Category: World

A Saudi citizen revealed in a video clip that went viral on X platform that he had married 42 women throughout his life.

“I married 42 women from almost all the tribes,” he said.

He also spoke about his experience and the most loved woman of the 42, but he refused to mentioned her name, saying: “I cannot disclose her name is in the video.”

A large number of X users reacted to the video, as some expressed their sympathy for ex-wives, while others called for amending the marriage system in Saudi Arabia to allow polygamy only 4 times.

Earlier this year, a 90-year-old Saudi man made a sensation on social media platforms after he celebrated his marriage in Afif Governorate for the fifth time.

The users of social networking sites in Saudi Arabia circulated a video clip of the grandson of the elderly Saudi, Nasser Bin Dahim Bin Wahaq Al-Murshidi Al-Otaibi, saying, “Congratulations, my grandfather, on this wedding, and with prosperity and children.”

Nasser Dahim told local media, “My desire for marriage is Sunnah, and it preserves the religion of Islam and the husband, wife, companions and loved ones, and this is from the grace of the Lord of the Worlds.”

Nasser Dahim even appealed to the young people to get married as soon as possible.

Dahim added, laughing: “I want to get married again, because marital life is faith and honour for God, Lord of the Worlds, and it is the comfort of man and the enjoyment of life in this world.”

He continued, “I am happy on the honeymoon, because marriage is a physical comfort and enjoyment, and old age does not prevent marriage. I have 4 children and a deceased son, and my children now have children, and I still want to have other children.”

Jerusalem- Israeli warplanes are striking targets across Gaza ahead of an expected ground offensive in the besieged Hamas-ruled territory. Fears of a widening war have grown as Israel struck targets in the occupied West Bank, Syria and Lebanon and traded fire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.

Two aid convoys arrived in the Gaza Strip over the weekend through the Rafah crossing from Egypt.

Israel said the trucks carried food, water and medical supplies. Israel has not allowed in fuel, which is critically needed for water and sanitation systems and hospitals.

The war in its 17th day on Monday is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Monday that at least 5,087 Palestinians have been killed and 15,270 wounded.

In the occupied West Bank, 96 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 wounded in violence and Israeli raids since October 7.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas rampage into southern Israel. In addition, 222 people including foreigners were believed captured by Hamas during the incursion and taken into Gaza, Israel’s military has said. Two of those have been released.

Currently:

1. Premature babies hooked up to incubators are at risk of dying because of dwindling fuel in the Gaza Strip

2. Biden walks tightrope with support for Israel as allies and the left push for restraint

3. A second convoy of trucks carrying desperately needed aid reaches Gaza

4. Blinken and Austin say the US is ready to protect American forces should the war escalate

Attacks In Rafah City Leave Casualties

Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry said at least 18 people were killed in Israeli attacks on neighbourhoods in Rafah city on Monday. It said scores of Palestinians were also wounded.

An airstrike hit a residential building about 200 metres (yards) from the UN headquarters in Rafah on Monday, killing and wounding several people, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene, underscoring the perils of humanitarian operations.

Videos released by the Israeli military showed airstrikes decimating buildings in the Gaza Strip. The military said the videos showed attacks on Hamas infrastructure but did not specify the locations.

Flashes of yellow light were followed by an explosion sending gray smoke and debris shooting upward as multistory buildings collapsed or toppled over.

The explosions could be seen from Israel.

Hamas-Run Health Ministry Says More Than 5,000 Have Died In Gaza

The death toll in Gaza has climbed to at least 5,087 Palestinians since the war between Israel and Palestinian militant groups broke out on October 7, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Monday.

Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesperson for the ministry in Gaza, said the fatalities included 2,055 children and 1,119 women.

More than 15,270 others were wounded, he said.

The tally includes the disputed toll from a hospital explosion last week, which the two sides have traded blame for.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack. At least 222 people were captured and dragged back to Gaza, including foreigners.

Gaza’s Health Ministry Appeals For Blood Donations As Shortages Worsen

As conditions rapidly worsen, Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry appealed on Monday for blood donations for hospitals in the besieged territory that are suffering from dire shortages of blood and medical supplies.

The ministry urged residents to rush to hospitals and blood banks across Gaza for blood donations and called for the International Committee of the Red Cross to bring blood to the territory.

Ireland Calls For An Immediate Cease-Fire

Ireland is calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza so that civilians can get access to desperately needed aid and supplies.

Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said “this is a matter of the utmost urgency. The loss of life is enormous, is at a scale that has to be stopped”.

Speaking Monday in Luxembourg at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers, Martin called for food, water and medical supplies to be allowed into Gaza at an “accelerated and comprehensive scale”.

“We understand Israel’s need to deal with Hamas, because it was an appalling attack. But the degree of suffering now – the innocent civilians in Gaza suffering – is just not acceptable at all,” he said.

Iraq Says It Will Pursue Militants Who Attacked Bases Housing Us Troops

Iraq’s army spokesperson says the state will go after militants who have carried out attacks against army bases housing US troops in the country.

