JERUSALEM -- Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said on Friday that Israel remains committed to the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas, according to a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
"We are not giving up on the war goal -- the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas," Zamir said during a tour of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. (Israel-Gaza-Demilitarization)
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BAGHDAD -- Iraq's National Center for International Judicial Cooperation said on Friday that the number of Islamic State (IS) detainees transferred from Syrian prisons to Iraq has reached 5,704.
In a statement, the center said the detainees represent 61 nationalities, including 467 Iraqis, 4,253 Arabs, and 983 non-Arab foreigners. Syrians made up the largest group, with 3,543 detainees. (Iraq-IS-Detainees)
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TEHRAN -- A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said negotiations between Tehran and Washington could advance and protect mutual interests if they are grounded in realism and avoid excessive demands.
Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Defense Council, made the remarks in an interview with Qatar's Al Jazeera, which was published on Friday, while commenting on the renewed indirect nuclear negotiations between his country and the United States, the first round of which was held in Oman on Feb. 6. (Iran-U.S.-Talk)
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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on Friday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties and promote regional stability.
Al-Sudani's media office said the leaders focused on advancing the strategic Development Road project, noting its economic and investment importance. They also explored expanding trade and cooperation across multiple sectors. (Iraq-Türkiye-Phone conversation) ■
