SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

The Republic of Korea announced a new $38 million humanitarian aid package for Syria on Tuesday. The initiative was unveiled during an official ceremony at the Royal Semiramis Hotel in Damascus.

The aid projects will be implemented in partnership with four United Nations agencies to support children and families in Syria.

Under the initiative, UNICEF will receive $15 million, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) $10 million, the World Food Programme (WFP) $10 million, and the World Health Organization (WHO) $3 million.

Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said Monday that Syria had conducted three rounds of negotiations with Israel aimed at reaching an agreement based on the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement.

In an interview with the Al-Arabia TV, al-Mustafa explained that negotiations discuss a withdrawal from the territories into which the (Israeli) incursions had taken place.

The minister clarified that negotiations on security understandings with Israel, “were imposed by the repeated Israeli attacks, which included more than 1000 airstrikes and 400 ground incursions since December 8”.

Minister al-Mustafa stressed that this path is “completely separate” from the Abraham Accords, noting that Syria has declared its “refusal to join” these accords as long as Israel occupies the Golan Heights.

Al-Mustafa hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for Syria and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at this critical period.

He emphasized that the relationship between the Syria and United States has started to take on a cooperative nature after decades of discord. He also pointed out that the sanctions file has seen tangible progress toward lifting them off Syria.

Foreign ministers from several Arab and Islamic countries on Monday expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza and promote a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

In a joint statement carried by Qatar News Agency (QNA), the foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey commended Trump’s “sincere efforts” and voiced confidence in his ability to help achieve lasting peace.

The ministers said they were committed to working with Washington to finalize a comprehensive agreement that ensures the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, prevents the displacement of Palestinians, secures the release of hostages, guarantees a full Israeli withdrawal, and paves the way for reconstruction. They also reaffirmed support for a two-state solution as the foundation for regional stability.

Highlighting the importance of U.S. partnership, the ministers pledged constructive engagement with all stakeholders to implement the agreement.

Trump earlier announced that a “breakthrough deal” to end the Gaza war and promote broader peace in the Middle East was imminent.

Syrian Foreign Ministry reminded the world Tuesday of the UN Security Council Resolution 497 dated 1981 which declared the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights “null and void” and called on Israel to rescind the decision.

The reminder came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House that he had “recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”

Syria has always urged  the United Nations and world powers to end Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights.

The 497-resolution reaffirmed that the “acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions”.

Based on this the Security Council “decides that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and without international legal effect.”

It demanded “Israel, the occupying Power, should rescind forthwith its decision” and determined that “all the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, continue to apply to the Syrian territory occupied by Israel since June 1967”.

The Council requested the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the implementation of the present resolution within two weeks and decides that, in the event of non-compliance by Israel, the Council would meet urgently, and not later than 5 January 1982, to consider taking appropriate measures in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Foreign Ministry denounced chants insulting Egypt that were voiced by a small group of people during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

“Some social media platforms circulated a video in which a limited number of individuals shouted offensive slogans on the sidelines of what was described as a pro-Palestinian gathering”, the ministry said in a press release on Monday .

The ministry stressed that “such behavior does not reflect the feelings of the Syrian people toward Egypt’s leadership and citizens, but only those who were engaged in it”.

It expressed regret that “the incident had been exploited in an attempt to undermine the “deep and longstanding fraternal relations” between the two countries”.

The statement reaffirmed “Syria’s respect and appreciation for Egypt, noting Cairo’s role in hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrians in recent years, and underscored Damascus’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, and its categorical rejection of any attempt to harm them”.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa visited several Arab television networks in Riyadh, including Al Arabiya, Al Hadath, MBC Group and Asharq.

The minister toured studios and facilities to review the latest broadcasting and production technologies used by the leading Saudi-based media outlets.

During his meetings with network executives, al-Mustafa discussed the current state of media in the region and explored prospects for enhancing cooperation.

