Egypt, Bahrain Agree to Consolidate Arab Stance against Foreign Meddling

Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, Bahrain Agree to Consolidate Arab Stance against Foreign Meddling

Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi and Bahrain’s King meet in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and Bahrain agreed to develop joint Arab action, which would help protect Arab national security and enhance the ability to address challenges and growing threats, namely foreign interventions.

This came during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's meeting on Thursday with visiting King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.

Sisi expressed appreciation of the historical ties between the two countries and stressed keenness on boosting bilateral cooperation in various fields.

King Hamad expressed gratitude for the warm reception by Sisi, praising the solid fraternal Egyptian-Bahraini relations.

He asserted that his current visit to Egypt comes as part of the historical and distinguished relations that bind the two nations, governments, and peoples.

King Hamad further praised Egypt's pivotal and firm role as a mainstay of security and stability in the region as well as its relentless efforts to promote joint Arab action.

The talks underscored the importance of boosting economic and investment cooperation by optimizing all available opportunities.

Moreover, they discussed the latest regional developments, namely in Libya and Afghanistan, in addition to joint efforts to address the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sisi and the king agreed to boost Egyptian-Bahraini cooperation to protect Arab national security, and increase their capabilities against the challenges and threats facing the region.

“The president has emphasized Egypt’s continuing commitment to its constant position on the security of the Gulf and its rejection of practices that strive to destabilize it,” the Egyptian president's office said.

Views were also exchanged regarding the latest developments in the peace process, where the Bahraini King praised the Egyptian efforts to consolidate the ceasefire between the Israelis and the Palestinians and Egypt's initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.



EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
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EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

The European Union is exploring possible support for a new committee established to take over the civil administration of Gaza, according to a document produced by the bloc's diplomatic arm and seen by Reuters.

"The EU is engaging with the newly established transitional governance structures for Gaza," the European External Action Service wrote in a document circulated to member states on Tuesday.

"The EU is also exploring possible support to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza," it added.

European foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Gaza during a meeting in Brussels on February 23.


Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)

The Israeli military announced that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Gaza on Wednesday, but a security source said the death appeared to have been caused by "friendly fire".

"Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, aged 21, from HaYogev, a soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

A security source, however, told AFP that the soldier appeared to have been "killed by friendly fire", without providing further details.

"The incident is still under investigation," the source added.

The death brings to five the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect on October 10.


Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
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Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said the process of merging the SDF with Syrian government forces “may take some time,” despite expressing confidence in the eventual success of the agreement.

His remarks came after earlier comments in which he acknowledged differences with Damascus over the concept of “decentralization.”

Speaking at a tribal conference in the northeastern city of Hasakah on Tuesday, Abdi said the issue of integration would not be resolved quickly, but stressed that the agreement remains on track.

He said the deal reached last month stipulates that three Syrian army brigades will be created out of the SDF.

Abdi added that all SDF military units have withdrawn to their barracks in an effort to preserve stability and continue implementing the announced integration agreement with the Syrian state.

He also emphasized the need for armed forces to withdraw from the vicinity of the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), to be replaced by security forces tasked with maintaining order.