Israeli Army Plans to Annex Gaza Areas as "Security Zones"
These escalations follow the collapse of the ceasefire agreement, with Israel accusing Hamas of obstructing negotiations, while the movement insists on its commitment to the deal while demanding Israe
April 2, 2025, 8:04 pm

Israeli Army Plans to Annex Gaza Areas as

الجيش الإسرائيلي

Israeli media reports have revealed advanced plans to reoccupy parts of the Gaza Strip, following statements by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz about expanding military operations.

The newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth cited military sources stating that the plan has not yet received full approval from top political and security officials but is in its final planning stages.

The sources explained that the current strategy relies on gradual control over specific areas in Gaza, alongside intensified airstrikes targeting resistance elements, in an attempt to pressure Hamas’s stance in negotiations.

The report noted that a return to large-scale ground combat remains unlikely, especially due to troop shortages, as the Israeli military has canceled leave for many regular soldiers to compensate for the deficit.

In an official statement, Katz asserted that "Israel will seize large areas of Gaza and annex them to its security zones."
He added that the operation would include "forced evacuations" of civilians from conflict zones, urging Gazans to "overthrow Hamas" and secure the release of Israeli captives as a condition for ending the war.

These remarks coincided with continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza, where medical sources reported at least 55 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes since dawn.

The Israeli military also issued new evacuation orders in northern Gaza, particularly in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, following similar directives in Rafah in the south.

Israel had previously established a buffer zone inside Gaza, extending security zones demarcated before the war, including the so-called "Netzarim Corridor."

In a related context, Israel is considering plans to facilitate "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza, echoing earlier calls by U.S. President Donald Trump to "evacuate Gaza and develop it as a coastal resort."

This escalation follows the collapse of the March 18 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israel accused Hamas of "obstructing negotiations" by refusing to release more captives, while Hamas denied these claims, reaffirming its commitment to the agreement while demanding a transition to Phase Two—which includes Israeli troop withdrawal and increased humanitarian aid.

U.S. State Department Imposes Mandatory Social Media Screening for Visa Applicants Syrian Coast… A Father’s Painful Account of Losing His Son, Whose Body Was Mutilated

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.