The Israel-Gaza ceasefire agreement: Let’s pray it works

A few hours ago, it was announced officially in Qatar’s Doha that after Egyptian Qatari American mediation efforts, Palestinian factions led by Hamas group and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement for a prisoner exchange and the establishment of sustainable calm, paving the way for a permanent ceasefire.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, Qatar's PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced. pic.twitter.com/Xm5uZXbUAu

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 15, 2025

The agreement will take effect on Sunday 19 January 2025 at 12.15 PM.

The agreement consists of three phases to de-escalate the situation and restore stability.

Phase One (Duration: 42 Days):

1. Ceasefire: Both parties commit to a complete cessation of hostilities.
2. Israeli Forces' Withdrawal and Redeployment: Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas and reposition outside these zones.
3. Prisoner and Detainee Exchange: The parties will exchange prisoners and detainees, as well as the remains of deceased individuals.
4. Return of Internally Displaced Persons: Internally displaced residents of Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes.
5. Medical Evacuations: Facilitate the exit of patients and injured individuals for treatment.

Rafah crossing will start working starting on Thursday and by working here, we mean to fix on the Palestinian side as the Israeli army completely destroyed the Palestinian side of Rafah crossing.

Additionally, the first phase includes the intensification of humanitarian aid delivery across the Gaza Strip, ensuring safe and effective distribution on a large scale. 

Days at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo: Coptic-Byzantine Style- Madonna and Child or Merry Christmas to Eastern Orthodox Christians

Merry Christmas to all the Christians celebrating it tonight following the Eastern Orthodox Church above them the dear followers of the Eastern Church, especially the Coptic Orthodox Christian Egyptians.

On this occasion, I would like share with you this beautiful old Coptic-Byzantine style Madonna and Child’s triptych Christian icon.

It was displayed at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo in June 2023 on the occasion of the arrival of the Holy Family to Egypt.

The wooden icon's central panel depicts the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, flanked by an archangel (likely Michael or Gabriel) and a Saint, most probably Saint Paul, on the side panels.

Here is a close-up after the break.

Egyptian Chronicles’ Movers and Shakers of 2024 "Updated"

Welcome to the 2024 edition of Egyptian Chronicles' Movers and Shakers!

It’s that time of year again for our annual post.

Here is my list of those I believe to be the movers and shakers of 2024 in Egypt, the Arab world, and beyond.

This is not a list of the "top" individuals but rather those who left an impact for better or worse. The good, the bad, and the ugly all make an appearance. The naughty and the goody-goody are here too.

I didn’t publish the 2023 edition due to the war in Gaza—a decision I now regret.

But now, let’s dive into my top picks for the Movers and Shakers of 2024.

Regional shakers and movers

• The Palestinian people in Gaza:

Does this need any explanation? The most resilient people in the world are facing genocide while steadfastly refusing to leave their land. Many are unaware that Palestinians could storm the Egyptian border and seek refuge in Sinai under international law, which obligates Egypt to receive them. Yet, the Palestinians of Gaza choose to remain because they know Gaza is their last frontier.

Palestinian man Ismail Al-Khlout reads the Quran as he waits to break his fast in
Ramadan "March" while sitting on the rubble of his house. Mahmoud Isssa for Reuters

The people of Gaza understand that crossing the border means never returning. Israeli plans to recolonize Gaza are not a secret; Israeli officials openly discuss them. Their relentless efforts to make Gaza uninhabitable are underway, but the Palestinian people of Gaza remain their greatest obstacle. They are the true resistance, keeping the hope of Palestine alive. Yet, one cannot help but wonder how much longer they can endure this ongoing genocide.

Some countless faces and names embody the resilience and spirit of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Among them is Hajj Khaled Nabhan, who became an icon of perseverance after losing his beloved granddaughter Reem in October 2023. Despite his grief, he continued to care for his elderly mother and support the injured and displaced in Gaza. Tragically, Hajj Nabhan was killed in November.

Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter Reem are now together

Others, like food blogger-turned-chef Hamada Shaqoura and Mrs. Shahinaz, inspire hope through their efforts amidst the destruction. They remind us of the enduring humanity and strength of Gaza’s people.

