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Tens of thousands of Palestinians have begun returning home in northern Gaza, as Israel for the first time in 15 months lifted its closure of the area. Israel and Hamas are taking new steps to wind down a protracted conflict and facilitate the release of hostages under a fragile ceasefire sealing their weekend agreement. On Monday morning, teeming masses of …

People from South Lebanon escorted by the Lebanese army attempted to return to their villages on Monday, according to official reports and AFP correspondents, one day after Israeli fire killed 24 people in the region on Sunday. Reports said at least five people were wounded by Israeli fire on Monday in the areas of Houla and Bani Hayyan. Lebanese caretaker …

The United States announced it was freezing most of its international aid programs with a policy change to exempt such recipients as military aid for stalwart allies including, amongst others, Israel and Egypt, in what the administration defined as an exercise of reorientation in America’s priorities in foreign spending towards closer compatibility with its strategic interests. This shift in policy …

In a new twist, the Trump administration has backed a temporary extension of the Israeli military sojourn in south Lebanon beyond the agreed-on 60-day withdrawal. This is in line with an earlier declaration by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country would not be able to meet the initial deadline since Lebanon was yet to fulfill the ceasefire terms. …

Hamas has announced it will release four hostages from Israel tomorrow amid their ongoing negotiations, in a major step for the developing situation between Israel and the militant group based in the Gaza Strip. The announcement was made amidst a high-tension atmosphere in the region, along with sustained international pressure to take more humanitarian steps forward. The release is reportedly …

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces will be in Lebanon longer than previously mentioned or a 60-day withdrawal. This is against the background of a continuing tense atmosphere in the region, with many questions being left to Israel’s strategy in the long term and implications on regional stability. The first 60-day withdrawal plan was part of a …

In recent development, the refugee camp of Jenin in the occupied West Bank has become a focal point of the big Israeli military operation. The offense has killed at least 12 Palestinians and injured more than 40, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Hundreds of residents have fled their homes in search of safety from the violence. Israeli Military actions …

In a deal that marked the depth of economic relations between Saudi Arabia and the US, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia announced an investment commitment of $600 billion to revamp strategic sectors across the United States. He reportedly made this commitment in a discussion with former US President Donald Trump, showing a bold vision for strengthening the …