Gaza ceasefire back on and UN urges Lebanon to form government - Trending



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An agreement for the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached with Hamas, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The announcement came in the early hours of Friday, a day after Mr Netanyahu’s office said there were last-minute problems in talks to free the hostages in return for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinians detained in Israel. Hamas denied the accusations.

Mr Netanyahu’s office said: “The Prime Minister ordered the political-security cabinet to convene tomorrow. The government will then convene to approve the deal.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli military carried out air strikes across Gaza on Thursday night, killing several Palestinians. Israeli warplanes bombed houses in the north-east of Gaza city, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported.

Rescuers were unable to reach the area to retrieve the bodies, the report said. Five people were killed in another attack, in the east of Khan Younis, the Quds News Network reported.

Hamas has said Israeli attacks in Gaza are endangering the lives of hostages, despite the announcement of a ceasefire deal.

The UN Security Council urged Lebanon’s new leaders to “swiftly” establish a government. The push follows the election of Joseph Aoun as President after more than two years of the position being vacant.

A presidential statement, drafted by France, comes after Mr Aoun’s nomination of the presiding judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Nawaf Salam, as prime minister. Mr Salam must now assemble a Cabinet, in the shadow of an economic crisis that has plagued the country for years.

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Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

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Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

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Source: American Paediatric Association
Updated: January 17, 2025, 4:00 PM

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