Hezbollah Commander Fighting for Houthis Killed in Yemen’s Marib

Pro-government fighters in Marib. (EPA)
Pro-government fighters in Marib. (EPA)
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Hezbollah Commander Fighting for Houthis Killed in Yemen’s Marib

Pro-government fighters in Marib. (EPA)
Pro-government fighters in Marib. (EPA)

The legitimate Yemeni government confirmed on Tuesday reports of the killing of a Lebanese Hezbollah commander, fighting for the Iran-backed Houthi militias, in the ongoing battles in the Marib province.

Mustafa al-Ghrawi was killed in a Saudi-led Arab coalition air strike on Houthi positions on the Sirwah front in Marib.

Information Minister Mommar al-Eryani identified Ghrawi as a commander of Hezbollah’s military wing.

He slammed the party’s meddling in Yemen, saying it reflects the extent of Iran’s involvement in the Houthi military escalation on all fronts in Marib.

This Iranian involvement is evident through its deployment of hundreds of Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah experts and operations commanders, he added.

He also cited Tehran’s smuggling of weapons, such as ballistic missiles and drones, to the Houthis and its dedication of a political and media campaign to promote its battle.

All of these actions are an extension of Iran’s expansionist agenda in the region, warned Eryani.

He called on the international community, United Nations and permanent members of the Security Council to take “firm stances against the flagrant Iranian meddling in Yemeni affairs and put an end to Tehran’s role in escalating the military operations and undermining peace efforts.”



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."