Israeli airstrike hits near Syria's presidential palace in Damascus
Massive airstrikes damaged the defense ministry in Damascus, live footage on Al Arabiya showed, as Israel intensified attacks on Syria, including the capital.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the Syrian government earlier on Wednesday to 'leave Druze alone' after clashes erupted in the Druze majority Syrian city of Sweida.
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Arab News
17 minutes ago
- Arab News
UK MP Jeremy Corbyn announces ‘independent Gaza tribunal'
LONDON: British MP Jeremy Corbyn has announced an independent 'Gaza tribunal' to investigate the UK's involvement in Israel's military operation in the territory. The former Labour Party leader, who now sits in parliament as an independent, has been one of the most prominent voices in the UK against Israel's war. He previously called for the government to set up an inquiry into British involvement in the conflict, but his bill was rejected at its second reading earlier this month. Corbyn said on Thursday he would hold a Gaza tribunal in September because 'the public deserves to know the full scale of their government's complicity in genocide. 'Just like Iraq, the government is doing everything it can to protect itself from scrutiny,' he said, referring to the UK's ill-fated decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. 'Just like Iraq, it will not succeed in its attempts to suffocate the truth.' The left-wing politician added: 'We will bring about justice for the people of Palestine.' Earlier this month, the government blocked an inquiry into its complicity in the Gaza genocide. We don't need their permission to uncover the truth. That's why, today, we are announcing The Gaza Tribunal. Sign up at — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 17, 2025 The UK suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel in September last year in response to its Gaza operations. But Corbyn and pressure groups say the UK is still supplying other weapons, including parts for F-35 fighter jets. The Royal Air Force is also accused of flying surveillance flights over Gaza and supplying Israel with intelligence. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the International Development Committee on Wednesday that he was 'very certain' no weapons were being used against civilians and aid workers in Gaza. Corbyn said the tribunal would hear from expert witnesses including Palestinians in Gaza, journalists, and health and aid workers who have worked in the territory. Legal experts and UN officials will also be called upon to provide evidence. The tribunal will begin by outlining the scale of human suffering in Gaza, where more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. It will go on to outline Britain's legal responsibilities under domestic and international law, and then probe Britain's role in the campaign. The British government has come under increasing pressure from MPs, including many from its own Labour Party, to take a tougher line against Israel. Last week, almost 60 Labour MPs sent a letter to Lammy demanding the UK immediately recognize Palestine as a state.
Leaders
27 minutes ago
- Leaders
Israel to Increase Defense Spending amid Ongoing Deadly War in Gaza
Israeli Finance and Defense Ministries announced that the government will increase defense spending by 42 billion shekels ($12.5 billion) in 2025 and 2026, according to Reuters. Both ministers added that the budget agreement will allow the Defense Ministry to 'advance urgent and essential procurement deals critical to national security.' Crucially, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the new budget 'fully covers the intense fighting in Gaza, alongside comprehensive security preparations for all threats — from the south, the north, and more distant arenas.' Since the beginning of Gaza War, Israeli military costs have witnessed unprecedented growth. Along with the deadly war in Gaza, Israel has also been in war with Hezbollah in Lebanon and with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. Moreover, Israel launched several airstrikes in Syria this week after pledging to destroy government forces that attack Druze minority in southern Syria. Apart from this, Israel's missile defense systems have been intercepting almost daily missiles fired by Hezbollah, Iran and Houthis in Yemen. Currently, the Israeli government's defense spending is 110 billion shekels – approximately 9% of gross domestic product – out of a total 2025 budget of 756 billion shekels. Director General of the Defense Ministry, Amir Baram, said that the extra budgetary funding 'will allow the Defense Ministry to immediately sign procurement deals for the weapons and ammunition required to replenish depleted stocks and support the IDF's ongoing operations.' Baram also added that the funding will also enable the defense establishment to set development programs to elevate the Israel Defense Forces' qualitative edge for future systems. Related Topics: Trump, Qatari PM to Discuss Gaza Deal at White House Gaza Talks Stalled as Hamas, Israel Trade Blame UN: Nearly 800 Killed Seeking Aid in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks Short link : Post Views: 18
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia condemns deadly Israeli strike on Gaza church
Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned an Israeli strike on a church in Gaza, denouncing Israel's attacks on civilians and places of worship. 'These repeated assaults in the region require a serious international stance to end the crimes of the Israeli occupation, which threaten regional security and stability,' the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement. The Kingdom called on the international community – particularly the UN Security Council – to hold Israel accountable and to 'activate international accountability mechanisms for these violations.' An Israeli strike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church killed three people and injured several others, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the small parish, said on Thursday. The Patriarchate condemned 'this targeting of innocent civilians and of a sacred place,' saying two women and one man had died in the attack on the Holy Family Church. 'This horrific war must come to a complete end,' it said, adding that the victims had turned to the church compound as a safe haven 'after their homes, possessions, and dignity had already been stripped away.' The Holy Family Church spoke in a separate statement of 'a number of injured, some in critical condition.' In a telegram for the victims, Pope Leo said he was 'deeply saddened' and called for 'an immediate ceasefire.' The pope expressed his 'profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region,' according to the telegram which was signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and made no mention of Israel. The Israeli military said it was looking into the incident. Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement on X that the results of the investigation would be published. It also said the country did not target churches or religious sites and regretted harm to them or civilians. The Patriarchate earlier said the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, was among those injured, and his church had sustained damage. Father Romanelli, an Argentine, used to regularly update the late Pope Francis about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict via calls and messages. TV footage showed him sitting receiving treatment at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, with a bandage around his lower right leg. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed Israel for the strike on the religious compound. 'The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude,' she said in a statement.
