Egypt's Al-Azhar Hails Success of Hajj Season

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb speaks in Cairo. (Reuters)
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb speaks in Cairo. (Reuters)
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Egypt's Al-Azhar Hails Success of Hajj Season

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb speaks in Cairo. (Reuters)
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb speaks in Cairo. (Reuters)

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the successful organization of the pilgrimage this year as the kingdom was keen on holding the Hajj season in accordance with preventive measures adopted to face the coronavirus pandemic and ensure pilgrims safety.

In June, Al-Azhar welcomed the Saudi Arabia's decision to hold Hajj this year and limit the number of worshipers residing in the Kingdom from various nationalities.

El-Tayyeb lauded the efforts exerted by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, aiming at serving pilgrims and maintaining their safety.

He described the Kingdom’s decision as wise and considerate for refraining from disrupting the pilgrimage ritual.

El-Tayyeb also expressed in a statement on Twitter his sincere wishes to the Saudi King over his health.

"I congratulate Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the success of his surgery," he said in a tweet, wishing King Salman good health and wellness.



Israeli Strike on a Gaza Apartment Building Kills at Least 7 People, Including 4 Children

A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israeli Strike on a Gaza Apartment Building Kills at Least 7 People, Including 4 Children

A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)

An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in central Gaza killed at least seven Palestinians, including four children, and injured 16 other people on Friday afternoon, health officials said.

The strike hit an apartment in the Jaffa residential tower in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp. The dead and wounded were taken to Aqsa and Awda hospitals.

The Israeli military did not immediately offer comment on the strike. Israel says it only strikes fighters and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because its fighters operate in residential areas.

Israel faces heavy international criticism over the unprecedented levels of civilian casualties in Gaza and questions about whether it has done enough to prevent them.