The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had received a list of hostages held by Hamas, set to be released on Thursday as part of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
“Israel has obtained the list of hostages expected to be released from Hamas captivity tomorrow,” the prime minister’s office stated, noting that additional details would be provided “once the families have been informed”.
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi commented that the forced displacement of Gazans is an “injustice that we cannot partake in,” following US President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from the territory to Egypt and Jordan.
“The deportation and displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland is an injustice that we cannot endorse,” Mr. Sisi remarked during a press conference in Cairo alongside Kenyan President William Ruto.
He emphasized Egypt’s support for “the establishment of a Palestinian state” and expressed his commitment to collaborate with President Trump, who aims to achieve lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
“We believe that President Trump has the potential to realize this long-awaited objective of establishing a just and enduring peace in the Middle East,” said Mr. Sisi.
Following the initiation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on 19 January, Mr. Trump promoted a plan to “clear out” Gaza, reiterating his idea on Monday by suggesting that Palestinians should move to “safer” locations like Egypt or Jordan.
Addressing reporters, Mr. Trump expressed his hope that Mr. Sisi “would accept some” Gazans.
“We have assisted them significantly, and I am confident he would assist us,” he stated.
“As they say, it’s a tough neighborhood, but I believe he would agree to it, and I think the King of Jordan would as well.”
Jordan also dismissed this notion, stating: “Jordan is for Jordanians, and Palestine is for Palestinians.”
Israeli drone strike injures 5 people in southern Lebanon – health ministry
Five individuals were injured in an Israeli drone strike targeting the southern Lebanese town of Majdal Selm, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry.
On the previous day, Israeli airstrikes injured 36 people in Nabatieh, a major town in southern Lebanon, according to health officials.
The Israeli military stated that it had targeted Hezbollah vehicles transporting weapons on the outskirts of Nabatieh.
The Israeli army also apprehended three individuals in the southern border town of Maroun al-Ras, according to the Lebanese state news agency NNA.
Israeli airstrikes injured 24 people in Nabatieh, a significant town in southern Lebanon.
Israel has conducted strikes in southern Lebanon despite an agreement between Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel that established a ceasefire in late November, concluding a conflict that resulted in thousands of deaths since it was triggered by the Gaza war in 2023.
Israel has not fully withdrawn its forces from southern Lebanon and has indicated it will continue operations against any threats to the state of Israel and its citizens.
Following the airstrikes on Nabatieh, senior Hezbollah official Mohammad Raad asserted that the Lebanese people’s right to resist Israeli assaults is a “sacred and legitimate right.”
He indicated that this right should be exercised at the appropriate time and place to safeguard the country’s security.
The US announced on Sunday that the agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which includes an initial 60-day period for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, would remain effective until 18 February, extending the previous deadline of 26 January.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on US General Jasper Jeffers, who chairs the committee overseeing the ceasefire, to urge Israel to implement the ceasefire in accordance with international law.
Mr. Mikati also expressed gratitude to the International Red Cross for their efforts in securing the release of nine Lebanese individuals detained by Israel.
Israeli forces killed at least 24 people and injured at least 141 in southern Lebanon on Sunday and Monday, according to the Lebanese health ministry, as thousands attempted to return to their homes in defiance of Israeli military orders.
Read more:
Israeli troops kill 22 people returning to south Lebanon
Hopes of peace and stability rest on fragile foundations
