SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Syria will participate on Monday in the meetings of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) at its headquarters in Bern, Switzerland with a delegation from the Syrian Postal Corporation headed by Director General Imad al-Din Hamed. The delegation will attend the opening session of the Investment and Postal Operations Councils, held in Bern from November 24 to 28, marking Syria’s return to active engagement after years of absence.

Hamed told SANA that receiving an official invitation from the UPU “confirms the restoration of Syria’s effective presence within this international body, following the reactivation of Syria’s membership in the Union, which brings together 192 countries.”

He noted that the reactivation of the membership “passed through several stages, beginning with discussions in Doha last April, followed by continued coordination with the International Bureau in Switzerland. These efforts were crowned with success during the 28th UPU Congress held in Dubai last September, where the Syrian Postal Corporation participated and contributed to international deliberations.”

Hamed emphasized that the Corporation is working to secure a stronger role both domestically and internationally by upgrading services offered to citizens and shaping the future of cross-border postal operations in partnership with the global postal community. This includes advancing international express shipping, e-commerce services, and external financial transfers, noting that “these steps will be facilitated and strengthened under the umbrella of the UPU.”

Established in 1874 and headquartered in Bern, the Universal Postal Union is one of the oldest specialized agencies of the United Nations.

The Daraa Directorate of Antiquities announced the discovery of several archaeological artifacts in the town of al-Harra in the northwestern countryside, within a burial chamber believed—based on initial assessments—to date back to the Roman period.

In a statement issued today, the Directorate explained that a local resident was excavating a basement for a new home using a heavy machine, when a collapse occurred at the site. Rumors quickly spread across social media claiming the presence of a “cave filled with gold treasures,” prompting large crowds of residents to gather around the location. Internal security forces were deployed to secure the area.

According to the statement, a specialized team from the Daraa Antiquities Department arrived at the site late at night, conducting an immediate field inspection. Their examination revealed a burial chamber consistent with Roman-era design and structure.

The Directorate noted that, despite the difficult circumstances and the large crowds present, its team was able to recover several archaeological items from inside the chamber, including a bronze bracelet, pieces of clay lamp and jars.

Earlier, Wael al-Zamel, director of the al-Sanamayn district, stated that the directorate had followed up on social-media claims about a cave filled with gold discovered during the excavation of a basement in al-Harra. He clarified that what appeared was only a small opening formed during digging, and no evidence or sightings of gold were recorded.

Syria’s Civil Defense also announced the completion of excavation work at the site, in the presence of a team from the Antiquities Directorate, confirming that the pit contained remnants of old, empty graves, with no findings resembling treasure.

Israeli fighter jets launched an airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, hitting the fourth and fifth floors of a 10-story building on Al-Arid Street in Haret Hreik neighborhood, Lebanese media reported. Initial reports indicate that the strike resulted in one fatality and left three others injured.

Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli military carried out an attack in central Beirut, targeting Hezbollah “chief of staff”.

Israeli officials informed U.S. authorities about the planned operation against the southern Beirut suburbs prior to its execution, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

The Israeli military later identified the target as “Abu Ali al-Tabtabai,” the head of Hezbollah’s military wing and second-in-command within the group. However, it remains unclear whether he was killed in the strike.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met on Sunday with Omani Minister of Economy Said Mohammed Al-Saqri to discuss enhancing economic cooperation.

The talks focused on prospects for strengthening economic and investment ties between the two countries, particularly in trade, energy, and productive sectors, Syria’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

The officials also exchanged views on the latest regional developments and coordinated efforts to serve the interests of both nations.

Gaza’s health ministry said Sunday that 23 Palestinians were killed and 83 injured over the past 24 hours amid ongoing Israeli attacks across the enclave.

In its daily report, the ministry said Gaza’s hospitals received 23 bodies — 21 newly killed and two recovered from under debris — along with 83 wounded. It added that a number of victims remain trapped under the rubble or on roadways, with ambulance and civil-defense teams still unable to reach them.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2025, the ministry has recorded 339 deaths, 871 injuries, and 574 bodies recovered.

It added that the overall toll from the Israeli war on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, has risen to 69,756 deaths and 170,946 injuries.

The Syrian Ministry of the Interior has dispatched additional security forces to the town of Zaydal, south of Homs, following the brutal murder of a man and his wife earlier today. The move aims to prevent the incident from escalating into sectarian tensions.

