عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Israeli National Security Minister Storms into Jerusalem Holy Site

TOPSHOT - A cat walks near of the Dome of the Rock mosque inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, on July 15, 2024. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
TOPSHOT - A cat walks near of the Dome of the Rock mosque inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, on July 15, 2024. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
TT
TT

Israeli National Security Minister Storms into Jerusalem Holy Site

TOPSHOT - A cat walks near of the Dome of the Rock mosque inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, on July 15, 2024. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
TOPSHOT - A cat walks near of the Dome of the Rock mosque inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, on July 15, 2024. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)

Israel’s far-right national security minister stormed into Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site on Thursday morning, threatening to disrupt Gaza cease fire talks.
The Palestinian WAFA news agency quoted witnesses as saying that Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed into the Jerusalem hilltop compound of al Aqsa Mosque accompanied by Israeli police.
It’s a third time for Ben-Gvir to storm into Al Aqsa after two similar encounters on July 27 2023, and May 22 2023.
The move by Itamar Ben-Gvir threatens to disrupt sensitive talks aimed at reaching a cease fire in the 9-month-old Israel-Hamas war.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Syria: Sweida Tensions Rise After Assassination of Armed Faction Leader

Syria: Sweida Tensions Rise After Assassination of Armed Faction Leader
TT
TT

Syria: Sweida Tensions Rise After Assassination of Armed Faction Leader

Syria: Sweida Tensions Rise After Assassination of Armed Faction Leader

Residents of Sweida province in southern Syria were shocked on Wednesday morning by the assassination of Merhej al-Jarmani, leader of the local “Liwa al-Jabal” armed faction.

He was found dead in his home, shot by unknown assailants, triggering widespread anger in the community.

Local media reported that al-Jarmani was killed by a single bullet fired at close range. Details of the killing are still unclear. According to the local news network, al-Jarmani’s wife discovered him dead with a gunshot wound to the head.

Sweida has seen weekly peaceful anti-regime protests that intensified in February when authorities resumed security settlements for those wanted for military service.

Protests in Sweida province, the heartland of the country’s Druze minority, also follow President Bashar Assad’s government ending fuel subsidies last month.

Al-Jarmani, a key figure in these protests and a participant in the “defense of the mountain” battles, reportedly detained dozens of security officers last month after a young woman from Sweida was arrested in Damascus.

Locals credit al-Jarmani with helping to repel extremist groups that have attacked Sweida since 2014 and confronting government-backed groups. A local news outlet reported that no one heard gunshots when al-Jarmani was killed, suggesting a silencer was used.

“Suwayda 24,” the local news network, noted that pro-government supporters had been inciting against al-Jarmani on social media recently.

Al-Jarmani’s death and his Thursday burial in Umm al-Zaytun have shocked the protest movement in Sweida. Protesters have called him the “martyr of dignity” and held vigils in his honor.

Local sources in Sweida told Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Jarmani played a significant role in the protests, with his faction protecting the demonstrators.

Although the details of the assassination remain unclear, the protesters suspect “government security agencies” were involved.

The sources warned that if these accusations are confirmed, it could be a dangerous development.