Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Jan. 5

GAZA -- Islamic Hamas movement and Islamic Jihad (Holy War) in Gaza Friday called on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to withdraw its recognition of Israel.

Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesmen in Gaza, said in an emailed official press statement that the PLO "should immediately withdraw its recognition of the Israeli entity." (Palestine-Israel)

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RIYADH -- Saudi-led coalition in a war in Yemen against Houthi militias announced on Friday the interception of a ballistic missile from Yemen towards the border city Najran, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The coalition's Spokesman Turki Al-Malki said in a statement that the attack was foiled on Friday morning, when the coalition forces spotted the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemeni territory. (Yemen-Houthi-Saudi)

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CAIRO -- At least one tourist was killed and 14 others wounded when a hot air balloon crashed near Egypt's ancient city of Luxor on Friday, official news agency MENA reported.

The balloon was carrying around 20 people including travellers from different countries. (Egypt-Balloon Crash-Luxor)

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ADEN, Yemen -- At least three Yemeni soldiers were killed on Friday in a mortar attack by fighters of the Shiite Houthi group in the the southern Lahj province, a military official said.

The military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that a number of mortar shells fired by Houthis had landed on government-controlled positions in the suburbs of Lahj province. (Yemen-Houthi) Enditem