Morning Briefing: Aug. 26, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday with, including Hamas committing to a cease-fire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden on July 2, Israel launching massive strikes on southern Lebanon, Hezbollah launching the "first phase" of retaliatory attacks against Israel after its top commander’s assassination and Telegram CEO Pavel Durov being arrested in Paris by French authorities.

TOP STORIES

• Hamas commits to cease-fire proposal announced by US President Biden on July 2

Hamas said they are committed to the cease-fire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden on July 2, saying a new offer presented in Cairo does not meet the conditions.

A senior Hamas official who wished to remain anonymous told Anadolu that mediator countries Egypt and Qatar conveyed a new cease-fire proposal to the Hamas delegation in Cairo.

The official confirmed that Hamas remains committed to the cease-fire proposal announced by Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council.

• Hezbollah launches ‘1st phase’ of retaliatory attacks against Israel after commander’s assassination

The Lebanese group Hezbollah announced that it had launched hundreds of rockets and drones deep into Israel as part of the “first phase” of its response to Tel Aviv's assassination of its senior commander Fuad Shukr.

The announcement came shortly after the Israeli army attacked southern Lebanon with a large-scale airstrike which it called a "preemptive strike," claiming to have prevented Hezbollah from launching an attack.

In a statement, Hezbollah said “the first stage of our response to Shukr's assassination has been successfully completed."

• Israel launches massive strikes on southern Lebanon

The Israeli army announced launching strikes on southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah’s preparations for a large-scale assault on Israel.

Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that a short while ago, missiles and rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Consequently, sirens were activated across the affected areas in Israel.

Emphasizing Hezbollah’s imminent plans for a broader attack, Hagari noted that the Israeli military has started targeting Hezbollah positions in retaliation.

• Telegram CEO arrested at Paris airport

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested around 8 p.m. on Saturday as he alighted from his private jet at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, according to French media TF1 TV.

The 39-year-old Franco-Russian was accompanied by his bodyguard and a woman.

The arrest was carried out by the GTA (Gendarmerie of Air Transport). Durov, who was listed in the FPR (Wanted Persons File), had just arrived from Azerbaijan.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• An Israeli negotiating team returned to Tel Aviv from Cairo after taking part in Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap deal talks with Palestinian factions.
• Eight bodies were retrieved in Zambia from a gravel mine that collapsed, leaving an unknown number of people trapped.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres" is "deeply concerned" by an overnight intense exchange of cross-border fire by Israel and Hezbollah, his spokesperson said.
• The Israeli army demanded Palestinians evacuate an area east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, which had been previously classified as a “humanitarian area.”
• The EU’s top diplomat expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, highlighting the severe risks it poses both regionally and globally.
• Italy's deputy prime minister and foreign minister urged Iran’s top diplomat to help ease tensions in Lebanon and the Red Sea to help facilitate Gaza cease-fire talks in Cairo.
• At least eight people were killed and over 40 others injured in overnight Russian airstrikes in four border regions of Ukraine, officials said in separate statements.
• Switzerland is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in the Middle East, the country said.
• The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff was set to arrive in Israel as cross-border tensions continue to escalate between Tel Aviv and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
• An Israeli soldier was killed in cross-border attacks with Hezbollah amid rising escalation along the Israeli-Lebanese border, according to Israeli authorities.
• Ten foreign airlines canceled their flights to Israel amid a cross-border escalation with the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
• The Sao Paulo state government in Brazil has formed a crisis Cabinet to deal with wildfires that have already killed at least two people, according to media reports.
• German police arrested the suspected assailant in the Solingen knife attack, authorities said.
• The Russian Foreign Ministry is working to clarify the detention of Telegram's founder and CEO Pavel Durov in France, Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reported.
• More than 2,000 new Rohingya refugees have entered Bangladesh since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government on Aug. 5, which led to several Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel abandoning their posts due to fears of public retribution.

SPORTS

• Legendary German football coach Daum passes away at 70

German football coach Christoph Daum has died from lung cancer at the age of 70, the German Football League (DFL) confirmed.

"German football is in mourning after the death of Christoph Daum. The former Bundesliga-winning coach has died at the age of 70 from long-term cancer," the league said in a statement.

Daum lifted the Bundesliga title in 1992 with Stuttgart and the Austrian League title in 2003 with Austria Wien.