Egypt Sets Up More Vaccination Centers at Train Stations

A vaccination center at a metro station in Cairo (Egyptian Health Ministry)
A vaccination center at a metro station in Cairo (Egyptian Health Ministry)
TT

Egypt Sets Up More Vaccination Centers at Train Stations

A vaccination center at a metro station in Cairo (Egyptian Health Ministry)
A vaccination center at a metro station in Cairo (Egyptian Health Ministry)

Egypt has set up additional COVID-19 inoculation sites inside metro and train stations as part of its expanded vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the pandemic

The Health Ministry recorded 803 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, upping the total number of confirmed infections since the outbreak began in the country to 366,634.

The Ministry said 42 patients have died from the disease, raising the death toll to 20,919, while the number of recovered cases amounted to 304,747.

It called on citizens to take the coronavirus vaccine to be protected against the disease.

Health authorities have urged citizens to continue to abide by the preventative measures including wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing, washing hands regularly, and avoiding crowded places.

The Ministry stressed that the vaccine may not prevent infection, but it can impact disease severity, affirming that all types of vaccines approved by the World Health Organization are available.

It issued a statement advising people to isolate themselves once they feel they have flu symptoms and head directly to the hospital in case they had any respiratory problems.

“Twenty-three public hospitals and 21 university hospitals have been transformed into isolation centers for COVID-19 patients,” the statement read, despite the drop in the number of cases that require hospital admission.

Health Ministry Spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar pointed out that Egypt has not yet reached the peak of the fourth wave of the pandemic.

He called on citizens to get vaccinated and protect themselves and the society.



Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
TT

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.