JERUSALEM: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant headed to Washington on Sunday to discuss the next phase of the Gaza war and escalating hostilities on the border with Lebanon, where exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have stoked fears of wider conflict.
Iran-backed Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel since the Gaza war erupted more than eight months ago. The group has said it will not stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon, and in more areas,” Gallant said in a statement before setting off to Washington, where he said he will meet his counterpart Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Earlier in June, Hezbollah targeted Israeli towns and military sites with the largest volleys of rockets and drones in the hostilities so far, after an Israeli strike killed the most senior Hezbollah commander yet.
US envoy Amos Hochstein visited Israel and Lebanon last week in an attempt to cool tensions, amid an uptick in cross-border fire and an escalation in rhetoric on both sides.
Some Israeli officials have linked the ongoing Israeli push into Rafah, the southern area of Gaza where it says it is targeting the last battalions of militant Islamist group Hamas, to a potential focus on Lebanon.
Gallant appeared to make the same link in his statement.
“The transition to Phase C in Gaza is of great importance. I will discuss this transition with US officials, how it may enable additional things and I know that we will achieve close cooperation with the US on this issue as well,” Gallant said.
Scaling back Gaza operations would free up forces to take on Hezbollah, were Israel to launch a ground offensive or step up its aerial bombardments.
Officials have described the third and last phase of Israel’s Gaza offensive as winding down fighting while stepping up efforts to stabilize a post-Hamas rule and begin reconstruction in the enclave, much of which has been laid to waste.
Gallant, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, has sparred with the premier in the past few months, calling for a clearer post-war plan for Gaza that will not leave Israel in charge, a demand echoed by the White House.
Netanyahu has been walking a tightrope as he seeks to keep his government together by balancing the demands of the defense establishment, including ex-generals like Gallant, and far-right coalition partners who have resisted any post-Gaza strategy that could open the way to a future Palestinian state.
The head of Israel’s parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yuli Edelstein, told Army Radio on Sunday that fighting Hezbollah would be complex either way, now or later.
“We are not in the right position to conduct fighting on both the southern front and the northern front. We will have to deploy differently in the south in order to fight in the north,” said Edelstein, also a Likud member.
Edelstein criticized a video by Netanyahu released last week in which the prime minister said the Biden administration was “withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel.” The video led to a spat with the White House.
President Joe Biden’s administration paused a shipment of 2,000 pound and 500-pound bombs in May over concerns about their impact if used in densely-populated areas of Gaza. Israel was still due to get billions of dollars worth of US weaponry.
“I hope that in the discussions behind closed doors much more will be achieved than by attempts to create pressure with videos,” Edelstein said, referring to Gallant’s trip.
Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
The offensive has killed more than 37,400 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and left nearly the entire population of the enclave homeless and destitute.
Israel defense chief to discuss Gaza, Lebanon on US trip
Israel defense chief to discuss Gaza, Lebanon on US trip
Al-Qahtani gets another shot at redemption against Alhyasat in PFL MENA final
- Saudi fighter lost to Jordanian opponent in September’s semifinal but now gets spot in final after Islam Reda pulled out due to injury
RIYADH: When the inaugural season of the Professional Fighters League MENA kicked off, perhaps no other fighter on the roster was as heavy a favorite as Saudi superstar Abdullah “The Reaper” Al-Qahtani.
A featherweight standout who had previously impressed in the PFL’s global stage, he looked like he was well on his way to becoming PFL MENA’s inaugural 145-pound king.
Al-Qahtani kicked the year off with a TKO win over Edukondala Rao at the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions card in February, and then won his PFL MENA debut against Yazeed Hasanain to secure a spot in the semifinals.
With PFL MENA gold just two wins away, Al-Qahtani was riding a wave of confidence that was well-deserved, having been unbeaten under the PFL banner up to that point.
In the semifinal match last month, he faced off against a significantly less experienced Jordanian in Abdelrahman Alhyasat.
Fighting in front of a hometown crowd in Riyadh, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Al-Qahtani would emerge victorious. Alhyasat, however, had other plans.
In what was a tightly contested three-round affair, the up-and-comer from Jordan pulled out all the stops to grind out a decision victory and hand Al-Qahtani his first loss in the PFL, ending the Saudi’s dream of becoming the first ever PFL MENA featherweight champion — or so it seemed.
As fate would have it, Al-Qahtani finds himself back in the championship picture as the PFL has announced that he will be stepping in for featherweight finalist Islam Reda, who has been forced to pull out from the title bout due to injury.
On Nov. 29, Al-Qahtani and Alhyasat face off once again, less than three months after their initial encounter.
This time around, however, the stakes are much higher. These two 145-pound stars will not be just fighting for PFL MENA gold and glory.
For Al-Qahtani, it is a shot at redemption and a chance to prove to the world that he is indeed the best 145-pounder in the Middle East.
For Alhyasat, it is an opportunity to show that his first win over Saudi Arabia’s best was no fluke.
