Israeli Military Begins ‘Ground Activity’ to Extend ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Gazahttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5127082-israeli-military-begins-%E2%80%98ground-activity%E2%80%99-extend-%E2%80%98security-zone%E2%80%99-southern-gaza
Israeli Military Begins ‘Ground Activity’ to Extend ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Gaza
Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
TT
20
TT
Israeli Military Begins ‘Ground Activity’ to Extend ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Gaza
Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
The Israeli military said on Saturday it had begun "ground activity" in the Jneina neighborhood of Rafah to expand what it described as the security zone in southern Gaza.
On March 18, Israel resumed bombing and ground operations in Hamas which it said were intended to increase pressure on the Palestinian group Hamas to free hostages.
In this photo provided by South Korea Foreign Ministry, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, left, shakes hands with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani after signing a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (South Korea Foreign Ministry via AP)
TT
20
TT
South Korea Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Syria
In this photo provided by South Korea Foreign Ministry, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, left, shakes hands with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani after signing a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (South Korea Foreign Ministry via AP)
South Korea and Syria have signed an agreement in Damascus establishing diplomatic relations, the South Korean foreign ministry said on Friday, opening new ties with a traditional ally of its rival North Korea.
The event marks a milestone for South Korea now having established diplomatic ties with all 191 UN member states and opening "a new chapter for bilateral cooperation with Syria, which had long remained distant due to its close ties with North Korea," the South Korean foreign ministry said.
South Korea established diplomatic relations with Cuba last year, another old ally of the North.
North Korea's state media ceased mentions of Syria since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December except leader Kim Jong Un once referring to "the Middle East crisis" in passing.
A joint communique was signed by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Syria's Asaad al-Shaibani on Thursday, and Cho expressed willingness to share South Korea's development experience to support Syria's reconstruction, the ministry said.
Cho later met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, it said.
