Hezbollah Commander Fighting for Houthis Killed in Yemen’s Marib

Pro-government fighters in Marib. (EPA)
Pro-government fighters in Marib. (EPA)
TT
20

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.”



‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
TT
20

‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

A report published by The Wall Street Journal, and promoted by Israeli media on Sunday, has renewed focus on an Israeli plan dating back more than 60 years aimed at pushing for the creation of “emirates” or entities independent from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The report focused on the Palestinian city of Hebron, and cited what it claimed were “21 tribal elders from Hebron,” who allegedly sent a letter in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for negotiations with them to join the Abraham Accords and consequently abandon the “two-state solution,” which Palestinians rely on to establish their state.

However, a Palestinian security source, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, said: “What is happening is yet another Israeli attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority.”

“This is a failed plan,” he said: “No one here would dare take this step and say: I am the spy... I am the alternative to the Authority ... Those who tried that are known and represent no one.”

Reportedly, the elders included a detailed proposed timetable for talks to join the Abraham Accords and for “a fair and decent arrangement that would replace the Oslo Accords, which only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the initiative was helmed by Wadee al-Jaabari, who local city residents and its political leadership claim is unknown to them, and backed by "four other leading Hebron sheikhs.”

Palestinian city residents, including Jaabari's extended family members, condemned the proposal, saying that its authors do not represent them.

Israeli sources said that Economy Minister Nir Barkat stands behind the letter, which was allegedly sent to him. Barkat met at his home with al-Jaabari and the other sheikhs; he has held more than 12 meetings with them since February, The Wall Street Journal said. They asked him to forward the letter to Netanyahu and are now waiting for his response.

The sheikhs reportedly proposed that Israel grant work permits to 1,000 workers from Hebron on a trial basis, and then extend this to another 5,000.

According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli government is “seeking to promote this plan to destroy the Palestinian Authority and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”