Latest News Headlines of Palestine
Three Palestinian youths were shot and injured with live bullets fired by Israeli forces during confrontations that broke out tonight in the town of Azzoun, east of Qaliqlia, according to local sources. Sources told WAFA confrontations erupted near the town’s main entrance, during which the Israeli army attacked the youths with live ammunition, shooting and injuring three youths in their lower extremities.
Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA
At least four Palestinian youths were shot and injured in al-Arroub refugee camp to the north of Hebron, including one seriously, as Israeli forces attacked Palestinians who rallied in support of Gaza and in condemnation of the Israeli aggression against it. Activist and journalist Sameeh al-Titi told WAFA Israeli army opened live fire directly at participants in the rally, shooting and injuring a youth in the abdomen and another in the foot. The condition of the youth who was shot in the abdomen was described as critical. Tens of others suffocated after inhaling the tear gas that was fired directly by the forces towards residents’ houses.
Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA
The Foreign Ministry in Jordan Friday welcomed the signing of the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces on a Saudi-US-brokered agreement on basic principles in Jeddah. The Ministry expressed its “hope” that the agreement and the humanitarian obligations to protect civilians and uphold the international humanitarian law is a “first step to be followed by other steps that contribute to the return of security and stability to brotherly Sudan.”
Source: Jordan News Agency
Israeli media reported that sirens had sounded in Israeli settlements abutting southern Gaza after hours of calm. Israeli media reported that a salvo of rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip towards the settlements bordering the Gaza Strip, where Iron Dome tried to intercept them. It added that a missile fell on an agricultural greenhouse in the Eshkol complex.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Japan maintained the lead in the overall ranking of medals at the end of the competitions of the fifth day of the World Judo Championships – Doha 2023, which is currently being held at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Al Sadd, for the first time in Qatar, and lasts till May 14, 2023, with large participation of world and Olympic champions and top ranked players.
Japan raised its tally today to 10 colored medals with 4 golds, two silvers and 4 bronzes, while Georgia rose from fourth to second after raising to 4 colored medals with two golds, one silver and one bronze, France fell from second to third with a gold, silver and two bronzes, while Canada came in the fourth place with a gold and a bronze medal, and Spain remained in the fifth place with one gold medal.
The championship competitions will continue on Friday with the under-100 kg competitions for men with the participation of 44 players, and the under-78 kg for women with the participation of 37 players.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday with the mixed team competitions, with the participation of 211 athletes, 110 male and 101 female players representing 18 countries from 4 continents.
Source: Qatar News Agency
The State of Qatar and the United Nations signed a contribution agreement to support the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs to implement its mandate related to conflict prevention and resolution, including preventive diplomacy and mediation, peacebuilding and peacekeeping.
It was signed on behalf of the State of Qatar by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, while the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo signed on behalf of the United Nations, at the headquarters of the permanent delegation of the State of Qatar in New York.
The permanent representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations indicated, during the signing ceremony, that this agreement is consistent with the role of the State of Qatar as an active partner in the United Nations, especially with regard to the state’s role in initiatives, mediation and preventive diplomacy that the international community should consolidate.
In turn, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs expressed her appreciation to the Government of the State of Qatar for its generous contribution for the period (2023-2026), amounting to $1.5 million.
Source: Qatar News Agency
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) today strengthened their long-term collaboration with a ceremonial renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two NOCs.
HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani and Spanish Olympic Committee President Alejandro Blanco formalised the renewal of the MoU, which has been in place since 2011, with an official ceremony to mark their commitment to promoting deeper bilateral relations, cooperation and understanding. The signing ceremony took place at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Doha, which is currently hosting the IJF World Judo Championships.
Speaking following the ceremonial renewal, HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said: “The Qatar Olympic Committee is delighted to renew its partnership with the Spanish Olympic Committee and identify new ways to further develop cooperation between our two NOCs. We are committed to ensuring that our MoU is activated through targeted action to support all Olympic Movement stakeholders in our respective countries and to build on the vast experiences we have amassed over the years. We have enjoyed a strong relationship with the Spanish Olympic Committee under the leadership of President Blanco over the last 10 years, but we are confident we can achieve even more together”.
For his part, Spanish Olympic Committee President Alejandro Blanco said: “Firstly, we are truly happy to be here in Qatar, I congratulate Qatar on this amazing effort to progress sport development at such a rapid pace. This is why the international community continually praise Qatars sporting landscape. We are happy to have signed this MoU with QOC in 2011 and excited about the renewal which allows us to work together to benefit our athletes, coaches and sport in general. We truly appreciate Qatars constant effort to improve the standard in sports”.
“We will continue to abide by our cooperation agreement to help us both find success in the different fields which concern us. Renewing this agreement will help secure a better future for all”.
Source: Qatar News Agency
Al Sadd Club Vice President Eng. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, congratulated Al Arabi Club for winning HH the Amir Football Cup 2023 title after defeating Al Sadd 3-0 on Friday in the final match hosted by Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Al Attiyah in a statement to his club’s official website said that Al Arabi presented a good season and achieved an important title, he also congratulated the national coach Younes Ali for his performance with the Al Arabi team throughout the season, apologizing in the same time to Al Sadd fans for the loss, saying that Al Sadd did not perform well during the match, and the team did not perform at the required level.
