Egypt Removes 58,000 Encroachments on Nile River

The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)
The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)
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Egypt Removes 58,000 Encroachments on Nile River

The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)
The campaign to remove encroachments on the Nile River. (Ministry of Water Resources)

The Egyptian government has launched a national campaign to end illegal encroachments on the Nile River, as the country faces a shortage in its water resources.

Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aty announced that the authorities have so far removed more than 58,000 violations over an area of ​​8.4 million square meters, in full coordination with the security agencies and the various state authorities.

During a meeting with the executive leaders, Abdel Aty stressed that the ministry is determined to address all forms of encroachments on the Nile River, waterways, and irrigation properties.

He asserted that efforts would continue, and all concerned agencies are equipped with the necessary tools to implement the current removals.

They will take all necessary legal measures and refer the violators to the competent authorities.

The Minister stressed that the decisive response to these violations “is a clear message to whoever attempts to commit any form of encroachment on waterways or irrigation properties.

He added that the campaign aims to achieve good management, operation and maintenance of the water system and ensure that beneficiaries have access to their water needs.



US Wants to See Israel Scale Back Some of Beirut Strikes as it Targets Hezbollah Stronghold

A cloud of smoke erupts following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 19, 2024. (AFP)
A cloud of smoke erupts following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 19, 2024. (AFP)
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US Wants to See Israel Scale Back Some of Beirut Strikes as it Targets Hezbollah Stronghold

A cloud of smoke erupts following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 19, 2024. (AFP)
A cloud of smoke erupts following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 19, 2024. (AFP)

The United States would like to see Israel scale back some of its strikes in and around the Lebanese capital of Beirut, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday.

"The number of civilian casualties have been far too high," he told reporters at a G7 defense gathering in the Italian city of Naples.  

"We’d like to see Israel scale back on some of the strikes it’s taking, especially in and around Beirut, and we’d like to see things transition to some sort of negotiation that will allow civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes."

Tens of thousands of people have fled Beirut's southern suburbs - once a densely populated zone that also housed Hezbollah offices and underground installations - since Israel began regularly targeting the zone approximately three weeks ago.

On Saturday afternoon, Israel carried out heavy strikes on several locations in the city's southern suburbs, leaving thick plumes of smoke wafting over the city horizon throughout the evening.

The strikes came as Hezbollah fired salvos of rockets at northern Israel, with one drone directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home, his spokesman said.  

Austin added that he has raised issue about the security of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with Israeli counterpart.  

Israel informed him it has no intent to target the peacekeepers, who are deployed in the South.