Turkey's Parliament approved a reconciliation deal with Israel

Israeli and Turkish flags
(Image: RT)

Reuters - ANKARA: Turkey's parliament approved a reconciliation agreement signed with Israel in June which has brought to an end a six-year rift between the two regional powers, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday.

Relations between the two countries crumbled after Israeli marines stormed a Turkish ship in May 2010 to enforce a naval blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, killing 10 Turks on board.

Egypt: Armed Forces deploy troops nationwide ahead of the protests planned on Sinai Liberation Day on Monday

Egyptian military troops deployed on the streets of the cities
nationwide ahead of the Monday protests
(Image: Ahram-Online)

Ahram-Online -CAIRO: Activists have set Monday, which marks Sinai Liberation Day, for protests against the recent government announcement that it was acknowledging Saudi ownership of two Red Sea islands under Egyptian control.

Egypt's military said on Sunday that it is deploying forces to secure major public buildings on Monday, which has been set by activists as a date for protests over the recent Saudi island deal.

The army said in a statement that its forces will be deployed around “vital targets and major institutions,” adding that security patrols and military police forces will be stationed in major areas nationwide.

Israel: a bomb exploded in Jerusalem bus leaving more than 20 people wounded

A bus damaged in a bomb attack in Jerusalem
(Image: News Info)

A bomb blast ripped through the bus in Jerusalem on Monday afternoon and sparked a huge fire which damaged two buses and a car and left more than 20 people wounded, according to Israeli police's statement.

There were no exact details immediately after an explosion, but the police stated that a small bomb was the cause of an explosion. Israeli domestic security agency Shin Beyt called the explosion a "terrorist attack".  Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat also confirmed there was a bomb and called on the citizens to be vigilant but "continue with your plans".

Saudi Arabia to recognize Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty as a part of the deal for the Red Sea islands

Tiran Island
(Image: Wikipedia)

HAARETZ - TelAviv: Egypt informed Israel in advance of its intention to transfer the sovereignty over two islands in the Gulf of Aqaba to Saudi Arabia, Haaretz has learned. 

During the talks with Egypt, Israel made clear that it doesn't oppose the move as long as Israeli ships are guaranteed freedom of navigation in the area, and as long the rest of the commitments Egypt made as part of the peace agreement with Israel are honored. Egypt confirmed to Israel and the U.S. that the treaty will indeed be honored, and the Saudi government later made a public announcement to that effect. 

Greek parliament votes to recognize the State of Palestine during Abbas visit

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Greek Prime Minister
Alexis Tsipras
(Image: The Independent) 

Independent - ATHENS: The Greek parliament has voted unanimously in favour of recognising the state of Palestine during a visit from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The government of Alexis Tsipras had previously been urged by the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee to make the move, removing references to "the Palestinian Authority".

Parliament voted on the motion on Tuesday following an address by President Abbas, who held talks with Mr Tsipras on Monday night.

Egyptian President El-Sisi condemns "violations" at Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Mosque

Clashes at Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Mosque
(Image: Daily Star)

AFP, CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday urged Israel to take swift measures to calm tensions around Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque after clashes this week between Israeli security forces and Palestinians.

“It is without doubt a dangerous violation of Islamic holy places,” Sisi said at a press conference with EU president Donald Tusk, urging Israel to take “immediate and effective steps” to defuse tensions.

“The international community must realize the attachment of all Muslims to this place,” he said, warning that the unrest could have “grave consequences for peace and stability”.

Israel reopens its embassy in Egypt after four years closure

Israeli Director-General of Foreign Ministry Dore Gold at the
opening ceremony of Israeli Embassy in Cairo
(Image: Times of Israel)

Israel has reopened its Embassy in Cairo after the four year closure, according to the Wednesday's statement of Israeli Prime Minister spokesman to the Arab media Ofir Gendelman.

Israeli Embassy was located in the premises in Giza, along the Nile Corniche, but it was forced to close in the aftermath of the massive unrests and anti-Israeli protests in Cairo in September 2011.

Hundreds of Egyptians protested against Israel and stormed the Tel-Aviv mission in Cairo after Israeli military accidently killed six Egyptian border soldiers in a fire against the Sinai based militants. Angered protesters demanded end of diplomatic relation with the neighboring country, and the situation was extremely tense.

