Egypt, Libya Discuss Cooperation to Fight Terrorism, Human Trafficking

Egyptian and Libyan officials held talks this week to strengthen cooperation in combatting crime, corruption and human trafficking. (Egyptian general prosecution)
Egyptian and Libyan officials held talks this week to strengthen cooperation in combatting crime, corruption and human trafficking. (Egyptian general prosecution)
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Egypt, Libya Discuss Cooperation to Fight Terrorism, Human Trafficking

Egyptian and Libyan officials held talks this week to strengthen cooperation in combatting crime, corruption and human trafficking. (Egyptian general prosecution)
Egyptian and Libyan officials held talks this week to strengthen cooperation in combatting crime, corruption and human trafficking. (Egyptian general prosecution)

Egyptian and Libyan officials held talks this week to strengthen cooperation in combatting crime, corruption and human trafficking.

The discussions were part of recommendations presented by the joint Libyan-Egyptian consular committee for resuming judicial cooperation between both countries.

Libyan Attorney General Al Sidiq Al Sour and his Egyptian counterpart Hamada Al Sawy signed in Cairo a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation in combating all forms of crimes, especially terrorism, corruption, human trafficking and cybercrimes.

Sawy ordered the preparation of proposals to Libyan officials over the exchange of technical and scientific expertise between the two neighbors.

For his part, Al Sour said both countries are united through history, geography and deep-rooted ties. He stressed the need to put in place “new mechanisms and patterns” to ensure close cooperation between the two prosecutions, and preserve evidence and confidentiality in investigations.

He cited the memorandum signed by the two sides as an example of how constant cooperation can be maintained.

Al Sawy and Al Srour then toured the Institute of Criminal Research and Training in Cairo.

In May, the joint Libyan-Egyptian consular committee held its 13th session in Cairo following an eight-year-halt. It discussed several common themes, including judicial cooperation, boosting cooperation in the areas of transport and customs, and facilitating the movement of people and goods between their countries.



Independent Israeli Commission Blames Netanyahu and Others for October 2023 Attack

A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
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Independent Israeli Commission Blames Netanyahu and Others for October 2023 Attack

A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)

The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services.

The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe.

The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.”

It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues.

The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means.

On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking.

The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack.

Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over.