December 2, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) Hamas and Fatah discuss Egyptian proposals for border reopening The Palestinian National Liberation Movement has said it is holding discussions on the Egyptian proposal to reopen the Rafah border crossing in Cairo with the Hamas resistance group. A Fatah official said that the Palestinian National Liberation Movement is keen on an immediate end to the Israeli war on Gaza, expediting aid delivery and initiating reconstruction. A Fatah delegation is present in Cairo discussing the proposal and having the Palestinian Authority manage it on the Palestinian side. *) Death toll rises as Syrian regime targets civilians in Idlib In Syria’s Idlib, the number of civilians killed in airstrikes carried out by regime forces in Idlib province rose to 16. Regime leader Bashar al-Assad's warplanes targeted many neighbourhoods in the city. Sources from the Syrian Civil Defense said that 59 civilians were also wounded, including 21 children and 19 women. Clashes broke out on November 27 between Assad regime forces and opposition groups in the western countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria. *) US will not return nuclear weapons to Ukraine — official The White House has said the United States is not considering returning to Ukraine the nuclear weapons it gave up after the Soviet Union collapsed. When questioned, national security adviser Jake Sullivan made his remarks that some unidentified Western officials had suggested US President Joe Biden could give Ukraine the arms before he leaves office. *) Syrian National Army captures Tel Rifaat, deals blow to PKK/YPG terrorists The Syrian National Army (SNA) has gained full control over the central district of Tel Rifaat in its Operation Freedom Dawn, launched against the PKK/YPG terror group while continuing its advance in the outskirts. Entering the district from the western side near Deyr Jamal, troops cleared Tel Rifaat’s centre of terrorists following intense clashes. The army also liberated Hirbil village to the east of the district and is progressing in other areas on the periphery. *) Flash flooding hits Australia's Queensland Heavy rainfall has resulted in riverine and flash floods across parts of Australia's northeastern Queensland, with more storms predicted. According to the Australia Broadcasting Corporation, parts of the state capital Brisbane have been submerged by flash flooding, with more storms predicted for south-east Queensland over the next 24 hours. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said massive rainfall was recorded overnight, with the heaviest of about 77 mm falling inland from the Gold Coast in under four hours.