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Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas

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Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet has approved a deal with Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza after more than 460 days of war in which Israeli forces have killed more than 46,788 Palestinians and wounded 110,453.

The deal, which was approved in the early hours of Saturday morning and is expected to take effect from Sunday, involves the exchange of captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, after which the terms of a permanent end to the war will be finalised.

With longstanding divisions apparent among ministers, Israel delayed key meetings of its security cabinet and cabinet, which were supposed to vote on Thursday, blaming Hamas for the hold-up.

Netanyahu’s office had claimed that Hamas reneged on key parts of the agreement to obtain last-minute concessions. But Hamas senior official Izzat al-Risheq insisted that the group remained committed to the ceasefire deal.

Hamas said in a statement earlier on Friday that obstacles that arose in relation to the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement had been resolved at dawn that day.

Netanyahu’s office said Hamas would start freeing captives “as early as Sunday” providing the deal was given a go-ahead by the Israeli cabinet.

The ceasefire agreement was announced by mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States on Wednesday. The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from many areas of Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid.

[Aljazeera]



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Foreign News

€5m worth of cocaine seized in Kildare

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Approximately 72 kilos of cocaine was discovered following a stop and search in the Allenwood area of Kildare [BBC]

Two men have been arrested following a seizure of €5m (£4m) worth of cocaine in County Kildare.

On Wednesday, gardaí (Irish police) stopped and searched a vehicle and a residential property in the Allenwood area of Kildare and approximately 72kg of cocaine was discovered.

The men, aged in their 50s and 60s, were arrested in relation to facilitating and enhancing drug distribution activities for an organised crime group.

They were subsequently charged and are due before Naas District Court on Thursday.

Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis of Organised and Serious Crime said it “is another significant seizure of cocaine destined for the Irish market”.

“An Garda Síochána and our law enforcement partners are committed to targeting those engaged in drug related organised crime that leads to harm, intimidation and violence in our communities nationwide.”

[BBC]

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Monty the giant schnauzer wins Best in Show

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A giant schnauzer named Monty was crowned Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Tuesday, the most prestigious dog show in the US.

After reaching the final three years in a row, Monty beat more than 2,500 canines to become the first giant schnauzer to take home the show’s top prize.

“The puppy did the damn thing,” Monty’s owner Katie Bernardin said in the event televised from New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

The dog club is the oldest in the US dedicated to showing dogs, with its annual show – now in its 149th year – the second-longest sporting event held in the US after the Kentucky Derby.

The winners of each of the 200 competing breeds advance to compete for one of seven group titles, with each group winner then moving to the finals.

After two years of winning the Working Group, but failing to secure the overall prize, the five-year-old male with an all-black coat finally came out on top.

He gave the Working Group of breeds its first winner since 2004.

Judge Paula Nykiel, who is a dog breeder and owner-handler, chose Monty as Best in Show after he stood out in the preliminary events during the three-day competition.

When choosing a winner, judges also consider the breed’s ideal standard, and examine its body and mouth.

Among the more than 2,500 Monty beat from across the country, was nine-year-old Bourbon, who snapped up runner-up – or Reserve Best as they are known in the show.

The whippet came out of retirement for the event, and claimed Reserve Best for the third time.

Other finalists this year included Comet the shih tzu, Mercedes the German shepherd and Neal the bichon frise.

In 2024, a female miniature poodle won Best in Show.

[BBC]

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Israel says Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not free hostages by Saturday

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The Israeli military said was sending reinforcements, including reservists, to southern Israel (BBC)

Israel’s prime minister has warned Hamas it will end the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting if the Palestinian group “does not return our hostages by Saturday noon”.

Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered Israeli forces to amass inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas’s announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages until further notice.

Netanyahu did not specify whether he was demanding the release of all 76 remaining hostages, or just the three due to be freed this Saturday – but a minister said he meant “everyone”.

On Monday, Hamas accused Israel of violating the three-week-old ceasefire deal, including by blocking vital humanitarian aid – a claim Israel has denied.

The group’s decision to delay this weekend’s scheduled release prompted US President Donald Trump to propose that Israel cancel the agreement altogether and “let hell break out” unless “all of the hostages” were returned by Saturday.

(BBC)

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