Washington Reminds Golani that he Remains a Terrorist

American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith
American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith
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Washington Reminds Golani that he Remains a Terrorist

American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith
American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith

The US Department of Justice published a photo of the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Golani, to remind the public of a USD10 million award to anyone who provides information about him.

On its Arabic Rewards for Justice page, the Department said that Golani can wear a suit and try to look handsome, but he remains a terrorist.

It called for information about Golani to obtain a reward of up to USD10 million via Telegram, Signal, or WhatsApp.

This followed a photo published by American journalist Martin Smith on Twitter saying he met Golani during a three-day visit to Idlib in Syria.

The US, western countries, Turkey, and the UN have designated HTS as a terrorist organization.



Pope, Israeli PM Speak by Phone after Gaza Church Strike

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III visit the Church of the Holy Family which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza City July 18, 2025. The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem/Handout via REUTERS
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III visit the Church of the Holy Family which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza City July 18, 2025. The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem/Handout via REUTERS
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Pope, Israeli PM Speak by Phone after Gaza Church Strike

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III visit the Church of the Holy Family which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza City July 18, 2025. The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem/Handout via REUTERS
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III visit the Church of the Holy Family which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza City July 18, 2025. The Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem/Handout via REUTERS

Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of protecting places of worship in a call Friday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israel's deadly strike on Gaza's only Catholic Church, the Vatican said.

The pontiff also renewed his appeal for negotiations, a ceasefire and the end of the war, while reiterating his concern for the "dramatic humanitarian situation" in the Palestinian territory, it said in a statement, AFP reported.

The Vatican said Netanyahu initiated the call on Friday morning, the day after Israeli fire on the Holy Family Church in Gaza City killed three people and provoked international condemnation.

"During the conversation, the Holy Father renewed his appeal to revive negotiations and reach a ceasefire and the end of the war," the Vatican said in a statement, noting that Leo was at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

"He once again expressed his concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose heartbreaking toll is borne particularly by children, the elderly and the sick.

"Finally, the Holy Father reiterated the urgency of protecting places of worship and especially the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel."

Netanyahu has said Israel "deeply regrets" the strike, and blamed a "stray round".

He repeated this regret in the conversation with the pope, which was "friendly", a spokesman for Netanyahu told AFP, adding that the two men agreed to meet soon.