Sudan has officially joined the Abraham Accords, paving the way for Khartoum’s normalization of ties with Israel. The African nation recently became the third of four countries to agree to establish relations with the Jewish state, following the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and preceding Morocco.
Sudanese officials formally signed the deal in a ceremony in the capital of Khartoum. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin represented the United States at the event.
Nevertheless, the memorandum did not officially establish diplomatic ties between Khartoum and Jerusalem, a move that is expected to happen in the near future, at an as yet undetermined date.
Sudan announced its intention in October to join the accord as long as it was removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. In return, Khartoum agreed to pay $335 million in compensation to American victims of terrorism.
The current Sudanese government, focused on reforming the economy and expanding international investment, has sought friendlier ties with Israel as a step towards improving relations with Washington.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Ministry is preparing to open two temporary diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates — an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai.
Syrian state-run media reported strikes south of Damascus late Wednesday night, which it attributed to Israel. A Syrian military spokesman said missiles targeted several locations and activated air defense systems.
The attack reportedly targeted facilities belonging to pro-Iranian forces in the village of Sahnaya, located in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights.
There was no immediate comment from Israel, though IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi said last month that missile strikes had “slowed down Iran’s entrenchment in Syria.
“We have struck over 500 targets this year, on all fronts, in addition to multiple clandestine missions,” Kochavi asserted.
Intelligence experts have noted that over the past year there has been an expansion in the targets hit by Israel across Syria, where thousands of Tehran-supported fighters have been involved in regaining much of the territory previously lost by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a decade-long civil war.
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In a sign of increased cooperation between Israel and Greece, Israeli defense contractor Elbit this week announced a $1.68 billion deal with the Greek Air Force. The 20-year contract is the largest defense agreement between the Jewish State and Athens to date, and includes the sale of 10 M-346 training planes made by the European company Leonardo.
Elbit Systems will construct and maintain a flight school, a maintenance school and provide logistical support to the Greek Air Force.
“This agreement reflects the excellent and developing relations we have with Greece,” said Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. “It is a long-term partnership that will serve the interests of both countries.”
Just a few months ago, Greece began leasing Israeli drones, and the countries recently agreed on an undersea pipeline to supply Europe with natural gas.
Israel is set to enter another total lockdown at midnight local time, as the number of people infected with COVID-19 continues to rise. On Tuesday, 8,164 new cases were recorded, close to the September 2020 record. “We are in a state of emergency,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, calling upon citizens to make “one final effort together” to stop the spread of the virus.
Although the country has officially been in its third lockdown since December 27, the government voted to impose additional restrictions that begin on Friday. This includes shutting down almost the entire education system and closing more non-essential businesses. Some 5,000 police officers will be deployed around the country to enforce the new restrictions. The tightened lockdown is expected to last at least two weeks.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its successful vaccination drive. Thus far, more than 1.5 million people have been inoculated, most of them being over the age of 70, medical personnel or those with chronic illnesses.
On Thursday, the first shipment of the Moderna vaccines is scheduled to arrive in Israel. The Jewish State secured from the company some six million doses.
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