As of October 7, 2023, the ongoing Israeli war has claimed the lives of 45,658 individuals and left 108,583 injured. Additionally, 80% of the Gaza Strip is now under Israeli evacuation orders, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Happy New Year 2025 from Egyptian Chronicles

Happy New Year 2025 from Egyptian Chronicles to all our dear friends!

A postcard generated by Midjourney

May this new year bring peace to Gaza and its remarkable people—the best, the most humble, honourable, and courageous among us.

The Richest Arabs in 2024: Egypt and Lebanon Still Have the Most Billionaires in the Region Again “Despite shitty economy”

This post should have been published but here I am rushing to get it online before the end of 2024.

I could not publish then because of the ongoing genocide in Gaza but I think I was wrong. I should have published it on time and not let depression due to the news cycle get me.

Now to the annual disclaimers: Forbes Middle East has not included Saudi billionaires on its list since 2018. The list is based on published information and assets.

As Arabs, we are aware that there is another unofficial list of the Richest Arabs whose fortunes remain secret and unknown.

This secret list includes Arab rulers except for Lebanese PM Mikati and ex-Lebanese PM Saad El-Hariri who already come from filthy rich families with multi-billion business empires.

For the third year in a row, Lebanon and Egypt have the highest number of billionaires in the region, with six and five.

It's worth noting that the same individuals from last year are present, though their rankings have shifted. However, one has left the list due to his passing: Mohamed El-Fayed.

Published in May, here is Forbes 2024 World's Richest Arabs and Africans aka billionaires subsequently the Richest Egyptians. 

According to Forbes, Nassef Sawiris of Egypt is still maintaining his position as the richest Egyptian in the world, with a net worth of US $8.8 billion. He also ranks as the fourth richest African. This year, his global rank on the Forbes World's Billionaires list is 287th, a notable rise from his 2023 position of 305th.

His wealth has risen by $1.4 billion compared to 2023.

Nevertheless, Nassef Sawiris has been dethroned as the richest Arab in the world by none other than Pavel Durov. Originally from Russia, Durov, the only tech CEO on the list, obtained Emirati citizenship, ironically earning him the leading spot in the Arab billionaires club.

Durov is not the only non-Arab to make it to the list. A group of Indian tycoons residing in the UAE also joined, including Renuka Jagtiani, the first businesswoman to make the list. These foreign entries have pushed Arab billionaires down the rankings.

Kodak Agfa presents : Christmas 2024 in Cairo's Korba

"Tis the season" because it is one of the annual posts Egyptian Chronicles: The Christmas in Egypt post.

Despite the genocides in Palestine and Sudan as well as the developments in Syria and Yemen, I am trying to keep those posts so I would not fall into that dark hole of a depressing news cycle without any hope.

There is always hope

Also, in solidarity with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and the annual controversial photo of his Christmas tree, I share those photos from Cairo.

God knows I am not a Mo Salah fangirl, but I got bored from the annual attack on Egypt’s national team captain and Liverpool right winger for the wrong reasons.

You can attack and criticize lots of issues, like for instance the lack of true and real support to Gaza and its people. “Salah is said to donate a big sum of money to the Gaza relief but that’s not enough when we are speaking about a true genocide just like other stars like Sam Morsy and Gary Linker”

This year I want to visit the famous Korba area in the Heliopolis district to see its famous Christmas decorations.

Christmas decorations in Korba 

This year, the Korba’s Christmas decorations became the talk of Egypt on social media, specifically that one building.

Christmas decorations in Korba 

This building is on Baghdad Street, which is about two blocks away from the Presidential Palace ala Al-Ittihadiya Palace.

Christmas 2024 Palestine edition: Baby Jesus is still in the rubble

No words better capture the spirit of Christmas in Palestine this year than those of Rev. Munther Isaac of the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, who said in his sermon earlier this week, “Christ is still under the rubble in Gaza.”

Christmas celebrations are canceled in the city of Jesus Christ's birth for the second year in a row.

On Friday in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, Reverend Munther Isaac of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church delivered a sermon titled "Christ is still in the rubble.” pic.twitter.com/EJLs3jGack

— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) December 23, 2024

Last year Isaac said his famous words “Baby Jesus is under the rubble” and this year he repeats it to the world but there is no use.

This year , 2024 the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem kept its 2023 Christmas Nativity Scene's Baby Jesus in th rubble.

Baby Jesus in rubble nativity scene