Day: March 14, 2024

Israeli enemy reconnaissance aircraft on Thursday flew over villages in southern Lebanon’s western and central sectors, reaching the outskirts of the city of Tyre, in addition to launching flares at night over villages in the districts of Tyre and Bint Jbeil.

The enemy warplanes also carried out a series of airstrikes last night on the outskirts of southern Lebanon’s Naqoura, Jabal al-Labouneh, Alama al-Shaab, and Tyr Harfa.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Sultanate of Oman has affirmed its commitment to the principles of human rights and the realization of gender equality in a manner that guarantees women’s needs and stability.

Oman also affirms its commitment to enhance and develop areas of women’s participation in community development and improved quality of life.

Oman made the statement during its participation in tasks of the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Oman was represented by the Ministry of Social Development at the UN session themed ‘Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective’.

The UN session takes place in New York from 11 to 22 March 2024. Oman’s delegation at the session was headed by Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development.

Dr. Laila said that the Sultanate of Oman guaranteed justice and equality for women as a means of consolidating the human
itarian approach, with its national laws and policies made consistent with human rights in general and women’s rights in particular.

Dr. Laila pointed out that the Basic Law of the State emphasizes justice, equality and non-discrimination between women and men.

The minister added that the Labour Law in Oman has been in line with basic labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Texts of the Labour Law in Oman have been expanded to include a number of terms that secure women’s privileges, the minister added.

Dr. Laila explained that, within the context of ’empowering women and girls’, women’s economic and business engagement grew in tandem with the progress made in other fields. As a result, women’s participation in the workforce grew to stand at 32 percent in 2022.

The minister said that, in the year 2022, the percentage of Omani female workers constituted 26 percent of the workforce in the government sector and 30 percent in the private sector.

The minister added that, in 2023, the
percentage of Omani women working as public administrators, business managers and investors grew to 37 percent.

In terms of funding projects, the minister said that Oman enhanced several initiatives in favour of women in the field of entrepreneurship. As a result, the percentage of women registered in the Riyada business engagement programme increased to 32 percent in 2022, and the percentage of women business owners out of the total Omani female workers constituted 6.1% during 2022, said Dr. Laila.

In the artisanal field, the percentage of craftswomen who obtained licenses to practice household activities reached 90% in the year 2023.

In the same year, funding product was initiated with an estimated financial portfolio of RO 12 million. The funding product was aimed at lending fiscal support to rural women’s entrepreneurial projects. It extends privileges to the entrepreneurs without charging bank interest.

Source: Oman News Agency

Three persons have been reported dead and 9 injured in 12 road accidents within the last 24 hours, the Traffic Management Center said on Thursday.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Israeli enemy reconnaissance aircraft on Thursday flew over villages in southern Lebanon’s western and central sectors, reaching the outskirts of the city of Tyre, in addition to launching flares at night over villages in the districts of Tyre and Bint Jbeil.

The enemy warplanes also carried out a series of airstrikes last night on the outskirts of southern Lebanon’s Naqoura, Jabal al-Labouneh, Alama al-Shaab, and Tyr Harfa.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

At least six Palestinians were killed and dozens injured late on Tuesday evening by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza City, according to local sources and witnesses.

The sources reported that the occupation forces opened gunfire on a crowd of people gathered at the Kuwait roundabout south of Gaza City, waiting for the arrival of relief aid. This led to the murder of six Palestinians and the injury of at least 83 others, who were then transported to the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in the city.

Simultaneously, at least one Palestinian was killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in the Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip.

In Rafah, in the south of the enclave, two Palestinians were killed and several injured in an Israeli drone attack on a civilian vehicle in the village of Khirbat Al-Adas.

According to the latest reports, the total documented number of Palestinian fatalities since the beginning of the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip on October 7th has risen to
31,272, the majority of whom are children and women. The number of injuries has risen to 73,024, with thousands of victims still trapped under rubble.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine al-Qabbaj received Thursday 14/3/2024 a delegation from UNICEF to examine opportunities of collaboration on providing social care, protection and rescue as well as adopting the best practices to deal with children surviving armed conflicts.

The meeting tackled enhancing programmes targeted at children aged 0-4. That is in addition to the agreement signed between UNICEF and the Egyptian Red Crescent to better provide psychological and social support to Palestinian children in Egypt, whether stuck or accompanying injured family members receiving treatment in the country.

In that framework, Minister Qabaj shed light on the efforts deployed by the Egyptian Red Crescent to deliver aid to Gaza Strip. Egypt also transfers some of the injured to local hospitals. Similarly, the Ministry of Health and Population provides medical care to Sudanese citizens fleeing the civil war.

