JERUSALEM -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Thursday morning that the ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be extended.
"The operational pause will continue in light of the mediators' efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework," read a short statement released by the IDF several minutes before the expiration of the current truce deal. (Israel-Hamas-Truce)
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KABUL -- Afghanistan's caretaker government has asked Washington to set free the only Afghan prisoner still held in the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention camp, the local Tolonews TV channel reported Thursday.
"We are in contact with the United States to release Abdul Rahim. He is the only Afghan who has been languishing in Guantanamo. He is innocent and should be freed," Tolonews quoted the Afghan caretaker government's chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid as saying. (Afghanistan-US-Guantanamo Prisoner)
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NEW YORK -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died on Wednesday at home in Connecticut at the age of 100, Kissinger Associates, Inc said in a statement.
As Secretary of State under presidents Nixon and Ford, Dr. Kissinger "played central roles in the opening to China, negotiating the end of the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East, and helping to bring America's role in the Vietnam War to a close," said the statement. (Kissinger-Death)
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JERUSALEM -- The Israeli government confirmed late Wednesday night that the sixth batch of hostages released from the Gaza Strip by Hamas has returned to Israel.
The 16 hostages, including 12 Israelis -- some holding dual citizenship -- and four Thai nationals, will undergo an initial medical examination before being escorted by security forces to hospitals to reunite with their families, according to statements issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and Israel Defense Forces (IDF). (Israel-Hamas-Hostages) ■
