Israel bombs Syria; Hamas says deal reached on prisoner release

By Staff Reporter
Hamas says it has reached a deal with mediators on the release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees who were due to be freed by Israel last week.
Israel’s military bombs sites south of the Syrian capital, Damascus, killing at least two people, saying that “the presence of military means and forces in the southern part of Syria pose a threat” to the country.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric urges Israel to allow more tents and shelters into the Gaza Strip after six Palestinian infants died from hypothermia during a severe cold spell.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has confirmed 48,348 Palestinian deaths in Israel’s war on Gaza, while 111,761 people have been wounded. The Government Media Office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.