In another context, the minister highlighted that, after adding one million families to the monetary sub
sidies programme “Takaful w Karama” in 2023, the number of families enrolled had amounted to 4.7 million comprising a total of approximately 20 million individuals. Further, the value of the monthly monetary subsidies was raised by 55 percent so as the budget for the year 2024 hit LE41 billion.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine al-Qabbaj received Thursday 14/3/2024 a delegation from UNICEF to examine opportunities of collaboration on providing social care, protection and rescue as well as adopting the best practices to deal with children surviving armed conflicts.

The meeting tackled enhancing programmes targeted at children aged 0-4. That is in addition to the agreement signed between UNICEF and the Egyptian Red Crescent to better provide psychological and social support to Palestinian children in Egypt, whether stuck or accompanying injured family members receiving treatment in the country.

In that framework, Minister Qabaj shed light on the efforts deployed by the Egyptian Red Crescent to deliver aid to Gaza Strip. Egypt also transfers some of the injured to local hospitals. Similarly, the Ministry of Health and Population provides medical care to Sudanese citizens fleeing the civil war.

In another context, the minister highlighted that, after adding one million families to the monetary sub
sidies programme “Takaful w Karama” in 2023, the number of families enrolled had amounted to 4.7 million comprising a total of approximately 20 million individuals. Further, the value of the monthly monetary subsidies was raised by 55 percent so as the budget for the year 2024 hit LE41 billion.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

RAMALLAH: President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a presidential decree asking Dr. Mohammad Mustafa to form the nineteenth Palestinian government.

This presidential decree asks Dr. Mustafa to form the new government within the stipulated timeframe outlined in the amended Basic Law of 2003 and its subsequent amendments.

Mustafa is a seasoned Palestinian economist, Chairman of the Board of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), senior economic advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

***

Following is the text of the presidential decree:

“In my powers as the President of the State of Palestine and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization,

Based on the provisions of the Basic Statute of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and the provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003, and its amendments,

And by virtue of the powers granted to us, we assign you to form the nineteenth government within t
he period specified in the Amended Basic Law of 2003 and its amendments. I call upon you, as the Prime Minister-designate of the upcoming government to commit to the supreme interests of the Palestinian people, to preserve, protect, advance and elevate their achievements, and achieve their national goals as approved by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the people, the Declaration of Independence, the decisions of the National Council, and the articles of the Basic Law. This commitment shall ensure the full exercise of powers enabling the government to perform the required tasks.

The priorities of the formed government shall include the following:

1. Leading, maximizing and coordinating the relief efforts in the Gaza Strip, and transitioning swiftly and effectively from the required humanitarian relief to economic recovery, and then organizing the reconstruction and rebuilding of what was destroyed by the machinery of war and aggression in both the southern and nort
hern governorates. These efforts should be part of a clear vision that sets the foundations for an institutionally independent State of Palestine with infrastructure and services.

2. Develop plans and implementation mechanisms for the reunification of institutions across the homeland’s governorates as a single geographical, political, national, and institutional unit.

3. Continuing the reform process in all institutional, security, economic, administrative and public finance fields, aiming for a robust and transparent governance system subject to accountability, combating corruption, and ensuring good governance, and the dignity and resilience of our citizens through improved service delivery in all sectors.

4. Providing all possible support to the judicial system and empowering it to ensure the rule of law, security for citizens, effective access to justice, guaranteeing their rights, strengthening the role of law enforcement agencies, and working with the relevant authorities to strengthen the judicial a
uthority and ensure its independence.

5. Advancing the process of building state institutions, and empowering all groups, especially Palestinian youth and women, respecting public freedoms, and strengthening partnership between different parties, including civil society institutions, organizations, popular and youth activities, and our people in diaspora and refugees’ camps.

6. Reinvigorating the national economy and investment, including better utilization of resources, rationalization of expenditures, enhancing service sectors, and infrastructure that regulates and stimulates the economy, in partnership with relevant national entities , particularly the private sector.

7. Strengthening the bonds of political, economic, and cultural relations and cooperation with brotherly Arab countries and friendly nations to ensure national resilience, sustainable development, prosperity, self-reliance, and the requirements of a decent and prosperous life for our people.

8. Strengthening the resilience of our people,
including continuing to defend the city of Jerusalem and its Christian and Islamic holy sites, and providing the means of resilience for citizens in marginalized areas facing the polices of occupation and colonization.

9. Working to promote a culture of partnership, dialogue, transparency, inclusiveness, and participation in decision-making among all components of society, ensuring public and private freedoms in accordance with the law, most notably freedom of opinion and expression.

