More than 350 killed in Gaza in a few hours
March 18, 2025, 9:37 am

More than 350 killed in Gaza in a few hours

غزة

In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel launched extensive airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, following the end of a ceasefire agreement that had been in effect since January 19. These operations resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of civilians, with medical sources reporting that the death toll has reached 356 so far.

The spokesman for the Civil Defense in Gaza, Mahmoud Basal, indicated that the majority of the victims are children, women, and the elderly, confirming that more than 220 dead have been transferred to hospitals. Reports indicated that Israel carried out over 200 airstrikes and intense artillery shelling targeting areas in the northern and central parts of the strip, while ambulance teams faced difficulties in reaching targeted areas due to the intensity of the attacks.

In this context, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant explained that Israeli forces have returned to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas's refusal to release hostages and its threats against Israeli soldiers. He affirmed that the airstrikes will continue until all captives are returned and the desired military objectives are achieved.

In related news, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that his country will continue its operations until the hostages are released, urging the international community to take Israel's commitment regarding this matter seriously.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official announced that the extensive attack will continue "as long as necessary," as a series of preemptive strikes were launched against military leaders, key officials, and Hamas infrastructure.

For its part, Hamas held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government responsible for the consequences of the airstrikes. The movement considered that Israel violated the ceasefire agreement and exposed the Israeli hostages in Gaza to an uncertain fate.

This bloody escalation follows the failure of recent negotiations held between mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States with Hamas and Israel in Doha and Cairo, which did not result in an extension of the ceasefire agreement or advancement to its next phase.

It is worth noting that the war that began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israeli settlements and military bases, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 48,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, as well as the repeated displacement of hundreds of thousands and increased levels of hunger due to the blockade on aid entering through the Rafah crossing.

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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.