Ennahda Accused of Stoking Tensions in Tunisia in Wake of Mysterious Fires

Head of the Ennahda movement Rached al-Ghannouchi. (EPA)
Head of the Ennahda movement Rached al-Ghannouchi. (EPA)
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Ennahda Accused of Stoking Tensions in Tunisia in Wake of Mysterious Fires

Head of the Ennahda movement Rached al-Ghannouchi. (EPA)
Head of the Ennahda movement Rached al-Ghannouchi. (EPA)

Tunisian authorities launched an investigation into the mysterious and simultaneous fires that broke out in several governorates.

The fires destroyed a market for traditional products in Gabes, a closed factory for second-hand clothes in Ben Arous, and a warehouse for old buses in Bizerte.

The fires all erupted on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, raising questions that they may be deliberate.

Supporters of President Kais Saeid said the opposition, led by the Ennahda movement, have an interest in stoking social tensions at this time by portraying the president as incapable of managing public affairs.

The opposition, on the other hand, accused the president's supporters of starting the fires as part of a plan to "make up ready-made accusations" against political parties with the ultimate goal of dissolving them.

Some neutral parties did not rule out the possibility that terrorist groups could be behind the fires. They cited an increase in crime in the past whenever political tensions spiked in the country, taking advantage of social and security instability to carry out attacks.

The head of the Anti-Corruption Committee in the dissolved parliament and member of the pro-Saeid “People’s Movement”, Badredine Gammoudi, said arsonists were responsible for these fires.

He called on the state to take action to prevent attempts to spread fear among Tunisians.

Several parties underscored the importance of protecting grain crops from fires, amid predictions of a record yield.



Hamas Stresses Acceptance of Dedicated Committee to Manage Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
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Hamas Stresses Acceptance of Dedicated Committee to Manage Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)

The Hamas movement reiterated on Saturday its willingness to reach a comprehensive agreement that would include a full prisoner exchange in return for a ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the start of reconstruction efforts.

In a statement, it expressed readiness to immediately implement an Egyptian proposal to form a special committee of independent figures to manage Gaza following such an agreement.

The statement also confirmed that a Hamas delegation, led by senior official Mohammed Darwish, met in Türkiye with Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.

Kalin reiterated Ankara’s support for the Palestinian cause and its solidarity with the Palestinian people. He also emphasized his country’s firm rejection of Israeli expansionist policies and any new attempts at occupation or annexation, said Hamas.

Separately, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, announced Saturday that the fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander remains unknown.

In a statement, Qassam spokesperson Abu Ubaida said: “We managed to recover the body of a martyr who was tasked with guarding the prisoner Edan Alexander. The fate of the prisoner, along with the other captive fighters, is still unknown.”

Hamas said on Tuesday that it had lost contact with the group holding Alexander after Israeli forces bombed the location in Gaza where he was believed to be held.

Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier from New Jersey, has been held hostage by Hamas.

“We are trying to protect all the captives and preserve their lives despite the brutality of the aggression,” Abu Ubaida said. “But their lives are in danger due to the enemy army’s criminal bombardment.”

He again accused the Israeli military of being responsible for the deaths of hostages — an allegation Israel has denied, instead blaming Hamas for killing those in its custody.

Alexander’s case was reportedly a key point of discussion in recent talks between Hamas leaders and US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, held last month.

In a related development, the Qassam Brigades published a video on Telegram showing an Israeli hostage alive. The video, lasting more than four minutes, shows the hostage seated in a confined space, speaking in Hebrew over the phone with family members and a friend, pleading with them to continue efforts to secure his release.