Officials say US envoy conveyed direct messages to Iraqi PM, making it clear Baghdad bears full responsibility for securing Elizabeth Tsurkov’s release

Security officials warn that approximately 80% of recently released Palestinian prisoners may return to terrorism, with some rebuilding networks; Meanwhile, declining economic conditions and rise in illegal crossings into Israel add further instability

Israeli delegation will arrive in Doha, where it will discuss with the mediators the framework proposed by Trump's envoy- who claims that an approach needs to be changed in order to release the hostages; Hamas has been adamant in its refusal and is making it clear now that it is interested in moving to Phase II, which includes ending the war: 'threats of war will not work'

Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir changes the long-standing military protocol that grants large-scale leave during holidays — one of the lessons learned from October 7, saying the dramatic move aims to ensure there is no day in the year when a significant portion of the IDF is on standby

Egypt’s plan to rebuild Gaza has been endorsed by the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and several European states, but a lack of funding and opposition from the US and Israel might stop the plan in its tracks  

Lebanon faces the delicate challenge of disarming a weakened Hezbollah, risking instability amid fears of renewed civil conflict after devastating losses in the recent conflict with Israel  

Fighting between pro-Assad rebels and security forces escalates in Syria’s Latakia province, raising fears of further sectarian conflict and regional destabilization