Middle East & North Africa

Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase

TEL AVIV, April 26. /TASS/. Israel is ready to reduce its demand for Hamas to release 40 hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza after the Palestinian movement refused an offer prepared by Qatari, Egyptian and US negotiators, The Times of Israel newspaper writes.

Israel withdraws Nahal Brigade to rest before Rafah invasion

26 April 2024; MEMO: Israel’s Nahal Brigade has withdrawn from the Gaza Strip and has been replaced by the 679th Armored Brigade and the 2nd Infantry Brigade.

Hebrew sources reported that over the last three months, the Nahal Brigade was assigned to secure the corridor separating the Gaza Strip.

The occupation army claimed that the brigade’s soldiers killed around 1,000 resistance fighters in the corridor and destroyed 20 kilometres of tunnels.

Palestine: Hamas's military wing targets Israel surveillance site in central Gaza

26 April 2024; MEMO: The military wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said, Thursday, it targeted an Israeli surveillance site with mortar shells in the central Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reports.

It said it targeted a newly established Israeli site for surveillance and espionage east of the Juhur Al-Deek area with mortar shells.

There has been no comment by the Israeli army.

Turkiye launches project to develop new domestic aircraft carrier

26 April 2024; MEMO: Turkiye is making preparations for its upcoming and largest-ever domestic aircraft carrier, in the latest expansion of the country’s defence capabilities.

According to Turkish media outlets, the Turkish Naval Forces Command’s Directorate of Design Project Office (DPO) is leading a project to design and develop the largest aircraft carrier possessed by Turkiye, to date.

Khan Yunis a ghost town with children living amid rubble, Save the Children says

25 April 2024; MEMO: Children are living amid rubble in streets of total devastation in Khan Yunis, the second largest city in Gaza, according to Save the Children staff returning to the city for the first time since the war started over six months ago.

Prior to 7 October, the city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip had a population of more than 200,000 people, including about 100,000 children.

UK asks Israel to allow foreign observers to visit Palestinian detainees: Report

25 April 2024; MEMO: The UK has asked Israel to allow foreign observers to visit Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, according to Israeli media on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reports.

The British request was about to be approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but strong opposition from far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir prevented this from happening, Maariv newspaper said.

Turkish, Egyptian FMs Call For Action To End Crises In Middle East

ISTANBUL, Apr 21 (NNN-TRT) – Turkish and Egyptian foreign ministers, emphasised that, the military confrontation and crises in the Middle East could potentially widen to a larger area, underscoring the necessity for urgent action.

Hakan Fidan and Sameh Shoukry met in Istanbul yesterday, to discuss current regional challenges and bilateral relations.

Iranian, South African FMs Discussed Tehran’s Earlier Retaliation Against Israel

TEHRAN, Apr 21 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, yesterday, discussed Tehran’s recent retaliatory military operation against Israel.

In a phone call, the two sides also discussed bilateral ties and the latest developments in West Asia, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Turkish President Met Hamas Leader In Istanbul

ISTANBUL, Apr 21 (NNN-TRT) – Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, met yesterday, with Head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, in Türkiye’s largest city, Istanbul.

The meeting, which commenced at 2:30 p.m. local time (1130 GMT), was held behind closed doors at the Dolmabahce presidential working office, as reported by NTV broadcaster.

Both leaders were anticipated to discuss the ongoing Israeli attacks and the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, as well as, ceasefire efforts, NTV added.

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