Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel has delivered “surprising and crushing blows” to Hezbollah, during his opening speech at the weekly cabinet meeting. Netanyahu confirmed that Israel eliminated Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr three weeks ago and thwarted a recent attack plan. While Hezbollah claims successful strikes against Israel, Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) preemptively destroyed thousands of short-range rockets and intercepted drones targeting strategic locations. He emphasized that this action is a step towards securing northern Israel and warned Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of further consequences.
Egyptian media reports that ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel in Gaza, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, are set to resume next week. Israel is awaiting Hamas’s response to the ceasefire offer.
Israeli and US delegations, who were in Doha for negotiations, have returned home for consultations. The current agreement being discussed includes the exchange of hostages and prisoners, with plans for further talks on a permanent ceasefire and the release of additional hostages.
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