10. Taking the necessary measures and preparations for holding legislative and presidential elections in the northern governorates, including East Jerusalem, and the southern governorates, as soon as possible in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant laws.

11. Ensuring freedom of operation for media within the framework of applicable laws and regulations that guarantee freedom of movement and media activities, access to information sources, and social media in accordance with the law.”

Source: Palestine News and Informat
ion Agency – WAFA

RAMALLAH: President Mahmoud Abbas held a phone call today with the King Abdullah II of Jordan, addressing the critical situation in Palestine amid the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

Both leaders emphasized the necessity, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, to end the aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.

They stressed the imperative of a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, halting all unilateral actions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and ensuring the access of worshipers to Al-Aqsa Mosque while preserving the legal and historical status of Islamic and Christian holy sites under the guardianship of Jordan.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to delivering more humanitarian aid by land, sea, and air to the people of Gaza, in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, as well as to continuing efforts to prevent displacement of the Palestinian people.

President Abbas expressed gratitude to King Abdulla
h II and the people of Jordan for their ongoing support to their brethren in Palestine, including delivery of aid through land and air routes and via Jordanian field hospitals.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

JERUSALEM: In a late-night assault today, Israeli occupation forces stormed into the Al-Qibli Mosque within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, assaulting worshippers and forcibly evacuating them.

Local sources reported that the Israeli police breached the sanctuary of the mosque, attacked the worshippers, and forcefully evicted them, preventing them from continuing their prayers until morning.

Simultaneously, Israeli police deployed extensively throughout the courtyards of the mosque, in an attempt to establish a new reality characterized by the constant presence of the Israeli occupation forces within the mosque’s premises.

Meantime, on the eve of the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, the occupation forces deployed heavily across the Old City of Jerusalem and erected metal barriers at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, specifically at the King Faisal, Al-Ghawanmeh, and Al-Hadid gates.

The occupation forces further intensified their presence in the city’s neighborhoods. They also ti
ghtened their measures at the military checkpoints surrounding the city, in anticipation of the influx of a large number of worshippers from the occupied West Bank on the first Friday of Ramadan.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

DUBAI: In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Decree No. (16) of 2024 forming the new Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank, chaired by H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Supreme Chairperson of the Bank.

According to the decree, the Director General of Dubai Municipality serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Board. Members of the Board of Trustees also include: the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment Sector at the Community Development Authority in Dubai; a representative from each of the following entities: the Endowments and Minors’ Trust Foundation in Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, the Government of Dubai Media Office, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, and the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Group; and the CEO of the UAE Food Bank.

The Decree is effective from the date of its issuance and will be publ
ished in the Official Gazette.

Source: Emirates News Agency

GAZA: Dozens of Palestinian civilians were Thursday killed, and others were left with various injuries, following the ongoing Israeli bombardment on various parts of the Gaza Strip, which today enters its 160th day.

Medical sources said that 9 civilians were killed and 15 others were injured when the occupation bombed a house owned by Al-Attar family in the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, adding that they were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah.

WAFA correspondent said that 7 people were killed and 86 others were wounded as a result of the occupation forces firing live bullets at a gathering of citizens while they were waiting for relief aid to arrive at the Kuwait Roundabout in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of the city.

In the middle of the Gaza Strip, occupation aircraft bombed a house in Al-Mughraqa area, and another in Nuseirat camp,and targeted a house in Al-Zahraa City.

In the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, a number of people were killed as the occupation art
illery shelled a number of citizens’ homes in the east.

WAFA correspondent added that dozens of slain Palestinians and wounded civilians were recovered from the roads and homes in Hamad residential towers, west of Khan Yunis, after the military occupation forces partially retreated.

The occupation boats fired shells that landed near the tents of the displaced in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Yunis, but no casualties or injuries were reported so far.

In the city of Rafah, a number of citizens were injured in a bombing that targeted a house in El Geneina neighborhood.

In an infinite toll, the death toll in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the Israeli occupation aggression on October 7 last year rose to 31,341, and those injured to 73,134, while thousands of victims remain under the rubble.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

GAZA: The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s deadly offensive against the Gaza Strip since October 7th, 2023, has now soared to 31,341, medical sources confirmed on Wednesday.

They said that at least 73,134 other people have also been injured in the onslaught.

‘At least 69 people were killed and 110 others injured in Israeli attacks in the last 24 hours,’ they added.

‘Many victims are still trapped under rubble and on the roads and rescuers can’t reach them,’ the sources noted.

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Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA