8 Dead, Dozens Missing as Gaza Apartment Block Collapses
Ambulance crews transport injured Palestinians to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, 15 September 2026. EPA/HAITHAM IMAD
Rescuers searched on Wednesday for dozens of people missing after an apartment block in Gaza collapsed, killing eight people including children, authorities in the war-torn enclave said.
Gaza's civil defense agency said the six-story building in the Tal al-Hawa area was home to people displaced by the war with Israel, and collapsed onto residential and nearby tents.
Agency spokesman Mahmoud Basal told AFP the building had sustained structural damage from Israeli strikes.
"The bodies of eight martyrs including children and 15 injured individuals have been recovered from the rubble," Basal said.
Lebanese President Aiming for Achievements in Negotiations, Deals Cautiously with De-Escalation in Southhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5318852-lebanese-president-aiming-achievements-negotiations-deals-cautiously-de
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency press office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (4-L) during a visit to southern Lebanon, 12 September 2026. (Lebanese Presidency press office)
Lebanese President Aiming for Achievements in Negotiations, Deals Cautiously with De-Escalation in South
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency press office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (4-L) during a visit to southern Lebanon, 12 September 2026. (Lebanese Presidency press office)
Lebanese authorities are cautiously approaching Israeli leaks that its forces are going to withdraw from some areas in southern Lebanon. However, the American mediator has not conveyed any confirmed information about this to Beirut.
A senior official Lebanese source said the discrepancy between the political and military powers in Israel about remaining in Lebanon “does not mean things are running smoothly, given the ongoing stalemate on the negotiation track.”
The source explained that Israel's failure to facilitate the negotiation process has downgraded the talks to the ambassador level, as is currently happening in Washington. Consequently, there is no party capable of lending credibility to any contrary indicators on the ground.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks around the Ali al-Taher region have continued, with decreased intensity, after the detonation of its tunnel network. This coincided with Israeli leaks by Channel 12, which is close to military and security circles, about Tel Aviv's readiness to withdraw toward a “gray line.”
The leaks were followed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz saying that the withdrawal from southern Lebanon should be preceded with the disarmament of Hezbollah.
However, the developments on the ground seem to contradict his words. Field sources in the South told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israeli forces have left the Ali al-Taher ridge area and kept their troops at the Beaufort Castle.
The sources said the town of Kfar Tebnit, strategically located between Ali al-Taher and the castle, has also become clear of any Israeli presence. The forces have also completed a military road connecting Beaufort Castle to Israeli positions south of the Litani River, bypassing other Lebanese villages north of the river where Israeli forces are currently present.
The sources go even further, noting that the situation on the ground “does not indicate, as of yet, any Israeli intention for a larger escalation around Nabatieh, judging by the size of the forces Israel is mobilizing in the area and its field operations.”
A picture shows destroyed houses in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Tebnit on September 11, 2026, following an Israeli demolition on the Ali al-Taher ridge. (AFP)
Ali al-Taher and negotiations
After the Ali al-Taher detonation, Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal contacted officials at the US Central Command to declare that the military was ready to deploy in the area, an official Lebanese source told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The Americans then relayed the information to the Israeli Northern Command, which said that it would prefer that the issue be addressed at the next round of political negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv, revealed the source.
The talks are set for early October after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun requested from the Americans that they be postponed from mid-September.
The source said he asked for the delay because the Israelis were not receptive to Lebanese demands and due to their military escalation, the latest of which was the detonation at Ali al-Taher.
Aoun demanded a specific agenda that allows for actual progress in the negotiations, because he considers that there is no point in “negotiating merely for a photo-op.”
He revealed that Aoun had instructed Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Moawad, who will meet with her Israeli counterpart in Washington on Wednesday, to urge progress in consolidating the ceasefire and completing the release of Lebanese prisoners.
This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese village of al Hanniyeh shows smoke as it rises from the site of an Israeli-controlled explosion in the nearby village of Al-Mansouri on September 6, 2026. (AFP)
Tyre visit
The source said that Aoun’s recent visit to Nabatieh will be followed by one to the coastal city of Tyre.
It said that Aoun was “deeply pained” at the sight of the destruction in Nabatieh despite knowing what to expect. He then urged official circles to intensify their efforts and restore state institutions in the city and other southern regions.
He requested the relevant ministries to intensify their work in the city to support the steadfastness of its residents, who “want nothing but safety, security, and a decent life in their homes.”
Aoun requested the acceleration of the reconstruction process for the government building in the city following the destruction it sustained. He requested speeding up the disbursement of the $3 million allocated by the government for this purpose, out of concern that administrative red tape might delay it longer than necessary, said the source.
Additionally, he requested the Ministry of Finance to allocate a piece of land it owns in the city to rebuild a center for the State Security apparatus, as an alternative to a center that was also destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.
Aoun believes that the return of the state to the South “must be effective, and across all sectors, not just security.”
Ties with Hezbollah remain severed
Ties between Aoun and Hezbollah remain severed as demonstrated by the party boycotting the president’s visit and later slandering it.
The party criticizes Aoun for not being “considerate enough” of the Shiite community, Hezbollah’s main support base, that has paid heavily in the war.
Aoun's relationship with Hezbollah, since he was the army commander, has been based on “advice” and warnings that the party has not heeded. This began with the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation in Gaza in 2023, the party's decision to open a “support front” in solidarity with Hamas a day later and its decision in March to open another front, this time in support of Iran in the US-Israel war against it.
On both occasions, Aoun urged Hezbollah against engaging in the war, but the party ignored him.
