India and UAE Forge Trade Corridor Agreement Amidst Regional Challenges
Photo Credit: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240213-india-uae-sign-pact-on-trade-corridor-from-india-to-europe-via-israel/amp/
- India and the United Arab Emirates signed a trade corridor agreement to connect Europe with India via the Middle East by sea and rail.
- The agreement was reached during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE, aiming to foster regional connectivity.
- The corridor extends from India through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel to Europe.
- The agreement signals continued cooperation despite regional instability, including the war in Gaza and Yemen's Houthi attacks.
- The UAE maintained relations with Israel while criticizing its actions in Gaza.
- The agreement also includes a bilateral investment treaty and cooperation in electrical interconnection, trade, and digital infrastructure.
- Modi's visit strengthens ties with the UAE, one of India's top trading partners.
Read More At: https://www.reuters.com/world/india-uae-sign-pact-trans-continental-trade-corridor-2024-02-13/
Efforts for Hostage Release Deal with Hamas Face Challenges, U.S. Secretary of State Urges Investigation into Palestinian Teen Deaths
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- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that reaching a deal on the release of hostages held by Hamas is challenging but remains possible.
- Talks involving intelligence chiefs from the U.S., Egypt, and Israel, along with the Qatari prime minister, ended without a breakthrough.
- Hamas proposed a prisoner release in exchange for freeing hostages, but Israel rejected the ratio of prisoners to hostages and disagreed on the timing of a pause in fighting.
- CIA director Bill Burns was in Israel for further discussions.
- Blinken called for Israel to investigate the deaths of Palestinian American teenagers, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour and Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, both killed by Israeli forces.
- Defense for Children International - Palestine claimed evidence that Israeli forces shot Khdour, but Reuters couldn't independently verify the report.
Read More At: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/blinken-says-gaza-hostage-deal-still-possible-very-hard-issues-remain-2024-02-15/
Modi's Qatar Visit Bolsters India-Qatar Ties Amid Release of Former Navy Personnel
- Prime Minister Modi expressed anticipation for a productive visit to Qatar, aiming to strengthen the friendship between India and Qatar.
- Modi's visit to Qatar followed a brief but eventful trip to the UAE, where he engaged in various activities, including addressing Indian diaspora, attending the World Governments Summit, and inaugurating the UAE's first Hindu stone temple.
- India's announcement of Modi's visit to Qatar coincided with the return of seven out of eight former Indian Navy personnel who were jailed in Qatar, originally sentenced to death but later given jail terms ranging from three to 25 years.
- The charges against the former Indian Navy personnel, reportedly related to espionage, were not made public by Qatari authorities or New Delhi.
- Modi highlighted the substantial Indian community in Doha, emphasizing the robust people-to-people ties between India and Qatar.
Read More At: https://newsth.live/x6tnrJ
Iran's IRGC Displays Naval Might with Simulated Strike on Israeli Airbase Amidst Escalating Tensions
Photo Credit: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-Revolutionary-Guard-Corps
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted a simulation of a strike on a major Israeli airbase, showcasing its naval capabilities.
- Footage aired by state television depicted the IRGC firing munitions from ships and submarines, targeting a re-creation of the Palmachim airbase in Israel.
- The IRGC commander-in-chief, Hossein Salami, highlighted the successful launch of long-range ballistic missiles from a warship, extending Iran's naval influence.
- The display included various naval vessels, speed boats, submarines, and missile launches, demonstrating Iran's military prowess.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned of "severe consequences" for Israel if it proceeds with a ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, emphasizing Iran's stance on the conflict.
Read More At: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/2/13/irans-irgc-makes-naval-show-of-force-as-gaza-war-rages
Israel Claims Capture of 'Dozens' of Suspects in Raid on Gaza Hospital Amid International Pressure
Photo Credit: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/liveblog/2023/10/31/israel-hamas-war-live-israeli-air-attacks-continue-across-gaza
- Israel's military claims to have captured "dozens" of terror suspects during a raid on southern Gaza's main hospital, alleging that Hamas held hostages there.
- Hamas denies the claim, calling it "lies," while the hospital director describes the conditions inside as "catastrophic and very dangerous."
