Syrian President al-Sharaa meets US congressman

Summary The Palestinian National Council called for the protection of journalists amid ongoing Israeli attacks, emphasizing that Israel bears responsibility for crimes against reporters in Gaza and the West Bank. The council noted that at least 211 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023, characterizing these assaults as deliberate attempts to silence Palestine's narrative. The statement highlighted the violation of humanitarian laws and condemned international silence regarding these actions, while over 51,200 Palestinians have...

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that the country will place all weapons under state control, but will wait for the "right conditions" to implement this plan, emphasizing the armed forces as the sole authority responsible for Lebanon's sovereignty. He expressed a commitment to addressing Hezbollah’s weapons with "vision and responsibility," suggesting that Hezbollah members could integrate into the Lebanese army. International pressure is mounting for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, particularly following violations of a ceasefire...

The US and Iran have reportedly made significant progress in their direct and indirect discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program, with US officials expressing gratitude to Omani and Italian partners for facilitating and hosting the talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the discussions as "constructive and good," and expert-level technical discussions are set to occur in Oman before the next round of talks next week, which follows a four-hour meeting in Rome. US President Donald...

Russia may play a crucial role in negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, potentially serving as a location for Iran’s enriched uranium and as an arbiter for any breaches. Recent indirect talks in Rome, mediated by Oman, showed progress, although significant issues remain, such as Iran's uranium stockpile and guarantees against US non-compliance. Amid these discussions, Iran seeks assurances that its nuclear program will not be entirely dismantled, while the US maintains a hard stance on...

Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand the return of hostages in Gaza, with many attendees being family members of the captives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he would not end the ongoing war until Hamas's capabilities are fully eliminated, rejecting a proposal from Hamas for a prisoner exchange and war cessation. Meanwhile, Hamas expressed readiness for negotiations to release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and other concessions, amid ongoing...

The Israeli army reported the death of Warrant Officer G’haleb Sliman Alnasasra and serious injuries to three soldiers, including a female officer, during a battle in northern Gaza. The Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for a “complex ambush” that resulted in the destruction of an Israeli tank and bulldozer, with the incident occurring in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City. Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has acknowledged 847 fatalities, while...