Israel sends negotiators to Doha, Hamas says it is ready for talks
The United States and Qatar plan to hold further talks on a pause in Gaza. On Sunday, the Prime Minister of Qatar will await the heads of the Israeli, American and Egyptian secret services for talks on the release of the hostages. Hamas for its part “showed itself ready for a cessation of hostilities”, but asked Israel for a “commitment to a ceasefire”, a “withdrawal from the Gaza Strip” and a “serious agreement for an exchange” of hostages Israelis with Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Attacks continue in Lebanon
Late Thursday evening several Israeli attacks targeted areas of Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah’s Lebanese strongholds are located. The most violent raid took place in Choueifat Al-Amrousieh, where it destroyed two buildings and caused a major fire.
The Ani agency also reported “the death of three journalists in an Israeli attack against Hasbaya”, in southern Lebanon, during night strikes. The Lebanese Minister of Information denounces a “war crime”.
$800 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon
The international conference on Lebanon held Thursday in Paris raised more than $800 million in humanitarian aid and $200 million in aid to the army. France allocates 100 million euros to “help equip the Lebanese army”, to be redistributed in the south of the country once the ceasefire is in force.
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