Final eight singles lineup confirmed for WTA Finals in Riyadh
- Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova secure last two singles spots
- The WTA Finals will take place at King Saud University from Nov. 2-9, featuring the world’s top eight singles players and doubles pairings
RIYADH: The singles lineup for the Women’s Tennis Association Finals, set to take place at King Saud University from Nov. 2-9, has been announced.
Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova secured the last two singles spots to join an elite group of stars.
This year’s WTA Finals will see the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams compete in a round-robin format. The singles champion will lift the Billie Jean King Trophy, while the doubles champions will earn the Martina Navratilova Trophy.
Here is a first look at the eight qualifying singles players for this year’s WTA Finals Riyadh:
Aryna Sabalenka
2024 record (Win-Loss): 54-12
2024 titles: 4 (Australian Open, Cincinnati, US Open, Wuhan)
Previous WTA Finals appearances: 3
Best WTA Finals result: 2022 runner-up
Sabalenka has been a dominant force this season, starting with a victory at the Australian Open. She comes to Riyadh in strong form having taken three titles from her last four tournaments, including a Grand Slam — the US Open — and two WTA 1000s. Leading the PIF singles race, she is poised to finish as the year-end World No.1, a position she narrowly missed out on last year.
Iga Swiatek (Poland)
2024 record (Win-Loss): 54-7
2024 titles: 5 (Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros)
Previous WTA Finals appearances: 3
Best WTA Finals result: 2023 winner
Swiatek began the year in explosive form, clinching five titles that included her fourth French Open. Despite a dip in performance and a coaching change she remains a formidable contender, having previously reclaimed the No.1 ranking.
Coco Gauff (USA)
2024 record (Win-Loss): 48-15
2024 titles: 2 (Auckland, Beijing)
Previous WTA Finals appearances: 2
Best WTA Finals result: 2023 semifinals
Making her third appearance at the year-end championships, Gauff is the youngest competitor in this year’s finals. She reached the semifinals at Roland Garros and finished strong, winning 12 of her last 14 matches, including a perfect run at the China Open.
Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
2024 record (Win-Loss): 37-17
2024 titles: 1 (Dubai)
Previous WTA Finals appearances: 0 (Debut appearance)
Paolini made remarkable progress this season, climbing from a year-end ranking of No.30 to No.6. Her breakthrough came with a WTA 1000 title in Dubai, and she achieved the rare feat of reaching finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)
2024 record (Win-Loss): 41-9
2024 titles: 3 (Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, Stuttgart)
Previous WTA Finals appearances: 1
Best WTA Finals result: Went 1-2 in group play
Rybakina’s season was marked by highs and lows due to illness and injury. Despite early successes with victories in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi and Stuttgart, her post-Wimbledon performance was limited. However, she remains a key player with notable achievements earlier in the year.
Jessica Pegula (USA)
2024 record (Win-Loss): 38-13
2024 titles: 2 (Berlin, Toronto)
Previous WTA Finals appearances: 2
Best WTA Finals result: 2023 final
Pegula’s late-summer surge included a win at the National Bank Open and finals appearances in Cincinnati and the US Open. Her impressive run secured her third consecutive WTA Finals berth.
Zheng Qinwen (China)
2024 record (Win-Loss): 37-16
2024 titles: 2 (Palermo, Olympics)
Previous WTA Finals appearances: 0 (Debut appearance)
Zheng’s Olympic gold in Paris was a career-defining moment. Her recent performances, including a strong showing at the US Open, have solidified her status as a rising star, matching her career-high ranking of No.7 as she makes her debut appearance at the WTA Finals.
Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic)
2024 record (Win-Loss): 15-12
2024 titles: 1 (Wimbledon)
WTA Finals appearances: 1
Best WTA Finals result: Went 0-3 in group play
Despite challenges with injury and illness in 2024, Krejcikova triumphed at Wimbledon, defeating four Top 15 players to claim the second major title of her career. Qualifying under a new rule for major winners finishing in the Top 20, she returns to the WTA Finals with renewed vigor.
At SCO dinner gala, Pakistani chef crafted meatless menu for Indian delegates
- Asad Monga was asked to come to Islamabad to oversee the food served to foreign dignitaries
- He says Pakistan should develop a service-based economy focusing on hospitality, culinary arts
KARACHI: A Karachi-based chef, specially flown to Islamabad to oversee meals for foreign dignitaries at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, said this week his team ensured diversity in the menu to respect cultural sensitivities, recalling they avoided serving red meat to the Indian delegation.
The 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government took place on October 15 and 16, bringing together political leaders from Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and other participating nations, including Pakistan.
Chef Asad Monga, 32, was invited to join the culinary experts at Islamabad’s popular Serena Hotel for the summit’s lunch and dinner services.
He informed the menu not only reflected international flavors but also highlighted local Pakistani dishes such as mutton chops and flatbread with minced meat filling. However, his team was also sensitive to the dietary preferences of the visiting delegates.
