Israel has delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners until Hamas meets its conditions, highlighting tensions over the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
Israel said on Sunday it was postponing the planned release of 620 Palestinian prisoners until it received assurances from Hamas about the next hostage release and the absence of public ceremonies. The move follows concerns over Hamas’ recent handovers, which UN officials criticised as violating international law.
On Saturday, Hamas freed six hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement. These were the last living captives set for release under the first phase of the truce, with the bodies of four more hostages expected next week.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by failing to release Palestinian detainees as scheduled, though the truce has held since its start on 19 January. Both sides have frequently blamed each other for breaches.
Talks on the next phase of the ceasefire continue, with mediators aiming to secure the release of all remaining hostages and a potential Israeli troop withdrawal. Over 60 captives remain in Gaza, fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive.
The war began with Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed at least 48,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials, leaving much of Gaza in ruins.
Sudan is facing a worsening cholera outbreak, with 1,351 cases and 58 deaths reported in White Nile State over three days. Contaminated water, linked to conflict-related infrastructure damage, is fuelling the crisis.
China’s defence ministry dismissed Australia’s complaints over Chinese naval drills between Australia and New Zealand, calling them "hyped up" and "inconsistent with the facts."
President Donald Trump has named newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The move consolidates Patel’s leadership over two major law enforcement agencies during a period of transition.
The Trump administration has ordered U.S. federal employees to submit a list of their work accomplishments by Monday night or risk losing their jobs, raising legal and procedural questions over mass firings.
Security was heightened in Beirut as crowds gathered for the funeral of former Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine. Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli airstrike last year, will be buried at a dedicated site near the stadium where the ceremony is taking place.
Intense snowfall persists along the Sea of Japan coast, with warnings in effect for traffic disruptions and snow-related accidents through Monday, February 24.
Anthony Ricco, one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense attorneys, has filed to step down from the legal team ahead of his upcoming human trafficking trial, citing an inability to continue effectively representing the hip-hop mogul.
Scientists have successfully observed plastic Ice VII, an exotic form of water previously predicted by theoretical models, shedding new light on how water behaves under extreme conditions, both on Earth and potentially on alien worlds.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
A dialogue between US and Russian delegations has begun in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the development in an official statement.
Security was heightened in Beirut as crowds gathered for the funeral of former Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine. Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli airstrike last year, will be buried at a dedicated site near the stadium where the ceremony is taking place.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
Hamas has handed over the bodies of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, deepening national mourning in Israel. Their fate had remained uncertain for months after their abduction during the October 7, 2023 attack.
Security was heightened in Beirut as crowds gathered for the funeral of former Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine. Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli airstrike last year, will be buried at a dedicated site near the stadium where the ceremony is taking place.
Intense snowfall persists along the Sea of Japan coast, with warnings in effect for traffic disruptions and snow-related accidents through Monday, February 24.
Anthony Ricco, one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense attorneys, has filed to step down from the legal team ahead of his upcoming human trafficking trial, citing an inability to continue effectively representing the hip-hop mogul.
Scientists have successfully observed plastic Ice VII, an exotic form of water previously predicted by theoretical models, shedding new light on how water behaves under extreme conditions, both on Earth and potentially on alien worlds.
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