Arab States Condemn Terrorist Attack in Egypt’s Sinai

Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)
Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)
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Arab States Condemn Terrorist Attack in Egypt’s Sinai

Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)
Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)

Several Arab states have condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a water pumping plant west of Sinai in Egypt, leaving one officer and 10 Egyptian soldiers dead and five injured.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly denounced the attack, affirming the Kingdom’s full support for Egypt towards everything that threatens its security and stability, and its appreciation for the role of the Egyptian Armed Forces in confronting such terrorist and sabotage acts.

“The Kingdom extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Egypt, and also wishes all the injured a speedy recovery,” it added.

The UAE also strongly denounced the attack. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation asserted its constant rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at threatening security and stability in contravention of humanitarian values and principles.

The Ministry affirmed its solidarity with Egypt in confronting terrorists and taking all necessary measures to maintain security and stability.

Bahrain slammed the “cowardly” terrorist attack. Its Foreign Ministry expressed sincere condolences to the Egyptian government, people, and families of the victims, wishing all those injured a speedy recovery.

It affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Egypt in its war against terrorism, and its full support for all the measures it takes in confronting extremist terrorist organizations and maintaining the country’s security, stability and the safety of its citizens and residents.

Kuwait and Qatar also condemned the attack.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its solidarity with Egypt and support to all the measures taken to maintain its security and stability and confront terrorism and extremism.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, for its part, reiterated the country’s firm stance in rejecting violence and terrorism.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Haitham Abu Al Foul said the Kingdom strongly denounces this “cowardly” terrorist attack, reiterating its support for Egypt’s anti-terrorism efforts.

The Palestinian Presidency also denounced the attack in Egypt.

“President Mahmoud Abbas extends his deepest condolences to his brother, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and to the families of the victims of this heinous crime, which targeted a group of heroes of the Egyptian army,” it stressed in a statement.

It further affirmed the Palestinian people and leadership’s solidarity with Egypt in its war against terrorism, wishing the country, its people and its army continued stability and prosperity.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.