“[It was] just a good, well rounded mix of food to showcase our regional capabilities as people and as cooks, and also keeping in mind the diverse set of people that were coming to eat the food so that it registers with their palette also,” he told Arab News on Tuesday.
“We couldn’t serve red meat to the Indian delegates, so we had a vegetarian and chicken-based menu for that,” he added.
Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar, who led his country’s delegation at the SCO Summit, was the first high-profile official from New Delhi to visit Pakistan in nearly a decade.
Although he did not hold formal bilateral meetings in Islamabad, Pakistani officials described his trip as an “ice breaker” amid hopes in both countries for a thaw in the frosty relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
“The meal started with the Mezze Platter. There was Yousaf Labneh on the menu, and of course, butters were served with Sumac as a condiment,” Monga said.
“The Middle Eastern influence in our region is strong, and when you serve food in a restaurant or a five-star hotel, you will always find some Middle Eastern cuisine on the table,” he added.
Monga, who was born and raised in Karachi, became passionate about cooking and chose culinary school after A Levels.
He enrolled at Taylor’s University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2011 as part of a dual degree program. After gaining international experience, he returned to Pakistan in late 2016 for personal reasons.
“For Pakistan to succeed in the future, we need to develop a strong service-based economy that focuses on hospitality and the culinary arts,” he reflected, based on his experience of serving the SCO delegates.
He noted that by promoting chefs and expanding the hospitality industry, Pakistan could project its warm hospitality to the world and cultivate a softer image.
Monga also shared his desire to set up a small culinary school in the mountains, where he could forage ingredients, ferment them, and develop flavor catalogs.
“I hope to develop a school there where I can teach students who are interested in learning,” Monga said. “They can come and collaborate with me, and together we can shape the future of Pakistani cuisine and its culinary landscape.”
Oil Updates – prices rise more than 1% amid concerns on Mideast tensions
HOUSTON/SINGAPORE: Oil prices climbed by more than 1 percent on Thursday, almost reversing previous session’s losses, as Middle East tensions came back into focus ahead of the US election despite a mixed bag of US fuel inventories.
Brent crude futures rose 95 cents, or 1.27 percent to $75.91 at 6:02 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed $1, or 1.41 percent, to $71.77 as an exchange of heavy fire between Israel and Hezbollah continued to worry markets about supply.
Oil prices have gained nearly 4 percent so far this week, helping trim last week’s losses of than 7 percent on worries about Chinese demand and easing concerns about potential disruptions caused by fighting in the Middle East.
“The bumpy play in oil prices is a mix of technical reaction to uncertainty ahead,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.
“Amid lack for supporting catalyst and with sore sentiments all over oil markets, oil bulls jumping at any additional headline of escalating conflict in Middle East, looks well justified,” she added.
Israel launched strikes on Syrian capital Damascus early on Thursday, Syrian state media said, the latest such attack amid the war in Gaza.
This followed earlier Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday and after Hezbollah said it fired precision guided missiles for the first time at Israeli targets.
The intensifying exchanges of fire come as Washington makes a final major push for peace between Israel and Iran-backed groups Hezbollah and Hamas before the Nov. 5 US presidential election that could alter US policy in the Middle East.
The current volatility ahead of a critical week of US Election followed with Fed’s policy decision is ensuring enough traction to cause wilder fluctuations, even though supplies remain ample, said Phillip Nova’s Sachdeva.
Meanwhile, US crude inventories rose by 5.5 million barrels last week, according to the US Energy Information Administration on Wednesday, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 270,000-barrel rise.
Despite the stockpile accumulation, implied demand still rose, said ANZ analysts in a client note.
Also on the oil demand front, support came from stronger demand for distillates, according to JP Morgan analysts in a client note, highlighting strong travel demand in Asia and consistent drawdowns in distillate stocks in several major markets.
Hamas wants Russia to push Palestinian president toward unity government for post-war Gaza
- The Palestinian Authority, the governing body of the occupied Palestinian territories, is controlled by Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah political faction
MOSCOW: Palestinian militant group Hamas wants Russia to push Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to begin negotiations on a national unity government for post-war Gaza, a senior Hamas official told the RIA state news agency after talks in Moscow.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, a Hamas politburo member, met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow.
“We discussed issues related to Palestinian national unity and the creation of a government that should govern the Gaza Strip after the war,” Marzouk was quoted as saying by RIA.
Marzouk said that Hamas had asked Russia to encourage Abbas, who is attending the BRICS summit in Kazan, to start negotiations about a unity government, RIA reported.
Abbas is head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the governing body of the occupied Palestinian territories.
The PA was set up three decades ago under the interim peace agreement known as the Oslo Accords and exercises limited governance over parts of the occupied West Bank, which Palestinians want as the core of a future independent state.
The PA, controlled by Abbas’ Fatah political faction, has long had a strained relationship with Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs Gaza, and the two factions fought a brief war before Fatah was expelled from the territory in 2007.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed strong opposition to the PA being involved in running Gaza.
