Al Mayadeen – December 18, 2024
Day 439 in Gaza: 45,097 killed, 107,244 injured by 'Israel'
The Israeli occupation commits several massacres across the Gaza Strip in 24 hours, killing dozens of Palestinians and wounding dozens of others.
The Israeli occupation forces have killed 45,097 Palestinians, while another 107,244 have been injured since October 7, 2023, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on the 439th day of the ongoing Israeli genocide.
The Israeli occupation committed three massacres across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, killing 38 Palestinians and injuring 203 others.
While some victims were transported to the few partially functioning hospitals, many remain trapped under the rubble or in areas inaccessible to ambulance and Civil Defense teams.
The Israeli occupation military carried out intense artillery shelling near the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, setting the intensive care unit on fire, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine reported.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital director, said, "We were shocked by the entry of [military] vehicles and bulldozers into the hospital vicinity, preceded by terrifying attacks on nearby homes."
He indicated that the hospital was suddenly and recklessly targeted with all kinds of weapons, with a deliberate and clear assault on the intensive care unit.
"We managed, miraculously, to evacuate patients who were on ventilators from the ICU before it caught fire," Abu Safiya added, noting that this is the only intensive care unit in northern Gaza.
Describing the situation as "very catastrophic and still dangerous," he pointed out that hospital staff attempted to extinguish the flames using basic tools, as the facility had been suffering from a water shortage for eight days due to Israeli attacks on water tanks and the supply network.
Al Mayadeen – December 18, 2024
Palestinian official reveals Gaza ceasefire outline
The potential ceasefire involves two phases consisting of several clauses, ending with a declaration of an official ceasefire in Gaza.
Meetings in Doha, Qatar, including the United States, "Israel", and Egyptian and Qatari mediators, focus on resolving the deadlock impeding negotiations for a possible ceasefire in Gaza, a Palestinian senior official informed Al Mayadeen on Wednesday.
According to the official, significant progress has been witnessed in the negotiations. He added that the Israeli occupation had concentrated its demands on the return of 34 captives still in Gaza while expressing its willingness to withdraw from densely populated areas across the strip.
What does the current ceasefire proposal look like?
In this context, the potential ceasefire currently being discussed would be implemented in two phases.
The first phase involves a 42-day truce and a prisoner-exchange deal that would see the release of Israeli women, children, the elderly, and female soldiers, for the liberation of a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners, particularly those with long sentences and life sentences.
It further involves the flow of humanitarian aid, machinery, and equipment for relief efforts, the reconstruction of hospitals and certain public facilities, as well as the reopening of the Rafah Crossing. However, the official noted that, as of now, the issue of oversight of the crossing remains unresolved.
The withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces to the eastern border of the Gaza Strip as a primary step would also be initiated during the first phase.
The second phase involves a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an official declaration of a ceasefire, and the exchange of Israeli male soldiers for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas says ceasefire possible if 'Israel' stops adding clauses
Hamas has affirmed the potential to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange agreement, provided that the Israeli occupation refrains from imposing new conditions that could hurdle the agreement.
"Amid the serious and positive discussions taking place in Doha today under the auspices of our Qatari and Egyptian brothers, reaching a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement is possible if the occupation stops introducing new conditions," the movement said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas headed directly to Egypt from the Vatican following an urgent invitation, according to Al Mayadeen's bureau chief in occupied Palestine.
Additionally, informed sources told Reuters that "a ceasefire agreement in Gaza is expected to be finalized in the coming days." The sources added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "on his way to Cairo for talks regarding a Gaza ceasefire." However, Netanyahu's spokesperson denied these claims, stating, "Contrary to the wave of rumors, Netanyahu is not in Cairo."
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/palestinian-official-reveals-gaza-ceasefire-outline--exclusi
Al Mayadeen – December 18, 2024
Israel occupied 440 sq km of Syrian territory to date
Civil sources in Homs, central Syria, told Al Mayadeen that 11 cases of forced disappearances have been recorded, affecting members of minority sects and ethnic groups.