On Ali al-Taher, Aoun managed to acquire through US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Israel’s approval that its forces will not advance on it, in exchange for the Lebanese army to deploy there instead. Hezbollah, through a mediator, initially agreed to the proposal, but later announced that neither the Lebanese nor Israeli forces would be allowed to enter the tunnels.
As of yet, Aoun has not understood why Hezbollah would prefer to hand over the position to the Israelis rather than the Lebanese army, knowing that the Lebanese choice would protect Nabatieh and the surrounding areas.
Iraq Reaffirms Ongoing Hunt for Those Behind Attacks on Saudi Arabiahttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5318840-iraq-reaffirms-ongoing-hunt-those-behind-attacks-saudi-arabia
Iraq Reaffirms Ongoing Hunt for Those Behind Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Civilians and security personnel on the Iraqi side of the Shalamja border crossing. (AFP)
Iraqi security authorities on Tuesday reiterated that they would continue pursuing those who launched explosive-laden drones against neighboring countries, saying investigations were ongoing to identify those behind attacks on Saudi territory.
Lt. Gen. Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, said an intelligence committee had located the launch site inside Iraq.
“The investigation is ongoing, with the use of intelligence and technical capabilities, forensic evidence, fingerprints and other details needed to complete the investigation and identify those who committed this act,” Maan told the state news agency.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had relieved the commander of operations in the southern province of Maysan of his duties and dismissed the provincial police chief and other security officials after it was established that the attacks targeting Saudi Arabia had been launched from a site in the province.
Maan said the priority was to identify the perpetrators, stressing that Iraq would not allow attacks on countries in the region. He said Baghdad had contacted Saudi authorities to explain the measures taken by the government.
Iran later formally asked Iraq to participate in the investigation, a request Zaidi approved, according to the government’s military spokesman.
Talabani-Araghchi Talks
Separately, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Bafel Talabani held a series of meetings with Iranian leaders during a visit to Tehran on Tuesday, beginning with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the visit, made at Araghchi’s invitation, was part of Iran’s continuing consultations with the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to expand bilateral relations and strengthen regional peace and stability, economic cooperation and border security.
Talabani’s visit came a day after several areas of Sulaymaniyah, the PUK’s stronghold, were hit by five missiles believed to be Iranian, leading sources and observers to suggest that the visit would focus on security.
A PUK statement said Talabani and Araghchi discussed the latest developments in the region.
A senior Kurdish source said Talabani was expected to raise a broad range of security, political and economic issues.
The source said security remained a priority because of repeated attacks by Iran and its allied factions in Iraq on the Kurdistan Region, ostensibly over the presence of Iranian Kurdish parties there.
At least six Iranian Kurdish opposition parties operate in Iraqi Kurdistan, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) and Komala. They agreed earlier this year to coordinate under the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan.
The source said Talabani could ask Tehran to press its factions and allies in Iraq to reduce pressure and attacks on the region.
Baghdad and Tehran signed a security agreement in 2023 aimed at securing their shared border and neutralizing Iranian opposition groups in Iraqi Kurdistan, including by closing and relocating their bases about 50 kilometers from the Iranian border. Those measures, however, have not prevented continued Iranian attacks on the Kurdistan Region.
Al-Zaidi: Iraq Eyes Europe as It Seeks to Diversify Oil Exportshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5318692-al-zaidi-iraq-eyes-europe-it-seeks-diversify-oil-exports
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi attend a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT
Al-Zaidi: Iraq Eyes Europe as It Seeks to Diversify Oil Exports
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi attend a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said on Tuesday that he discussed selling oil to Europe during visits to France and Germany, as Baghdad seeks to diversify its export routes and reduce its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.
During a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, al-Zaidi said: "We want to expand and diversify our export routes".
He added that "Iraq cannot remain hostage to a single corridor" as recent events have demonstrated, referring to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iran during the Middle East war.
Al-Zaidi said that he had discussed oil exports to Europe with Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, whom he met in Paris on Monday.
Crude oil sales account for nearly 90 percent of Iraq's revenue but its exports have been hurt by the outbreak of the Middle East war between Iran and the United States.
Before the war began in February, Iraq produced around four million barrels per day, and exported an average of 3.4 million bpd, mostly via Hormuz.
Most of its oil exports go to East Asia, with China and India its largest buyers.
Due to the disruption, Iraq began exporting crude using tanker trucks through Syria, as well as through a pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, although these routes can handle only a fraction of its usual sea-bound trade.
Al-Zaidi said that Baghdad could "double its oil exports through the Mediterranean" to supply markets in Europe and the United States.
Al-Zaidi, who hopes to increase Iraq's oil production to 10 million barrels per day, said that "a large share, or nearly half, can go to European countries and the West".
He said that Iraq and Germany were expected to reach "an understanding on the export of crude oil" while Baghdad would purchase German technology and equipment.
Merz said that the main focus for Iraqi-German cooperation is the economy.
"Many German companies are now active in Iraq. They are developing new solutions, for example for energy supply," he said, adding that "the best example is an agreement on Iraq's electricity supply, which we will sign today".
Merz also expressed his concerns after Yemen's Houthis cemented their control over the Bab al-Mandeb waterway at the entrance to the Red Sea.
"This further exacerbates the situation on the energy markets, and also affects Germany," he said.
لم تشترك بعد
انشئ حساباً خاصاً بك لتحصل على أخبار مخصصة لك ولتتمتع بخاصية حفظ المقالات وتتلقى نشراتنا البريدية المتنوعة
