Hamas

US Calls Houthi Claim of New Attacks ‘Disinformation'

The United States military on Sunday dismissed claims by Houthis that they had attacked an American aircraft carrier, saying Washington would not engage in the Iran-backed group' "disinformation campaign." The denial from US Central Command (CENTCOM) came after the Houthis said they had carried out the attack earlier Sunday and ...

First Israeli-Hamas Prisoner Exchange as Gaza Truce Begins

The Israeli military said on Sunday that the three released hostages had crossed into Israeli territory accompanied by its troops. "A short while ago, accompanied by IDF (military) and ISA (security agency) forces, the released hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory. The released hostages are currently on their way to an initial ...

UN Races to Feed One Million Gazans After Truce

The UN's World Food Programme said Sunday it was moving full throttle to get food to as many Gazans as possible after border crossings reopened as part of a long-awaited ceasefire deal. "We're trying to reach a million people within the shortest possible time," the WFP's Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau told AFP, as the Rome-based UN agency's ...

Gaza: Saar Warns About Regional Instability, Ben Gvir Leaves Coalition

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned on Sunday that the Middle East would remain unstable if the Palestinian militant group Hamas remained in power in the Gaza Strip. "If (Hamas) stays in power, the regional instability it causes might continue," Saar said at a press conference. Speaking as a ceasefire went into effect in Gaza, ...

Israel Recovers Body of Soldier Held in Gaza Since 2014

Israel announced on Sunday that it had recovered, during a “special operation” in Gaza, the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in action in 2014 and held by Hamas ever since. “During the night (of Saturday to Sunday), in a special operation by the Shin Bet (Israel's internal security agency) and the army (...) we brought the body of ...

Gaza Truce Takes Effect with Nearly a Three-Hour Delay

After 15 months of war in the Gaza Strip, Israel announced on Sunday the implementation of a ceasefire with Hamas, delayed by nearly three hours due to Hamas publishing the names of hostages scheduled for release that day. The Qatari mediator also confirmed on Sunday the enforcement of the ceasefire in Gaza, noting that the names of the three ...

A Truce Expected in Gaza At 06:30 GMT, After 15 Months Of War

After 15 months of deadly war in the Gaza Strip, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is due to come into force on Sunday morning, followed by the release of hostages, fuelling hopes of a lasting peace despite a warning from Benjamin Netanyahu. A few hours before the deadline, set for 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT), the Israeli Prime Minister ...

Houthis Warn Of ‘Consequences’ Of Any Attack On Yemen During Gaza Truce

Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday warned opposing forces in the Red Sea of the ‘consequences’ of any attack on their country during the truce in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas. The Iranian-backed rebels, who control large swathes of Yemen and the capital Sanaa, also claimed responsibility for an attack on several warships, ...

Netanyahu Says Israel Reserves ‘Right to Resume War if Necessary’ With US Support

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting in Gaza with US support, as he pledged to bring home all hostages held in the Palestinian territory. "We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support," Netanyahu said in a televised statement, a day before a ...

Egypt Says Israel to Free Over 1,890 Palestinians in First Phase of Gaza Truce

Mediator Egypt said Saturday that Israel is to release more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase of a Gaza truce. The foreign ministry said the prisoners would be freed during the first, 42-day phase of the ceasefire which is set to begin at 0630 GMT on Sunday. Qatar, which mediated the deal ...

Gaza Ceasefire to Take Effect on Sunday Morning

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip will take effect at 06:30 GMT on Sunday morning, Qatar, which helped mediate the deal along with the US, said on Saturday. "As coordinated by the parties to the agreement and the mediators, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will begin at 8:30 am on Sunday, January 19, local time in Gaza," ...