UN Secretary-General calls for more funding for UNRWA. The United States confused combat drones with reconnaissance drones. Eight dead in attack in Syria.

Everyday life: Children on the campus of a UNRWA school, here in Amman, Jordan Photo: afp

Guterres advocates continuing funding UNRWA

Following serious allegations against employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls for more funding for the organization, which has been subjected to a huge pressure. Guterres will meet on Tuesday in New York with representatives of the main donor countries, his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced.

The UN Secretary-General was “personally shocked” by allegations that twelve UNRWA employees were involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Dujarric said. “But his message to donors – especially those who have suspended their contributions – is to at least ensure the continuity of UNRWA's work.” The UN aid agency has “tens of thousands of dedicated staff” in the region. (afp)

Qatar: framework for ceasefire and hostage release

According to Qatari sources, Hamas must be provided with a possible framework in the fight for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in Washington on Monday that “good progress” had been made in talks in Paris with representatives of the United States, Israel and Egypt. The different parties hope to “transmit this proposal to Hamas and get them to participate positively and constructively in the process.”

However, the Palestinian organization has made “a clear demand” for a “permanent ceasefire before negotiations,” Al Thani added. The current proposal “could lead to a permanent ceasefire in the future.”

It was unclear whether the Islamist organization had already received Qatar's draft. “We are mainly talking about a complete and comprehensive ceasefire, not a temporary ceasefire,” said Taher al-Nunu, a senior Hamas official. Once the fighting has stopped, “remaining details can be discussed,” including the release of the hostages.

Al Thani confirmed that meetings with CIA chief Bill Burns and senior Israeli and Egyptian security officials had led to a multi-stage ceasefire project. Women and children taken hostage by Hamas would be released first. (afp)

United States: Return of settlers to Gaza is “irresponsible”

The United States has condemned as “irresponsible” calls by some Israeli politicians for the return of Jewish settlers to the Gaza Strip. “I would even say irresponsible, reckless, seditious,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday. However, only “a few” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet ministers participated in the event where the demands were made.

In Jerusalem on Sunday, thousands of people called for the return of Jewish settlers to the Gaza Strip at an event at a conference center. Among the participants were several members of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party, as well as 11 ministers, including Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. (dpa)

The US military detected an enemy drone in Jordan too late

A U.S. military miscalculation may have played a role in the deadly attack by pro-Iran militias on a U.S. base in Jordan, according to consistent media reports. Among other things, this Wall Street Journalhe New York Times and Fox News reported Monday, citing U.S. government officials, that the enemy drone involved in the attack approached the base at the same time as a U.S. surveillance drone. Therefore, it was initially unclear whether it was a friendly drone or an enemy drone. As a result, air defense was not immediately deployed, it was said.

However, two other drones in nearby locations were reported to have been shot down. When asked Monday, the Pentagon said the incident was still being investigated. On Sunday, three American soldiers were killed in a drone strike in Jordan, near the Syrian border. According to information from the Pentagon on Monday, more than 40 people were injured. Pro-Iran militias in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack and said they had attacked four US military bases, including three in Syria, on Sunday morning. (afp)

Pro-Iran fighters among eight dead after attack

Eight people, including pro-Iran fighters, were killed in a suspected Israeli attack south of the Syrian capital, Damascus, according to activists. Three Israeli rockets hit a Lebanese Hezbollah and Revolutionary Guard base, Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Monday. At least eight people were killed in the attack in Sajida Seinab district. Among them were two Syrians and two Hezbollah fighters, he continued.

The Syrian Defense Ministry said there had been an “airstrike” and attributed the attack to Israel. Several Iranian advisers and civilians had been killed, as initially reported on the online service Facebook; The ministry later deleted this information from its publication. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that “the Zionist regime” (Israel) attacked an Iranian counseling center in the Zayeda Seinab area.

However, the Iranian ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, stated in Iran that it only sends military advisers to Syria at the invitation of Damascus.

In December, Iranian General Rasi Mousavi was killed in an airstrike in Zayeda Seinab that was also attributed to Israel. On January 20, an airstrike in Damascus killed representatives of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, including the intelligence chief of the Revolutionary Guard in Syria and his deputy. In total, at least 13 people were killed in the attack. (afp)