GAZA -- At least 80 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday, said Palestinian medical sources.
The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported that 54 people, including women and children, were killed in strikes on the southern city, according to a press statement. (Gaza-Israeli Airstrike-Casualties)
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ANKARA -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday he would not attend upcoming peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, though Kiev will send a delegation led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov as part of a renewed push to de-escalate the conflict.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ukrainian Embassy in Ankara following talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelensky said Ukraine remained committed to dialogue but expressed doubts about Moscow's intentions. (Türkiye-Zelensky-Peace Talks)
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GAZA -- Hamas said Thursday that the Israeli government is indifferent to the ongoing mediation efforts on the Gaza ceasefire, because it wants "an endless war."
Israel is responding to the mediation efforts with "military pressure" on civilians through mass bombing and imposing more suffering on the Palestinian people in a "desperate attempt to impose its terms under fire," Hamas said in a press statement. (Gaza-Hamas-Israeli Attacks)
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ABU DHABI -- President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on Thursday with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, reaffirming the commitment of both countries to deepening their strategic partnership, the UAE's state news agency WAM reported.
The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation across a range of sectors, including investment, energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and industry, according to WAM. (UAE-US-Trump Visit) ■
