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Gaza rescuers say 23 dead in latest Israeli strikes

Israel pounded the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing at least 23 people according to rescuers, nearly 15 months into the war with Hamas Palestinian militants.The latest deaths come after Israel late on Saturday said indirect negotiations had resumed in Qatar for a truce and hostage release deal.An air strike on a house in northern Gaza's Sheikh Radwan area killed at least 11 people early Sunday, according to Civil Defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal. He said the victims included women and children.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza rescuers say 23 dead in latest Israeli strikes

After Chilean politicians label menorah ‘symbol of death,’ hanukkiah vandalized, lighting canceled

Israeli ambassador to Chile, Gil Artzyeli, posted on social media on December 17 that Moreira’s statements were “clear antisemitism,” and he was convinced that they did not represent the Chileans.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: After Chilean politicians label menorah ‘symbol of death,’ hanukkiah vandalized, lighting canceled

French top diplomat 'would have preferred' if Syrian leader shook German counterpart's hand

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Sunday said he would have preferred if Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa had shaken the hand of his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on their visit to Syria last week, but insisted that this was not the point of their trip.Barrot and Baerbock on Friday became the most senior Western figures to visit the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last month.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: French top diplomat 'would have preferred' if Syrian leader shook German counterpart's hand

Syrian ministers urge lifting of US sanctions in first visit to Doha

Ministers from Syria's transitional government urged the United States to lift its sanctions on Damascus during their first visit to Qatar since overthrowing president Bashar al-Assad.In a statement, Qatar's foreign ministry said the Gulf country's premier met with Syria's interim foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and the new head of intelligence, Anas Khattab.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Syrian ministers urge lifting of US sanctions in first visit to Doha

'Protect our people': Armed Syrian volunteers watch over Damascus

Every night, Damascus residents stand guard outside shops and homes armed with light weapons often supplied by Syria's new rulers, eager to fill the security vacuum that followed the recent takeover.After Islamist-led rebels ousted former president Bashar al-Assad in early December, thousands of soldiers, policemen and other security officials deserted their posts, leaving the door open to petty theft, looting and other crimes.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: 'Protect our people': Armed Syrian volunteers watch over Damascus

Macron urges 'realistic' expectations from Ukraine on territory

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Ukraine Monday to have "realistic" expectations on territory as its fight against the Russian invasion heads into a fourth year, saying he saw no "quick and easy solution" to the conflict.Outlining France's foreign policy for the coming year, Macron also took aim at Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X and close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, accusing him of supporting "a new international reactionary movement".
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Macron urges 'realistic' expectations from Ukraine on territory