Israel has occupied approximately 440 square kilometers of Syrian territory to date, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Wednesday.
The most significant aggression is the Israeli occupation of the Yarmouk Basin and the al-Wehda Dam, located between Syrian and Lebanese territories, our correspondent highlighted.
He indicated that the Israeli occupation military is now just 12 kilometers away from the international highway connecting Damascus to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and pointed out that over the past week, the Israeli occupation launched around 450 airstrikes targeting approximately 50 Syrian military sites.
Local Syrian sources told Al Mayadeen that the Israeli occupation forces continue to infiltrate archaeological sites in Quneitra, with reports of archaeologists entering in Israeli military uniforms.
The sources reported an Israeli incursion from Tel Akasha in the occupied Golan toward the historical town of Breqa in the al-Quneitra countryside.
According to our correspondent in Syria, tensions are escalating in the Ain al-Arab (Kobani) District in northern Syria between the Turkish-backed so-called Syrian National Army militants and the Kurdish-led US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
11 cases of forced disappearances
Civil sources in Homs, central Syria, told Al Mayadeen that 11 cases of forced disappearances have been recorded, affecting members of minority sects and ethnic groups.
According to the sources, the missing youths are former conscripts in the Syrian army's mandatory service during the era of the former regime.
The sources told Al Mayadeen that some abductees were taken while on their way to centers established for regularizing the status of former military personnel.
Families of the missing individuals reviewed the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group for inquiry, which condemned the incidents, the sources said, adding that the group promised families to investigate the matter and pledged to identify those responsible for the abductions.
It is worth noting that the new Operations Administration has provided assurances to minority groups and addressed reported violations.
In a related context, sources from villages, towns, and within the city of Homs reported incidents of break-ins targeting shops and residential homes by masked individuals patrolling the villages at night.
The sources said that these individuals were dressed in military attire and claimed to belong to factions affiliated with the Military Operations Administration, though no one has verified the legitimacy of these claims.
Syria's main airports resume operations
In a separate context, Syria's main airports have resumed operations for the first time since the fall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
On Wednesday morning, passengers boarded a 24-year-old Airbus SE A320 for a domestic flight from Damascus to Aleppo. Meanwhile, Royal Jordanian Airlines navigated Syrian airspace on a flight to Beirut, as reported by Flightradar.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--occupied-440-sq-km-of-syrian-territory-to-date
Al Mayadeen – December 18, 2024
Washington was ‘aware’ of Israel’s nuclear weapons production since 1960s: Declassified doc.
Newly declassified US documents reveal that Washington was aware of "Israel's" capability to produce weapons-grade plutonium at the Dimona nuclear facility, shedding light on long-suspected nuclear schemes.
Declassified documents cited by the US National Security Archive reveal that the United States has been aware since the 1960s of "Israel's" ability to produce weapons-grade plutonium at its Dimona nuclear research center.
The US National Security Archive, established in 1985 by journalists and academics, has released a new collection of documents shedding light on "Israel's" nuclear program.
Among these documents is a December 1960 report from the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), described as "the first and only known report that correctly and unambiguously states that the Israeli Dimona project would include a plutonium reprocessing plant and would be linked to a weapons program," according to the archive.
An undeclared nuclear entity
However, subsequent US intelligence remained uncertain about "Israel's" reprocessing activities until the late 1960s, when "Israel" reached the threshold of nuclear weapons capability. Around this time, a secret understanding was reportedly reached between "Israel" and the United States, acknowledging "Israel's" status as an undeclared nuclear entity.
By 1967, evidence suggested that the Dimona reprocessing plant was either complete or nearly so, and the reactor was operating at full capacity. This progress meant that "Israel" could potentially produce a nuclear weapon within "six to eight weeks," the report noted. In the following decade, according to declassified documents, the United States appeared to have adjusted to the reality of "Israel’s" nuclear weapons potential.