Al Attiyah promised Al Sadd fans that the team will be better next season, stressing that the team will be supported with the elements it needs to appear better in the new season to achieve championships.
Source: Qatar News Agency
Tokyo stocks rose on Friday, with a key index ending at a one and-a-half year high on upbeat corporate earnings results and positive forecasts.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) gained 261.58 points, or 0.90 percent, from Thursday to 29,388.30, its highest finish since November 2021.
The broader Tokyo Stock Price Index, which includes all shares on the market’s First Section on the TSE, was also up 13.30 points, or 0.64 percent, to 2,096.39.
Investors were cheered by better-than-expected earnings forecasts and strong earnings results announced by some major Japanese companies this week.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
The Jeddah Declaration, adopted by the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) early Friday, stressed joint commitment to protecting Sudanese civilians.
This came in recognition of the necessity of uplifting the plight and misery from people resulting from the ongoing fighting since April 15, 2023, in particular in the capital of Khartoum, responding to urgent humanitarian needs of civilian citizens.
Representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reaffirmed their core obligations under International Humanitarian Law to facilitate humanitarian action to meet the needs of civilians, according to the declaration.
They stressed unwavering commitment to the sovereignty of Sudan and to maintaining its unity and territorial integrity.
Recognizing that commitment to the Declaration of Commitment will not affect any legal, security, or political status of the parties signing it, nor will it be linked to participation in any political process, it said.
They welcomed the efforts exerted by Sudan’s friends who can use their relationships and good offices to ensure respect for International Humanitarian Law and for international human rights law, including by committing to this Declaration and immediately implementing it.
None of the points listed displace any obligations or principles under International Humanitarian Law and/or international human rights law that apply in this armed conflict, in particular the Protocol Additional (II) of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and that all parties must meet, said the document.
Furthermore, the interests and well-being of the Sudanese people are top priority and affirm commitment to ensure that civilians are protected at all times. This includes allowing safe passage for civilians to leave areas of active hostilities on a voluntary basis, in the direction they choose, it said.
They affirmed responsibility to respect International Humanitarian Law and international human rights law, including obligations to distinguish between civilians and combatants, refrain from any attack that may be expected to cause incidental civilian harm, take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimize civilian harm, with an aim to vacate urban centers, including civilian houses, it added.
They also committed to ensuring that checkpoints are not used to infringe upon the principle of the freedom of movement for civilians and humanitarian actors, allowing all civilians to voluntarily and safely leave areas of hostilities and any besieged areas, and safeguarding the needs and necessities indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, it noted.
Both sides, further, recognized that humanitarian activities solely aim to alleviate human suffering and protect the lives and dignity of persons who are not or are no longer fighting, while agreeing on the need to allow principal humanitarian operations to resume and to protect humanitarian personnel and assets.
This included respecting the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and operational independence, allowing and facilitating the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, including medical and surgical equipment, and ensuring relief personnel the freedom of movement required for their functions.
They also committed to facilitating the safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian personnel through all available routes, and refraining from interference with principal humanitarian operations and never accompany side by side humanitarian personnel carrying out humanitarian activities, in conformity with the Amended Directives and Procedures for Humanitarian Action in Sudan.
Moreover, they vowed to exert all efforts to ensure that these commitments – and all obligations of International Humanitarian Law – are fully disseminated within their ranks and appoint focal points to engage with humanitarian actors to facilitate their activities.
Saudi Arabia and the US announced early Friday that representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces had signed a declaration of commitment to protect Sudanese civilians.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
KUWAIT — KUNA continues to cover the process of registering candidates for the National Assembly elections due on June 6.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said late Thursday the State of Kuwait plays a vital role in Middle East and world peace.
Blinken made the remark during official talks held with visiting Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Washington, saying that both sides share views on a variety of issues including Syria, Yemen and the entire Middle East region.
The US secretary also voiced gratitude to Kuwait for its efforts aiming at revolving the Sudanese crisis.
For his part, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said that Kuwait and the US have a very strong strategic partnership and friendship, saying that he would discuss with his US counterpart how to promote this partnership.
He said the US plays an important role in keeping peace and security in the region, hoping that it would continue playing its role in maintaining regional stability.
He added that amid the numerous regional and international crises, the State of Kuwait, as a bridge-builder, tries to resolve such conflicts by peaceful means.
Speaking to KUNA following the meeting, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said he had a “good” meeting with his US counterpart in Washington, adding that he had asked Blinken to convey the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to US President Joe Biden.
He noted that the talks represented an opportunity for them to look into aspects of strong and firm relations between Kuwait and the US.
He added that they had also discussed the sixth round of strategic dialogue due in Kuwait next October, voicing shared satisfaction with the current level of bilateral relations.
Sheikh Salem Abdullah went on to say that the latest regional and international developments, mainly the serious escalation in occupied Palestinian territories, and Syria, were also addressed.
He thanked the US and Saudi Arabia for their efforts to put an end to the bloody conflict in Sudan.
Source: Kuwait News Agency