Middle East & North Africa

12 November 2023; MEMO: Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday said that Israel must be tried in international courts for its attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, reports Anadolu Agency.

In his first official visit to Saudi Arabia, and the first by an Iranian president in more than a decade, Raisi, speaking at the Arab-Islamic summit, said the first and most urgent measure is to stop the killing of the people of Gaza.

12 November 2023; MEMO: Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune appointed Nadir Larbaoui as the country’s new prime minister, replacing Aymen Benabderrahmane, reports Anadolu Agency.

This came after Tebboune dismissed Benabderrahmane, according to state television.

No information was given about the reason for the dismissal of Benabderrahmane, who served as prime minister for about 2.5 years, leading a government of technocrats and representatives from parties supporting Tebboune.

12 November 2023; MEMO: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has reiterated Tehran’s position on rejecting the so-called two-state solution for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, and has instead called for a democratic solution for a single state based on ballot boxes involving Palestinians of all faiths.

12 November 2023; MEMO: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Lebanon on Saturday about getting into its war against the Gaza Strip and said Israel knows how to replicate its actions in Beirut, reports Anadolu Agency.

The comment was in reference to Palestinians walking with white flags along the coast toward the south on orders from the Israeli army.

"I see Gaza residents walking with white flags along the coast, heading south" he said.

12 November 2023; MEMO: The director general of hospitals in the Gaza Strip warned on Sunday that lives of about 650 patients are at risk due to the catastrophic situation in the Al-Shifa Hospital, reports Anadolu Agency.

About 650 patients, including 36 children, have their lives in danger, Muhammad Zaqout said at a press conference, calling on Egypt to save their lives.

12 November 2023; MEMO: China’s state-owned oil and gas company, PetroChina is to replace US energy giant Exxon Mobil Corp as the lead contractor for Iraq’s West Qurna 1 oilfield, following a settlement agreement, whereby the latter will finalise its exit from the oilfield, according to a senior Iraqi oil executive.

13 November 2023; MEMO: The exhibition stands of Israeli arms manufacturers Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems were empty at the start of the opening day of the week-long Dubai Air Show on Monday, amid the ongoing Israeli war against the Palestinians in Gaza.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The biennial Dubai Air Show opened Monday as airlines are poised to make major aircraft purchases after rebounding from the groundings of the coronavirus pandemic, even as Israel’s war with Hamas clouds regional security.

That conflict, as well as Russia’s war on Ukraine, likely will influence the five-day show at Al Maktoum Airport at Dubai World Central. It is the city-state’s second airfield after Dubai International Airport, which is the world’s busiest for international travel and home base for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Health officials and people trapped inside Gaza’s largest hospital rejected Israel’s claims that it was helping babies and others evacuate Sunday, saying fighting continued just outside the facility where incubators lay idle with no electricity and critical supplies were running out.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed urgent calls for a cease-fire unless it includes the release of all the nearly 240 hostages captured by Hamas in the Oct. 7 rampage that triggered the war.

GAZA/JERUSALEM, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Two major hospitals in northern Gaza closed to new patients on Sunday, with staff saying that Israeli bombardment plus lack of fuel and medicine meant babies and others could die.

Hospitals in the north of the Palestinian enclave are blockaded by Israeli forces and barely able to care for those inside, medical staff said. Israel says it is homing in on Hamas militants in the area and the hospitals should be evacuated.