Dive deeper
A newly released briefing book, titled 1960 Intelligence Report Said Israeli Nuclear Site Was for Weapons, exposes shocking revelations about the US government's early awareness of "Israel's" nuclear weapons program.
The 20 declassified documents, which include intelligence reports and diplomatic exchanges, reveal that the US had serious concerns about "Israel’s" covert nuclear activities at the Dimona facility in the al-Naqab Desert.
These documents paint a striking picture of how the US monitored "Israel's" nuclear schemes from the late 1950s and 1960s, knowing all along that Dimona was more than just a research center—it was the heart of "Israel's" secret nuclear weapons development.
One of the most significant revelations, as per the book, comes from a December 1960 report by the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee (JAEIC), which explicitly states that the Dimona project was designed for plutonium production with the goal of developing nuclear weapons.
This marked the first known US intelligence report to confirm the weapons-related purpose of the Dimona facility.
'Not a satellite of America'
A second explosive document unveils then-Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s fiery rebuttal to US questions about Dimona, where he defiantly declared that "Israel" was "not a satellite of America." Rejecting any calls for international inspections or oversight, Ben-Gurion’s response reveals "Israel’s" bold strategy of nuclear secrecy—refusing to let outside scrutiny threaten its covert weapons program. At the time, this response highlighted "Israel’s" deliberate efforts to present itself as a sheep in wolf's clothing in the external arena while pursuing its controversial nuclear program in the internal arena.
Documents detailing US inspections of Dimona between 1965 and 1967 highlight a growing sense of skepticism among US officials regarding Israeli assurances of "peaceful nuclear use."
Despite "Israel’s" claims, US inspectors observed inconsistencies between the information provided and what was seen at the facility. These limited inspections fueled suspicions about "Israel’s" nuclear ambitions.
A 1967 intelligence assessment delivered a bombshell revelation: "Israel" was just "six to eight weeks" away from producing a nuclear weapon. This alarming disclosure marked a seismic shift in US intelligence, moving from mere suspicion to near-certainty about "Israel’s" covert nuclear weapons capability—exposing how close the entity was to an unprecedented arms escalation.
The big picture
The documents collectively highlight "Israel’s "strategy of nuclear ambiguity, known as "amimut", which allowed it to maintain a nuclear deterrent without officially acknowledging it. This policy complicated US efforts to enforce global non-proliferation while preserving its alliance with "Israel".
In short, the declassified documents revealed that by the early 1960s, the US possessed substantial intelligence indicating "Israel's" nuclear program was geared toward weapons development, a fact that remained hidden from public view for decades. They also underscore the intricate balancing act of US foreign policy, where national security priorities and strategic alliances often clash with non-proliferation goals.
As "Israel" continues to maintain its policy of nuclear ambiguity, the question remains: what role does "Israel", as an undeclared nuclear power, play in shaping the current landscape of regional and global nuclear politics—particularly when paired with its actions in Gaza, widely criticized as genocidal?
Should the global community be more alarmed?
Al Mayadeen – December 18, 2024
Israel owns 90 nuclear warheads: ICAN
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons estimates that "Israel" is in possession of at least 90 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, based on deductions from increased nuclear spending.
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) revealed that Israel possesses 90 nuclear warheads and was boosting its nuclear spending.
In a report examining expenditures on nuclear development, ICAN found that the Israeli occupation has increased its nuclear spending by 2.4%, the equivalent of 1.1 billion dollars per year.
Collective nuclear spending reached 13.4% last year, or 91.4 billion dollars around the world. The United States held first place, spending 51.5 billion dollars on nuclear development, garnering 80% of collective nuclear expenditures.
In a statement to Al Mayadeen, Alicia Sanders-Zakre, the Policy and Research Coordinator at ICAN, discussed "Israel's" ambiguity regarding its nuclear arsenal.
