Latest news with #MajedAl-Ansari
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Qatar says its output at South Pars field steady
LONDON/DUBAI: Qatar's gas production at the South Pars field is steady and supply is proceeding normally, it said on Tuesday, after the world's largest gas field was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, prompting Iran to partially suspend its production. Qatar, the world's third-biggest liquefied natural gas exporter after the US and Australia, shares the South Pars gas field with Iran. 'So far, gas supplies are proceeding normally. However, the ill-advised targeting raises concerns for everyone regarding gas supplies,' Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said. 'This is a reckless move ... The companies operating in the fields are international, and there is a global presence, especially in the North Field,' he said during a weekly press briefing in Doha. The South Pars field is located offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province and accounts for the bulk of production in Iran, the world's third-largest gas producer after the United States and Russia. Loading of LNG from Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG Terminal, which usually loads about 90 cargoes a month, remains within the usual range so far, according to shipping data from ICIS LNG Edge. 'There appear to be more than a dozen vessels in ballast (not carrying any cargo) waiting outside the port. These would ordinarily be expected to load quickly, but it remains to be seen if these will be delayed,' said ICIS' LNG analyst Robert Songer. LNG tanker, HLAITAN, which delivered a cargo to India earlier this month, was on its way back to Ras Laffan but is idling away from the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Qatar says its output at gas field shared with Iran is steady, following Israeli strike
Qatar's gas production at the South Pars field is steady and supply is proceeding normally, it said on Tuesday, after the world's largest gas field was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, prompting Iran to partially suspend its production. Qatar, the world's third-biggest liquefied natural gas exporter after the US and Australia, shares the South Pars gas field with Iran. 'So far, gas supplies are proceeding normally. However, the ill-advised targeting raises concerns for everyone regarding gas supplies,' Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said. 'This is a reckless move … The companies operating in the fields are international, and there is a global presence, especially in the North Field,' he said during a weekly press briefing in Doha. Qatar Energy has instructed tankers to remain outside the Strait of Hormuz and to enter the Gulf only the day before loading, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. Concerns over LNG supply disruptions have boosted LNG prices at the Japan Korea Market (JKM), widely seen as an Asian benchmark. It reached $13.948 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) on Tuesday, up from up $1.19 on Thursday June 12, before Israeli launched its attack on Iran on June 13, according to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights. The South Pars field is located offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province and accounts for the bulk of production in Iran, the world's third-largest gas producer after the United States and Russia. Loading of LNG from Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG Terminal, which usually loads about 90 cargoes a month, remains within the usual range so far, according to shipping data from ICIS LNG Edge. 'There appear to be more than a dozen vessels in ballast (not carrying any cargo) waiting outside the port. These would ordinarily be expected to load quickly, but it remains to be seen if these will be delayed,' said ICIS' LNG analyst Robert Songer. LNG tanker, HLAITAN, which delivered a cargo to India earlier this month, was on its way back to Ras Laffan but is idling away from the Strait of Hormuz, according to LSEG data. 'The current pattern — more idling vessels during summer — is typical, and the only tangible impact appears to be a few diversions and minor delays in loading,' said Go Katayama, LNG and gas analyst at data analytics firm Kpler. Critical energy infrastructure in Israel and Iran has not escaped unscathed from the first few days of the countries' conflict. US President Donald Trump said he wanted a 'real end' to the nuclear dispute with Iran, and indicated he may send senior American officials to meet with Islamic Republic officials as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth straight day on Thursday.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Qatar says its output at gas field shared with Iran is steady, following Israeli strike
FILE PHOTO: A fire burns at South Pars gas field, in Tonbak, Bushehr Province, Iran, in this screen grab from a handout video released on June 14, 2025. Social Media/via REUTERS/ File Photo Qatar says its output at gas field shared with Iran is steady, following Israeli strike DUBAI - Qatar said on Tuesday its gas production at the South Pars field is steady and supply is proceeding normally, after the world's largest gas field was struck by Israel on Saturday, prompting Iran to partially suspend its production. Qatar, the world's third biggest liquefied natural gas exporter after the U.S. and Australia, shares the South Pars gas field with Iran. Iran partially suspended production at the field after an Israeli strike caused a fire on Saturday. "So far, gas supplies are proceeding normally. However, the ill-advised targeting raises concerns for everyone regarding gas supplies," Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said. "This is a reckless move... The companies operating in the fields are international, and there is a global presence, especially in the North Field," he said during a weekly press briefing in Doha. The South Pars field is located offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province and is responsible for the bulk of gas production in Iran, the world's third largest gas producer after the United States and Russia. Critical energy infrastructure in Israel and Iran has not escaped unscathed from the first few days of the countries' conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump said he wanted a "real end" to the nuclear dispute with Iran, and indicated he may send senior American officials to meet with Islamic Republic officials as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth straight day on Thursday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Daily News Egypt
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Qatar reaffirm joint mediation efforts amid escalating Gaza crisis
