Day: February 18, 2024

Abu Dhabi, A Syrian delegation, headed by Assistant Minister of Administrative Development, Sanaa Lakhouj, participated in World Government Summit held in United Arab Emirates(UAE) under the slogan 'shaping the future of Governments.' The summit was held with the participation of heads of states and governments, and more than 80 international and regional organizations, in addition to 120 government delegations and an elite group of thought leaders and global experts. The Summit ( WGS ) focuses on shaping a better future for humanity and highlights six main themes and 15 global forums exploring major global future trends and transformations through over 110 key dialogue and interactive sessions. More than 200 global figures, including presidents, prime ministers, experts, thinkers, and future makers, will participate. The Syrian delegation also participated in high-level meeting of Arab ministers responsible for government development and civil service held in partnership with Arab Organization for Admini strative Development in League of Arab States. The participants discussed bolstering Arab cooperation efforts in government administrative development field and developing government systems and services, in addition to discussing Arab government administration report, which focuses on artificial intelligence and data technology. They also discussed results of Future Government Leadership Program in the Arab World. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Occupied Jerusalem, The Israeli occupation continues its aggression against Gaza Strip on land, sea and air for the 135th day, committing bloody massacres and crimes against the Palestinians, amid a catastrophic humanitarian situation due to the Israeli siege. About 40 Palestinians were martyred and dozens were injured in the occupation shelling a number of houses, in the central Gaza Strip, meanwhile 20 another were martyred in the occupation bombing of Khan Yunis city, south of Gaza. Also, nine Palestinians were martyred in Rafah city, and dozens were injured, while in Gaza City, the occupation aircraft shelled several neighborhoods claiming the lives of at least 10 Palestinians, meanwhile three Palestinians were martyred and others were injured in shelling al-Zawaida and Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. The occupation navy bombed Rafah city coast, south of the Strip, while the artillery shelled the eastern area of the Strip. Palestinian Health Ministry said Saturday the death toll of Israeli ag gression on Gaza Strip has reached to 28,858 martyrs, the majority of whom women and children, in addition to 67,768 wounded. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus, Minister of Education, Mohamed Amer Mardini, discussed with the Mauritanian ambassador in Damascus, Sidi Ould Douman, ways to enhance and strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries. Minister Mardini pointed out the need to strengthen relations by drawing up plans to develop educational cooperation, exchange visits and interest in preserving the identity and Arabic language for students of the two countries, indicating the keenness of the leadership of the two countries on exerting more efforts to develop and improve bilateral relations in various fields. In turn, the Mauritanian Ambassador in Damascus expressed his country's desire to develop educational cooperation in the interest of both countries. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Occupied Jerusalem, Palestinian Health Ministry announced Sunday that the Israeli occupation has committed 13 massacres over the past 24 hours in Gaza strip, leaving 127 martyrs and 205 wounded . 'The Number of victims from the continuous Israeli aggression for the 135th day on Gaza Strip has increased to 28,985 and 68,883 wounded, while a number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, as the occupation prevents ambulance and Civil Defense staff from reaching them', the Ministry said in a statement. The Ministry added that the occupation turned Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis ,southern the Strip into a military barrack, and arrested 70 health personnel in the complex and dozens of patients who cannot move while they are on treatment beds, and they were placed in trucks and taken to an unknown destination. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly refused to discuss the Israeli occupation's policy regarding Lebanon during a cabinet meeting on Thursday, as reported by the Israeli Walla! news site. Netanyahu said he refused to engage in such discussions within the cabinet as he sees it as a "forum plagued by leaks," sources familiar with the matter said. During the cabinet session, several ministers raised the issue of Lebanon, posing questions about the Israeli occupation forces' response policy. Energy Minister Eli Cohen initiated the discussion by asserting that "a stricter response should be taken against Hezbollah." Netanyahu responded by saying, "As long as there is no war in the north, the issue of Lebanon is only discussed in the war cabinet, because everything said here is leaked." However, even within the War Cabinet, Netanyahu does not have much trust in his subordinates, for a December report by Israeli Channel 13 said Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was searched before entering a War Cabinet meeting. As Halevi attempted to enter the hall, a security guard from the Prime Minister's office insisted on inspecting Halevi's belongings to ensure that he did not have any recording devices on his person, the channel's political affairs correspondent reported. The incident unfolded at "al-Bir," located in the Security Ministry in "Tel Aviv". Displeased with the situation, Halevi proceeded to enter the meeting hall. Once inside, he addressed those present, expressing his frustration with the security check. Among the attendees was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military secretary, who bore witness to Halevi's discontent. SEARCH, PROBE EVERYONE Earlier reports detailed how employees in the Prime Minister's office were conducting inspections on officers who had participated in the War Cabinet meetings, requesting confirmation that they were not carrying any recording devices. A more recent report highlighted that the growing disagreements among war cabinet members in the Israeli occupa tion government have become a prominent topic addressed by Israeli media ever since the Israeli occupation forces began their genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Israeli channel Makan reported that the cabinet rift deepened after an exchange of accusations among Israeli cabinet members in the last session. The rift indicated that more and more disagreements are surfacing especially after the no-show intention of two ministers of the Israeli occupation's Benny Gantz-led "National Unity" alliance in the upcoming war cabinet meeting later today. According to Israeli media, the two members who will refrain from joining this week's war cabinet meeting are Gadi Eisenkot and Hailey Tropper. Israeli media further stressed that their decision came after the last session's verbal row. The Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, according to The Times of Israel, that anyone entering the war cabinet meetings and any discussions of "national security" matters, both members of cabinet and high-rankin g officials, "must be compelled to undergo lie detector tests." According to Netanyahu, this comes in light of the leaks regarding a meeting in January, as well as those that preceded it where significant information was leaked to the press. "We have a plague of leaks and I am not willing to continue like this, which is why I directed the promotion of a law that everyone who sits in cabinets and security discussions, including the political and professional ranks - will undergo a polygraph," Channel 12 quoted Netanyahu as saying during the cabinet meeting. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon Damascus, Prime Minister Hussein Arnous discussed Sunday with the Indian Ambassador to Syria Irshad Ahmad means to bolster bilateral cooperation in various fields between Syria and India. Premier Arnous underlined the Syrian government 's keenness to develop the standing cooperation in the fields of higher education, trade exchange, health, IT, and agriculture. Arnous affirmed the importance of expanding the joint activities between the Syrian and Indian companies and strengthening the role of the business sector in both countries to develop the economic relations and establishing joint investments projects. Arnous highlighted the need to activate the joint Syrian-Indian committee to stimulate cooperation, open new horizons for it, and overcome difficulties that face it. He thanked India's government and people for standing by Syria in its war against terrorism and during the earthquake hit the country last February. The Indian Ambassador, in turn, expressed his pride for the distinguished historical tie s between Syria and India , and reiterated the firm stance of his country in support of Syria. He also pointed out his country's readiness to increase the scholarships for the Syrian students in the Indian universities and provide cancer medicines to the health sector, and aid to the earthquake-affected people. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Abu Dhabi, The Syrian karate player, Issa al-Atma, won a gold medal in the UAE open international karate championship 2024. 26 players -40 kg with the U-14 category participated in this competition. The Syrian team won two silver medals in the same championship, currently being held in Fujairah, with participation of 700 players from 47 countries. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency