THE EARLY PHOENIX
Aug 20, 2024
Israel & Palestinian Territories
- Israeli Army Discovers Six Hostages’ Bodies in Gaza During Operation The Israeli army discovered six hostages’ bodies, including one previously presumed alive, during a nighttime operation in Khan Younis. Among the deceased were Alex Danzig (75), Yagiv Buchshtav (35), Chaim Perry (79), Yoram Metzger (80), Nadav Bublil (51), and Abraham Munder (78). Munder was believed alive until this operation, closing the tragic chapter on their fate.
- Netanyahu Vows Israel Will Not Withdraw From Strategic Gaza Corridors Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor and Netzarim. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of these areas as strategic military and political assets. He stressed that any potential deal must preserve Israeli interests, with control necessary to prevent terrorist rearmament.
- Israeli Army Kills Forty Palestinian Militants in Rafah Clashes The Israeli army killed 40 Palestinian militants during intense clashes in Rafah’s Tel Sultan area, supported by airstrikes. Hamas’s military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for attacking an Israeli tank and soldiers with grenades and targeting a bulldozer.
- IAF Jets Destroy Hamas Command Center Hidden in Gaza School Building The Israeli Air Force conducted a precise airstrike, destroying a Hamas command center within the Mustafa Hafez School in Gaza City. The IDF stated that the strike, aimed at minimizing civilian casualties, highlights Hamas’s strategy of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
- Hamas Claims U.S. Proposal Caves to Netanyahu’s New Conditions Hamas denied U.S. accusations of backtracking on a ceasefire proposal, claiming it was Israel’s new demands that altered the deal. Hamas accused the U.S. of full bias toward Israel and blamed the Biden administration for supporting Israeli actions in Gaza.
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Israel-Hezbollah Crisis
- Hezbollah Launches 115 Rockets and Drones at Northern Israel Hezbollah launched 115 rockets and drones at northern Israel, targeting the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights. Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted 10 rockets, and most others landed in open areas, causing no reported injuries.
- Lebanon Files Complaint With UN Over Israeli Fighter Jet Flyovers Lebanon lodged a complaint with the U.N. Security Council, accusing Israel of violating its sovereignty through repeated fighter jet flyovers. Beirut’s mission condemned the actions as “blatant violations” terrorizing civilians and contravening U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Lebanon War.
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Iran
- IRGC Vows Retaliation Against Israel for Hamas Leader Assassination Iran’s IRGC vowed retaliation against Israel for assassinating Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh. General Ali Mohammad Naeini emphasized Iran’s commitment to a calculated and impactful response, keeping Israel in uncertainty.
- Iran Refutes U.S. Allegations on Trump Campaign Cyberattack Iran strongly denied U.S. intelligence accusations of a cyberattack on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The Iranian mission to the United Nations dismissed the report as “unsubstantiated and devoid of any standing.”
- Tehran to Host Trilateral Meeting on Expanding Air Traffic Capacity Tehran will host a trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Oman to enhance air traffic capacity over the northern Indian Ocean. The discussions will focus on establishing air traffic exchange points and improving flight management across the region.
- Iran Closes German Language School in Retaliatory Move Against Berlin Iranian security forces shut down the Goethe Institute language school in Tehran, retaliating against Germany’s closure of the Khamenei-linked Islamic Center in Hamburg. The German foreign ministry condemned the action as unjustifiable, urging Iran to allow the school to reopen.
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Yemen
- Houthi Shelling Injures Civilians in Southern Yemen Village Houthi militia mortar attacks injured several civilians, including children, in the village of Qaroud, northwest of Hajar in Dhale governorate. Local sources reported a mortar shell struck the home of Adil Ismail Abdoul, causing severe injuries.
- EU Naval Forces Destroy 18 Drones, Houthi Boat, and 4 Missiles EU naval forces destroyed 18 drones, one Houthi unmanned boat, and four ballistic missiles targeting international shipping routes. The EU’s EUNAVFOR ASPIDES mission responded to more than 300 requests for protection and escort of commercial ships in the Red Sea.
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Iraq
- 198 Unofficial Oil Refineries in Kurdistan Rely on Smuggling Kurdistan has 198 unofficial oil refineries, with only 13 being official. Most are operated by political parties, generating $200 million monthly through oil smuggling to Iran and Turkey.
- Baghdad Uses Diplomacy to Prevent U.S. Strike on Factions Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that Iraq is working internally and externally to prevent regional violence escalation. Diplomatic efforts have successfully deterred a U.S. response to the attack on Ain al-Asad base.
