ISIS Captures Palestinian Camp in Damascus

The Western-backed Palestinian Authority appointed a man with ties to the Islamist terror militia Hamas as its new Deputy Minister of Education this week, leading to a sharp rebuke from within PA ranks. In related news, Israeli security officials told the Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that several mass casualty terror attacks being planned by Hamas against Israelis have been foiled in recent days, adding a warning that the upcoming Passover holiday will see heightened levels of risk.

The Islamic State (IS) terror militia continued pushing the Assad regime in Syria this week, reportedly taking territory on the outskirts of Damascus including the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, which still houses approximately 6,000 inhabitants. The fierce fighting in and around Damascus were part of a wider surge in violence throughout Syria this week which cast a dark shadow over ongoing negotiations in Geneva.

Firefighting units from Israel, Greece and Cyprus held a joint exercise this week as part of growing strategic ties between the three Eastern Mediterranean countries. The drills included hundreds of personnel and several vehicles and aircraft from all three countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is facing a harsh backlash against his recent decision to cede control of two islands at the mouth of the Straights of Tiran in the northern Red Sea to Saudi Arabia in return for a massive infusion of financial aid. Israeli officials have been quiet about the issue despite speculation that it could harm Israel’s strategic interests.

Yet another demonstration of the absurdity of calling Israel an Apartheid regime occurred on Wednesday when commander Jamal Hachrush became the first Arab-Moslem citizen of Israel to become an assistant-chief in the police force. His appointment is part of a multi-billion shekel plan recently announced to improve public safety in Arab communities which also includes plans to recruit  1,300 Arab-Israeli citizens to the police force.