Arab nations, led by Saudi Arabia, are formulating an alternative plan to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. A high-level meeting in Riyadh, involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, will discuss strategies, including a reconstruction fund and governance excluding Hamas. Egypt’s draft plan, favoring Gaza’s rebuilding over relocation, is gaining traction. The initiative, backed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected to be presented at the Arab summit on February 27.

As part of an ongoing prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire, Israel will release 369 Palestinian detainees on Saturday in exchange for three Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Among the Palestinians set for release, 36 were serving life sentences, while 333 were detained after October 7, 2023. The exchange is mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released 21 hostages, while Israel has freed 566 Palestinian prisoners. The war has left over 48,500 Palestinians dead.

Russia has claimed that Ukraine lost 235 soldiers in a single day during clashes with Russian forces. In a statement on Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that over 140 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the Battle Group East region, along with a tank and an armored combat aircraft. The ministry further stated that three Ukrainian mechanized, tank, and defense brigades suffered significant losses on other frontlines. Additionally, 95 Ukrainian soldiers and military equipment were lost in another region.

Rebel fighters led by the National Liberation Army (KNLA) have captured a key military base in Myanmar’s Mon State, killing several junta soldiers in the process. The People’s Defense Force (PDF), Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), and Force for Federal Democracy (FFD) participated in the operation. The capture followed intense fighting over a month, despite challenges from junta airstrikes. 29 junta soldiers were arrested, and one KNLA fighter and one FFD soldier lost their lives during the battle.

Israeli forces launched overnight airstrikes on Hamas sites in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley, as confirmed by Al Jazeera. Despite a ceasefire in place since November, Israel continues targeting Hamas positions, claiming they threaten its security. The Israeli military also struck underground facilities allegedly used for weapon production. No reports of casualties or damage have been released. Meanwhile, Israel accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire with a drone attack, though Al Jazeera reported Israel itself breached the agreement 15 times on Thursday.

Israel will release 110 Palestinian prisoners on January 30 as part of the third phase of a ceasefire agreement. In return, Hamas will free three Israeli and five Thai hostages. The Palestinian Prisoners Club reports that 30 of the detainees are minors, 32 are serving life sentences, and 48 have varying prison terms, with 20 being sent into exile. Previous exchanges saw 290 Palestinian prisoners freed for seven Israeli hostages. Another swap is planned for Saturday, releasing three Israeli men.

After 470 days of devastation in Gaza, more than 300,000 Palestinians returned to their homes in northern Gaza, one of the most severely impacted regions. The Israeli Defense Forces’ 15-month-long operation left much of the area in ruins, forcing many residents to seek refuge in southern and central Gaza. Despite the widespread destruction, residents are determined to rebuild their homes, with tens of thousands of tents required as temporary shelters for the displaced.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, clashes with the M23 rebel group have claimed the lives of 13 UN peacekeepers, including nine South Africans, three Malawians, and one Uruguayan. The soldiers were killed while countering the rebels’ advance in Goma, a city of over one million people. French President Emmanuel Macron has urged for peace and engaged in talks with the leaders of Congo and Rwanda. The UN is evacuating non-essential personnel as the M23 rebels call for Congolese soldiers’ surrender to prevent further bloodshed.

According to U.S. intelligence, Hamas has recruited 15,000 new fighters since October 7, 2023, despite losing a similar number in Israeli operations. Many of the recruits are young and lack training, serving mainly in security roles. Intelligence reports suggest that Hamas remains a threat to Israel as it reorganizes in Gaza. Following the January 19 ceasefire, Hamas fighters have resumed patrols in the region, indicating efforts to rebuild. Analysts warn that this recruitment cycle risks perpetuating the conflict indefinitely.

A delayed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been implemented after Hamas announced the release of three hostages. The truce, initially set for 8:30 AM, was postponed due to Hamas’s delay in providing names. In protest, Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir resigned, citing opposition to the agreement. Airstrikes continued until the ceasefire took effect, with 13 deaths reported in Gaza. Since October 7, the conflict has claimed over 46,800 Palestinian and 1,200 Israeli lives.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on Gaza, accusing Hamas of failing to meet ceasefire terms. According to Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, Hamas did not provide a list of hostages as required under the agreement, delaying the planned ceasefire set for Sunday morning. Israel declared operations will continue until Hamas fulfills its obligations. Hamas cited “technical reasons” for the delay in submitting the list, escalating tensions and halting the truce implementation.

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, 12 Indians have been killed while fighting for the Russian army, with 16 more Indians reported missing, confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaswal. Efforts are underway to repatriate the deceased and the missing. The embassy is working with Russian authorities to bring back the body of Vineel Babu, who died in combat, and to repatriate another injured Indian, Zain Tike, after his treatment in Moscow.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel mediated by Qatar and the U.S., Israeli attacks persist in Gaza, killing at least 30 Palestinians. Celebrations erupted in Gaza after the 15-month conflict appeared to end, with the ceasefire set to take effect on January 19. Hamas claims the deal includes Israeli withdrawal and the return of displaced people. However, Israeli assaults continue, causing significant destruction to infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and religious sites.

Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire deal with Israel, brokered by Qatari mediators, offering hope to Gaza’s war-weary residents. The agreement is expected to be formally announced on Thursday and implemented on Sunday, starting with prisoner exchanges. The truce comes amid ongoing clashes that have claimed 62 Palestinian lives in the past 24 hours, with over 47,000 fatalities reported in the past 15 months. Previous ceasefire proposals had been repeatedly rejected by Israel, delaying peace efforts.