Israel's cabinet is set to approve a ceasefire with Hamas, ending 15 months of conflict. The deal, including hostages' release and a six-week truce, follows ongoing airstrikes in Gaza. The ceasefire aims to ease the humanitarian crisis and halt the fighting devastating the region.
The Israeli cabinet is set to convene to grant final approval for a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and the release of hostages in Gaza, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. While warplanes continued heavy strikes in Gaza, Palestinian officials reported that at least 86 people were killed on Thursday, the day after the ceasefire was announced.
After internal divisions delayed the expected cabinet vote on Thursday, Israel now plans to hold the meeting on Friday. Netanyahu’s office said approval was "imminent," with a security cabinet meeting scheduled before the full cabinet gathers. However, it remains uncertain whether the full cabinet will meet on Friday or Saturday, potentially delaying the ceasefire's scheduled start on Sunday.
White House spokesperson John Kirby stated that the ceasefire agreement was expected to proceed "as soon as late this weekend." Netanyahu's office confirmed that a deal for releasing hostages had been reached, and no major obstacles to the agreement were anticipated.
A group representing Israeli hostages urged Netanyahu to proceed with the deal without delay. "Every night is another nightmare for the 98 hostages," they said in a statement. A dispute over the identities of some prisoners Hamas wants released remains unresolved, with U.S. negotiators working alongside Egyptian and Qatari mediators to resolve it.
Despite the challenges, Hamas remains committed to the ceasefire, according to senior official Izzat el-Reshiq. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the need for Israel to address Palestinian concerns for long-term peace and sustainability.
In Gaza, initial joy over the ceasefire quickly turned to anger and despair after Israeli airstrikes resumed. Local residents, like Tamer Abu Shaaban, mourned the death of children caught in the violence, asking why the ceasefire had not prevented further loss.
While hardliners within Netanyahu’s government have opposed the deal, a majority of cabinet ministers are expected to support it. Protests erupted in Jerusalem with some Israelis marching through the streets in opposition to the ceasefire.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., outlines a six-week truce, with Israeli forces gradually withdrawing from Gaza. It also includes the release of dozens of hostages, including women, children, the elderly, and sick individuals, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. The deal also promises a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the population is facing extreme hardship due to the ongoing conflict.
Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israeli military actions have claimed over 46,000 lives in Gaza and displaced most of its 2.3 million residents. The ceasefire aims to halt the destruction in Gaza and potentially defuse broader regional tensions.
Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
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Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
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Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
Three bombs exploded on empty buses near Tel Aviv in a major attempted attack, while two other devices were disabled. Israeli authorities are investigating, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation against Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages, including infants, in a highly publicised handover. The move comes amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and a deadly 16-month-long war.
Hezbollah is set to hold a funeral for Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as regional tensions escalate. The event comes amid rising hostilities, with concerns over potential repercussions in Lebanon and beyond.
As Israel maintains control over key positions in southern Lebanon, the government in Beirut is calling for international pressure to ensure the full implementation of the November 27 ceasefire and increased support for Lebanese security institutions.
China has voiced support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s direct negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, while U.S. allies reaffirmed their backing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukraine is ready to work quickly on a strong security and investment agreement with the U.S. after meeting with envoy Keith Kellogg.
Greece is struggling with severe water shortages as climate change intensifies droughts and aging infrastructure leaks nearly half of its drinking water. The crisis threatens agriculture, public health, and daily life.
The Trump administration has halted U.S. scientists' participation in key U.N. climate change assessments, marking another step in its retreat from international climate efforts. The decision affects researchers working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
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