The visit comes as Damascus seeks to rebuild ties with Arab states and expand its engagement with regional media after years of isolation.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Minister of Information, Hamza Al-Mustafa, visited on Monday Saudi Research and Media Group in Riyadh and met with the group’s CEO, Jumana Al-Rashed, as he was briefed on its diverse media activities and the projects and initiatives it offers in the fields of visual, print, and digital media.

The two sides discussed prospects for joint cooperation between the Ministry of Information and the Saudi group, particularly in the areas of training, qualification, and exchange of expertise.

Minister of Information also visited the group’s Middel East newspaper center, toured its various departments, and listened to an explanation from the editorial and production departments about journalistic work mechanisms in light of digital developments and the challenges facing print journalism in recent years.

He emphasized the importance of the newspaper’s experience as a prominent Arab model that has succeeded in maintaining its presence in the international media arena.

Mazen

Minister of Information, Hamza Al-Mustafa, visited on Monday the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA ) in Riyadh and met with its Chairman, Mohammed Al-Harthi as discussions focused on areas of media cooperation between the two sides.

The meeting also addressed ways to make use of the advanced expertise of the Saudi Broadcasting Aythority in supporting and developing the General Authority for Radio and Television in Syria.

The meeting also discussed the latest developments related to the status of the Syrian Broadcasting Corporation and its current plans in the post- liberation phase.

Following the meeting, Minister Al-Mustafa toured the production, preparation and editing departments of SBA and listened to a detailed explanation from specialists about the work mechanism and the use of modern technologies and equipment in television content production.

Minister of Information also attended part of the live broadcast inside the main studio of the Saudi channel during the news bulletin.

Mazen

A delegation from the Ministry of Defense’s Medical Services Department, headed by Amjad Sultan, Director of Public Relations and International Cooperation, visited Monday the Military Medical Services Department in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The discussions focused on issues of mutual interest, with the aim of enhancing cooperation and serving the interests of the two brotherly armies.

Mazen

Syria and Japan discussed on Monday boosting economic relations in the fields of industry and trade exchange, Syria’s Economy Ministry said.

Minister of Economy and Industry, Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar discussed with Japanese Chargé d’affaires in Syria, Akihiro Tsuji “prospects of cooperation and pushing the bilateral ties towards further economic development and prosperity” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of Economy is working to build and develop economic relations with various countries worldwide, along with activating joint investment and trade exchange, following long years of isolation imposed on Syria.

Minister of Economy and Industry, Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, discussed on Monday with a UN delegation ways of supporting Syria’s development efforts for economic recovery.

The meeting with the delegation led by Ms. Kazumi Kawamoto, chief of UN Resident Coordinator Office in Syria, reviewed areas of cooperation and means to enhance economic recovery, the Ministry of Economy said in a statement on its Telegram channel.

Talks also covered programs and projects aimed at boosting production, improving services across economic sectors, and addressing the needs of the local community.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to continued coordination and joint efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and support Syria’s economic recovery.

Ankara – SANA

Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya announced Monday that over half a million Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned to their homeland since December 8.

In a post on  the Turkish platform “In Sosyal,” Yerlikaya stated that 509,387 Syrians have voluntarily returned to their homeland since last December 8, Anadolu Agency reported.

He reaffirmed his country’s support for Syrians’ voluntary return saying: “Just as in the past, Turkey today stands by its Syrian brothers in their path of voluntary return.”

Yerlikaya explained that the total number of Syrians who have returned from Turkey to Syria since 2016 has now reached 1,249,390.

The Internal security forces carried out a wide-scale operation against drug dealers in al-Nayrab Camp, eastern Aleppo, killing one suspect, an Interior Ministry officer said on Monday.

Head of Internal Security in Aleppo, Colonel Mohammad Abdel Ghani, told SANA that the operation came after precise information.

“One of the suspects attempted to flee during the operation prompting a soldier to open fire, killing him”, Abdel Ghani said.

He identified the suspect as a fugitive from justice, implicated in multiple cases, most notably the management of smuggling and drug distribution networks. Several arrest warrants had previously been issued against him, he added.

The officer noted that the soldier involved has been referred to the relevant judicial authorities for investigation to ensure accountability in accordance with the law.