Maj. Gen. Yahya Rasoul said in a statement on Monday that military advisers from the US-led coalition are in the country “at the invitation of the government” and their mission is to train Iraqi forces.

Rasoul said the prime minister has ordered the country’s security agencies to go after those who carried out attacks and prevent any attempt to harm Iraq’s national security.

Over the past week, several bases housing US troops in Iraq came under rocket and drone attacks that were believed to have been carried out by Iran-backed groups.

There are about 2,500 US troops in Iraq, whose main mission to train Iraqi forces and prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group.

Europe Ministers Discussing Getting Aid Into Gaza

European Union foreign ministers are meeting on Monday to discuss ways to help vital aid get into Gaza, particularly fuel, after two convoys entered over the weekend.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that “in normal times, without war, 100 trucks enter into Gaza every day. So it’s clear that 20 is not enough.”

Borrell said the emphasis must be on getting power and water-providing desalination plants running again. “Without water and electricity, the hospitals can barely work,” he told reporters in Luxembourg, where the meeting is taking place.

He said the ministers will also look at ways to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians longer term.

“The great powers have forgotten about the Palestinian issue, thinking it was going to be solved alone, or it doesn’t matter. Yes, it matters,” Borrell said.

Israel Says 2nd Batch Of Humanitarian Aid Entered Gaza

Israel says on Sunday that a second batch of humanitarian aid was allowed into Gaza, at the request of the US and according to instructions from other political officials.

On Saturday, 20 trucks entered in the first shipment into the territory since Israel imposed a complete siege two weeks ago. Sunday’s batch included only water, food, and medical equipment, with no fuel, Israel said.

US President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel “affirmed that there will now be continued flow of this critical assistance into Gaza”, the White House said in a statement after a phone call between the leaders.

The Israeli military said the humanitarian situation in Gaza was “under control”, even as the UN called for 100 trucks a day to enter.

Hospitals say they are scrounging for generator fuel in order to keep operating life-saving medical equipment and incubators for premature babies.

On Sunday, Associated Press journalists saw seven fuel trucks head into Gaza. Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, and the Israeli military said those trucks were taking fuel that had been stored on the Gaza side of the crossing deeper into the territory, and that no fuel had entered from Egypt.

No Humanitarian Response Without Fuel: UNRWA

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says it will run out of fuel in Gaza in three days.

“Without fuel, there will be no water, no functioning hospitals and bakeries. Without fuel, aid will not reach many civilians in desperate need. Without fuel, there will be no humanitarian assistance,” Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner General, said in a statement on Sunday.

A first delivery of aid that was allowed to cross into Gaza from Egypt on Saturday did not include any fuel.

“Without fuel, we will fail the people of Gaza whose needs are growing by the hour, under our watch. This cannot and should not happen,” Lazzarini said.

He called on “all parties and those with influence” to allow fuel into Gaza immediately, while ensuring that it is only used for humanitarian purposes.

World Leaders Call For Adherence To Humanitarian Law

Several world leaders on Sunday spoke about the war between Israel and Hamas, reiterating their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom also welcomed the release of two hostages and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.

They committed to close coordination to support their nationals in the region, in particular those wishing to leave Gaza.

The leaders welcomed the announcement of the first humanitarian convoys to reach Palestinians in need in Gaza and committed to continue coordinating with partners in the region to ensure sustained and safe access to food, water, medical care and other assistance required to meet humanitarian needs.

They also said they would continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution and durable peace.

Israeli PM Warns Hezbollah To Stay Out Of War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops stationed near the border with Lebanon, where the Israeli army and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants also have traded fire during the Hamas-Israel war.

A top official with Iran Hezbollah vowed on Saturday that Israel would pay a high price whenever it starts a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip and said on Saturday that his militant group based in Lebanon already is “in the heart of the battle”.

Speaking to troops in the north on Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel would react more fiercely than it did during its short 2006 war with Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon.

“If Hezbollah decides to enter the war, it will miss the Second Lebanon War. It will make the mistake of its life. We will cripple it with a force it cannot even imagine and the consequences for it and the Lebanese state are devastating,” the Israeli leader said.

The ministry has also reported 6,268 wounded since Saturday.

Earlier on Saturday, the director of al-Shifa Hospital in the strip told Al-Arabiya that more than 50 percent of those killed by Israeli strikes on the strip are women and children.

“The health care system in Gaza has collapsed,” he said, adding that the hospital can no longer receive any more wounded people.

He also warned that a power outage will lead to several deaths and called for opening safe passages to deliver medical supplies.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Carboni, a senior official with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the humanitarian situation in Gaza will become “unmanageable very quickly.”

His comments came as Israel pounded the Hamas-ruled territory, home to 2.3 million people, following Hamas’s attack on Israel on Saturday that killed more than 1,200 people. In Gaza, officials have reported more than 1,200 people killed in Israeli retaliatory strikes.

In recent days Israel announced a “complete siege” on Gaza, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies. The Palestinian territory’s sole power plant shut down on Wednesday after running out of fuel.

Gaza City- Thousands of residents in besieged enclave of Gaza are fleeing for life amid intense bombardment by the Israeli war planes for the third day running, reports from the area said on Monday.

