Turkish court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli officials on charges of 'genocide' | LIVE

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Washington lifts sanctions against Syrian president ahead of meeting with Trump

The United States lifted sanctions against Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Friday, one day after the U.N. Security Council took similar action, ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled for next week.

According to a notice published on the U.S. Treasury Department website, Washington has removed the designations of "Specially Designated Global Terrorists" from Bashar Assad and Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

Turkish court issues arrest warrants for 'genocide' against Netanyahu and Israeli officials

On Friday, a Turkish court issued arrest warrants for "genocide" against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

A total of 37 suspects are targeted by arrest warrants, the Istanbul prosecutor's office said in a statement, without providing a complete list.

UN laments slow pace of humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza

More than 37,000 tons of U.N. aid have been delivered to Gaza since the cease-fire began on Oct. 10, according to a U.N. spokesperson who lamented the slow pace of progress in removing obstacles.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) "indicates that despite significant progress on humanitarian ramp-up, the urgent needs of the population remain immense, with obstacles not being removed quickly enough since the cease-fire," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the U.N. Secretary-General.

"Since the cease-fire and as of Monday, the U.N. and its partners had collected more than 37,000 tons of aid, mainly food, at Gaza crossing points," he said, noting that this does not include bilateral aid and the commercial sector.

"Entry continues to be limited to just two crossing points, with no direct access between Israel and northern Gaza, or between Egypt and southern Gaza. And certain products and NGO personnel are still unable to enter," he added.

These 37,000 tons are still far from the 190,000 tons of humanitarian aid (food, medicine, etc.) that the U.N. had pre-positioned outside Gaza to implement a 60-day plan starting from the beginning of the ceasefire, to help the population of the territory ravaged by two years of war.

Gaza: US wants a mandate for 'Peace Committee' until end of 2027

The United States wants the U.N. Security Council to give a mandate until the end of 2027 to the "peace committee" intended to oversee governance in Gaza and the "international stabilization force" provided for in Donald Trump's plan, according to the draft resolution seen by AFP on Friday.

After multiple separate discussions, the United States brought together all the members of the Security Council for the first time on Thursday to present the text, according to diplomatic sources.

The draft resolution, which is likely to be amended before a vote on an undetermined date, "endorses" the U.S. president's plan, which led to the establishment of a cease-fire in Gaza on Oct. 10 after two years of war.

US accuses Iran of plotting to assassinate Israel's ambassador to Mexico

The United States has accused Iran of plotting to assassinate Israel's ambassador to Mexico, in what it claims is Tehran's latest attempt to export the conflict between the two countries to another region.

"The plot has been foiled and does not currently pose a threat," said an American official speaking on condition of anonymity.

Israeli artillery fired several shells at the village of Shihine (Sour) in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent in the south.

Britain lifts sanctions on Syrian president

⚡Britain removed sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Friday, following the United Nations Security Council’s decision earlier this week, ahead of Sharaa’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump next week, Reuters reports.

The U.K. also lifted sanctions on Syria’s interior minister, Anas Khattab. Both had previously faced financial sanctions targeting individuals linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda, including travel bans, asset freezes, and an arms embargo.

Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, became Syria’s president in January after insurgent forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted Bashar al-Assad. The U.N. cited a lack of active ties between HTS and al Qaeda in lifting the sanctions.

The Syrian government did not immediately comment on Britain’s announcement.

Israeli aircraft are flying at medium altitude over the Hermel region and the villages along the border with Syria, according to our correspondent in the Bekaa.

Israeli fire killed two 16-year-old Palestinians in a West Bank village near Jerusalem, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported

The ministry named the fatalities killed in the village of al-Judeira as Mohammad Abdallah Mohammad Atiem and Mohammad Rashad Fadel Qasem.

According to local sources, cited by Haaretz, Israeli forces raided the village in the morning and opened fire on a group of teenagers. The sources added that troops prevented medical teams from reaching the two and that their bodies are being held by Israel.

Israeli forces fire at protest in the occupied West Bank

Israeli forces fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse a protest by Palestinians in Beit Lid, east of Tulkarem, Al Jazeera reports.

The protest was staged in response to the ongoing theft of land and property by Israeli settlers in the area over recent weeks.

According to the Palestinian Authority’s Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Israeli troops and settlers carried out 2,350 attacks across the occupied West Bank last month, continuing what the Commission described as an “ongoing cycle of terror.”

An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade toward a shepherd in Marj al-Khiam (Marjayoun), with no injuries reported, our correspondent in the south reported.

The Israeli army fired on the outskirts of Khiam in the Marjayoun district from its position on the hill known as "Tallet Hamames," reports our correspondent.

Iran condemns Israeli 'savage' attacks on Lebanon

Iran condemned Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, calling them “savage” and urging the U.N., the international community, and regional countries to confront Israel’s belligerence.

Macron urges Syria to join anti-IS coalition

French President Emmanuel Macron called Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to join the international coalition against IS, noting the security threat posed by Syria-based terrorism ahead of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks anniversary.

UN Security Council lifts sanctions on Syrian president

The U.N. Security Council removed sanctions on Syrian interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, citing Syria’s commitment to fight terrorism, including IS and al-Qaeda affiliates.

US Democrats urge Netanyahu to halt demolitions in West Bank

Over 100 Democratic members of Congress called on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop demolitions in Umm al-Kheir, warning that such actions could traumatize the community and undermine peace prospects.

Israeli demolitions continue in Gaza

The Israeli army continues demolishing buildings across northern and southern Gaza, including in Gaza City and east of Khan Younes.

Gaza death toll exceeds 10,000, humanitarian aid delayed

A Gaza commission reported over 10,000 dead under the rubble and called for international teams to recover bodies, while Israeli restrictions continue to hinder humanitarian aid delivery.

Trump announces international force deployment 'very soon' to Gaza

Donald Trump stated that an international force would be deployed to Gaza shortly, with multiple countries volunteering to help maintain security under the cease-fire.

Kazakhstan joins Abraham Accords

Kazakhstan, which already has diplomatic ties with Israel, officially joined the Abraham Accords, hailed by Trump as a major step for international peace and cooperation.

South Lebanon: PSNS and Hezbollah reject surrender or negotiations

The Syrian National Social Party (PSNS), aligned with Hezbollah, echoed Hezbollah’s call to resist Israel, praising the Lebanese Army for refusing to evacuate the Kfar Dounine barracks.

Southern Lebanon: Casualties from earlier strikes

Mahdi Hammoud, injured in an Oct. 31 Israeli strike in Kounine, has died; he was identified as a Hezbollah member. The attack had previously killed Ibrahim Raslan.

Southern Lebanon: Local communities show solidarity with Lebanese Army

Several villages, including Bani Hayyane, Taloussa, and Aita al-Shaab, expressed support for the army after massive Israeli strikes; soldiers in Kfar Dounine refused evacuation despite Israeli warnings.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of updates in the Middle East.

We will cover developments in southern Lebanon, after being heavily bombarded on Thursday by the Israeli air force despite the truce, as pressure mounts for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

We will also report on the situation in Gaza, which continues to face Israeli strikes despite the cease-fire, as well as news from Syria, Iran, and other countries in the region.

Catch up on everything you missed yesterday and what to look out for today by reading our 👉Morning Brief.