Amid the unprecedented escalation in the Gaza Strip, Qatar and Egypt have reaffirmed their joint mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, seeking to end the war and address the deepening humanitarian crisis. In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the two countries emphasized that their mediation efforts are 'ongoing, consistent, and rooted in a unified vision' aimed at halting the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The statement underscored the goal of achieving a comprehensive ceasefire and warned against attempts to undermine the mediation process through misinformation or political manipulation. 'Attempts to sow division among brothers through misinformation, distortion, or media escalation will not succeed,' the statement read, reaffirming the countries' full coordination with the United States toward securing a lasting agreement that safeguards civilians and ends the bloodshed. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari confirmed that mediation efforts continue despite the escalating complexity of the situation. He pushed back against criticism from within Israel, labelling it a product of 'internal political polarization,' and reiterated that Qatar is internationally recognized as an impartial mediator. Al-Ansari pointed to contradictions in Israeli leadership, noting the divergence between President Isaac Herzog's praise of Qatar's mediation and more hostile rhetoric from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. 'We are fully aware of which parties are obstructing the path to an agreement,' he said, adding that several opportunities to reach a ceasefire have been deliberately thwarted. Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground intensified. On Wednesday, Hamas accused Israeli forces of committing a 'new barbaric massacre' after an airstrike hit a crowded restaurant in western Gaza City, killing and injuring dozens, including women and children. The group condemned the attack as part of a broader campaign of 'systematic genocide' that includes targeting civilian shelters and food distribution centres. Calling for urgent international intervention, Hamas accused the global community of a 'suspicious silence' and urged Arab and Islamic nations to escalate support for Palestinians through mass mobilization and diplomatic pressure. In a related development, 55 international humanitarian and aid organizations—including Oxfam, Save the Children, and the Norwegian Refugee Council—issued a joint statement condemning new Israeli restrictions on NGO registration and operations. They warned the measures jeopardize humanitarian access and violate international law. Additionally, six European nations—including Spain, Ireland, and Norway—voiced strong opposition to Israel's plans to expand its military control in Gaza, warning that any demographic or territorial changes would breach international law. Spain called for immediate action at the United Nations to halt the war. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 38 Palestinians were killed and 145 injured in the past 24 hours. Since fighting resumed on 18 March, the death toll has reached 2,545, with 6,856 wounded. Since the war began in October 2023, a staggering 52,653 people have been killed and 118,897 injured—marking one of the deadliest chapters in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Separately, Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, released footage showing what it claimed was a complex ambush against Israeli soldiers and military vehicles near Al-Zahraa Mosque in the Al-Jeneina neighborhood of Gaza. The operation is reportedly part of a broader campaign dubbed 'Gates of Hell.'
Daily News Egypt
07-05-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Gaza faces humanitarian collapse amid escalating Israeli offensive, healthcare breakdown
Gaza faces an imminent humanitarian catastrophe as Israel's military campaign, now in its 19th consecutive month, continues to intensify. Escalating air and ground operations, coupled with deepening restrictions on civilian movement and aid access, are accelerating the collapse of Gaza's infrastructure and health services, while prompting widespread warnings from local authorities and international agencies. The Ministry of Health in Gaza issued an urgent appeal this week, warning that current fuel conservation efforts are no longer sufficient to keep hospital generators operational. Without immediate fuel deliveries, critical healthcare services are projected to cease within 84 hours. The Government Media Office echoed this warning, calling on the international community to act swiftly and deliver fuel to avert the complete breakdown of the enclave's healthcare system. According to the latest figures from the Health Ministry, 48 Palestinians were killed and 142 injured in the past 24 hours. The total death toll since 7 October 2023, has now reached 52,615, with 118,752 reported injuries. Since March 18 alone, 2,507 people have been killed and 6,711 wounded. On the diplomatic front, Egypt has received a new proposal from the United States intended to revive long-stalled mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel. Citing Egyptian diplomatic sources, Arab media reported that the proposal could serve as a preliminary framework for ceasefire negotiations and a potential pathway to political dialogue aimed at ending the war. Meanwhile, Qatar confirmed that its mediation efforts are ongoing despite what officials describe as deteriorating conditions. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said during a press briefing on Tuesday that Doha remains in close contact with key stakeholders, including the United States, in pursuit of a humanitarian ceasefire. He described the situation in Gaza as 'catastrophic by all standards' and acknowledged that serious obstacles remain in reaching an agreement. On the ground, the Israeli military announced plans to expand its offensive operations in Rafah, a densely populated area in southern Gaza where hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians have sought refuge. According to a military statement, the campaign will now include additional neighborhoods and targets within the city. This development follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's formal approval of expanded military action in Gaza, including plans to occupy the territory and push its population further south. In a highly controversial statement reflecting growing fears of forced displacement, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared at a settler conference that 'victory will be achieved when Gaza becomes absolute rubble and its population is concentrated south of the Morag axis and begins to leave en masse to a third country.' He emphasized the government's intent to 'eliminate Hamas and completely destroy Gaza.' Further supporting accusations of systematic displacement, Israeli army radio revealed a new aid distribution strategy aimed at accelerating population movement out of northern Gaza. Under this plan, humanitarian aid will be restricted exclusively to Rafah—particularly the corridor between Morag and Salah al-Din (Philadelphi)—an area now under full Israeli control. Aid recipients will be required to undergo stringent security screenings to ensure they are not affiliated with Hamas. Only three aid distribution centers are planned, all located in Rafah, with no provisions for aid in northern Gaza. The report indicates a possible temporary distribution center may be established in the north but will be dismantled once population transfers are completed. The international community continues to voice strong opposition. Hamas condemned the latest Israeli ground operations, calling them a 'decision to sacrifice Israeli hostages,' and accusing Israel of undermining ongoing mediation efforts. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also rejected Israel's plan to shut down the existing aid mechanism in Gaza, stating that it violates essential humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The agency emphasized that any aid framework must meet these standards to effectively support civilians.
