A large fire broke out in a sponge factory in the city of Zagazig, al-Sharqiya, in the north of Egypt, yesterday evening. Health officials said 51 people suffered smoke inhalation and seven were hospitalized. The rest were treated at the scene. The fire was brought under control with 16 fire trucks, and a committee was established by the local government to investigate the cause of the fire.
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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