Wealthy Israelis offer rewards for release of Gaza hostages

Percussionist Bahjat Antaki performed with Syria's national symphony orchestra at the Damascus opera house, marking the first classical concert since President Bashar al-Assad's ouster. The concert aimed to showcase the resilience of Syria's arts community amidst years of war, with works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Syrian composers. Despite concerns about the future under Islamist leadership, attendees expressed hope for a brighter future and a return to the Syria they love. Full Article

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New intelligence indicates that Iran may be pursuing a faster route to developing an atomic weapon, despite signals of negotiation from Iran's new president. The intelligence was collected during the Biden administration and relayed to Trump's national security team, warning of Iran's potential to turn their nuclear fuel stockpile into a weapon within months. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to discuss this evidence with Trump, as Iran remains at the nuclear threshold and continues...

A car bomb in Manbij, Syria killed 15 agricultural workers, with no claims of responsibility. The city has seen ongoing violence between US-backed and Turkish-backed groups since December. The attack highlights the challenges facing new interim president Ahmed al-Shara in creating a unified transitional government amidst continued violence and resistance from armed factions. Full Article

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to discuss a second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas during his visit to Washington, where he will meet with President Donald Trump to address "victory over Hamas" and countering Iran. Trump's meeting with Netanyahu marks his first with a foreign leader since his return to the White House, reflecting the strong Israeli-American alliance. The ceasefire discussions will also involve negotiations on releasing hostages and potentially ending the...

The funeral for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli air strike in September, will be held on February 23, along with the burial of successor Hashem Safieddine. Nasrallah will be buried in Beirut, while Safieddine will be laid to rest in his hometown in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah urges Lebanon to pressure Israel to cease ceasefire violations, following an agreement for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by February 18. Full Article