According to Sanders-Zakre, it is known among international nuclear experts that the Israeli occupation possesses nuclear weapons. According to ICAN's estimations, 90 nuclear warheads were identified to be owned by "Israel", but the number remains obscure due to the lack of transparency and Tel Aviv's obscurity regarding owning any nuclear weapons.
Regarding "Israel's" nuclear spending, ICAN managed to deduce the estimations by referring to the occupation's military spending in 2023, which was discussed with Israeli experts to allocate the actual military spending [taking into consideration additional spending due to the war on Gaza]. An estimation was then formed and allocated to Israeli nuclear spending.
Sanders-Zakre also expressed her concerns regarding recent Israeli threats to use nuclear weapons in Gaza.
"There have been extremely concerning threats that have been increasingly implied and frank than what we've seen in previous years from Israeli experts, officials, or former officials, which is why it is important to condemn the use of nuclear weapons and prompt a reminder about the vitality of adhering to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," she said.
Estimations are much higher than 90 warheads
Regarding its possession of nuclear weapons, "Israel" has adopted a policy of deliberate ambiguity, refusing to disclose whether or not it possesses nuclear weapons. However, the occupation's possession of such weapons is now a "public secret", especially since a number of formerly highly classified US documents have revealed that the US was convinced that "Israel" had nuclear weapons.
It is worth noting that the entity is estimated by some to possess between 200 to 400 nuclear warheads, making it the sole possessor of non-conventional arms in the Middle East. Despite international pressure, "Israel" has refused to allow inspections of its nuclear facilities or to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In 2022, the First Committee of the UN General Assembly ruled in a 152-5 decision that "Israel" must destroy all its nuclear weapons and submit its nuclear facilities to the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Four countries - Canada, Micronesia, Palau, and the United States - as well as the Israeli entity, opposed Friday's resolution on the "risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East." Another 24 countries abstained, including European Union members.
The resolution discloses that "Israel" is the only entity in the Middle East region and one of the few UN members (193 total) that have not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The resolution reaffirmed "the importance of Israel’s accession to the NPT and placement of all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive international atomic Energy Nancy safeguards, in realizing the goal of universal adherence to the Treaty in the Middle East."
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--owns-90-nuclear-warheads--ican
Al Mayadeen – December 17, 2024
HTS’ inability to govern Syria, foreign meddling signal bleak future
By Alireza Hashemi
Syria’s future looks increasingly bleak, with a high risk of Balkanization or long-term instability as major powers continue to vie for influence and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group is proving incapable of governing effectively, according to a geopolitical analyst.
In an interview with the Press TV website, S.L. Kanthan expounded on the recent developments in Syria – the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government and the dramatic rise of the West-backed HTS militant group.
Kanthan said over the past decade, Syria has been the target of a proxy war waged by foreign powers, including the US, Israeli regime, Turkey, and Qatar, which supported various armed militant groups in the Arab country, including extremist organizations.
“While Assad has been demonized for the last 14 years, he was once celebrated by the West and the Arab world. France awarded him the Legion of Honor; Queen Elizabeth met with Assad and his wife; and Pope John Paul II visited Syria. In 2010, The New York Times even ranked Damascus as the 7th-best place to visit worldwide,” he noted.
Kanthan emphasized that foreign actors deliberately destabilized Syria for their geopolitical objectives.
“The US, Israel, Turkey, and Qatar waged a proxy war on Syria. Worse, they used groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS (Daesh) to achieve their goals. It’s only thanks to Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah that Syria managed to prevent these terrorists from taking over Damascus all this time,” the Indian analyst remarked.
However, with foreign-backed militants finally toppling the Syrian government, the US, Israel, and others who have invested heavily in destabilizing Syria are now seeking returns on that investment.
“Israel and the US have been arming and funding Syrian rebels (militants) since 2011. Jake Sullivan famously emailed Hillary Clinton in 2012, stating, ‘Al Qaeda in Syria is with us.’ Even a former Mossad chief admitted that Israel helps Al Qaeda in Syria. Naturally, both want lucrative returns,” he said.
