Arab League Seeks Int’l Alliance against Israel’s Annexation of the West Bank

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit (File photo: Reuters)
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit (File photo: Reuters)
TT

Arab League Seeks Int’l Alliance against Israel’s Annexation of the West Bank

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit (File photo: Reuters)
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit (File photo: Reuters)

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit is seeking to form an international alliance that confronts Israel’s annexation plans in the West Bank and Jordan Valley.

Israel’s plans did not receive any international support, according to the Sec-Gen, who said that most countries and international blocs oppose it, hoping this will help in the formation of the alliance.

Aboul Gheit said in a statement on Wednesday that it is necessary at this stage to form the widest possible international alliance which will expose Israel’s isolation and those who support it in this reckless and dangerous policy that threatens the stability of the region.

Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Hossam Zaki indicated that Aboul Gheit will participate in a session on the situation in the Middle East, which will be held at the ministerial level on June 24th and will be entirely devoted to discussing the annexation plans.

Zaki said that holding this meeting at this time is an opportunity for the Security Council and its members to publicly and collectively reject Israel’s plans and warn Tel Aviv against moving forward with it.

He pointed out that the meeting came as a result of successive conferences held by the Arab League delegation in New York with members of the Security Council led by France, the current president of the council, as well as Germany, as the upcoming president.

These diplomatic moves aim to implement the decision of the League calling to harness international efforts at the United Nations and its organs to address the implementation of the Israeli annexation plans.

Zaki stressed that Aboul Gheit continues his international calls to build an alliance against the Israeli move and demonstrate its grave threat to international peace and security.

Aboul Gheit recently sent a number of messages to Japan, India, Australia, and Russia warning against the annexation of parts of the Palestinian territories.



New Syrian Parliament Meets for First Time in Damascus

 Members of Syria's newly formed People's Assembly attend the body's inaugural session, the first parliament session since the end of the rule of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, July 12, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Members of Syria's newly formed People's Assembly attend the body's inaugural session, the first parliament session since the end of the rule of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, July 12, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
TT

New Syrian Parliament Meets for First Time in Damascus

 Members of Syria's newly formed People's Assembly attend the body's inaugural session, the first parliament session since the end of the rule of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, July 12, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Members of Syria's newly formed People's Assembly attend the body's inaugural session, the first parliament session since the end of the rule of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, July 12, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Syria's new parliament convened for the first time on Sunday, 19 months after opposition factions led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad, a milestone in the country's political transition despite the chamber's current limited powers.

Sharaa, in a speech at parliament in Damascus, told lawmakers to "make this council a model of responsibility and competence" and described it as "a platform for truth and justice".

"Syria is writing a glorious history that reflects its heroism, and we face the responsibility of building both the nation and the individual," he said.

The parliament has been seen as a test of Sharaa's pledge to build an inclusive new order in Syria, which was run as a police state by the Assad family for decades, with a legislative chamber that was seen as a rubber stamp.

Under the country's interim governing arrangements, two-thirds of the members of the 210-seat chamber were chosen last year by regional electoral colleges, while Sharaa named the remaining third on July 1.

Officials have said this system was necessary because years of war had left millions displaced and made it impossible to rely on accurate population records or voter rolls.

Critics say it gives the executive branch extensive control over the selection process.

Sharaa has said he supports holding general elections once infrastructure and documentation allow.

A temporary constitutional declaration introduced in 2025 granted parliament limited authorities, and there is no requirement for the government to win a parliamentary vote of confidence.

The Assembly can propose and approve laws. It has a 30-month term that is renewable, and it assumes legislative authority until a permanent constitution is adopted and elections are organized.


Israeli Attacks in Gaza Kill Five People, including a Girl, Say Medics

11 July 2026, Palestinian Territories, Nuseirat: A vehicle damaged in an Israeli strike is seen at the scene in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, where a Palestinian was killed and others were wounded. (dpa)
11 July 2026, Palestinian Territories, Nuseirat: A vehicle damaged in an Israeli strike is seen at the scene in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, where a Palestinian was killed and others were wounded. (dpa)
TT

Israeli Attacks in Gaza Kill Five People, including a Girl, Say Medics

11 July 2026, Palestinian Territories, Nuseirat: A vehicle damaged in an Israeli strike is seen at the scene in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, where a Palestinian was killed and others were wounded. (dpa)
11 July 2026, Palestinian Territories, Nuseirat: A vehicle damaged in an Israeli strike is seen at the scene in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, where a Palestinian was killed and others were wounded. (dpa)

Israeli attacks killed at least five people in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including a 9-year-old girl, Palestinian health officials said.

Medics said Israeli gunfire directed at a tent encampment on the eastern side of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed 9-year-old Tala Abu Matar. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the girl's death.

An airstrike at a metal foundry in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood killed four people. Witnesses said the site was hit with three Israeli missiles.

Israel's military told Reuters it had struck "terrorist" infrastructure, without giving further details.

The ceasefire agreed in October 2025 between Israel and Hamas halted major fighting in the enclave, but it has failed to stop Israeli attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since it took effect. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.

The latest violence comes as Hamas leaders visited Cairo for further talks over implementing the second phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

The discussions include Hamas disarmament and Israeli army withdrawals, according to sources close to the talks, adding that there had not yet been a breakthrough.

Nearly all of Gaza's 2 million people, most of whom have been displaced several times, now live on a tiny strip of land along the coast, mainly in makeshift tents or damaged buildings, under Hamas control.


Two Children Die after Ferry Hits Bridge in Eastern Syria

FILE: A member of the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, carries a child after water levels rise due to increased dam releases following heavy rainfall this year, in Deir Ezzor, Syria, May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
FILE: A member of the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, carries a child after water levels rise due to increased dam releases following heavy rainfall this year, in Deir Ezzor, Syria, May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
TT

Two Children Die after Ferry Hits Bridge in Eastern Syria

FILE: A member of the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, carries a child after water levels rise due to increased dam releases following heavy rainfall this year, in Deir Ezzor, Syria, May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
FILE: A member of the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, carries a child after water levels rise due to increased dam releases following heavy rainfall this year, in Deir Ezzor, Syria, May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

At least two children were killed after a ferry carrying more than 35 people collided with a bridge while crossing the Euphrates River in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor on Sunday, the Syrian Civil Defense said.

More than 15 people were rescued after all those on board fell into the river, the rescue agency said.

Search and rescue operations were continuing for those still missing.