- Iraq Signs Agreement with BP to Develop Kirkuk Fields Iraq reached an agreement with BP to develop oil and gas fields in Kirkuk under a profit-sharing model. BP, returning after a five-year absence, estimates these fields contain around nine billion barrels of oil.
- Iraq Repatriates 4,000 Citizens from Syria’s Al-Hol Camp Iraq repatriated nearly 4,000 citizens from Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria. The camp, holding 53,000 people, includes 20,000 Iraqis. Iraq’s Ministry of Migration emphasized the need for security screenings before repatriation.
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Syria
- Russia Forces Iranian Militias to Withdraw from Palmyra to Avoid Israeli Strikes Russian forces compelled Iran-backed militias, including the Fatimiyoun Brigade and IRGC, to withdraw from Palmyra to avoid Israeli airstrikes. The militias relocated to the al-Sukhna desert and surrounding areas under Russian orders, vacating residential areas in Palmyra.
- Assad Signals to Iran Reluctance for Full-Scale War Amid Internal Struggles Syria informed Iran of its reluctance to enter a full-scale war due to its ongoing economic crisis and internal instability. The UAE also warned Syria against involvement in the Gaza conflict, emphasizing the risk of further escalation.
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Egypt & North Africa
- Blinken Arrives in Egypt to Continue Gaza Ceasefire Talks U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Egypt to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a Gaza ceasefire. Blinken met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Alamein, discussing the U.S.-proposed settlement plan. The visit precedes mediator talks involving Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar.
- Egypt Quietly Allows Israeli Presence in Philadelphi Corridor Despite Public Opposition Despite publicly opposing Israel’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, Egypt quietly allows it, prioritizing border security and Rafah crossing management. Egypt refrains from giving explicit approval but supports Israeli concerns while focusing on coordinating with the Palestinian Authority and the European Union.
- Egypt’s External Debt Decreases by $7.4 Billion in Q1 2024 Egypt’s external debt fell by $7.4 billion in Q1 2024, reducing the total debt to $160.6 billion. The reduction follows improved financial conditions after a $35 billion land development rights deal with the UAE.
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The Gulf
- Saudi Arabia’s Crude Oil Exports Decline to 6.047 Million Barrels Daily Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports fell to 6.047 million barrels per day in June, down from 6.118 million barrels in May. The decline coincided with a reduction in production to 8.830 million barrels per day, from 8.993 million in May.
- Saudi Bahri Purchases Nine Super Oil Tankers for $1 Billion Saudi Arabia’s National Shipping Company, Bahri, purchased nine super oil tankers for approximately $1 billion from Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. The acquisition, aimed at modernizing Bahri’s fleet, will be financed through bank facilities and internal cash resources.
- Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Secures Largest Order for Electric Flying Ships Saudi Arabia’s NEOM signed a historic deal to purchase electric flying ships from Swedish company Candela, marking the company’s largest order. The Candela P-12 vessels, known for their energy-efficient and low-maintenance designs, will be delivered starting in 2025.
- UAE Tops Global Foreign Direct Investment Performance Ranking for 2023 The UAE ranked first globally in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) relative to its economy in 2023, according to fDi Intelligence. The UAE’s significant increase in new FDI projects, particularly in business services and technology, solidified its leading position.
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Türkiye
- Intense Clashes Erupt Between Turkish Army and PKK in Northern Iraq Intense clashes broke out between Turkish forces and PKK militants in Amadiya, northern Iraq, causing widespread fear among villagers. The conflict, lasting four hours, involved helicopters and heavy weaponry, resulting in fires in surrounding farmlands. Casualties remain unknown.
- Russia Informs Turkey No Talks with Ukraine After Kursk Attack
Russia informed Turkey that negotiations with Ukraine are off the table following Ukraine’s attack on Russia’s Kursk region. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin conveyed this to Turkish Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç, citing the recent Ukrainian assault as the reason. - Turkey Successfully Tests Longest Flight of Kara Atmaca Cruise Missile
Turkey successfully tested its Kara Atmaca cruise missile, achieving the longest-range flight of the domestically produced missile. The missile hit a floating target after being launched from a mobile launcher, demonstrating precision against strategic land targets. - Türkiye and Malaysia Strengthen Defense Ties During High-Level Meetings
Türkiye and Malaysia strengthened defense ties as Defense Minister Yaşar Güler met with Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. The meetings, highlighting strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia, focused on enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.
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