Security Alert in Egypt for Eid Celebrations, Africa Cup

Egyptian soldiers training in the Suez area. AFP file photo
Egyptian soldiers training in the Suez area. AFP file photo
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Security Alert in Egypt for Eid Celebrations, Africa Cup

Egyptian soldiers training in the Suez area. AFP file photo
Egyptian soldiers training in the Suez area. AFP file photo

Egypt’s security apparatuses have been deployed to bolster security during Eid al-Fitr celebrations and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will be held between June 21 and July 19.

On Monday, security and police forces were deployed on major roads and tourist attractions amid an announcement by the Egyptian Interior Ministry that it has started upping security measures nationwide to protect citizens.

The ministry said the deployed elements are trained in immediate response to deal firmly and decisively with whoever aims to disturb security and peace.

Starting Tuesday, Egypt celebrates Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Also, the Interior Ministry explained that a new plan was set to deal with traffic congestion as it deployed qualified recruits to work in the traffic departments of Cairo, Giza and Alexandria.

In north Sinai, the Egyptian Army and police continued their anti-terror operations, mainly against ISIS members.

Undersecretary of the Health Ministry in northern Sinai Dr. Tareq Kamel said that the ministry requested all hospitals across the province to take a series of emergency measures and ensure that extra medication is available.

Late last month, Confederation of African Football President Ahmad Ahmad said a special committee has been set up to deal with security concerns at the Africa Cup of Nations.

In May, at least 17 people were injured when an explosion hit a bus carrying mostly South African tourists in Cairo, on the perimeter of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The Nations Cup will feature 24 teams from around the continent to play at venues in Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia and Suez.



Israel Keeps Up Gaza Bombardment as Ceasefire Talks Intensify

Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Dec.18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Dec.18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
TT

Israel Keeps Up Gaza Bombardment as Ceasefire Talks Intensify

Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Dec.18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Dec.18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

US and Arab mediators are working round-the-clock to hammer out a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, sources close to the talks said, while in the Gaza Strip medics said Israeli strikes had killed 13 Palestinians on Thursday.
The mediators, at talks in Egypt and Qatar, seek to forge a deal to pause the 14-month-old war in the Hamas-ruled enclave that would include a release of hostages seized from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, along with Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, Reuters said.
Mediators had managed to narrow some gaps on previous sticking points but differences remained, the sources said.
In Gaza, medics said at least 13 Palestinians were killed overnight in separate Israeli airstrikes, including on two houses in Gaza City and a central camp.
Residents of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, where the army has operated since October, said forces blew up clusters of houses overnight.
"The longer those talks last, the more destruction and death takes place in Gaza. Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya are being wiped out, Rafah too," said Adel, 60, a resident of Jabalia, who is now displaced in Gaza City.
Palestinians accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing in those areas by depopulating residents to create buffer zones. Israel denies this and says its campaign aims to wipe out Hamas, a militant group, and to prevent it from regrouping.
Israel accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian infrastructure and the population as a human shield for its activities. Hamas denies it and accuses Israel of trying to justify the indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians.
PHASED OR COMPREHENSIVE?
Sources close to the mediation efforts said Hamas had pushed for a one-package deal but Israel wanted a phased one. Talks are focused on a first-phase release of hostages, dead or alive, as well as a number of Palestinians jailed by Israel.
On Tuesday, the sides discussed the numbers and categories of those to be released, but things have yet to be finalized, said a source who spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of the talks.
The source said one issue was Israel's demand to retain the right to act against any possible military threat from Gaza and the stationing of Israeli forces during phases of the deal.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action after defeating Hamas in the enclave.
Israel launched its air and ground assault on Gaza after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities 14 months ago, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel says about 100 hostages are still being held, but it is unclear how many are alive.
Israel's campaign has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, displaced most of the 2.3 million population and reduced much of the coastal enclave to ruins.
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch said Israel had killed thousands of Palestinians in Gaza by denying them clean water which it says legally amounts to acts of genocide and extermination.
Israel's foreign ministry accused the rights group of lying, writing on X that Israel had facilitated the continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza since the start of the war despite constant attacks by Hamas.