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Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri killed in alleged Israeli drone strike in Beirut

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Hamas leader Saleh Arouri speaks during a reconciliation deal signing ceremony in Cairo, Egypt, October 12, 2017.(photo credit: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed outrage at the assassination, stating, “the occupation’s assassination of Arouri and his brothers is a complete terrorist act.”

Hamas’s deputy leader outside of Gaza, Saleh al-Arouri, was killed along with at least five other people in an alleged Israeli drone strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Hamas confirmed Tuesday evening.

Israel was on extra high alert not only for a potentially more extreme response by Hamas, but also from Hezbollah, The Jerusalem Post confirmed from multiple sources.

An anonymous US defense official also confirmed to the Washington Post that Israel killed al-Arouri.

The death of Arouri came at a critical moment when Israel has been trying to convince Hamas to cut another hostage release deal in exchange for a second temporary ceasefire, but to no avail.

Hamas may pull out of negotiations

Reportedly Hamas may pull out of negotiations for some amount of time, though the longer term goal of the attack could have been to pressure the terror group’s leaders into accepting offers they have refused in recent weeks.

Arouri was not only viewed as one of the master planners of Hamas’s October 7 massacre in southern Israel, but was also one of the main liasions for Hamas to Lebanon and to Iran.

In April 2023, Esmail Ghaani, commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and al-Arouri in Damascus.
Then, a Hamas delegation headed by Haniyeh went to Tehran in June, which also included Arouri, and met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and IRGC commander Hossein Salami.

In addition, Arouri was credited for giving the order to organize a significant terror operation in 2014 which led to the kidnapping and murder of three teenagers – a terror attack which itself eventually led to 2014 Gaza conflict.

Since then he has continued to direct significant terror attacks against Israel from the West Bank, despite long being in the Jewish state’s crosshairs.

According to reports, the strike targeted an office belonging to Hamas in Mushrifiyah in the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital.
Both an apartment and a vehicle were reportedly targeted in the area. The strike was carried out by two drones, according to Lebanese media. After the strike, Israeli fighter jets were spotted over Beirut and Khalde, along with other areas throughout Lebanon.

Azzam al-Aqra and Samir Fendi, two commanders in Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, were killed in the strike as well.

Earlier this year, the Shin Bet said that Aqra was involved in Hamas efforts to train and recruit terrorists in the West Bank.
Fendi served as a liaison between Hamas and the Houthis and al-Aqra, according to the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center.

Israel had not officially taken responsibility for the strike as of Tuesday evening, although several government officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, published social media posts welcoming Arouri’s death.

The US-Israel Education Association stated their support of the assassination. “USIEA supports Israel’s efforts in eliminating Saleh al-Arouri and other senior leaders of Hamas in Beirut today. With Arouri and others at the helm, Hamas has committed irrevocable atrocities against Israel and the Jewish people that cannot go unpunished. This sets a huge precedent for terrorists who wish to engage in heinous acts against the Jewish state – there will be consequences for their vile actions,” the statement read.

“At this point, Israel is bracing for a response from Hezbollah that could open up the northern front completely, and it should be prepared for retaliatory attacks.

“These leaders hiding out in Lebanon show how far the tentacles of Iran’s influence extend and the necessary measures to put an end to their reign of terror in the Middle East.”

A few hours after the assassination, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated “The IDF is at a very high level of preparedness on all fronts. Whether on offense or defense, we’re on high alert for any scenario. The most important thing to say this evening is that we are focused and have remained focused on fighting Hamas.”

In response to a question about the assassination, Hagari stressed that he would not be addressing the reports, adding “We are focused on fighting Hamas.”

Hezbollah MP Hussein Jishi warned after the strike that “Hezbollah will respond to the assassination, and this is settled,” in comments to Al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Even before the war, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned that any Israeli assassination in Lebanese territory would “lead to a strong reaction,” during an interview in August.

“It cannot be tolerated, and we will not allow Lebanon to open the arena for assassinations. We will not accept changing the rules of engagement that have existed since 2006, and the Israelis must understand this matter well,” said Nasrallah at the time.

However, that was in an era before October 7, before the IDF had started to freely strike Hezbollah terrorists in around half a dozen villages across southern Lebanon and before the terror group saw the IDF flatten northern Gaza.

