Significant Progress in Gaza Ceasefire Talks Based on ‘Gradual Deal’https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/4875886-significant-progress-gaza-ceasefire-talks-based-%E2%80%98gradual-deal%E2%80%99
Significant Progress in Gaza Ceasefire Talks Based on ‘Gradual Deal’
An Israeli woman participates in a march demanding the expedited release of hostages held by Hamas in Tel Aviv on Friday (Reuters)
Talks on prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, set to continue in the coming days in Paris, have witnessed proposed plans for a phased deal, delaying disputed issues till later, insider sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Mediators received positive signals, indicating that Hamas is open to postponing tough decisions to later stages, the sources affirmed.
The newly proposed framework includes a six-week pause in the conflict and the release of between 200 and 300 Palestinians from Israeli prisons in exchange for 35 to 40 hostages still held by Hamas.
“Efforts are on for a gradual comprehensive deal, with the first phase expected before Ramadan. Talks for the second and third phases will address complex issues like prisoner numbers and Israeli army withdrawal,” sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Hamas is flexible but firm on its demands,” they noted, adding that the Palestinian group “insists on residents returning to the north in the second phase and discussing an end to the war in the third, which must include an agreement on prisoner releases.”
Sources reveal Hamas’ flexibility aims to secure a deal before Ramadan, averting a Rafah incursion and countering Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s argument against a full ceasefire due to his government’s extremist elements.
The approach focuses on ending the conflict gradually, not all at once.
Adaptability shown by Hamas has paved the way for genuine talks and a proposed new framework.
Israeli officials, speaking to local media, praised the Paris talks for their progress, surpassing expectations.
The Paris discussions involved CIA Director William Burns, Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, and Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea.
The head of Egyptian intelligence arrived in Paris after meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Cairo recently.
Haniyeh stated that Hamas has been cooperating positively with mediators to stop the attacks, lift the blockade, allow aid, shelter, and reconstruction.
Negotiations are currently focused on four key Hamas demands that Israel opposes: the return of northern Gaza residents, withdrawal of Israeli forces, ceasefire terms, and the number of prisoners to be released.
Israeli reports suggest flexibility on aid and ceasefire duration but disagreement on ending the war.
Arab Water Ministers Agree on Roadmap for Secure Regional Water Futurehttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5290007-arab-water-ministers-agree-roadmap-secure-regional-water-future
Arab Water Ministers Agree on Roadmap for Secure Regional Water Future
The agreement came during the high-level ministerial session chaired by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley - SPA
Arab water ministers agreed to formulate a roadmap to enhance joint Arab action toward a secure water future for the region by reviewing key challenges and opportunities, as well as Arab priorities in non-conventional water resources, nature-based solutions, training, institutional twinning, financing mechanisms, and inclusive governance, SPA reported.
The agreement came during the high-level ministerial session chaired by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley, with the participation of water ministers and their representatives from 11 Arab countries, in addition to several regional and international partners.
Held under the theme “Innovative Solutions, Financing, and Inclusive Governance for a Secure Water Future in the Arab Region,” the session was part of the Seventh Arab Water Forum, one of the main events of the inaugural Saudi Water Week taking place in Jeddah from June 28 to July 2.
The ministerial session discussed the growing challenges facing Arab countries in managing water resources amid climate change and increasing demand driven by population growth and urban expansion, as well as mounting pressures to provide food and energy while protecting the environment.
Participants emphasized the need to move beyond fragmented solutions and isolated national reforms toward integrated investments and regional partnerships capable of accelerating innovative solutions, securing financing, and strengthening inclusive governance, leading to a secure and equitable water future for the Arab region.
Yemeni Military Chief: We Rebuilt the Army, Military Decision-Making Is Now Unifiedhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5289990-yemeni-military-chief-we-rebuilt-army-military-decision-making-now-unified
Yemeni Military Chief: We Rebuilt the Army, Military Decision-Making Is Now Unified
Bin Aziz said the relationship with Saudi Arabia goes beyond coordination and has become a genuine partnership on the ground (Saba)
Yemen's Chief of the General Staff and Commander of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, said the military leadership and decision-making process have been unified as part of efforts to bring all military formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff.
He revealed that the Yemeni armed forces have completed about 80 percent of their operational and administrative arrangements since the 2022 truce began, adding that the military has continued over the past several years to rebuild its units, improve combat readiness, and strengthen its capabilities in confronting the Iran-backed Houthi group.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat from Marib, bin Aziz said the effort included reorganizing military units, defining their sectors and missions in line with military standards, training and qualifying large numbers of armed forces personnel, and restructuring administrative systems in accordance with the Armed Forces Service Law.
The army chief stressed that "the leadership is now unified, the military decision-making process is unified, and we are on the right path toward bringing all military formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff."
Restructuring
He added: "Since the truce began in 2022, we have made excellent progress in both operational and administrative arrangements. We reorganized military units, their sectors, and their missions in accordance with military standards. We also trained and qualified large numbers of armed forces personnel and restructured the administrative framework of military units in line with the law."
Bin Aziz explained that since 2015 the Yemeni military has fought a different kind of war from any it had faced before. The armed forces were assembled from former army units as well as newly established formations while fighting a conflict that continued until 2022, during which the military suffered "tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded."
He continued: "The army withstood an arsenal backed by Iran. There were setbacks, but our resilience was greater because it preserved what remained of the Republic of Yemen and the institutions of the state."
