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Netanyahu Plans Visit to Egypt, Seeks Engaging in Regional Programs With Palestinians

Archive photo of the Sisi-Netanyahu meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings in New York 2018
Archive photo of the Sisi-Netanyahu meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings in New York 2018
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Netanyahu Plans Visit to Egypt, Seeks Engaging in Regional Programs With Palestinians

Archive photo of the Sisi-Netanyahu meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings in New York 2018
Archive photo of the Sisi-Netanyahu meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings in New York 2018

Political sources based in Tel Aviv revealed on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested making an official visit to Cairo. The visit, expected in coming weeks, is centered on strengthening overall bilateral relations and economic ties.

Netanyahu will also seek to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

The Israeli prime minister, according to sources, does not want the thawing of relations with the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan to negatively impact Israel’s ties with Egypt. Netanyahu will seek to reassure Egyptian leadership that Tel Aviv’s new ties with the Arab world will not be at the expense of relations with Egypt.

The sources added that Netanyahu wants to discuss means for deepening relations between the two countries. Also, he wants to engage in Egyptian regional efforts.

More so, Netanyahu will review Egyptian-Jordanian-Palestinian contacts to advance the peace process and common positions on US policy.

A prominent Israeli advisor who is close to Netanyahu said that the prime minister is interested in establishing new foundations for improving relations with Palestinians.

After agreeing on those foundations, Sisi will mediate with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Additionally, Netanyahu is seeking to establish a united front in the Middle East with the aim of bettering cooperation with the US, underpinning the American pioneering role in the region, and reinforcing alliances with friends in the region.

Officials from both countries are currently in talks ahead of Netanyahu’s reported visit to Cairo in the coming weeks, Maariv daily reported.

In the future, a bilateral meeting is planned between the economic delegations of Israel and Egypt, where joint economic projects and the promotion of business relations between the two countries will be discussed, Maariv added.

Netanyahu has a history of meetings with Egyptian leaders. In 2010, he met then-president Hosni Mubarak. The two discussed attempts to open direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The visit took place in a tense atmosphere, following the call of then-foreign minister Avigdor Liberman for a complete disengagement of Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Another visit to Cairo was planned by Netanyahu’s office in the winter of 2016, about two years after Sisi came to power. The visit was canceled by the Egyptians following statements by Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, according to whom Egypt flooded Hamas tunnels at Israel’s request.

In September 2017, Netanyahu and Sisi were scheduled for a brief meeting in New York.

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Arab World

Indonesia Calls for Investigation into Peacekeeper Deaths in Lebanon

Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
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Indonesia Calls for Investigation into Peacekeeper Deaths in Lebanon

Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)

Indonesia has called on the United Nations to investigate the deaths of three of its UNIFIL peacekeepers following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, a foreign ministry official said on Wednesday as relatives at home mourned their deaths.

The ministry's UN representative, Umar Hadi, called for the inquiry in a statement during an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday.

"We demand a direct investigation from the UN, not just Israel's excuses," he said.

Indonesia said earlier this week that ongoing Israeli military operations have ‌placed UN peacekeepers ‌in Lebanon at grave risk.

The Indonesian peacekeepers were ‌killed ⁠in two separate incidents ⁠in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics were also killed in Israeli strikes.

PEACEKEEPER'S RELATIVES MOURN

One of the peacekeeping troops, Farizal Rhomadhon, 28, was killed in an attack on Sunday. He is survived by a wife and one child, local media reported.

In his village in the city of ⁠Yogyakarta, his uncle Sumijan, 82, attended a family ‌gathering on Wednesday to pay his respects, ‌though he said his nephew's body had not yet been returned ‌to Indonesia.

"The kid was obedient, hard-working," he told Reuters. "Before he ‌was a soldier, he was in the business of selling songbirds. He was very disciplined."

Indonesian foreign ministry's initial reaction to Farizal's death on Monday drew criticism on social media, with many users complaining that it ‌did not identify the cause of the attack, describing it as "indirect artillery fire".

UN INVESTIGATION BLAMES ROADSIDE ⁠EXPLOSION

A roadside ⁠explosion appeared to strike the convoy of two Indonesian peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon on Monday, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Tuesday, citing the initial findings of an investigation.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that its review of an incident involving UNIFIL troops on Monday concluded that Israeli troops had not placed any explosive device in the area and had deployed no troops there.