In a statement, the Ministry confirmed that internal security forces have raised their readiness and increased their presence in Zaydal and surrounding areas south of Homs. The deployment follows the discovery of the bodies of a man and his wife in their home, with signs that the wife had been burned. Sectarian slogans were also found at the crime scene, raising concerns that the murders were intended to provoke sectarian conflict.

“This attack appears to have the goal of fueling sectarian divisions and undermining stability in the region,” said Major General Murhaf al-Nassan, head of internal security in Homs, in a press statement. “We are taking immediate measures to prevent further escalation.”

Authorities have secured the crime scene and initiated a full investigation to gather evidence and identify the perpetrators. The Ministry of the Interior assured the public that all legal procedures are being followed to bring those responsible to justice. In addition to the investigation, security forces have taken steps to ensure the safety of civilians and maintain stability in the area.

The Ministry condemned the violence, describing it as a “deliberate attempt to incite sectarian strife and divide the community.” It urged citizens to remain calm and allow the investigation to unfold without interference.

Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met on Sunday with Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman.

 The officials discussed opportunities to enhance trade relations between Syria and Oman, with a focus on boosting bilateral exchanges. They also explored potential areas of cooperation in the process of rebuilding Syria.

The meeting highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries and promote economic recovery in Syria.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In a press release issued on Sunday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both sides emphasized the importance of implementing the UN Security Council resolution to end the war in Gaza and allow an international stabilization force to carry out its duties. Talks also focused on Egypt’s efforts to uphold the Sharm El-Sheikh peace agreement and support the reconstruction of Gaza.

Last Monday, the UN Security Council adopted a U.S.-sponsored resolution to end Israel’s war on Gaza, with 13 members voting in favor, while Russia and China abstained.

The resolution stressed the importance of fully resuming humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza through cooperating organizations, including the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Red Crescent.

The Syrian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with international and local organizations, launched a comprehensive national nutritional survey on Sunday aimed at tackling malnutrition across the country.

According to a statement released by the Ministry, the survey will be conducted in all Syrian governorates. It will assess the nutritional status of children under five years old and women of reproductive age (15-49). The goal is to identify areas of concern related to malnutrition and implement targeted interventions to address these issues.

The survey will involve home visits by field teams, who will measure key health indicators, including weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference, as well as detect signs of edema in children.

The Ministry urged local communities to cooperate with survey teams to ensure the initiative’s success, which aims to enhance the quality of health services available to vulnerable populations.

Alongside the survey, the Ministry continues to provide essential nutritional services for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under five, through a network of 929 primary healthcare centers across Syria.

The launch of the survey is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to combat rising malnutrition rates and improve the health and well-being of Syrians affected by years of war and displacement.

The Gaza Government Media Office reported Sunday that Israeli forces have committed 497 documented violations of the ceasefire agreement since it came into effect on November 10, in what it described as a breach of international humanitarian law.

The office said 27 violations occurred on Saturday alone, resulting in 24 Palestinians killed and 87 others wounded. Since the ceasefire began, a total of 342 civilians—mostly women, children, and the elderly—have been killed, and 875 injured. In addition, 35 Palestinians were arrested during incursions and raids, according to the statement.

The Gaza government condemned the ongoing violations and called on the United States, international mediators, and the UN Security Council to take immediate action to pressure Israel to halt the attacks.

The ceasefire was brokered following more than two years of Israeli military operations in Gaza, which left over 69,000 Palestinians dead, more than 170,000 injured, and nearly 90 percent of the territory’s infrastructure damaged.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani  held on Sunday a meeting in the Omani capital, Muscat with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, during an official visit to the sisterly Sultanate of Oman.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them, as well as regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest.

A group of women in Aleppo has launched the “Aleppo Legacy” initiative as part of the community campaign “Aleppo the Best of All”, creating a cultural and creative incubator for women producers of traditional crafts at Khan al-Tahhan in the Old City.

Engineer Ani Markosyan, one of the organizers, told SANA’s correspondent in a statement that the exhibition gathers women running small projects who are transforming traditional Aleppo crafts into creative products that appeal to all generations. She noted that choosing the name “Aleppo legacy” reflects the initiative’s role in supporting intangible heritage and promoting a cultural economy that helps working women turn their skills into a stable income for their families.

