"gaza"

Israel is seeking to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement for an additional 42 days, while Hamas rejects this and wants to move forward with negotiations for the second phase.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is delusional if he thinks he can achieve his goals through the starvation war imposed on the Gaza Strip: Mahmoud Mardawi

The extension of the first phase as proposed by the occupation is unacceptable to us, and the mediators and guarantor countries are required to oblige the occupation to abide by the agreement in its various stages: Qassem

There were no immediate reports of casualties. However, eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions as flames and smoke rose from one targeted site. They added ambulances had rushed to the scene, Xinhua news agency reported.

The three male civilians are to be freed Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel as part of a ceasefire in Gaza that has paused the war in the Gaza Strip

The list of the three people intended for release, sent to Israel on Friday, includes 54-year-old Israeli-French citizen Ofer Calderon, 65-year-old Israeli-American citizen Keith Siegel, and 35-year-old Israeli civilian Yarden Bibas.

The call was Rubio's first with Israel since the administration of Republican President Donald Trump took office on Monday.

In Tel Aviv, thousands of people gathered to watch the news on large screens erupted in cheers

Hamas blamed the delay on 'technical field reasons.' It said that it is committed to the ceasefire deal announced last week. The planned ceasefire, agreed after a year of intensive mediation by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, is the first step in a long and fragile process aimed at winding down the 15-month war

The Prime Minister cautioned Hamas to follow the rules of the deal.

The ceasefire — just the second achieved during the war — will go into effect on Sunday, though key questions remain, including the names of the 33 hostages to be released during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire and who among them is still alive

The statement provided no further details about the incident, the health condition of the Israeli captive, or the targeted location.

The initial release prioritises women, children, elderly individuals, and those who are ill or injured.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were still several unresolved clauses, which he hoped would be finalised on Wednesday evening.

Reflecting on the challenging path to this agreement, US President Joe Biden remarked that this was one of the toughest negotiations he has ever experienced.

Trump, in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, expressed his excitement and claimed credit for the agreement, asserting that the deal would not have been possible without his administration's leadership.

The cause of the explosion, which led to the collapse of the building, was not immediately clear, and the Israeli military said the incident was still under investigation, Xinhua news agency reported.

One strike hit a home in Jabaliya area, the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the territory

Syrians in Damascus celebrate a hopeful new year following Bashar Assad's fall, while Beirut remains cautious amidst ongoing crises. In Gaza, Palestinians face 2025 with little hope after enduring war and loss, highlighting the region's mixed fortunes

At least eight people killed in the strike on Musa bin Nusair school in Gaza City's Daraj al-Tuffah neighbourhood, which was sheltering displaced people