High-level GCC military meeting kicks off in Kuwait

The meeting will discuss also various subjects aiming for strengthening cooperation and coordination between the armed forces in the Gulf. (KUNA)
Updated 10 September 2018
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High-level GCC military meeting kicks off in Kuwait

JEDDAH: The Supreme Military Committee of Chiefs of Staff in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states started its 15th meeting on Monday with the participation of all members.
The meeting comes as a complement to a series of previous regular meetings of the chiefs of staff, which seek to achieve more coordination among the armed forces of the GCC countries.
In their meeting, the chiefs of staff discussed several topics related to the promotion of joint military action, aimed at bringing the GCC member states’ armed forces toward integration, at various levels.

The meeting will also discuss various subjects aiming for strengthening cooperation and coordination between the armed forces in the Gulf countries to promote a conjoined military action.


Israel accuses Hamas of violating Gaza truce, says it will respond

Updated 9 sec ago
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Israel accuses Hamas of violating Gaza truce, says it will respond

  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the claim after a military ​officer was wounded by an explosive device in Rafah
  • Gaza’s health ministry says Israel has killed more than 400 people in the territory since the ceasefire went into effect
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas on Wednesday of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement after a military ​officer was wounded by an explosive device in Rafah and Israel vowed retaliation.
His office said in a statement that Hamas must fully uphold the October agreement, noting that it envisaged the militant group being removed from power in Gaza ‌as well as demilitarization ‌and deradicalization of ‌the ⁠territory.
“Israel ​will ‌respond accordingly,” the statement added.
The Israeli military earlier said that an explosive device had detonated against a military vehicle in the southern Rafah area of Gaza and that one officer had been lightly injured.
Violence has subsided but ⁠not stopped since the Gaza truce took effect on ‌October 10, and the ‍sides have regularly accused ‍each other of violating the ceasefire. ‍Gaza’s health ministry says Israel has killed more than 400 people in the territory since the ceasefire went into effect.
A 20-point plan issued by ​US President
Donald Trump
in September calls for an initial truce followed by steps toward ⁠a wider peace. It ultimately calls for Hamas to disarm and have no governing role in Gaza and for Israel to pull out of the territory, which remains in ruins after two years of war.
The sides have not fully agreed to everything in it. Hamas has said it will only hand over its arms if ‌a Palestinian state is established.