Participant Siham Efant said the event introduces visitors to Aleppo’s traditional crafts through a renewed presentation, offering a direct, interactive space between women producers and consumers. She added that the bazaar helps expand the circulation of handmade goods within Aleppo and beyond.

On youth participation, Bashar Atrash said the decision to host the initiative in Aleppo’s Old City facilities strengthens young people’s connection with local heritage. He highlighted his participation through traditional sweets and foods that represent a distinctive culinary identity for Aleppo.

The Old City in Aleppo continues to host similar activities under the “Aleppo the Best of All” campaign, part of broader efforts to revive historic markets and support local producers whose national products combine heritage and modern design.

Wael al-Zamel, Director of the al-Sanamayn district in Daraa, has denied circulating rumors on social media about the discovery of a gold-filled cave in the town of al-Hara. In an official statement, al-Zamel clarified that excavation work at a private residence had uncovered only a small opening, the nature of which remains unclear. No evidence of gold has been found at the site.

In response to the growing crowds gathering around the site, al-Zamel confirmed that local security forces had been deployed to manage the situation and ensure public safety. “We are awaiting a team of specialists from the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums to conduct a thorough investigation and determine the true nature of the opening,” he said.

Al-Zamel urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and called on media outlets to prioritize accuracy in their reporting. He also warned that the large crowds posed a risk of stampedes and other safety hazards.

The rumors, which gained traction on social media over the past 24 hours, have led many residents to flock to al-Hara in hopes of verifying the discovery. The influx of people caused significant congestion, prompting authorities to intervene and restore order.

Syria secured first place at the “Cultural Day” event hosted by Lusail University in Doha, showcasing an attractive display of its rich cultural heritage. The event, held at the Katara Cultural Village in the Qatari capital, saw the participation of over 223 students from Lusail University, each representing their country through vibrant pavilions that celebrated their unique traditions and creative expressions.

The Syrian Ministry of Tourism, in a statement on its Telegram channel, highlighted the exceptional success of the Syrian pavilion, which stood out for its authentic portrayal of the country’s cultural identity. The pavilion featured an array of traditional crafts and industries, alongside captivating performances of the “Dabke” folk dance and the soulful “Qudud” music from Aleppo. The display also included a rich variety of folkloric costumes representing Syria’s diverse provinces, complemented by a selection of authentic Syrian cuisine.

According to the Ministry, the Syrian pavilion surpassed dozens of others from both Arab and foreign countries, reflecting the pride and deep affection for Syria that unites its people abroad.

Inaugurated last Thursday, the “Cultural Day” event at Lusail University featured cultural presentations from around 30 countries, offering a unique opportunity to experience the traditions and customs of nations from across the globe. Syria’s success at the event underscores the enduring importance of its cultural heritage on the global stage and the pivotal role of young people in preserving and sharing that heritage.

The “In Devotion to Hama” fundraising campaign concluded Saturday evening with donations exceeding $210 million, according to organizers.

The campaign, held at the stadium in Hama with the participation of President Ahmad al-Sharaa and a wide range of officials and community representatives, aimed to support reconstruction in areas affected by damage, strengthen infrastructure and facilitate the return of displaced families.

A visual presentation shown during the event highlighted Hama’s historical identity, the challenges the governorate faced during years of conflict, and the resilience and contributions of its residents in safeguarding community life and maintaining services.

Syria’s Ministry of Agriculture, in coordination with the Idlib Governorate, will launch a wide-scale tree-planting campaign on Monday under the slogan “Together to Make Idlib Green Again.”

The initiative plans to plant trees across several areas of the province and distribute about 200,000 olive saplings to strengthen vegetation cover, raise environmental awareness and help restore ecological balance in affected zones.

Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr said in a statement to SANA that the campaign is important for supporting the cultivation of olive trees, which he described as a symbol of resilience and continuity in the region. He stressed the need to protect forested areas that contribute to improving the local environment and climate.

Badr said the initiative aims to rehabilitate damaged lands and “will help restore hope among residents,” adding that it marks a significant step toward reviving life in rural Idlib.

The past few days saw field preparations in forested sites in Idlib, including land clearing and digging agricultural pits in several locations, particularly along public-road edges and in affected forest areas, in advance of the upcoming planting operations.