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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
Syrian rebels entered two towns north of Syria’s third largest city Homs early today and are advancing, an opposition war monitor and pro-government media both report. Thousands of people are fleeing toward government strongholds on Syria’s west coast, a war monitor and residents said. Bassem Mroue reports for AP News; Reuters reports.
The rebel coalition’s goal is ultimately to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, the main opposition group’s leader told CNN yesterday. Jomana Karadsheh, Gul Tuysuz, Brice Laine, Lauren Kent, and Eyad Kourdi report.
Russian overnight bombing destroyed a bridge along the main route to Homs to slow the rebel advance, a Syrian army officer said. Meanwhile, Iran today said it will send Syria “missiles, drones and more advisers.” Maya Gebeily and Suleiman Al-Khalidi, and Parisa Hafezi report for Reuters.
The Syrian army is targeting “terrorist vehicles and gatherings” in Hama with the backing of Russian warplanes, the Syrian Defense Ministry said today. The Guardian reports via AFP.
Fighting in Syria has displaced about 280,000 people since November 27, the U.N. World Food Programme chief said yesterday. The Guardian reports.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Israeli intelligence officials “have been startled by a faster-than-expected collapse of the Syrian army’s defense lines,” according to Israeli officials. Israel, Egypt, and Jordan have all expressed concern to the United States over the developments, a U.S. official said. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.
The foreign ministers of Iraq, Syria, and Iran will meet today to discuss the situation in Syria, the Iraqi state news agency said yesterday. Turkey, Iran, and Russia will also meet in Doha tomorrow on the same topic. Yomna Ehab and Hatem Maher report for Reuters.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
Israel “perceives an opportunity to advance a Gaza hostage release deal and is committed to pursuing it,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a meeting in Malta. Separately, a Hamas official yesterday said ceasefire efforts have “reactivated” in recent days. The Washington Post reports; AP News reports.
Undercover Israeli forces raided a West Bank hospital on Wednesday and seized an alleged Palestinian militant from the ICU ward. The Palestinian Health Ministry called the raid “flagrant” international law violation. Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman, Mick Krever, and Dana Karni report for CNN.
Several Israeli strikes hit north Gaza’s Kamal Adwan hospital today, the facility’s director said, adding that “four staff were killed and no surgeons were left at the site.” The Guardian reports via AFP.
Thousands of patients in Gaza are waiting for Israeli permission for urgently needed medical evacuations, including 2,500 children who must be transported immediately, according to UNICEF. Wafaa Shurafa and Fatma Khaled report for AP News.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
The Israeli branch of Amnesty International yesterday distanced itself from the group’s report alleging that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza while saying Israel’s actions in the territory “may amount to crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.” Separately, a State Department spokesperson told reporters the United States “continue[s] to find that the allegations of genocide are unfounded.” Jeremy Sharon, Jacob Magid, and Toi Staff report for the Times of Israel; the Guardian reports.
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem yesterday accused Israel of violating the Lebanon ceasefire and called on the Lebanese government to bring those concerns to the agreement’s arbiters. The Washington Post reports.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
National security adviser Jake Sullivan committed to provide Ukraine with $20bn in loans backed by Russian assets as well as additional munitions during a meeting with the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office yesterday. Joseph Gedeon reports for the Guardian.
Moscow does not want a war with the United States but will use “all means” to defend its interests, Russia’s foreign minister said in an interview released today. AP News reports.
A Russian man went on trial in Finland yesterday on charges of committing war crimes while leading a paramilitary unit in Ukraine a decade ago. Anne Kauranen reports for Reuters.
SOUTH KOREA MARTIAL LAW CRISIS
In a major reversal, the leader of President Yoon Suk-Yeol’s party today supported his impeachment, citing the risk of Yoon again attempting to declare martial law to hold onto power. Separately, South Korea’s head of special forces command today said he would “reject” another order to impose martial law. Choe Sang-Hun reports for the New York Times.
There is “credible evidence” Yoon declared the arrest of his own party’s leader as well as the leader of the main opposition party when he declared martial law, the ruling People Power Party’s head said today. Kelly Ng and Laura Bicker report for BBC News.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled a planned South Korea trip following Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law, U.S. officials said yesterday. Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart report for Reuters.
U.S. FOREIGN AFFAIRS
An attack near a base in eastern Syria earlier this week may have wounded three U.S. service members, the Pentagon said yesterday. AP News reports.
China yesterday imposed sanctions on 13 U.S. defense firms and several industry executives in a largely symbolic retaliation over Washington’s latest arms sales to Taiwan. David Pierson reports for the New York Times.
The United States is concerned about potential foreign interference in Romania’s presidential election, the State Department said on Wednesday. Luiza Ilie reports for Reuters.
OTHER GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday said he will not resign following the government’s historic collapse and will appoint a new prime minister in the coming days. The Guardian reports.
Venezuelan authorities are cutting off electricity, water, and food access to the Argentine diplomatic residence sheltering several Venezuelan opposition figures, their lawyer said. Genevieve Glatsky reports for the New York Times.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today decried an “antisemitic” attack on a Melbourne synagogue which suffered serious damage in a suspected arson this morning. Kelsey Ables reports for the Washington Post.
U.S. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
House Republicans yesterday voted to block the release of the Ethics Committee’s report on allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Clare Foran, Sarah Ferris, Haley Talbot, and Annie Grayer report for CNN.
The Capitol Police yesterday arrested around 15 people protesting in a bathroom across from House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office (R-LA) over Johnson’s ban on transgender women’s access to the Capitol female bathrooms. Mariana Alfaro and Anna Liss-Roy report for the Washington Post.
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION AND NEW CONGRESS
Nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials criticized President-elect Trump’s director of national intelligence pick Tulsi Gabbard and urged Senators to “carefully evaluate” whether she is “equipped” for the position, a letter obtained by NBC News shows. Dan De Luce and Megan Lebowitz report.
Trump yesterday selected David Perdue, a businessman and former Georgia senator, as his ambassador to China. He also nominated former U.S. Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott to lead Customs and Border Protection and picked Immigration and Customs Enforcement veteran Caleb Vitello to serve as acting ICE director. Edward Wong reports for the New York Times; Rebecca Falconer reports for Axios.
Pete Hegseth’s name has been submitted to the FBI for a background check, his attorney said yesterday. Kaanita Iyer reports for CNN.