Herald section
The latest world reporting from The Belfast Herald.
Hamas releases one Filipino and 10 Thai hostages as part of a separate deal with the Thai government which was brokered by Iran.
On the first day of the ceasefire Hamas releases 13 Israeli hostages, some of whom are dual citizens, while Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli cabinet has approved a deal to pause fighting in Gaza for four days, releasing 150 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 50 hostages, mostly women and children. The agreement, negotiated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, includes phased releases and humanitarian aid provisions.
The Houthi movement seized a Bahamas-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea on 19 November 2023. The vessel was operated by a Japanese company and partially owned by Israeli businessman Rami Unger.
Yahya Sarea, a Houthi spokesman, declared the group's intent to target ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or flying the Israeli flag. The announcement followed a prior seizure of a vessel not linked to Israel, which the Prime Minister's Office condemned as an act of Iranian-backed aggression.
Israeli military forces have encircled Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City with tanks, restricting access for medical teams and emergency services.
Israeli Police kill three gunmen who attacked a checkpoint near Jerusalem, injuring six security forces.