Israel to Establish Security Barrier Along Syrian Border Amid Rising Tensions
October 15, 2024, 11:04 am

Israel to Establish Security Barrier Along Syrian Border Amid Rising Tensions

جنود إسرائيليون يتخذون مواقع في هضبة الجولان / صور VCG‍

Israeli media has reported that Israeli security forces are working on establishing a security barrier along the border with Syria in the occupied Golan Heights. This comes amid repeated sightings of Israeli military vehicles entering Syrian territory since 2022, despite the Syrian government's denial of these reports.

On Monday, October 14, Channel 14 Israeli news stated that Israel is currently working on constructing a large ground barrier at the border with Syria to complicate access for "terrorists" attempting to infiltrate Israel in the future.

The proposed barrier will include a double fence, berms, and trenches, according to the Israeli channel. It added that Israel's "security apparatus" is taking the threats from the Syrian border, as well as from the eastern border, very seriously.

The objective of constructing this security barrier is to obstruct “enemy forces and hostile elements” should they attempt to breach Israeli territory, as noted by Channel 14, which indicated that lessons would be learned from the breach of the wall by Hamas in October 2023.

Among the defensive measures included in the plan for the new barrier are the construction of a mound several meters high, and excavation to a similar depth to create obstacles along the border, with the fence itself being double-layered.

A correspondent from Enab Baladi in Quneitra reported that the Israeli army has not initiated any new movements in the area, while its forces continue to penetrate the border into Syrian territory to pave a road extending into the agricultural lands south of Quneitra, accompanied by an earthen embankment.

The construction of the road, named "Sofa 53," began in 2022 and runs parallel to the border with the occupied Golan Heights, according to the correspondent. Bulldozers started working to establish the road in the far north of Quneitra province, specifically west of the town of Ain al-Tina, extending 100 to 700 meters into Syrian territory.

Following this, the entry of Israeli military vehicles into the area has increased, impacting the lives of local residents and farmers who have been denied access to their agricultural lands or the ability to approach them.

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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.