Tel Aviv [Israel], December 20: The Middle East war continues to rage despite positive signs of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military bombed several Houthi ports and energy facilities on December 19 and warned it would target the group's commanders after a missile attack from Yemen into Israel. The Times of Israel reported that the attack paralyzed three Houthi ports and killed at least nine people.
Meanwhile, Gaza health officials said at least 30 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the strip on December 18.
Recent negotiations between the US, Egypt and Qatar have brought some optimism after US President-elect Donald Trump warned Hamas to release all hostages before he takes office on January 20, 2025. There are currently 96 hostages in Gaza, including 34 believed dead by Israel. AFP quoted diplomatic sources as saying Hamas also wants to reach a deal by the end of the year amid its isolation due to the weakening of its ally Hezbollah and the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a high-level meeting with security officials yesterday to discuss the ceasefire agreement. Regarding the situation in Syria, UN special envoy Geir Pedersen hopes that the new government will adopt a constitution and hold free and fair elections after the transition period.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper