Middle East & North Africa

05 July 2021; MEMO: The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement said on Sunday that Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz wants to "repair the image of his army" by threatening Gaza. The Israeli army was "shocked" by the response of the resistance groups during the Sword of Jerusalem battle, said Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem.

05 July 2021; MEMO: Egyptian authorities executed a defendant who was convicted of attempting to assassinate the former head of the Alexandria Security Directorate.

The family of 25-year-old, Moataz Mostafa Hassan, was notified of his execution yesterday and told that they can receive his body at the Zeinhom Morgue in Cairo.

05 July 2021; MEMO: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that over the past two weeks, Israel has demolished, seized, or forced the demolition of 24 Palestinian-owned structures across the occupied West Bank under the pretext that they lacked building permits.

Amman, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The European Investment Bank (EIB) said on Sunday that it provided 100 million euros (119 million U.S. dollars) as a line of credit to support the private sector in Jordan against the impact of COVID-19, state-run Petra news agency reported.

The sum was offered to Jordan Kuwait Bank that will on-lend it to the country's small and medium-sized enterprises that have been severely impacted by the unprecedented crisis, EIB said.

RIYADH, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia approved on Sunday the security plan for 2021 Hajj season that takes into account precautions against COVID-19, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

According to the plan issued by the Saudi interior ministry that aims to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals (2,666 U.S. dollars) will be imposed on anyone who attempts to enter the ritual sites without permission.

The ministry calls on all citizens and residents to obey the special regulations of this year's Hajj season.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament is set to vote Monday on whether to renew a temporary law first enacted in 2003 that bars Arab citizens of Israel from extending citizenship or even residency to spouses from the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Critics, including many left-wing and Arab lawmakers, say it’s a racist measure aimed at restricting the growth of Israel’s Arab minority, while supporters say it’s needed for security purposes and to preserve Israel’s Jewish character.

CAIRO (AP) — The Suez Canal Authority on Sunday said it has reached an agreement to settle a financial dispute with the owners of a hulking container ship that blocked the crucial waterway for nearly a week earlier this year.

The authority did not reveal details on the settlement deal with the Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the Japanese owner of the Ever Given. It said the deal will be signed in a ceremony in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia on Wednesday.

The vessel would be also freed Wednesday, it said.

BEN GUERDANE (Tunisia), July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After years of war in Libya, Tunisian traders celebrated the reopening of the border with their oil-rich North African neighbour as a positive sign they hoped would stimulate economic growth.

In the hardscrabble Tunisian coastal town of Ben Guerdane, some 30 kilometres from Libya’s frontier, merchant Jaafar Ben Ali said it was a big relief.

“Now that the war (in Libya) is over, and that the borders are open, it is much easier,” said Ben Ali, who crosses to Libya to buy Turkish-made blankets. “I do a round-trip in a day.”

04 July 2021; MEMO: Iran may face a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections as the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus spreads through the Middle East's worst-hit country, President Hassan Rouhani warned on Saturday, reports Reuters.

"There are concerns that the whole country may enter a fifth wave if enough care is not taken in following health protocols. Today, reports are that just 69% of the people are observing the precautions," Rouhani said in remarks broadcast on state TV.

04 July 2021; MEMO: Iran denied on Saturday US accusations that Tehran supported attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria, and condemned US airstrikes on Iranian-backed militants there, state media reported, says Reuters.

On Tuesday, the United States told the UN Security Council that it targeted Iran-backed militia in Syria and Iraq with airstrikes to deter the militants and Tehran from conducting or supporting further attacks on US personnel or facilities.