Israeli Air Strikes on Gaza Prompt Rocket Fire and Escalation of Violence
Plus: Arab League reinstates Syria's membership after over a decade, a brief guide to Turkey's general election, and Imran Khan's arrest in Pakistan sparks protests.
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Israeli Air Strikes on Gaza Prompt Rocket Fire and Escalation of Violence
Early on Tuesday, May 9, Israeli forces launched a series of air strikes against the Islamic Jihad leadership, accusing them of planning attacks on Israel. Islamic Jihad is the second largest armed group in Gaza after the ruling Islamist Hamas.
In response, the militants fired over 800 rockets over the week, killing one Israeli and injuring seven others in a Tel Aviv suburb, while at least 31 people (including five children) in Gaza have been killed and 93 injured.
On Friday, May 12, Eyad Al-Hasani, a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group, was killed in another Israeli air strike on an apartment in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian militants also fired rockets toward the area of Jerusalem for the first time since the fighting intensified. Meanwhile, Israel continued to strike Gaza amid Egyptian efforts to forge a ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned civilian deaths in Gaza and appealed for all parties to exercise restraint and end the violence.
Since Netanyahu's return to power earlier this year, Israel's crises have increased due to its most right-wing and religiously conservative government in history. The new administration has intensified raids against Palestinian militants in the West Bank and expanded its occupation policies.
The death of Khader Adnan, an influential member of the Islamic Jihad, while in Israeli custody on May 2 after an 87-day hunger strike has further inflamed tensions.
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Due to the ongoing development of this story, it is important to note that some events mentioned may be subject to change.
Arab League Reinstates Syria's Membership After Over a Decade
Arab League foreign ministers voted to reinstate Syria's membership, suspended over a decade ago after President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on protesters sparked a civil war that killed almost half a million people and displaced 23 million. The decision was made before the upcoming Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia on May 19 and comes amid a recent flurry of regional normalization of ties with Damascus. The restoration of ties with Syria has accelerated following the deadly February 6 earthquake and the re-establishment of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had backed opposing sides in the Syrian conflict. A step-by-step mechanism will monitor Syria's commitment to conditions, including curbing the illegal trade of captagon and resolving the crisis of Syrian refugees in the region.
Turkey's 2023 General Election
Millions will head to the poll on Sunday, May 14, to vote in Turkey's general election, considered the toughest test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the most important election of this year.
Despite the current economic challenges facing the country, Erdogan's opponents are taking advantage of the situation. Nevertheless, Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) continue to enjoy substantial support from significant portions of nationalist and religious conservative groups, particularly in Turkey's central Anatolian region. who see a victory for the opposition as a potential return to a time when they felt marginalized.
I have compiled a brief guide to understand the importance of this election, its mechanisms, the candidates and their political agendas, and the key issue of the campaign debate.
Imran Khan arrested on corruption charges, sparking protests
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday on corruption charges after avoiding previous attempts for several months. Although facing dozens of charges since his ousting in 2021, his arrest has enraged his supporters and led to violent clashes across Pakistan, with at least one person killed. Protesters have called for early elections, with general elections scheduled for later this year. Mobile data services have been suspended, and protesters have blocked highways, lit fires, and thrown stones.
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My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news focusing on the MENA region.
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Cover photo: Reuters