Palestinian factions in the West Bank declared a day of rage for Wednesday in response to the assassination.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed outrage at the assassination, stating “the occupation’s assassination of Arouri and his brothers is a complete terrorist act, a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and an expansion of the circle of its aggression. The Nazi occupation bears responsibility for this aggression, and will not succeed in breaking the will of steadfastness and resistance among our people and their valiant resistance.”

Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, stated after the strike on Tuesday that “the cowardly assassinations carried out by the Zionist occupation against the leaders and symbols of our Palestinian people inside and outside Palestine will not succeed in breaking the will and steadfastness of our people, or undermining the continuation of their valiant resistance, and they prove once again the abject failure of this enemy to achieve any of its aggressive goals in the Gaza Strip.”

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movement responded to the strike on Tuesday evening, stating “the assassination of Al-Arouri and his companions is an attempt by the Zionist enemy to expand the scope of the conflict and drag the entire region into the war to escape the military field failure in the Gaza Strip and the political impasse that the entity’s government is experiencing, following its failure, after 90 days of barbaric war and a war of extermination, to impose its conditions on our people. Indeed, the resistance forces had the upper hand politically and militarily.”

“We affirm that this crime will not go unpunished, and that the resistance will continue until the occupation is defeated,” added the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Lebanese interim prime minister Mikati expressed outrage at the strike, stating “The explosion is an Israeli crime that definitely aims to bring Lebanon into a new phase of confrontations after the ongoing daily attacks in the south.”

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced that it was preparing to submit a complaint to the United Nations concerning the assassination.

The strike comes just hours before the fourth anniversary of the US assassination, with aspects of Israeli assistance, of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the head of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, in Baghdad in January 2020.

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North Korea: A country not like others with 15 strange things that only exist

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North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is one of the most secretive and isolated countries in the world. Home to approximately 25 million people, the nation operates under a tightly controlled regime led by the Kim dynasty, where every aspect of life is influenced by the state. From peculiar propaganda stories to extraordinary military policies, North Korea often seems like a nation frozen in time, steeped in strict traditions, unique cultural practices, and an ironclad political ideology.

The global fascination with North Korea lies in its stark contrasts—an ancient Confucian culture juxtaposed with modern autocratic rule, a heavily militarized state, and a controlled economy. While much of its internal workings remain a mystery, certain facts about this nation defy logic and invite curiosity. From surreal laws to bizarre daily life experiences, North Korea offers a glimpse into a world that is completely unlike any other.

In this article, we explore some of the strangest and most intriguing realities of life inside this “hermit kingdom,” shedding light on a country that continues to captivate global attention.

1. Compulsory Loyalty Education
From childhood, North Korean students are taught an unwavering reverence for the ruling Kim dynasty. Their curriculum features propaganda-heavy materials, glorifying their leaders and emphasizing loyalty above all else. This contrasts starkly with global education systems, where diverse perspectives are encouraged.

2. Exclusive Tourism Policies
Tourists visiting North Korea must follow strict itineraries set by the state and are accompanied by government-assigned guides at all times. Photography is regulated, and visitors can only see a curated version of the country. Independent exploration is strictly forbidden, ensuring that the regime’s image remains controlled.

3. The “Single” State-Approved Haircuts
Rumors have circulated that North Korea offers a list of state-approved hairstyles for citizens, with women often required to choose styles reflecting their marital status. While some of these claims may be exaggerated, personal expression in fashion and appearance is minimal.

4. Technology Under Surveillance
North Koreans have access to only a government-controlled intranet, and mobile devices function primarily for calls within the country. Internet access is reserved for elites. Imported smartphones are modified to block external content, ensuring total control over digital communication.

5. The World’s Largest Stadium
North Korea boasts the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, the largest stadium globally, seating up to 150,000 spectators. This facility hosts mass gymnastics and propaganda events, showcasing the regime’s power and unity.

6. Unique Calendar System
North Korea follows the Juche calendar, starting in 1912, the birth year of Kim Il-sung. This makes 2024 the year 113 in North Korea. This calendar is used exclusively within the country, separating it from the rest of the world.

