‘Foreign jihadists’ in Syria leader’s pick for army officers: monitor, experts

Hamas’s military wing released a video of Liri Albag, a hostage taken during the group’s attack on Israel, as talks for a cease-fire continued. Roughly 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with negotiations ongoing since a truce in November 2023. President-elect Trump has set a deadline for the release of hostages, while both sides engage in diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement. Full Article

Syria announced that international flights to and from Damascus International Airport would resume starting next week, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. The General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport confirmed the rehabilitation of Aleppo and Damascus airports to welcome flights from around the world, with Syrian Airlines set to resume flights to Dubai and Qatar Airways announcing plans to resume flights to the Syrian capital. The first flight since Assad's removal took...

Nooh al-Shaghnobi, a rescue worker in Gaza, is haunted by the cries of those he couldn't save, with memories of collapsed buildings and lack of equipment flooding back when he sleeps. Gaza's rescue workers face dangerous conditions without proper resources, digging out survivors with rudimentary tools amid intense Israeli airstrikes. The trauma has taken a heavy toll, with at least 118 rescuers killed and many suffering from stress and anxiety, despite limited mental health support....

Lebanon's interior minister stated that efforts are being made to resolve the issue of Lebanese citizens being denied entry into Syria, with the General Security agency working with Syrian authorities on the matter. This development marks the first sign of tension between the two countries since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with new border restrictions implemented by Syria causing clashes between Lebanese soldiers and armed Syrians, resulting in several injuries. Despite this, Syria's new leader...

Gaza's civil defence agency reported around 30 people killed in Israeli bombardments, while Hamas announced indirect negotiations for a truce in Qatar. The Israeli military said three rockets targeted its territory from Gaza, with ongoing strikes and accusations of military use of hospitals. Talks for a ceasefire continue amidst ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns, with Israel also facing attacks from Yemen. Full Article

Syria's new leaders met with French and German foreign ministers in Damascus, marking a high-level Western diplomatic visit since Bashar al-Assad's fall. The European officials engaged with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group now in power, seeking to establish ties and assess the new government's direction. Amid a realignment in the Middle East, efforts to rebuild Syria and open channels with the international community continue, with a focus on lifting sanctions and establishing a new...