Abdel Ghani further explained that several suspects have already been arrested and referred for investigation with additional security forces units were deployed in the area to apprehend remaining fugitives and maintain public safety.

Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority began a process of rehabilitating and developing Deir Ezzor airport, SANA reporter said.

A delegation from the authority included Deputy Chairman Abdul Bari Al-Saj and Director of the Engineering Affairs Department, Ahmed Al-Saleh, arrived on Monday at the airport to carry out an evaluation, according to the reporter.

The Israeli forces arrested 44 Palestinians during a series of raids across multiple areas in the West Bank, Palestinian media reported.

The arrests took place in cities and towns including Hebron, Beit Ummar, Dhahiriya, Aqaba in Tubas, Kafr Laqif and Seer in Qalqilya, Silwan and Kafr Aqab in East Jerusalem, Beit Fajjar in Bethlehem, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in Jericho, and Askar al-Qadim near Nablus, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
In a separate operation, Israeli forces reportedly stormed the Jalazone refugee camp north of Ramallah and shut down a medical center operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Meanwhile, Israeli settlers, under military protection, entered the Wadi al-Rababa neighborhood in Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and uprooted olive trees.
Settlers also have blocked an agricultural road and released their livestock onto Palestinian lands in the town of Michmas, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, in an effort to harass the residents and forcibly displace them.

Health authorities in Gaza reported on Monday that the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip has killed 50 Palestinians and injured 184 others in the past 24 hours.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza (MoH) said in its daily report that hospitals in Gaza Strip received 50 deaths and 184 new injuries, bringing the cumulative toll to 66,055 deaths and 168,346 injuries since October 7, 2023.

The ministry added that some of the victims are still under rubble as civil defense and health rescue teams are unable to reach.

Within the same period, 5 Palestinians have died and 48 injured in incidents related to food-seeking, bringing the death toll food-seeking incidents to 2571 deaths and more than 18817 injuries.

Since the ceasefire agreement was broken by Israel on March 18, 2025, the death toll has surged to 13187 deaths and, 56305 injuries, the ministry said.

The Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections announced Monday the closure of candidacy applications for the parliamentary elections, with 1578 candidates applying nationwide.

Chairman of the Higher Committee, Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, told SANA that candidacy applications for parliamentary seats across Syria’s 50 electoral circles officially closed Sunday night.

Among the candidates are 221 women comprising 14 percent of the total number, he added.

The election day is set for Sunday, October 5, starting at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until polls close. Vote counting will begin at 4:00 p.m. on the same day.

“The election campaign starts today and will run until Friday evening with Saturday observed as an electoral silence day”, Al-Ahmad clarified. 

On September 26, Syria’s Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections released the final lists of electoral body members, confirming that all listed members are entitled to both run for office and cast their votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The City Council in Daraa governorate has begun rehabilitating roads in the damaged neighborhoods to restore normal life and facilitate the return of residents to their homes.
The works, carried out in cooperation with the local community, started with paving new roads in al-Nasr neighborhood under the “Abshari Houran” fundraising campaign.

Ahmed Issa, head of the council’s Public Works Department, told SANA on Monday that the community is contributing machinery and technical staff to implement the project. He added that rubble from neighborhoods including Daraa al-Balad, al-Sadd Road, and al-Mukhayyam is being recycled for road pavement.

The plan also includes paving main streets in the city center’s commercial markets at an estimated cost of 200 million SYP, aiming to improve services and facilitate the movement of citizens and vehicles.

Gold prices in Syrian markets recorded a new increase on Monday, rising by 35,000 Syrian pounds compared to Saturday’s rates, with the price of one gram of 21-karat gold reaching 1.195 million SYP.

According to the daily bulletin issued by the Goldsmiths Syndicate, the selling price of a gram of 21-karat gold was set at 1.23 million SYP, while the buying price stood at 1.21 million SYP.

The price of a gram of 18-karat gold was set at 1.055 million SYP for selling and 1.035 million SYP for buying