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See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Israeli Strikes Destroyed 216 Heritage Sites in Gaza in 'Erasure of Palestinian Narrative
Ahmed Emam Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Al-Hayek, has accused Israel of carrying out systematic destruction of Gaza's cultural heritage during the recent military offensive, warning that the damage threatens to erase centuries of Palestinian history and identity. Speaking to Extra News, Al-Hayek said that 216 archaeological sites out of 316 documented locations in Gaza have been partially or completely destroyed in Israeli strikes. Among the devastated landmarks is the historic Pasha's Palace Museum, which Al-Hayek described as a significant cultural institution housing thousands of antiquities. 'The museum was directly targeted and completely destroyed,' he said. Al-Hayek added that the destruction extended to sites listed on the World Heritage Tentative List, such as the ancient Gaza Port and Wadi Gaza. 'This reflects a deliberate effort to erase the Palestinian narrative and obliterate our cultural identity,' he said. 'Churches and mosques have been targeted; virtually no heritage landmark was spared. This is a systematic assault threatening our historical existence.' Despite the ongoing conflict and severe conditions in Gaza, the ministry is preparing for the 'day after the war.' Al-Hayek said national teams are being formed to survey damage and salvage what remains of the territory's cultural heritage. He also noted that the ministry has been in contact with international organizations, chiefly UNESCO, urging them to fulfill their obligations to protect heritage sites. Among the sites requiring urgent protection is Tell Umm Amer, also known as the St. Hilarion Monastery. Al-Hayek further stated that attacks on cultural heritage are not limited to Gaza. He pointed to the situation in the West Bank, where the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron has faced attempts to alter its features to suit Jewish religious practices. The ministry, he said, has demanded an immediate halt to these violations through direct appeals to UNESCO. He also highlighted recent capacity-building efforts for Palestinian heritage professionals, mentioning a workshop held in Cairo last February aimed at training engineers in post-war restoration techniques. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Egypt Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt is prepared for all scenarios: Cabinet spokesperson
The Egyptian Cabinet's spokesperson Mohamed al-Homsany said that the government is closely monitoring regional developments, especially in light of the recent US strikes on Iran, and is working to study all possible scenarios to minimize the impact on the Egyptian economy. During a Sunday telephone interview with the Extra News channel, Homsany explained that the Crisis Management Committee reviewed several potential economic challenges, including rising oil prices, increased shipping and insurance costs, and the potential impact on supply chains. These risks are not limited to Egypt, he said, but are faced by most countries around the world and therefore requires readiness to mitigate their repercussions on the Egyptian economy. Regarding basic commodities, Homsany assured that the strategic stock of food commodities is safe and secure, sufficient for several months, with some commodities having a stockpile exceeding six months. 'This stockpile was established last year under the direction of President Sisi, in anticipation of any regional developments, and we have succeeded in securing it in a manner that ensures citizens' needs are met for the long term.' Each ministry is developing detailed plans to address various scenarios, he emphasized, including the availability of petroleum and natural gas, the continuity of food supply chains, and the provision of essential goods even if the crisis extends for a long period. The Cabinet spokesperson further confirmed that the state has been working for months to ensure energy security, by equipping and connecting three liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels to the national natural gas grid, and the arrival of a fourth vessel soon to enhance the capacity to import LNG, and modernizing the energy sector's infrastructure. Homsany added that 'The current plan was prepared in advance to meet summer needs, and according to the Prime Minister's statements, electricity needs during the summer are fully secured and there are no concerns about power outages.' The monetary policy adopted by the Central Bank of Egypt relies on a flexible exchange rate system, he noted, which allows for a natural balance in the market between ups and downs. He explained: 'The monetary policy has succeeded in eliminating the parallel market and providing the full need for foreign currency, as our foreign exchange resources have become consistent with our needs for the third consecutive month.' Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Egypt Today
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Amb to EU: There is growing European support for Cairo's role in regional peace