Indonesia contributes over 2,700 uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping, among the largest contributors globally, the UN said in 2024.

Indonesia has pledged to contribute troops for potential deployment in Gaza as part of the UN-mandated multinational International Stabilization Force.

Arab World

Official: Yemen’s Arabian Sea Ports Poised to Become Global Logistics Hubs

Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
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Official: Yemen’s Arabian Sea Ports Poised to Become Global Logistics Hubs

Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)

A Yemeni maritime official said ports along the Arabian Sea are capable of becoming global logistics hubs, citing their competitive advantages and capacity to handle various types of commercial vessels, particularly container ships and general cargo vessels, as well as dry and liquid bulk carriers.

Dr. Nabil bin Aifan, acting director of maritime affairs in Mukalla in eastern Yemen, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Port of Mukalla is distinguished by its ability to receive all types of vessels.

He also described Saudi Arabia’s experience in developing the maritime transport and ports sector as “successful” at both regional and global levels, expressing hope that Yemeni ports — particularly Mukalla — would benefit from this experience, as well as from Saudi support for infrastructure projects in the country.

Roadmap

Mohsen al-Amri, Yemen’s transport minister, recently announced a roadmap focused on turning technical and economic studies into tangible projects, particularly regarding the ports in Hadramout, Shabwa and the Socotra archipelago, in addition to the expansion project of the Port of Mukalla, which is considered a key pillar of Yemen’s maritime activity.

Al-Amri pledged to work towards transforming Arabian Sea ports into global logistics hubs, in a move aimed at strengthening Yemen’s position on the international trade map.

Strong potential

Bin Aifan said the Port of Qana in Shabwa governorate has significant potential to become a successful commercial port, particularly in terms of its geographic location, depth, hinterland and the capacity of its berths and yards.

He also referred to a previous study he conducted on the Port of Aden and its strategic importance, noting that the port possesses global competitive advantages and, if properly invested in, could become one of the most prominent ports in the region and among the busiest in cargo handling.

“For example, the port’s geographical location links East and West, and ships need no more than four nautical miles to change direction and reach the pilot station,” he said. “It is also naturally protected from waves and from the northeast and southwest monsoon winds, enabling it to operate year-round without interruption. It lies just 105 nautical miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which around 21,000 ships pass annually.”

Sustaining operational capacity

According to a United Nations report cited by bin Aifan, the Port of Aden requires an investment package to maintain its current operational capacity, which has declined due to insufficient maintenance, weak infrastructure and limited institutional capacity.

The report also pointed to the absence of long-term investment plans, the lack of systematic integration of risk management into decision-making processes, as well as weak awareness of health, safety and environmental issues.

Six pillars

Bin Aifan outlined six main pillars for developing Yemeni ports, foremost among them the Port of Aden: infrastructure development, digital transformation, strengthening administrative and logistics systems, developing human capital, meeting safety requirements and protecting the environment, alongside the need for a comprehensive legal framework.

“The role of the private sector in the development process cannot be overlooked, as it is one of the key pillars of successful port operations,” he said, adding that experience has shown that assigning port operations to the private sector helps improve efficiency and enhance competitiveness.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s role, bin Aifan said there is a strong direction within the Kingdom to support infrastructure and economic projects in Hadramout in particular and Yemen in general.

“We hope the ports will receive a substantial share of this support, based on the Kingdom’s priorities and its successful experience in this field,” he stated.

Arab World

Yemen's Houthis Claim 3rd Missile Attack Targeting Israel

People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Yemen's Houthis Claim 3rd Missile Attack Targeting Israel

People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday claimed a missile attack against Israel that they said was launched jointly with their backer Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group -- the third such attack by the militias since they entered the Middle East war.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's military said its air defenses had responded to a missile launched from Yemen, later announcing that residents were "permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country.”

Israeli media said the missile was intercepted, and there were no reports of any casualties or damage.

The Houthis "carried out the third military operation... targeting sensitive Israeli enemy targets... with a barrage of ballistic missiles,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

"This operation was conducted jointly with our mujahideen brothers in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon," he added.

Yemen's Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks targeting Israel over the weekend, their first in the current war.

The Israeli military also said on Monday that two drones launched from Yemen were intercepted.

From Yemen, the Houthis could potentially disrupt shipping through the Red Sea, as they did at the height of Israel's war on Gaza.

The Houthis have previously threatened shipping through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, which requires vessels to travel through a narrow strait off Yemen's coast.