Libya Bans Eid al-Adha Prayer in Mosques, Squares


A vaccination campaign in the Libyan city of Khoms (National Center for Disease Control)
A vaccination campaign in the Libyan city of Khoms (National Center for Disease Control)
TT

Libya Bans Eid al-Adha Prayer in Mosques, Squares


A vaccination campaign in the Libyan city of Khoms (National Center for Disease Control)
A vaccination campaign in the Libyan city of Khoms (National Center for Disease Control)

Several Libyan municipalities have banned performing Eid Al-Adha prayer in squares and mosques in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The tally of infections and deaths has recently witnessed a remarkable increase. The National Center for Disease Control announced 3,325 confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 225,000.

A total of 184,000 patients have recovered, while 3,300 have died, it said.

In its emergency meeting, the municipal council of Zuwara decided to ban the prayers of Eid al-Adha and ordered the closure of mosques, cafes, restaurants, halls, and gyms for 10 days.

Ahmed Al-Arabi, who is in charge of health matters at Sabratah Municipal Council, urged citizens to abide by the precautionary measures to avoid infection.

A total of 126 random swaps showed 19 positive results, an indication of the alarming situation, which calls for caution.

During televised statements, Arabi said that the quarantine center in Sabratah is running low on beds.

He held the health ministry responsible for shortages of ventilators, anesthetics and staff.

Badreddine al-Najar, director of the National Centre for Disease Control, didn’t deny that the situation is dangerous.

Coronavirus cases are increasing amid the country's inability to handle the situation due to shortages in medicine, equipment and medical staff, he added.

Najar noted that Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, revealed during his visit to the quarantine centers that the government transferred 100 million dinars to the health ministry to help it fight the pandemic.

However, the slow payment has hindered the process.



Hamas Claims Attack on Israeli Bus in West Bank That Wounded 8 People, Including 4 Soldiers

Four people suffered bullet wounds, three of them serious, and four others were lightly injured by shards of glass, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service - AFP
Four people suffered bullet wounds, three of them serious, and four others were lightly injured by shards of glass, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service - AFP
TT

Hamas Claims Attack on Israeli Bus in West Bank That Wounded 8 People, Including 4 Soldiers

Four people suffered bullet wounds, three of them serious, and four others were lightly injured by shards of glass, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service - AFP
Four people suffered bullet wounds, three of them serious, and four others were lightly injured by shards of glass, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service - AFP

Hamas claimed responsibility for a shooting attack on an Israeli bus in the occupied West Bank on Friday that wounded eight people, including four soldiers.

It was the latest violence to scar the territory as tensions run high 14 months into the Israel-Hamas war.

The attacker, who Hamas identified in a statement as Samer Hussein, 46, was killed by Israeli troops shortly after opening fire toward the bus at a junction near the Israeli settlement of Ariel.

The military said four soldiers were lightly wounded. Paramedics said three people were critically wounded.

Attacks by Palestinian fighters on Israelis in the volatile territory have grown more common since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, as Palestinian deaths have also spiked.  

Israeli fire has killed 796 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023, mostly in military raids on Palestinian cities and towns. Attacks by settlers on Palestinians and their property have also increased.