Islamic Jihad Holds First New Politburo Meeting in Cairo

Palestinian Islamic Jihad members take part in a military show marking the 32nd anniversary of the organization's founding, Gaza City, (File photo: Reuters)
Palestinian Islamic Jihad members take part in a military show marking the 32nd anniversary of the organization's founding, Gaza City, (File photo: Reuters)
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Islamic Jihad Holds First New Politburo Meeting in Cairo

Palestinian Islamic Jihad members take part in a military show marking the 32nd anniversary of the organization's founding, Gaza City, (File photo: Reuters)
Palestinian Islamic Jihad members take part in a military show marking the 32nd anniversary of the organization's founding, Gaza City, (File photo: Reuters)

Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement will hold talks with Egyptian officials where it will submit a number of requests, announced member of the movement’s politburo Nafez Azzam.

Azzam noted that the talks will discuss the most important Palestinian issues, adding that the movement will hold a meeting that includes all the members of the new political bureau, and then begin its visit to a number of friendly countries.

Islamic Jihad elected members of the new bureau in September last year, including Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhala, elected to replace Ramadan Shallah who is in a critical health condition.

The Jihad delegation arrived in Cairo from abroad and Gaza, along with a delegation from Hamas to discuss the truce.

Israeli sources spoke of tangible progress between Israel and Hamas to achieve a long-term truce.

Islamic Jihad issued a statement, of which Asharq Al-Awsat received a copy, announcing the most important issues that it will discuss with the Egyptian side during the delegation’s visit, led by Sec-Gen Nakhala.

The statement announced that the visit to Cairo comes within the framework of strengthening relations with the Egyptian officials. It also pointed out that they will discuss releasing Palestinian detainees held by the Egyptian security services.

Egypt arrests a number of Palestinians affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements.

In March, Egypt released eight Hamas members after years of detention, including four members of al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the movement. They were released during the three-week visit of the head of Hamas politburo, Ismail Haniyeh, to Cairo.

Jihad will also ask Egyptian officials to exert pressure and guarantee that the Israeli occupation will stop the ongoing Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people.

Egypt sponsored the ceasefire agreement in the last round after commander Baha Abu Ata was killed.

The movement condemned recent statements of Palestinian leaders and media analysts about the delegation’s visit to Cairo, pointing out that the statements aim to normalize relations with the Zionist enemy and spread rumors about the visit.



Algeria Tightens Measures to Combat Migrant Smuggling to Europe

A boat for illegal migration in the Mediterranean (circulated)
A boat for illegal migration in the Mediterranean (circulated)
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Algeria Tightens Measures to Combat Migrant Smuggling to Europe

A boat for illegal migration in the Mediterranean (circulated)
A boat for illegal migration in the Mediterranean (circulated)

Algerian authorities launched a new security unit last week to tackle human trafficking and migrant smuggling by sea from the country’s northern shores.

The unit, under the supervision of the Gendarmerie, was given broad powers and resources.

The Gendarmerie said on social media that the unit had dismantled two smuggling networks in Algiers, arrested 10 people, and seized seven boats used to transport migrants to southern Europe.

While the exact timing of the raids was not provided, the Gendarmerie mentioned that the networks were operating in Algiers, Blida (40 km west), and Ain Taya (30 km east).

The Gendarmerie said the new security unit was set up to combat organized crime, particularly illegal migration.

It noted that, through ongoing cooperation with other agencies, including the Birkhadem Investigation Unit and regional Gendarmerie teams in Algiers, three cases were handled.

These involved illegal crossings, mostly related to migrant smuggling, which is punishable under Algerian law. The Gendarmerie also seized boats worth $52,000 and a vehicle valued at around $30,000.

The Gendarmerie said it had referred members of two smuggling networks to the prosecution, without revealing their number. It stressed that efforts to tackle the issue, which has security, social, and economic impacts, would continue using all available resources.

Media reports confirmed that over 20 people were arrested. They had been charging up to 5,000 euros per person to smuggle migrants by sea to the nearest Spanish islands, a journey of 400 to 500 kilometers that takes about 24 hours in calm seas.

According to Spain’s EFE agency, 5,165 illegal migrants have reached the Balearic Islands since the start of the year, mostly from North Africa.

This represents a 100% increase from 2,278 migrants last year.