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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
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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.

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UN General Assembly Asks Court to Say What Israel Needs to Provide in Gaza

The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File
The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File
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UN General Assembly Asks Court to Say What Israel Needs to Provide in Gaza

The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File
The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File

The UN General Assembly approved a resolution Thursday asking the UN’s highest court to state what Israel’s obligations are in Gaza and the West Bank to provide humanitarian assistance essential for the survival of Palestinian civilians.
The vote on the Norwegian-sponsored resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice was 137-12, with 22 abstentions. The United States, Israel's closest ally, voted against the resolution.
Resolutions in the 193-member General Assembly are not legally binding, though they do reflect world opinion, The Associated Press said.
It follows the ICJ’s condemnation of Israel’ s rule over lands it captured 57 years ago. In a nonbinding opinion in July, the court said Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called on Israel to end its occupation and halt settlement construction immediately.
Thursday's resolution also follows Israeli laws passed in late October, which take effect in 90 days, that effectively ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, from operating in the Palestinian territories.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed that no other UN agency can take on UNRWA's role, and a UN spokesman reiterated Thursday that under international law, as the occupying power, Israel would be responsible for fulfilling the basic needs of Palestinians if UNRWA is banned.
Norway’s deputy foreign minister, Andreas Kravik, told reporters that the international community has a responsibility to react to tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza and virtually the entire population experiencing acute hunger, and some near famine.
He said many countries, the UN and its agencies, and aid organizations are ready to step up their humanitarian efforts but the problem is “there’s a lack of access.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the assembly before the vote that its members were debating “the same recycled nonsense, where all that matters is attacking Israel and challenge its right to protect its citizens.”
“This time the Palestinians are using a new tool in this diplomatic circus: the International Court of Justice,” he said.
The resolution demands that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including by the UN's top court.
It expresses concern about the Israeli legislation on UNRWA and Israeli measures to impede assistance to the Palestinians.
The resolution seeks the ICJ’s guidance on additional questions about its July ruling, including what Israel's obligations are “to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population.”