Israel Army Raids West Bank Town Tel Aviv Gunmen Hailed From

Israeli troops take position in the Nur Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the northern West Bank on April 10 JAAFAR ASHTIYEH AFP
Israeli troops take position in the Nur Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the northern West Bank on April 10 JAAFAR ASHTIYEH AFP
TT

Israel Army Raids West Bank Town Tel Aviv Gunmen Hailed From

Israeli troops take position in the Nur Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the northern West Bank on April 10 JAAFAR ASHTIYEH AFP
Israeli troops take position in the Nur Shams Palestinian refugee camp in the northern West Bank on April 10 JAAFAR ASHTIYEH AFP

Israeli soldiers on Sunday launched a new raid into the flashpoint West Bank district of Jenin, the home of gunmen who launched recent deadly attacks in the Tel Aviv area.

At least 10 people were wounded in clashes in Jenin as well as in Jericho and Tulkarem, the Palestinian health ministry said Sunday, while the Palestinian Prisoners Club announced 24 arrests in various West Bank cities.

"Troops are currently operating in the city of Jenin," in the north of the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said in a brief message, AFP reported.

The military operation came after a gunman from Jenin went on a shooting rampage in a popular Tel Aviv nightlife area on Thursday evening, killing three Israelis and wounding more than a dozen others.

Israel said Friday it had killed the alleged attacker, Raad Hazem, 28.

A total of 14 people have been killed in four attacks in Israel since March 22, including another shooting spree in Bnei Brak, an Orthodox Jewish city near Tel Aviv.

Some have been carried out by assailants linked to or inspired by ISIS.

Over the same period, at least 10 Palestinians have been killed, including assailants.

"We will do whatever it takes, whatever is necessary, for however long and wherever needed, until both safety and the sense of security are restored," army chief Aviv Kochavi told soldiers in a video released by the military.

The Israeli army and border police had previously raided the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday, killing a 25-year-old Palestinian member of Islamic Jihad, the main Palestinian armed Islamist movement besides Hamas, in heavy gun battles.

Israel has also restricted access to Jenin, closed Israeli crossings and stepped up security checks.

The new operation comes ahead of the funerals of the three Israeli civilians killed in Tel Aviv on Thursday night -- childhood friends Tomer Morad and Eytam Magini, and father-of-three Barak Lufan -- which are expected later on Sunday in the town of Kfar Saba and at the kibbutz of Ginosar.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad welcomed that attack, which was condemned by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

The recent violence has come amid heightened tensions during Ramadan, after violence flared during the Muslim holy month last year leading to 11 days of devastating conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Following Thursday's attack, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gave security agencies "full freedom" to end the deadly violence that has surged since March 22 "in order to defeat terror".

"There are not and will not be limits for this war," Bennett said.



EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
TT

EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235-million-euro aid package for Syria and neighboring countries on Friday during the first visit by a senior EU official since Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

The trip comes two weeks after foreign ministers from France and Germany visited, calling for a peaceful, inclusive transition, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by countries seeking to engage with war-torn Syria's new authorities.

"I come here to announce a new package of humanitarian aid of 235 million euros ($242 million) in Syria and in neighbouring countries," Lahbib told a press conference in Damascus after meeting Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"Our funding will contribute to basic needs like shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, health care, education and emergencies among others," she said.

Neighboring countries have taken in millions of Syrian refugees over the years.

"We count on the authorities to ensure unrestricted and safe access for humanitarian actors to all regions of Syria including those in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas" in the east, Lahbib added.

"We are at a turning point and the decisions that will be taken in the coming days and months will be crucial," Lahbib said.

According to AFP, her meetings were expected to focus on the future of the sweeping economic sanctions that the 27-nation bloc imposed on Syria during Assad's rule.

The transitional government has been lobbying to have the sanctions lifted, but some European governments have been hesitant, wanting time to see how the new authorities exercise their power.

"We want to see a bright future for Syria and for that, we need to see the rule of law being respected, human rights, women's rights," Lahbib said.

"What I've heard from the mouth of the current authorities (is) really encouraging... Now we need action.

"Let's help Syria but without being naive," she said.