerships are not new to Saudi Arabia's petrochemical sector; there is a rich history of collaborations that have significantly accelerated the industry’s development.”
“These collaborations will facilitate the development of technologies that promote cleaner operations and products,” he added.
Environmental sustainability and green initiatives
Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical industry is increasingly focused on sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint. The Kingdom is investing in technologies that improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and enable the production of more sustainable products.
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage is one area where Saudi Arabia is making significant advancements. By capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and utilizing them in the production of chemicals and fuels, the Kingdom is reducing its carbon footprint while creating new revenue streams.
Green hydrogen is another area where Saudi Arabia is leading the way. The Kingdom’s abundant solar and wind resources provide a competitive advantage in the production of this fuel, which is produced using renewable energy sources.
The development of the Neom Green Hydrogen Project is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to become a global leader in sustainable energy.
The project aims to produce 650 tonnes of hydrogen per day by 2025, making it the largest such facility in the world.
“Saudi Arabia's petrochemical industry is firmly committed to integrating environmental sustainability into its operations,” Casas said, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in sustainability.
He added: “SABIC, for instance, has committed to achieving carbon neutrality from operations under its control by 2050 and is actively pursuing carbon capture technologies to decarbonize its operations.”
