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Lebanese president insists Israel must completely withdraw from country by ceasefire deadline of 18 February

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Gaza death toll reaches 48,222

Egypt and Qatar intensify efforts to save ceasefire

Sisi unlikely to attend White House talks if Gaza displacement is on agenda, sources say

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Evening Recap

1 minute ago

Good evening Middle East Eye readers, 

Our blog will soon be closing for the day. Here are some of today’s main developments:

• The health ministry in Gaza said it recorded three more deaths in the past 24 hours, including one person killed in that period and two bodies recovered from the rubble.
• The three confirmed killings raise the total death toll since 7 October 2023 to 48,222, it said in a statement, adding that 111,674 people have been injured in Israel’s war on Gaza.
• The UN’s humanitarian agency (Ocha) said over 2,300 children have been admitted for outpatient treatment of acute malnutrition in Gaza since 1 January.
• The Committe to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said that a record number of journalists were killed globally in 2024, with Israel responsible for nearly 70 percent of the deaths.
• Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has said that a clinic it supports in northern Gaza is receiving an influx of people in need of medical attention after the Israeli withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor.
• The Palestinian Ministry of Health called for the immediate release of Dr Hussam Abu Safia, a paediatrician and director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, along with all medical staff detained by Israel, the Wafa news agency reported.
• More than 30 independent UN human rights experts condemned “shocking” threats by US President Donald Trump to take over and own Gaza and move the Palestinian population elsewhere, using military force if necessary.
• Israel asked the Trump administration on Monday to further extend its withdrawal deadline from southern Lebanon, but a US official told The Times of Israel that the request was denied.
• At least 70 Palestinians were arrested during a new Israeli raid on Al-Arroub camp, north of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Information Center reported. The organisation said Israeli forces abused Palestinians during field interrogations in the camp.

Hamas warns Israel’s violations could derail captive release

19 minutes ago

A Hamas official has said there are “positive signals” that captives held in Gaza will be released as scheduled on Saturday, but warned that Israel’s failure to uphold its commitments threatens the process.

Mahmoud Mardawi told The Associated Press that mediators are working to finalise the agreement, but added, “we have yet to receive Israel’s commitment to implement the full terms of the deal, especially the humanitarian protocol.”

The fragile ceasefire is at risk of collapse as Hamas accuses Israel of violating the truce by firing on civilians in Gaza and restricting the entry of essential aid, including shelters and other supplies. In response, Hamas said it would delay the scheduled release of captives until Israel fulfils its obligations.

UN says Israel still restricting aid to Gaza despite 801 trucks entering

41 minutes ago

The United Nations has reported that 801 aid trucks entered Gaza on Wednesday, but humanitarian groups stress that Israeli restrictions continue to severely limit the delivery of essential supplies to the besieged population.

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) stated that “the UN and its partners seize every opportunity afforded by the ceasefire to scale up the provision of water, food, shelter, health, sanitation, hygiene, clothing, education and other assistance to the people of Gaza.”

However, aid organisations have criticised Israel for delaying and obstructing relief efforts, warning that the humanitarian response remains far below what is needed.

According to Ocha, the aid trucks entered the Palestinian enclave “through interactions with the Israeli authorities and the guarantors for the ceasefire deal.” Yet, access remains highly restricted, and many supplies, including fuel and medical equipment, face severe limitations.

The UN agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa) reported that it managed to provide food to 1.2 million people in the first two weeks of the ceasefire. It also opened 37 new shelters in northern Gaza, offering displaced families basic necessities such as tents, blankets, and winter clothing.

Israel plotting strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, seeks Trump’s backing

1 hour ago

A US intelligence report from the final days of the Biden administration says Israel is preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities before the year’s end, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Sources familiar with the document said Israel sees Iran as vulnerable and aims to secure support from the incoming Trump administration for an attack.

The report also says Israeli officials fear they are running out of time to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Al-Azhar urges global rejection of Palestinian displacement plans

1 hour ago

Egypt’s Al-Azhar, the leading Sunni Islamic institution, has called on Arab, Muslim, and world leaders to oppose any attempts to expel Palestinians from their land.

In a statement, the Cairo-based body urged support for Egypt and Arab nations in reconstructing Gaza without forcibly removing its population.

“No one has the right to pressure or coerce the Palestinian people into accepting unrealistic proposals. The world must uphold their right to live on their land and establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital,” it said.

Al-Azhar condemned displacement schemes aimed at erasing the Palestinian cause and warned that the international community’s inaction would lead to global instability, where the powerful trample the weak.

The institution also called on religious leaders worldwide to raise their voices in defence of the Palestinian people.

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