7. Military Dominance in Daily Life
Approximately 4.7% of the population serves in the military, one of the highest ratios worldwide. Military parades and events play a crucial role in showcasing strength and maintaining public loyalty.

8. The Arduous March and Its Legacy
The 1990s famine, known as the « Arduous March, » left an indelible mark on North Korea. Despite improved conditions in recent years, food scarcity remains a pressing issue. Citizens rely on government-controlled distribution systems, with many turning to informal markets.

9. Elite-Only Cities
Pyongyang, the capital, is home to North Korea’s elite. Ordinary citizens need government approval to live or even visit the city. This segregation highlights the stark divide between the privileged and the working class.

10. State-Orchestrated Celebrations
National events, such as the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung’s birthday), are marked with grand displays of patriotism, including parades, performances, and fireworks. Participation is mandatory, demonstrating collective loyalty.

11. The Propaganda Machine
From elaborate murals to operatic performances, North Korea uses art as a medium for political propaganda. Movies and plays glorify the Kim dynasty and depict the West as adversaries.

12. Iconic Architectural Oddities
The Ryugyong Hotel, an unfinished pyramid-shaped skyscraper in Pyongyang, is an architectural curiosity. While incomplete for decades, it symbolizes the country’s ambitious, albeit unfulfilled, aspirations.

13. Restricted International Interactions
Citizens cannot freely interact with foreigners. This isolation fosters a controlled worldview and limits cultural exchange. Keywords like “controlled diplomacy” or “restricted international access” resonate here.

14. Unique Fashion Codes
Clothing choices often reflect social status and conformity. Bright colors or Western-style outfits are rarely seen, as citizens adhere to the regime’s preferred aesthetic.

15. Strict Border Controls
Defection is dangerous, with severe penalties for those caught attempting to flee. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea remains one of the most fortified borders globally.

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Egypt proposes alternative to Trump’s Gaza plan, sidelining Hamas

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Hamas terrorists seen in Khan Yunis, February 20, 2025(photo credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

The Egyptian vision for Gaza, which is due to be presented at an Arab League summit on Tuesday, does not specify whether the proposal would be implemented before or after any permanent peace deal.

A plan for Gaza drawn up by Egypt as a counter to US President Donald Trump’s ambition for a Middle East Riviera would sideline Hamas and replace it with interim bodies controlled by Arab, Muslim, and Western states, according to a draft seen by Reuters.

The Egyptian vision for Gaza, which is due to be presented at an Arab League summit on Tuesday, does not specify whether the proposal would be implemented before or after any permanent peace deal to end the war triggered by the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Trump’s plan, which envisioned clearing Gaza of its Palestinian inhabitants, appeared to back away from long-standing US Middle East policy focused on a two-state solution and sparked anger among Palestinians and Arab nations.

Who will run Gaza after the conflict remains the great unanswered question in negotiations over the future of the enclave. Hamas has so far rejected the idea of any proposal being imposed on Palestinians by other states.
Cairo’s plan does not tackle critical issues such as who will foot the bill for Gaza’s reconstruction or outline any specific details around how Gaza would be governed, nor how an armed group as powerful as Hamas would be pushed aside.

The flags of Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel (illustrative) (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)


Under the Egyptian plan, a Governance Assistance Mission would replace the Hamas-run government in Gaza for an unspecified interim period and would be responsible for humanitarian aid and for kick-starting reconstruction of the enclave, which has been devastated by the war.

“There will be no major international funding for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza if Hamas remains the dominant and armed political element on the ground controlling local governance,” a preamble outlining the draft Egyptian plan’s objectives said.

Details of Egypt’s proposed framework for Gaza’s future have not been previously reported.
Egypt, Jordan and Gulf Arab states have for almost a month been scrambling to formulate a diplomatic offensive to counter Trump’s plan. A number of ideas have been proposed, with Egypt’s considered the frontrunner.

Reuters was unable to determine whether Arab leaders would support the plan presented by Egypt.

The plan does not specify who would run the governance mission. It said it would, “draw on the expertise of Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere to help Gaza recover as quickly as possible.”

The plan firmly rejects the US proposal for mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which Arab states such as Egypt and Jordan see as a security threat.

The draft proposal was shared with Reuters by an official involved in Gaza negotiations who wished to remain anonymous because the draft has not yet been made public.