‘Israel gobbling up Syrian lands’
Commenting on the fresh Israeli aggression against Syria and illegal seizure of more Syrian land, beyond the occupied Golan Heights, Kanthan said the Tel Aviv regime’s primary goal is to consolidate its control over the Golan Heights and surrounding areas.
“Israel would gobble up the Golan Heights and as much territory as possible. American companies, of course, would also benefit from such land-grab efforts. For the US, controlling pipelines through Syria remains a crucial objective,” he told the Press TV website.
“Additionally, the CIA will likely continue programs like Operation Timber Sycamore to redirect ‘mujahideen’ forces against geopolitical rivals like Iran, China, and Russia,” he added, referring to the covert CIA program launched during the Barack Obama administration in 2012 to train, arm, and fund terrorists in Syria.
Kanthan highlighted HTS’s inability to govern Syria, comparing the situation to the chaos in Afghanistan.
“HTS or Al Nusra is essentially a rebranded version of Al Qaeda. Governing a nation as diverse as Syria—with large minority groups like Shiites, Alawites, Christians, and Kurds—is beyond their capacity. Think of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Syria could be 100 times worse,” he warned.
The geopolitical analyst added that external meddling has compounded Syria’s problems, increasing the risk of Balkanization or long-term conflict, similar to Libya after Gaddafi.
“The puppet masters of this fake ‘civil war’ will continue to try to control Syria. Too many cooks spoil the broth. In the worst-case scenario, Syria could fragment into autonomous regions locked in perpetual conflict,” Kanthan remarked.
A notable example is the US-backed Kurdish groups, which may pose significant challenges to Turkey in post-Assad Syria.
“The US’s double-faced diplomacy will embolden Kurdish groups, who already control some of Syria’s best agricultural lands and oil fields. Washington may use this leverage to create friction between Turkey and Russia,” he stated.
‘Immense geopolitical challenges for Iran’
When asked about Iran’s challenges in Syria after Assad’s fall, Kanthan said the Islamic Republic faces losing a key ally and risks increased terrorism targeting its interests.
“Iran has lost a great ally with Assad’s departure. The Axis of Resistance in Lebanon will also suffer. This presents an immense geopolitical challenge for Iran,” he explained to the Press TV website.
Kanthan said Iran must diplomatically engage with Syria’s new regime to protect the rights of minorities and counter the resurgence of terrorism.
“Iran must exercise extraordinary diplomacy and caution. On one hand, it must work with the new Syrian government to protect minority rights. On the other hand, it must stay vigilant against ISIS and other groups that could become pawns of the American empire to harm Iran. As mentioned before, Syria may become the launching pad of a new breed of terrorism.”
He added that Iran should focus on maintaining its influence in Iraq as a buffer against these threats.
“Remember the ‘7 countries in 5 years’ plan of the neocons? Iran must strengthen its influence in Iraq to serve as a buffer zone,” he said, referring to the controversial US strategy following the 9/11 attacks in 2001 first revealed by retired General Wesley Clark, who said that a Pentagon memo outlined a strategy to destabilize and overthrow governments in seven Middle Eastern and North African countries.
Kanthan noted that Assad’s fall would also weaken Russia’s position in the West Asia region.
“Russia has lost a strategic partner in Syria. Its military and naval bases will likely be pushed out due to American influence over the Syrian rebels,” he said.
However, he emphasized that Russia is adapting to this loss by expanding its influence elsewhere.
“Russia has recently gained more influence in West Africa, which helps offset its loss in Syria. Additionally, its partnership with Iran and the development of trade corridors like the INSTC will bolster its position. Putin has also cultivated strong ties with regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, avoiding overreliance on any one partner,” Kanthan noted.
He described the strategic alliance between Russia, China, and Iran as a counterbalance to US dominance in the region.
“As Brzezinski noted in the 1990s, the Russia-China-Iran strategic alliance is the only one capable of countering American imperialism, chaos, and perpetual wars.”
