Egypt, Qatar, Israel Discuss Truce, Reconstruction in Gaza

Palestinian girls carry empty containers in the town of Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip. (AFP)
Palestinian girls carry empty containers in the town of Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip. (AFP)
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Egypt, Qatar, Israel Discuss Truce, Reconstruction in Gaza

Palestinian girls carry empty containers in the town of Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip. (AFP)
Palestinian girls carry empty containers in the town of Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip. (AFP)

Qatar and Egypt resumed talks with Israel and Hamas officials on Tuesday with an aim to push forward the truce agreement in the Gaza Strip, following weeks of tensions, sources revealed.

Qatari ambassador Mohammed Al-Emadi held talks with Israeli officials, informed Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

His visit is expected to last several days.

Emadi will tackle means to push forward the truce agreement and discuss the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including accelerating work on the Qatari projects and introducing other facilities to the enclave.

Israel's Reshet Kan channel said a delegation of senior Egyptian officers had also arrived in Tel Aviv to hold talks with their Israeli counterparts.

“The meeting between the two sides focused on Gaza's reconstruction, in addition to efforts to advance the issue of prisoners,” it reported.

Cairo is in close contact with Israel and Hamas concerning Gaza, as it is the sponsor of a ceasefire agreement reached last May between the two sides to end the fighting in the Strip.

The United Nations and Qatar had also joined as mediators.

While in Gaza, Emadi is expected to meet head of the Hamas movement, Yahya Sinwar, and other officials and factions.

Three weeks ago, Hamas members launched rockets into the Mediterranean Sea off central Israel, prompting Israel to carry out airstrikes on their positions in Gaza.

Egypt intervened, pushing Israel and Palestinian fighters to rein in hostilities and return to the ceasefire.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.