- The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman stated that among those captured were individuals involved in attacks and members of armed groups.
- Images verified by the BBC show chaotic scenes of medical staff evacuating patients amid gunfire and explosions.
- The hospital had been a site of intense fighting between the IDF and Hamas, with thousands of displaced people ordered to leave the day before.
- International pressure mounts on Israel to show restraint, with France's President Macron and the prime ministers of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand expressing concern.
Read More At: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68304979
Saudi Arabia Warns Of A "Humanitarian Catastrophe" If Israel Moves On Rafah
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel's planned operation in Rafah
Calls for UN Security Council intervention to prevent a "humanitarian catastrophe"
Rejects forced deportation of Palestinians, warns of dangerous repercussions
Saudi Arabia has not recognized Israel; considers normalization before recent conflict
Israel prepares to evacuate civilians from Rafah, Hamas warns of potential casualties
Saudi Arabia links normalization with Israel to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state
Gaza conflict triggered by Hamas attack, resulting in casualties and ongoing aggression
US expresses optimism for Saudi-Israeli normalization; Riyadh insists on Palestinian state recognition
Palestinian President Abbas's office condemns Israeli move, warns of regional security threats.
Middle East: Security Council meets on US strikes in Iraq and Syria
UN warns of escalating tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing risk of miscalculation.
US conducts airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, citing self-defense against Iranian-backed militias.
Iran condemns US actions as illegal and a violation of international law.
UK supports US right to self-defense, calls for countering Da'esh threat.
China urges calm, adherence to UN Charter, and cessation of illegal military operations.
Russia condemns US aggression, accuses it of destabilizing the region, and calls for international condemnation.
Read more at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146227
Israeli troops launch raid on Nasser hospital in southern Gaza
Israeli forces raid Nasser hospital in Gaza, causing casualties and forcing evacuations.
IDF claims Hamas militants used the hospital; Hamas denies.
UN warns of potential refugee exodus from Rafah due to threatened ground offensive.
International criticism grows; US President Biden urges Israel to avoid civilian harm.
Concerns about a collapse of Egypt-Israel peace treaty if Gazans flee to Sinai.
UK Prime Minister Sunak calls for a humanitarian pause and lasting peace.
Diplomatic efforts in Cairo continue, but progress is limited.
Israel's war in Gaza, ongoing for five months, has resulted in thousands of deaths, displacement, and severe humanitarian crises.
IDF airstrike kills Hamas commander linked to the October 7 offensive; ongoing clashes result in an Israeli soldier's death.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/15/israeli-troops-raid-nasser-hospital-southern-gaza
Biden-Netanyahu relationship at boiling point as Rafah invasion looms
Israeli military plans to invade Rafah strain relations between Netanyahu's government and the Biden administration.
Biden expresses frustration with Israel's military campaign and attempts to draw a line on the proposed operation in Rafah.
Distrust between Biden and Netanyahu evident despite 18 conversations since Hamas's October 7 assault.
Rafah, housing 1.1 million Palestinians, becomes a focal point in strained U.S.-Israel relations.
Biden seeks to influence Israel's military decisions in the ongoing conflict.
Read more at: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/biden-netanyahu-relationship-at-boiling-point-as-rafah-invasion-looms-b893bec5
Oil settles little changed; demand concerns offset Middle East tensions
- Oil futures steady after 6% jump last week due to Middle East tensions.
- Brent futures falls, WTI rises slightly; market watches inflation, Fed interest rates increase by 2.5%.
- IEA predicts peak oil demand by 2030, while OPEC expects demand to rise.
- Refinery downtime boosts U.S. gasoline futures; Mideast tensions persist.
- Saudi Arabia halts oil capacity expansion, citing energy transition; Iraq commits to OPEC cuts.
- US shale output expected to rise to four-month high in March, according to federal energy outlook.
Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/oil-starts-week-lower-after-israel-says-concluded-gaza-strikes-2024-02-12/
News bits proofread, compiled and drafted by:
Shubhdayini R. Jandev (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
Deepanshi Pathak (B.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
Aita Dey (B.A. I.R., 3rd Year)
Published by:
Alithia Clemency Paul (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