Stabilization force
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the group knows of no such proposal by Egypt.
“The day after in Gaza must only be decided by the Palestinians,” he said. “Hamas rejects any attempt to impose projects or any form of non-Palestinian administration, or the presence of any foreign forces on the land of the Gaza Strip.”

The Egyptian draft does not mention future elections.

Egypt’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the office of Israel’s prime minister, whose support for any plan is seen as vital to secure a commitment that any future reconstruction will not be destroyed again.

Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has ruled the coastal enclave since 2007. It launched the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and started the Gaza war.

A January 19 ceasefire brought a temporary end to the fighting but the first phase of the deal expired on Saturday with no sign of an agreement to move to the second phase.

The Egyptian draft does not tackle the issue of what actions could be taken if Hamas refuses to disarm or step aside from politics.

The proposal envisions an International Stabilisation Force drawn primarily from Arab states that would take over the role of providing security from the terrorist organization, with the eventual establishment of a new local police force.

Both security and governance bodies would be “arranged, guided and supervised” by a steering board. The draft said the board would comprise key Arab countries, members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the United States, Britain, the European Union and its member states, and others.

The plan does not detail a central governing role for the Palestinian Authority (PA), which opinion polls show has little support among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

A Palestinian official told Reuters that, like the West Bank, Gaza falls under the PA’s jurisdiction – and it must be run by Palestinians.

“We agreed with the Egyptians on a committee made of Palestinian experts that will help the Palestinian Authority in running the Gaza Strip for six months. The committee is made of Palestinian experts and coordinates with the PA, and doesn’t answer to non-Palestinian bodies,” said the official, who asked not to be named for sensitivity.

Egyptian and Israeli flags seen in a protest in Jerusalem, March 2, 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)


Reconstruction bill
Since Hamas drove the Palestinian Authority out of Gaza after a brief civil war in 2007, it has crushed all opposition there. Supported by Iran, it built an extensive security apparatus and terrorist organization based around a vast network of tunnels – much of which Israel says it has now destroyed.

The plan does not say who would pay to rebuild Gaza, a bill estimated by the UN at more than $53 billion. Two sources have told Reuters that Gulf and Arab states would need to commit at least $20 billion in the initial phase of reconstruction.

Egypt’s proposal envisions that states on the steering board could establish a fund to support the interim governing body and arrange donor conferences to seek contributions for a longer-term reconstruction and development plan for Gaza.

The plan does not contain any specific financial pledges.

Oil- and gas-producing Gulf Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates could be vital sources of funding from the region.

The United Arab Emirates, for instance, sees Hamas and other terrorist groups as an existential threat and is unlikely to offer any funding until Hamas has been sidelined.

The foreign ministries in Qatar and the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s international media office did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Egypt’s plan, or to questions about their willingness to commit funds to rebuild Gaza.

The draft plan also calls on the steering board to coordinate with a Civil Society Advisory Board, consisting of academics, NGO leaders and other notable figures.

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Pope Francis experiencing respiratory difficulty, now on breathing machine – Vatican

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Pope Francis was placed on a breathing machine on Friday after experiencing a sudden episode of respiratory difficulty, the Vatican has confirmed in its latest medical update.

The episode was complicated by vomiting, some of which he aspirated.

Medical staff addressed the aspiration issue before placing him on mechanical ventilation. Despite this, the Vatican stated that the pontiff “remained alert and oriented at all times.”

A spokesperson later clarified that he is not yet considered out of danger.

Francis was first admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital two weeks ago following persistent lung-related issues, including bronchitis and pneumonia. This marks his fourth and longest hospitalization since becoming pope in 2013.
The pontiff has faced lung-related health struggles for much of his life. As a young man, he had severe pneumonia, leading to the removal of part of one lung.

The Vatican has since been providing twice-daily updates on his condition. On Thursday, it reported that Francis’ health was “improving” but that his prognosis remained uncertain.

Due to his intensive medical treatment, his schedule has been cleared. Earlier on Friday, the Vatican announced that he would not lead next week’s Ash Wednesday service, marking the beginning of Lent. This will be only the second time in his 12-year papacy that he has missed the service, with a cardinal expected to lead in his place.

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