According to bin Aziz, one of the most significant achievements in recent years has been the introduction of a smart ID card system for armed forces personnel, which has now been implemented in about 95 percent of military units. He described it as an important step in eliminating overlap and duplication within the armed forces.
He said: "This is an important achievement because it removes doubts and concerns about overlapping units, duplication, and related issues. We are satisfied with what has been accomplished so far, and the work is continuing."
Integrating Military Formations
On integrating military formations, bin Aziz said unifying the administration of the armed forces is one of the most important requirements for success on the battlefield and for achieving security and stability in Yemen. He noted that the process requires time and multiple steps to incorporate the various formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff.
He added: "Reforming the military establishment and unifying its administration is a goal shared by everyone. We believe that unifying the military's command structure is one of the fundamental pillars for achieving success in the battle and securing stability in the Republic of Yemen."
He said work on this effort is continuing under the leadership of the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, the supreme commander of the armed forces, together with the council's members. He stressed that the most important achievement at this stage is that the leadership has become unified, both within Yemen and across the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy.
He said: "What matters to us now is that the leadership has become unified and the military decision-making process is unified. We are on the right path toward bringing all military formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff."
Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, Chief of the General Staff (Saba)
Lessons Learned
Asked about the military lessons drawn from years of war, Yemen's army chief said the nature of warfare has changed dramatically, with drones, ballistic missiles, electronic jamming systems, and smart weapons becoming decisive factors in modern warfare.
At the same time, he stressed that technology does not eliminate the role of ground forces. While smart weapons may influence offensive operations and the scale of losses, he said controlling and securing territory ultimately depends on personnel on the ground.
He said: "War today has become a different kind of conflict. Drones, ballistic missiles, electronic jamming systems, and smart weapons have become the decisive factors. But no matter how advanced technology becomes, ground forces, particularly the infantry, remain among the most important factors in success on the battlefield."
He added: "Drones, ballistic missiles, and smart systems cannot remain on the ground and secure it. The infantry soldier remains the decisive factor in holding territory, and controlling the ground is more important than any other weapon."
Modern Technologies
On the use of modern technologies, bin Aziz said the Yemeni armed forces are making "good" use of these capabilities. He said the military has specialized units for drones, smart weapons, and electronic jamming systems, in addition to experienced personnel who have gained extensive battlefield expertise over years of war.
He said: "Our training and qualification in this field are of the highest standard. We have specialized units for drones, smart weapons, and electronic jamming systems, along with highly capable personnel who possess extensive battlefield experience as well as advanced training."
Saudi Partnership and Support
The Yemeni army chief praised Saudi Arabia's support in military training and qualification, noting that the Kingdom has trained hundreds of Yemeni military personnel across various fields.
He said: "Our brothers in Saudi Arabia are also committed to training and qualification. We highly value and appreciate the continued military cooperation they have provided."
He added that the relationship with Saudi Arabia goes beyond coordination and has become "a genuine partnership on the ground" across multiple fields, particularly in confronting Houthi threats that target not only Yemen but also Saudi Arabia and the Arab region as a whole.
He continued: "The Saudis have stood with us through every circumstance and at every stage. We can never fully repay them for the support and cooperation they have provided in what we regard as our sacred battle against the Houthi group."
Bin Aziz stressed that Saudi Arabia's support for Yemen is not driven by political or economic objectives, but by its conviction that the security of Yemen and Saudi Arabia is indivisible.
He said: "We know that Saudi Arabia has no political or economic ambitions in its cooperation with the Republic of Yemen. Its primary objective is the belief that its security is inseparable from Yemen's, and Yemen's security is inseparable from its own. This is a sincere, brotherly stance and the response of generous men standing by their brothers in Yemen."
Concluding the interview, the Yemeni army chief said the current phase marks a transition from coordination to a genuine partnership.
He said: "Today, we are no longer in a phase of coordination alone. We are in a phase of genuine partnership on the ground, militarily, economically, politically, and socially, to defeat the enemy that threatens Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the entire Arab world."
Gaza Health Officials Say 3 Killed in Israeli Drone Strikehttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5289894-gaza-health-officials-say-3-killed-israeli-drone-strike
Mourners sit inside a vehicle as they carry the body of Palestinian child Malik Abu Shawish, on the day of the funeral of Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli strike, according to medics, at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Gaza Health Officials Say 3 Killed in Israeli Drone Strike
Mourners sit inside a vehicle as they carry the body of Palestinian child Malik Abu Shawish, on the day of the funeral of Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli strike, according to medics, at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Gaza health officials said on Monday that an Israeli drone strike killed three civilians, including a child, the latest violence to hit the Palestinian territory despite a ceasefire.
Israel and Hamas trade near-daily accusations of truce violations and the Gaza Strip remains gripped by bloodshed as progress stalls on permanently ending their war.
"Three people were killed and several injured when an Israeli drone struck a group of civilians," Al-Aqsa hospital said in a statement.
Gaza's civil defense agency, which acts as a rescue force under Hamas, said the strike hit an area in Deir el-Balah, one of the least damaged towns in central Gaza.
The hospital said the fatalities were two men and an 8-year-old while a third man was wounded.
Israel's military identified the target as Zaher Abu Salem, who it said was a member of Islamic Jihad and was involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the war.
At least 1,041 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on October 10 last year, according to the territory's health ministry.
The Israeli army has reported six deaths in its ranks during the same period.
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