Trump warns Israel and Iran not to ‘blow it’ after new strikes threaten emerging ceasefire deal
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, potentially complicating efforts to finalize a deal to end the U.S.-Iran war. Smoke rose over the Lebanese capital on Sunday and officials said three people were killed and 16 were wounded.. Iran threatened a military response, while U.S. President Donald Trump urged no further attacks, emphasizing the proximity of a peace deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied Trump’s request to halt strikes, citing Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel. Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran to finalize the agreement, with cautious optimism that the U.S. and Iran are nearing a deal to halt hostilities.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza tops 73,000 as Israel launches strikes despite ceasefire
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza’s Health Ministry says the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 73,000. The updated toll on Sunday came as Israel has continued to strike what it says are militant targets, often killing civilians, despite a fragile ceasefire deal reached in October. The total number of deaths since the beginning of the war is now 73,001. The health ministry has said women and children make up around half of all fatalities. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames their deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas.
