International newspapers and websites discussed developments in the situation in the Middle East, most notably the tragic reality in the Gaza Strip, especially the suffering of children’s education, and the challenge posed by the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) to Israel, in addition to the situation in Syria.
A report in The Times newspaper focused on the reality of education in Gaza, and recorded that teachers find it extremely difficult to allocate a place to teach some lessons and give the children a simple feeling of a normal life, and in light of the destruction of the infrastructure due to the war, the children of Gaza live another year without schools.
The newspaper notes that some volunteers teach inside tents when conditions permit, and one was set up inside a cemetery, which means that six-year-old children are learning among the graves, as the Times says.
An article in the newspaper “Haaretz” saw that the reality in Gaza contradicts the statements of defense officials in Israel, which deny the systematic demolition of homes. The article suggested that many officers are deliberately expanding the scope of the destruction to delay or prevent the return of Palestinians to their homes.
The article notes that the situation in Gaza “has entered a state of stagnation, and is imposing a heavy tax on the army as losses increase and the ability to withstand erodes.”
A report in the British newspaper “The Independent” highlighted what it called the US administration’s obstruction of the “Famine Early Warning Systems Network” report on Gaza, and pointed out that the move prompted relief and human rights groups to accuse Washington of interfering politically to protect its ally, Israel.
Yemen front
Regarding the issue of Yemen, the Washington Post quoted experts as saying that “while Israel is preparing to open a new battle front in Yemen, the Houthis have proven that they are capable of breaching the defense systems that Israel has been boasting about,” and indicated that the group “has brought back to the forefront the permanent military dilemma.” In Israel, it boils down to how to defeat a widely armed enemy with inexpensive equipment.”
On another topic, the newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” revealed that Israel had, in recent years, conducted contacts with the regime of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad via the WhatsApp application. The newspaper spoke of discussions “aiming to conclude a secret deal with Israel under which al-Assad would stop the transfer of weapons to Lebanon in exchange for lifting… International sanctions.”
The newspaper said that Assad was supposed to meet the former head of the Israeli intelligence service (Mossad), Yossi Cohen, in the Kremlin at the end of 2019, but the ousted Syrian president backed down.
On the other hand, a report in the Wall Street Journal stated that many residents of the Syrian villages reached by the Israeli forces wish to hand over their weapons to the forces affiliated with the new Syrian administration and not others. The report spoke of a growing feeling of anger among the people of the border areas at the attempts of the Israeli forces to pressure them. On them, pointing out “strong opposition to the Israeli incursion into Syrian territory, which was reflected in the form of protests during which they expressed their fears of permanent occupation.”