Egypt's President Sisi to meet Palestinian President Abbas in Cairo

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
(Image: Times of Israel)

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meets with Palestinian President Mahnoud Abbas in Cairo on Thursday, 10 September, according to the state-owned MENA news agency.

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Mahmoud Abbas are expected to discuss the latest developments and state of affairs in Palestine and in the region and the further cooperation between the two countries.

Palestine: PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas resigns from his position

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
(Image: Wikipedia)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has resigned as the chief of Palestinian Liberation Organization on Saturday, 22 August. His resignation came along with resignation of over the half of an 18-member PLO executive committee, according to the local media.

Mahmoud Abbas remains President of Palestine, while the reasons of his resignation of the PLO leader were not disclosed till now. There were earlier reports that this decision could be taken with a bid to force new internal election in Palestinian Liberation Organization in order to elect the new top executive body and leader.

Iran and world powers reach a historic nuclear agreement in Vienna

Iranians celebrate historic nuclear deal
(Image: Independent)

Islamic Republic of Iran and six world’s major powers of the P5+1 group including US, Russia, United Kingdom of Great Britain, France, Germany and China have reached a historic agreement on Tuesday, 14 July, in Vienna, after the decades-long nuclear negotiations. This agreement has a great significance and could potentially change and reshape the world and the Middle East region. United Arab Emirates officials, for example, welcomed the deal and stated that it will definitely turn a “new page” for the Gulf region.

Under the Vienna Accord signed by Iran and six world’s major powers Iran will curb on its nuclear program, while the sanctions imposed against Iran by US, UN and EU since decades will be lifted.

ISIS claims responsibility for the recent rocket attacks of Israel from Egyptian territory

Egyptian military positions in Sinai
(Image: RT)

Several rockets were launched from the territory of the restive Sinai Peninsula on the targets in Israel on Friday, 3 July. This attack followed one of the deadliest attacks of militants against Egyptian Armed Forces and police happened on Wednesday, 1 July, and followed by the massive military operation and Egyptian aerial strikes of the militants bases.

Egypt: major terrorist attack in North Sinai leaves dozens dead

Egyptian Armed Forces in Northern Sinai
(Image: BBC)

Egypt’s North Sinai was shaken on Wednesday, 1 July, by the major terrorist attack which was the biggest and the most coordinated since the beginning of this year.

Fifteen military checkpoints and security forces stations were attacked simultaneously in Northern Sinai cities of El-Arish, Sheikh-Zuweid and Rafah, along the border with Gaza. The attacks started at about midday.

It was the second largest attack that targeted Egyptian security and military forces since January 2015, when a massive attack of militants left 44 soldiers dead in Northern Sinai. Insurgency in the restive Sinai Peninsula intensified since ouster of the Islamist backed President Mohamed Morsi, as hundreds of soldiers and security forces personnel were killed and injured in the numerous attacks against Egypt’s security and military facilities. Civilians were also strongly affected by these attacks.

Hamas responded negatively on Egyptian plans to create buffer zone in Sinai

Egyptian military forces on the Gaza border
(Image: Press TV)

Hamas officials revealed negative reaction on the plans of Egyptian government to create a buffer zone in Northern Sinai, in the areas close to the Gaza Strip border. The decision of Egyptian government to clear the area and to relocate local residents for launching more effective military operation to confront Sinai based terrorists will benefit and support Israeli blockade of Gaza Strip, stated Hamas official Osama Hamdan during his recent interview.

“The buffer zone with Gaza’s borders will only increase the siege imposed for years and will only strengthen the case of incitement against Palestinian people,” Osama Hamdan continued.

Egypt officially postpones Israeli-Palestinian talks due to security situation

Israeli-Hamas negotiations team
(Image: Gaza Solidarity)

Egyptian government officially postponed negotiations between Israel, Palestine and Hamas to be held in Cairo and mediated by Egypt. This statement was made by Hamas spokesperson Fawzy Bahroum on Sunday 26 October, and was confirmed later by the Egyptian side as well.

The talks were scheduled to start on 27 October, Monday, and were aimed to discuss and to cement the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, reached after 51 days offensive in Gaza Strip, and to develop the further strategy and the peace talks.

