In the situation room - Israeli DefMin oversees strikes on Yemen's Houthis

In the situation room - Israeli DefMin oversees strikes on Yemen's Houthis

"The Israeli Ministry of Defence released footage of Defence Minister Israel Katz overseeing strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.   The footage, released on Thursday, shows Katz instructing military officers and monitoring the strikes from the operations room.   "As we warned the Houthis in Yemen: Whoever raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off,' Katz posted on his X account.   On the same day, the Israeli army announced that it had carried out 'precise' strikes on a 'military target belonging to the terrorist Houthi regime in Sana'a'.   Meanwhile, the Houthi Ministry of Defence denied reports that leaders had been targeted in Sana'a, claiming that dignitaries and the Yemeni people were being attacked because of their support for Gaza.   It follows cross-border attacks between Israel and the Houthis. "

Expand relations with the East, Russia and China! - Iranian president advisor as Pezeshkian set for SCO summit

Expand relations with the East, Russia and China! - Iranian president advisor as Pezeshkian set for SCO summit

"Aliasghar Shafieian, media advisor to the Iranian president, commented on the latest news that Masoud Pezeshkian himself would be in Tianjin, China to attend the Shanghai Co-operation (SCO) Summit this weekend. "For Mr Pezeshkian’s government, relations with the East are very important, and relations with Eastern powers are highly significant,” he said. "There are negotiations ongoing, to have appropriate interaction with the West [but] he intends to expand his relationship with the East as well, whether with China or Russia, since this connection has held a special place for Mr Pezeshkian and his government within the past year,” he continued. The premier event in the SCO calendar will see world leaders fly to China, with Pezeshkian, Russia's Vladimir Putin, India's Narendra Modi and many others meeting for the annual gathering. The Summit takes place on August 31-September 1. The hugely influential SCO comprises around one quarter of the world, with 10 members, 14 dialogue partners and two observer states."

UAE launches emergency water pipeline project for southern Gaza

UAE launches emergency water pipeline project for southern Gaza

"The UAUE inaugurated its landmark water pipeline project on Thursday to supply southern areas of the Gaza Strip with desalinated, potable water.
 Footage from Khan Younis shows residents and project officials gathering in anticipation - and celebrating as water began to arrive. "This initiative will serve the needs of 600,000 to 700,000 residents in the Al-Mawasi area of southern Gaza," said Sharif Al-Nairab, media spokesperson for the 'Gallant Knight' initiative in Gaza. "[The] initiative will ensure dignified and proper access to clean water for the people in Al-Mawasi, southern Gaza."
 "I believe this project will significantly ease the severe water crisis in Gaza and reduce the burden on desalination plants, many of which have collapsed or stopped operating due to infrastructure failure," he added.
 Mohammed Al-Rabee, deputy head of the Support Committee for 'Operation Gallant Knight 3' in Gaza, stated: "This initiative came as an emergency response from the United Arab Emirates, It followed urgent appeals made through Operation Gallant Knight, as well as by the municipalities of the southern governorates and the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility. Approval for the water pipeline project was granted immediately."
 Omar Shetat, deputy executive director of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility in Gaza, explained that the pipeline was "approximately 7,500 meters long" and connected "the desalination plant located in Egyptian territory to the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis, reaching the western region - an area completely deprived of any sources of drinking or potable water."
 On November 5, 2023, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the Joint Operations Command at the Ministry of Defence to launch the humanitarian operation 'Gallant Knight 3' to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. It came as part of a series of initiatives and relief campaigns launched by the UAE to assist Palestinians, which intensified amid the Israel-Hamas war."