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A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the past 24 hours. Here’s today’s news:
SYRIA’S REBEL OFFENSIVE
Russia and Iran pledged “unconditional support” for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad yesterday, with Syrian state media reporting that Russian and Syrian fighter jets struck targets in rebel-controlled territory. The strikes killed at least 18 people in Idlib in northern Syria, according to local opposition-run civil defense forces. Vivian Yee reports for the New York Times; Ruth Michaelson reports for the Guardian.
Hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters crossed into Syria yesterday to help the government fend off rebels who seized Aleppo last week, Syrian and Lebanese sources said, adding that Lebanon’s Hezbollah does not currently plan to join the fight. Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Maya Gebeily report for Reuters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed “the escalating situation” in Syria with President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Kremlin said yesterday. Meanwhile, Syria’s opposition leader told Reuters yesterday the Lebanon truce “opened the door” to the rebel offensive in Aleppo. Jonathan Spicer reports.
SYRIA’S REBEL OFFENSIVE — U.S. RESPONSE
The United States and the United Arab Emirates discussed lifting sanctions on Assad if he distances himself from Iran and cuts off Hezbollah weapons routes, sources say. The discussions took place before the start of the current rebel offensive in Aleppo. Maya Gebeily, Parisa Hafezi, and Alexander Cornwell report for Reuters.
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE
Israel and Hezbollah blamed each other for violating the ceasefire while maintaining they are committed to the agreement after exchanging fire late yesterday. Hezbollah said it fired rockets in a “warning defensive response” to “repeated” ceasefire violations. Israel responded with a round of airstrikes, which killed 11 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Annabelle Timsit and Abbie Cheeseman report for the Washington Post; Barak Ravid reports for Axios.
The Biden administration is worried the Lebanon ceasefire could unravel, with top U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein expressing concern about Israel’s ongoing strikes to Israeli officials over the weekend. Separately, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller yesterday said the United States is “engaging” in a mechanism “to investigate and address reports of violations” of the truce. Barak Ravid reports for Axios; Maya Gebeily and Adam Makary report for Reuters.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
The U.N. aid agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) is suspending aid delivery through the main crossing into Gaza because of “breakdown in law and order,” the agency’s head said in a statement on Sunday, blaming Israel for failing to provide a safe passage route. Liam Stack reports for the New York Times.
The Israeli military has expanded its presence in central Gaza in recent months, fortifying military bases and demolishing Palestinian buildings, according to Israeli officials and a New York Times analysis. The move suggests Israel “may be preparing to exert long-term control over the area.” Aaron Boxerman, Aric Toler, Riley Mellen, and Patrick Kingsley report.
An Israeli drone on Saturday shot dead a well-known Palestinian chef who ran one of northern Gaza’s few remaining soup kitchens, according to eyewitnesses. The IDF said it is “still working” on a comment on the incident. Miriam Berger reports for the Washington Post.
Palestinian medics said Israeli bombardment killed at least 25 people in northern Gaza yesterday, in what residents describe as “a campaign to scare people into leaving.” Nidal Al-Mughrabi reports for Reuters.
A U.S. citizen thought to have been held hostage in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023 was killed on the day of the Hamas-led attacks, the Israeli military said yesterday. Joanna Slater, Annabelle Timsit, and Lior Soroka report for the Washington Post.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — U.S. RESPONSE
President-elect Trump yesterday threatened there will be “hell to pay” for those responsible if hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack are not released before his inauguration in January. Ephrat Livni reports for the New York Times.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
The Pentagon yesterday announced it will send Ukraine an additional $725 million in military assistance, including landmines, drones, anti-aircraft missiles, and anti-tank missiles. John Ismay reports for the New York Times.
U.S. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
The Senate yesterday voted to approve the promotion of a general who oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan after Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) lifted his block. Frank Thorp V reports for NBC News.
Several Democrats criticized President Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter Biden, with Sen Michael Bennet (D-CO) saying he placed “personal interest ahead of duty.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre yesterday said Biden decided to issue the pardon as “raw politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice.” MJ Lee, Paula Reid, and Michael Williams report for CNN; Rebecca Shabad and Sarah Dean report for NBC News.
Chinese-made LiDAR sensors could expose the U.S. military to hacking and sabotage during conflict, a Washington think tank said in a report calling for a ban on their use in defense equipment. Stephen Nellis and Michael Martina report for Reuters.
A staffer of Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) is no longer employed following an arrest on suspicion of bringing ammunition into a U.S. House office building yesterday, Morelle’s chief of staff said. Andrew Solender reports for Axios.
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION AND NEW CONGRESS
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) yesterday offered to cooperate with Republicans in considering Trump’s cabinet choices if the G.O.P. adheres to traditional Senate vetting standards. Carl Hulse reports for the New York Times.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) urged Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to issue a policy directive that could temporarily limit Trump’s ability to deploy U.S. military troops domestically. Courtney Kube reports for NBC News.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
The French government is teetering on the brink of collapse after both left- and right-wing opposition parties filed no-confidence motions following Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s use of special powers to force through his budget without a parliamentary vote. Laura Gozzi and Amy Walker report for BBC News.
Police arrested a prominent Georgian opposition leader yesterday amid ongoing protests over the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks. The Guardian reports via Reuters.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania yesterday imposed sanctions on Georgia’s ruling officials, citing the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters in Tbilisi. Dato Parulava reports for POLITICO.
The International Court of Justice yesterday began hearing evidence in a major case on governments’ legal responsibilities concerning climate change, with the court’s opinion expected in 2025. Matt McGrath reports for Reuters.
The International Criminal Court president yesterday said that threats facing the institution “jeopardise its very existence,” pointing to possible U.S. sanctions and Russian warrants for staff members. Anthony Deutsch and Stephanie van den Berg report for Reuters.
The Brussels Court of Appeal yesterday found the Belgian state guilty of “crimes against humanity” for kidnappings of mixed-race children in Congo under colonial rule. Ketrin Jochecová reports for POLITICO.
Extremist rebels linked to the self-styled Islamic State group in eastern Congo killed at least 10 people and abducted an unspecified number of others, a military spokesperson said yesterday. Jean-Yves Kamale reports for AP News.
Swedish prosecutors yesterday charged three men with preparing a terrorist crime in the name of the Islamic State group in Sweden. Anna Ringstrom reports for Reuters.
U.S. FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Biden administration yesterday announced new restrictions on the exports of semiconductor chips and chip-making equipment to China. Ellen Nakashima and Eva Dou report for the Washington Post.