Yemeni PLC Stresses Implementing Economic, Security Priorities

President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi (Reuters)
President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi (Reuters)
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Yemeni PLC Stresses Implementing Economic, Security Priorities

President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi (Reuters)
President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi (Reuters)

President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi, on the first day of Eid al-Fitr holiday, stressed the need to address pressing economic and security priorities.

Al-Alimi pointed out that joint committees have been formed with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to implement pledges made in all fields.

The PLC chairman’s statements were made at a meeting with his deputies.

Al-Alimi called for “intensifying efforts to implement urgent priorities in all economic, security and humanitarian fields.”

He also briefed the Yemeni Cabinet on the results of his successful visit to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the amount of support Yemen received from the leaderships of the two countries.

The PLC head explained that the visit he made with his deputies to Saudi Arabia and the UAE “culminated in an agreement to immediately form joint committees, to follow up on the implementation of commitments in the fields of electricity, energy, health, roads, water and dams, as well as in the security and military aspects.”

He stressed that the support allocated to the Yemeni Central Bank is “under actual implementation.” Al-Alimi’s remark comes in reference to the two-billion-dollar deposit provided by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

In a statement he addressed to the people on Eid Al-Fitr, Al-Alimi pointed to the great responsibility placed on the PLC.

“Since the PLC was sworn in before the House of Representatives and the Shura Council in Aden, it immediately began holding its meetings,” said Al-Alimi.

“Our awareness of the accumulated challenges that burdened the Yemenis puts us before our responsibility, which accepts nothing but success, and we are determined to work hard in everything that serves our Yemeni people, from Mahra to Saada,” he added.

Al-Alimi reiterated the PLC’s and government’s commitment to provide support, attention and care to the temporary capital, Aden.



Israel Far Right Presses Netanyahu for Decisive Win Against Hamas

People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo
People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo
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Israel Far Right Presses Netanyahu for Decisive Win Against Hamas

People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo
People protest against Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza, at Potsdamer Platz, in Berlin, Germany, August 3, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/File Photo

Israel's far right pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go harder against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting Sunday on the premier's plan to conquer Gaza City.

Over 22 months into the war in Gaza, Israel is gripped by a yawning divide, pitting those calling for an end of the conflict along with a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see Hamas vanquished once and for all.

The debate has only intensified after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans Friday to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City.

While thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv Saturday night to protest the cabinet's decision, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted a video online, slamming Netanyahu's decision on Gaza as half-hearted, AFP reported.

"The prime minister and the cabinet gave in to weakness. Emotion overcame reason, and they once again chose to do more of the same -- launching a military operation whose goal is not decisive victory, but rather to apply limited pressure on Hamas in order to bring about a partial hostage deal," Smotrich said.

"They decided once again to repeat the same approach, embarking on a military operation that does not aim for a decisive resolution."

Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a press conference with international media at 4:30 pm local time (13:30 GMT) on Sunday -- his first since the security cabinet decision.

The far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including Smotrich, have maintained considerable influence in the premier's coalition government throughout the war -- with their support seen as vital to holding at least 61 seats for a parliamentary majority.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also of the far right, told Kan radio on Sunday: "It is possible to achieve victory. I want all of Gaza, transfer and colonisation. This plan will not endanger the troops."

In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held up pictures of hostages still in Gaza, calling on the government to secure their release.

"We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place," Shahar Mor Zahiro, the relative of a slain hostage, told AFP.

The cabinet's decision to expand the war in Gaza has meanwhile touched off a wave of criticism across the globe.

On Sunday, the UN Security Council is set to meet to discuss the latest development.

Foreign powers, including some of Israel's allies, have been pushing for a negotiated truce to secure the hostages' return and help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the territory following repeated warnings of famine taking hold.

Despite the backlash and rumors of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained firm.

In a post on social media late Friday, Netanyahu said "we are not going to occupy Gaza -- we are going to free Gaza from Hamas".

The premier has faced regular protests over the course of the war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a deal after past truces saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead.

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Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable.

According to Gaza's civil defence agency, at least 27 people were killed by Israeli fire across the territory Sunday, including 11 who were waiting near aid distribution centres.

Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.