After 470 days of war, a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip allowed some hostages to return to Israel, Palestinian prisoners to be released, and displaced Gazans to search for their homes. The deal, lasting 42 days, raised hopes for peace but left unresolved issues. Masked gunmen and Hamas police showed their power post-ceasefire, while both sides remained wary of future conflicts despite moments of joy and relief amidst the devastation.
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Israeli strikes hit Damascus, central Syria; monitor says 4 dead
Syrian state media reported that Israel conducted airstrikes near a defence research centre in Damascus and targeted central Syria, resulting in four deaths, according to a monitoring group. Israel stated it struck "military" capabilities in these areas to prevent weapons from reaching jihadist groups. The strikes have been ongoing since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, with Israel also calling for demilitarisation in southern Syria and facing criticism from Western countries for its actions. Full Article
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