Middle East Affairs Monitor - مراقب شؤون الشرق الأوسط

🇯🇵Japan Passes Law Freezing PKK Assets In a significant move, Japan's parliament has passed legislation freezing the assets of members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist group operating within the East Asian country. The decision comes after LDP member Hitoshi Matsubara raised concerns about the PKK's activities in Japan, urging parliament to take action against individuals and organizations funding the terrorist organization.

Palestinian Doctor Killed in Israeli Military Custody Earlier this month, Palestinians were devastated to learn of the death of Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, a well-known medic who continued treating injured patients in Gaza even as bombs fell around him. Al-Bursh died while in the custody of the Israeli military at Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank. Al-Bursh, the head of the orthopedics department at Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, was imprisoned in one of the detention centers where Palestinians are subjected to inhumane conditions. According to Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah, a British-Palestinian plastic and reconstructive surgeon who worked alongside Al-Bursh in Gaza hospitals during past conflicts, "He was beaten to death. Ex-prisoners [who stayed with him in the same prison] said he had signs of trauma to the face and head."

🇺🇳🇵🇸The United Nations General Assembly Backs Palestinian Bid for Full UN Membership The United Nations General Assembly is set to support a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member by recognizing it as qualified to join and sending the application back to the UN Security Council to "reconsider the matter favorably". This move effectively acknowledges the existence of a Palestinian state. The Palestinians are reviving their bid to become a full UN member after the United States vetoed it in the 15-member UN Security Council last month. The vote by the 193-member General Assembly on Friday will serve as a global survey of support for the Palestinians.

University of Barcelona Senate cuts ties with Israel after Pro-Palestine Protesters' Requests In a significant move reflecting the growing global concern for the Palestinian cause, the Senate of the University of Barcelona has voted in favor of the requests put forth by pro-Palestine protesters. The students have been camping in the building, manifesting their discontent with the university's ties with Israel and advocating for solidarity with Palestine. The University of Barcelona calimed that will cease all institutional and academic connections with Israel, including centers, research institutes, companies, and other entities within the nation, until what they describe as genocide comes to an end.

🚨🚨🚨 🇺🇳 UN Geneva releases the latest video on the attacks to the latest Rafah's crossing invasion.

🇮🇶🤝🏻🇮🇷Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani Engages in Security Talks with Iranian President Raisi On May 6, 2024, Nechirvan Barzani, the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), embarked on a significant visit to Tehran to engage in crucial security discussions with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi. The meeting aimed to address longstanding tensions and concerns between the two regions.

🇵🇸Three-Stage Ceasefire Plan for Gaza Senior Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya has announced a Gaza ceasefire proposal agreed upon by the group. The proposal involves a three-stage truce with the ultimate goal of achieving a lasting ceasefire Each stage of the truce would last 42 days. The proposed deal includes: ▫️ Complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza ▫️Return of Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict. ▫️Exchange of hostages and prisoners. ▫️Aim of establishing a "permanent ceasefire".

🚨🇺🇳🇸🇩Urgent Alert from World Food Program! ⚠️🌍 The World Food Program has issued a stark warning: "Time is running out to prevent starvation" as escalating clashes in Sudan pose a significant threat to humanitarian efforts in this volatile region. The deteriorating situation in El Fasher is impeding crucial humanitarian assistance, exacerbating the risk of widespread hunger and suffering among vulnerable populations. The World Food Program's call to action underscores the urgent need for immediate intervention to avert a humanitarian crisis.

🇾🇪⚡🇪🇺 The EU naval mission in the Red Sea faces challenges due to a lack of ships. Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, commander of Operation Aspides, expressed concerns about insufficient vessels to counter ongoing Yemeni Armed Forces operations. With only three warships available, the mission struggles to protect ships from Houthi attacks. Gryparis claimed the need for at least ten warships and air support. Despite efforts, including the withdrawal of the German frigate Hessen, reinforcements are delayed. France also withdrew a frigate due to unexpected threats, emphasizing the intense violence and diverse tactics used by the Yemeni forces.

OIC summit in Banjul! 🌍🌟 The 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) kicked off on Saturday in the vibrant Gambian capital, Banjul! Leaders from the 57 member countries of the OIC and beyond are gathering for this momentous event, as highlighted in a statement released by the OIC prior to the summit.