Palestine: Hamas and Fatah agreed to return unity government to take control over Gaza

Hamas and Fatah representatives of the officials delegations in
Cairo
(Image: EPA)

Two Palestinian rival factions, Hamas, which is de facto ruler of the Gaza Strip, and Fatah have issued a joint statement on Thursday, 25 September, declaring their agreement to return unity government to take control over Gaza Strip and to regulate an issue of Gaza rebuilding and reconstruction after devastating 50 days long with Israel. The statement came after the two-days talks held between Hamas and Fatah in Cairo, with Egyptian mediation.

Hamas and Israel have agreed a long-term truce in Gaza

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas during the talks in Cairo

After 50 days of war in Gaza Israeli Operation Protective Edge reached its end as Israel, Palestine and Hamas, which is de fact ruling Gaza Strip, have agreed on a long-term ceasefire proposed by Egypt.

The truce ending seven weeks of a terrible war came into effect on Tuesday, 26 August, at 19:00 local time. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who attended Egyptian capital Cairo for the talks several times and traveled around Middle East seeking for support of the Arab countries in order to resolve the deepening crisis in Gaza, has announced about the long-term agreement with Israel in Ramallah, on Tuesday. Israeli Cabinet has announced about the beginning of a ceasefire later as well.

Egypt and Palestine reached an agreement regarding the future peace talks amid continuous Israeli strikes against Gaza and Hamas shelling Israeli territory

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during their meeting in Cairo
(Image: Times of Israel)

After the nine days ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and mediated by Egypt was broken at the beginning of this week, Israeli Defense Forces resumed their attacks and strikes against the “terrorist targets” and Hamas militant’s facilities in Gaza, as Hamas in its turn continues shelling Israeli territory on a daily basis.

Nearly 90 people in Gaza were killed since the ceasefire was broken, most of them civilians of Gaza. There was also one Israeli child among the victims. At least 10 people were killed in Gaza due to the Israeli military strikes on Saturday, 23 August, and at least 4 people were killed on Sunday, 24 August, despite the efforts to hold the peace talks and to reach an agreement about the new ceasefire.

Israel accepts several terms of the peace talks regarding Gaza ceasefire

Gaza after IDF bombings
(Image: BBC)

After almost one month long military offensive in Gaza Strip, which left hundreds people dead and many more injured, Israeli side accepted some terms and deamnds of the Palestinian side. 

Egypt, which is a strong and influential regional power and traditionally mediates the talks between Israel, Palestine and Hamas, played the role of a mediator this time as well, offering the ceasefire plan, which was initially rejected by Hamas three weeks ago and then finally accepted on Monday, with the 72-hour ceasefire starting since Tuesday, 5 August.

Updated: Israel accepted Egyptian ceasefire proposal and is expected to participate in the Gaza talks

IDF military strikes in Gaza
(Image: The Guardian)

After the previous ceasefire agreements between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt and USA failed Israeli Cabinet declared after its emergency meeting held on Friday, 1 August, that Israel finishes unilaterally its military operation in Gaza, withdrawing its ground troops from the besieged enclave and finalizing the operation aimed at the total destroying of the network of underground tunnels used by Hamas for smuggling and infiltrating Israeli territory.

UPDATED. Gaza conflict: Israeli military operation is ongoing as the death toll rises dramatically fast on the both sides and the ceasefire agreement is violated

Israeli military offensive in Gaza
(Image: The Guardian)

Israeli military Operation Protective Edge is ongoing for the twenty fifth day now, as IDF forces continue their ground offensive in Gaza, aiming to target the militants’ bases and facilities and to eliminate Hamas military activity in the besieged enclave. Israeli officials claim they target only militant object and don’t mean to harm any civilians, sending them constantly text messages and dropping the leaflets over Gaza urging people of Gaza to leave their homes and to evacuate for more safe places due to the ongoing military operation, but the tragedy is that there is actually no safe place left in Gaza anymore, as even the hospitals and the schools including those operated by UN and being used as refugees’ camps and shelters are being targeted by the Israeli forces constantly. At the same time Hamas continues to launch the rocket strikes against Israel, firing the rockets and mortar shells into Israeli territory. Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts dozens of rockets on a daily basis, as Israeli citizens hear the sirens every day, forced to run to the shelters.