Scores of residential and commercial buildings have been reduced to rubble and tens of thousands of civilians have taken shelter in UN run schools and underground bunkers.

Some residents said they smelled the strong odour of white phosphorus, which was previously used by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza – a weapon prohibited by international humanitarian law.

An Aljazeera correspondent also reported itching in her throat, chest and eyes as soon as she entered the area, lending credence to reports of use of banned substance.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that around 74,000 Palestinians have sought refuge in 64 schools and shelters operated by the agency in the Gaza Strip since Saturday.

The agency further stated Monday that significant damage has been inflicted on one of its schools that was providing shelter to displaced families in Gaza, following a direct bombing.

Earlier, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 436 deaths and they included 91 children and 61 women, along with 2,271 injuries, including 244 children and 151 women.

Notably, the Israeli Forces earlier declared targeting over 500 strategic sites in the Gaza Strip between Sunday night and Monday morning.

Israeli air attacks and shelling aimed at houses and apartment buildings have displaced nearly two hundred thousand Palestinians in Gaza, UNWRA says, after latest upsurge in violence that began after Palestinian fighters stormed into Israel before dawn on Saturday in a series of devastating attacks on southern Israeli towns.

Retaliation was swift from Israeli forces, who launched air raids on the impoverished and densely-populated Gaza Strip, where 2.3 million people live crammed into a small piece of land.

Soon after black smoke, orange flashes and sparks lit the Gaza sky from explosions. Israeli drones could be heard overhead. Gaza’s dead and wounded were carried into crumbling and overcrowded hospitals with severe shortages of medical supplies and equipment.

Streets were deserted apart from ambulances racing to the scenes of air strikes. Israel cut the power, plunging the city into darkness.

Surrounded by his grandchildren, Mahmud al-Sarsawi Sunday lay on a table in a corridor hooked up to an oxygen tube in a school-turned-bomb-shelter in the besieged Gaza Strip.

“We all came here to escape the Israeli airstrikes,” said the elderly man from the Shujaiyya neighbourhood, adding he was among about 70 people sheltering in the building for the second day from Israeli air strikes.

“The situation was terrifying, and we had no choice but to seek refuge,” added Sarsawi, 68, who is worried he may run out of oxygen, according to an AFP report.

He had taken cover in one of 44 schools run by UNRWA, which they have opened up as shelters.

“I’m telling the people of Gaza: get out of there now, because we’re about to act everywhere with all our force,” hardline Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned late Saturday.

Amal Al-Sarsawi, 37, said they were still in shock, after hearing rockets thudding into Gaza. “We gathered what we needed from the house and rushed to the school,” said the mother-of-five.

She says they couldn’t sleep all night, as they tried to calm their frightened children.

“The situation is unbearable psychologically and economically,” she said.

A Gaza official said 13 towers and residential buildings had been destroyed, with 159 single residential units gone. Another 1,210 apartments were partially damaged in Israeli bombardment.

In one of the hallways, one woman who fled with 14 relatives from the north sat with her head in her hands. Unable to hold back tears, she said they couldn’t afford milk to feed two small babies.

Panic

“We haven’t eaten anything since yesterday morning. We barely escaped from home with some clothes,” she said.

The UN’s World Food Programme said Sunday it was “deeply concerned” about the impact of war on civilians struggling to get essential food supplies.

“While most shops in the affected areas in Palestine currently maintain one month of food stocks, these risk being depleted swiftly as people buy up food in fear of a prolonged conflict,” it said in a statement.

Hundreds lined up Sunday in front of bakers to get bread as the sound of explosions rang out around them.

“I am hosting more than 20 people, relatives, and friends who came from border areas,” said one man holding up five loaves of bread.

Leila Saqr, who lives in one of the areas singled out by the Israeli army, spent the night with her family and three children in the entrance to her building.

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoac Gallant said the country has ordered a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip, as its military continues to launch air strikes on the Palestinian territory.

“We are putting a complete siege on Gaza. No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,” Gallant said in a video message, referring to the enclave that is overcrowded with 2.3 million people.

Israel continued to pound the Gaza Strip with a new wave of rockets from the early hours of Monday morning, with clashes and shelling reported in the West Bank, Al Arabiya said.

Al Arabiya and Al Hadath sources reported that military planes bombed two mosques in Gaza on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it had hit more than 1,00 targets in Gaza and its tanks and drones were stationed across the strip’s openings in the border fence to prevent anyone from entering areas under their control.

Nearly 500 people, including children and women, have been killed in Gaza and thousands of others have been injured in Israel’s attacks.

A humanitarian corridor to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip following Israeli strikes must be opened urgently, a source from the Palestinian Red Crescent told Al Arabiya.

The United Nations said the number of displaced Gazans has risen to more than 123,000 as a result of the fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas since the attack on Saturday.

As of late Sunday, retaliatory Israeli airstrikes had destroyed 159 housing units across Gaza and severely damaged 1,210 others, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said a school sheltering hundreds of families was also hit.

Several Israeli news outlets, citing rescue service officials, said at least 700 people have been killed in Israel, including 44 soldiers.