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Hamas Leader in Gaza: Be Ready for Great Battle

Sinwar (L) with several members of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, in Gaza on Saturday. (AFP)
Sinwar (L) with several members of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, in Gaza on Saturday. (AFP)
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Hamas Leader in Gaza: Be Ready for Great Battle

Sinwar (L) with several members of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, in Gaza on Saturday. (AFP)
Sinwar (L) with several members of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, in Gaza on Saturday. (AFP)

The leader of the Hamas movement in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, called on Palestinians Saturday to be ready for the "great battle" against Israel to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

"Our people must prepare for a great battle if the occupation does not cease its aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque," he said during a meeting with military leaders from several Palestinian factions, in addition to journalists and intellectuals in Gaza.

Displaying a photo of Israeli police raiding Al-Aqsa Mosque, he said, "This photo will not be repeated. Whoever makes the decision to allow this photo to be repeated, has decided to allow the violation of thousands of synagogues all across the world."

He accused Israel of seeking to turn the clashes into Al-Aqsa into a religious war.

The Palestinians do no want such a conflict, but they are up to the challenge if it is imposed on them, he added.

A religious war, such as the one desired by Israel, will not spare anyone, he warned.

He called on the Palestinian factions and all Palestinians to prepare for the "great battle" if the Israelis do not cease their violations at Al-Aqsa.

"The battle will not conclude with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but it will only begin if the violations persist," Sinwar said.

However, he called on the world to act to prevent this war.

"Currently, there is an opportunity to prevent this war, but our military wings must still be prepared for it,” he stressed.

Moreover, Sinwar confirmed that Hamas has prepared 1,111 missiles that will be launched in the next confrontation with Israel.

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Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
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Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)

A tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea on Monday after warnings of rough waters and 16 people were missing, Egyptian officials said.

The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers saved 28 people from the vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, and some were airlifted to receive medical treatment.

Hanafy visited the site where the vessel sank, according to a Red Sea Governorate update on Facebook. A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians, who include crew members, and 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.

The governor confirmed that rescuers were still searching for the missing, including four Egyptians and 12 foreigners. Meanwhile, those who survived suffered only bruises and abrasions and were taken to a hotel in Marsa Alam in good condition.

The Egyptian military was coordinating rescue operations with the governorate.

The boat, named Sea Story, had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March, according to officials.

Preliminary reports, based on statements from the yacht crew and tourists, said a large wave crashed into the boat, causing it to capsize, according to the governorate’s update. Some of the passengers were inside the cabins when the incident unfolded within minutes, according to the statements.

The UK Foreign Office said it was providing consular support to “a number of British nationals and their families” after the sinking.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs also told The Associated Press in an email that it is “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance” without revealing further details.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of any Spanish nationals among the missing. The ministry said that five Spanish nationals were rescued and are out of danger.

The governorate received a report shortly before dawn Monday of a distress call made from the yacht, which had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey.

It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck, wooden-hulled motorized yacht to sink. But the Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, founder of the Society for Marine Rescue and Environmental Conservation in the Red Sea Hassan al-Tayeb told Asharq Al-Awsat that the yacht likely sank because of the poor weather conditions, citing meteorological reports a day before the incident.

The vessel had set sail before the weather warnings were made.

Tayeb stressed that such accidents are uncommon and that vessels are inspected by the concerned authorities before taking any sea journey.

He did not hold anyone in Egypt responsible for tourist vessel sinkings, explaining that ultimately, the weather is out of anyone’s control.