The UN has said that Israel is in violation of an agreement to remove its troops from Lebanon. Israel said it maintaining a presence in “key positions” in the country. DW has the latest.
- Israel is maintaining troops in five key positions following a deadline for its total withdrawal from Lebanon
- The UN has said that the decision to keep troops in Lebanon is in “violation” of a ceasefire deal and a UN resolution
- Egypt is working on a counter-proposal to US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that his country take over Gaza
Hamas to release six hostages on Saturday
Hamas lead truce negotiator, Khalil al-Haya, has announced that the Palestinian militant group will release six more Israeli hostages from Gaza on Saturday.
This is three more people than were originally agreed to in the ceasefire deal struck between Israel and Hamas.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the details of the announcement, adding that the bodies of four deceased hostages were to follow. Three of the deceased are expected to be Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, whose fates struck a particular chord in Israel.
The news comes after Hamas threatened to suspend hostage releases last week, citing Israeli strikes in violation of their truce agreement. They later walked these statements back.
UN: Israel is violating Lebanon ceasefire
The United Nations has said that Israel is violating an agreement to end hostilities in Lebanon following the announcement that the IDF would remain in the country in “five key positions.”
“Another delay in this process is not what we hoped would happen, not least because it continues a violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701,” the UN’s Lebanon envoy and peacekeeping force said in a joint statement.
Villagers reported that what they had returned to mostly rubble after more than a year of clashes.
Second phase of ceasefire talks set to begin
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has announced that the second phase of truce negotiations will begin soon, including the further release of Palestinian detainees and Israelis held by Hamas.
He said that one key stipulation for Israel would be the total demilitarization of Gaza.
Saar added that he was aware of reports from an Egyptian newspaper that other regional powers were working on an alternative proposal for redeveloping Gaza, but did not comment on the situation further.