Martyrs in Gaza after continous Israeli bombardment of entire residential blocks - file CAIRO - 29 May 2025: Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, Egypt's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg, and NATO, stated that one of the main pillars of Egyptian-European relations is supporting stability and security in the Middle East. He noted that this partnership reflects a special relationship between Egypt and the European Union and demonstrates European interest in listening to the Egyptian vision, leveraging Egypt's role in peacebuilding, and promoting political solutions to crises in the region. Abu Zeid added, in a Zoom interview with journalist Dr. Menna Farouk on Extra News, that European partners are keen to benefit from Egypt's expertise and regional relationships, and to rely on Egyptian diplomatic capabilities to resolve crises. He pointed out that this is clearly evident in the way the European Union deals with the Palestinian issue, demonstrating a strong interest in supporting Egypt's mediation role, addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and listening to the Egyptian vision regarding the need to reach a comprehensive and sustainable solution based on the two-state solution and the protection of Palestinian rights. He continued, noting that Egypt's role is not limited to the Palestinian issue, but also includes contributing to addressing other regional situations, such as those in Sudan, Syria, and the Red Sea. He pointed out that the European Union listens to Egyptian opinion and takes into account the advice it offers in developing its collective position, despite the fact that the decision-making process within the EU is extremely complex, as it consists of 27 member states and includes multiple institutions such as the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. He emphasized that the ability of Egyptian diplomacy to reach these institutions and persuade them of various positions has contributed to pushing the European Union to adopt honorable positions that support international law and call for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to regional issues, especially the Palestinian issue. He emphasized that these positions do not come out of nowhere, but rather are the result of significant diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Egyptian state.
Egypt Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- Egypt Today
30 people including women, children killed in Israeli shelling to displaced school
CAIRO – 26 May 2025: 30 people including women and Children were killed, Monday morning in Gaza due to an Israeli bombing to a school housing a large number of displaced persons, according to spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Health Khalil Al-Daqran. He added that dozens of other civilians are suffering critical injuries, describing the health and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as 'catastrophic' due to the continuing military escalations. In a phone call with Extra News channel, the spokesperson indicated that the intense shelling around the school charred the bodies and turned the area into rubble and scattered body parts. He explained that hospitals, most notably the Baptist Hospital and Al-Shifa Hospital, received the bodies of the martyrs and the injured under extremely difficult operating conditions, as these hospitals are only partially operational due to the situation. Al-Daqran explained that more than 50 injured children, women, and elderly were transferred to hospitals suffering from critical head and chest injuries, as well as second- and third-degree burns. He noted that the Israeli occupying forces used internationally prohibited weapons during the attack, in clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Egypt Today
22-05-2025
- Science
- Egypt Today
Egypt possesses 30 natural reserves on 15% of its land area: Environment Minister
File- Egypt has recorded flocks of white storks in the natural reserves of South Sinai- press photo CAIRO – 22 May 2025: On the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed annually on May 22, Egyptian Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad stated that Egypt has 30 natural reserves covering 15 percent of its land area. Fouad pointed out that 13 of these have been developed for ecotourism, offering activities such as diving and mountaineering. In comments to Extra News, the minister added that Egypt has taken serious steps toward preserving biodiversity, which means maintaining the natural balance between land, sea, plants, and living organisms. The minister said that some Egyptian reserves, such as Wadi El-Hitan and Ras Mohammed, have joined the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. Egypt plays a leading role in implementing the international agreement to increase the percentage of protected areas globally to 30 percent by 2030, which is consistent with Egypt's recently launched National Biodiversity Plan, Minister Fouad continued. International Cooperation on Biosphere Protection On May 14, 2025, Fouad, along with Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour and Chair of the Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO, held a meeting with Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, Nuria Sanz, and the accompanying delegation from the organization's regional office. The meeting discussed possible means of cooperation to support the activities of The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO, and aimed to strengthen the partnership between the two parties, which will contribute to the conservation of natural resources, the protection of biological and cultural diversity, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Infrastructure and Ecotourism Development The Environment Ministry has worked to re-introduce nature reserves by developing the reserves' infrastructure, including roads, administrative buildings, and information centers, said Minister Fouad in a meeting with representatives of the Marine Environment Protection Association on April 30, 2025. She added that 93 trained environmental supervisors have been appointed across the Red Sea and South Sinai reserves. Efforts have also been made to promote the reserves and create investment opportunities in the ecotourism sector, permitting the private sector to invest in locations within natural reserves where activities, such as diving and mountaineering, take place, Minister Fouad stated.
