The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they unfold.
Egypt: Gas explosion kills 3 police officers in Cairo; no foul play suspected
CAIRO – A gas explosion has killed three police officers as maintenance work was being performed at Egypt’s police academy in Cairo this evening, the country’s interior ministry says in a statement on social media.
Two security sources say no foul play was suspected and add that two additional police personnel were injured in the incident.
Egyptian president: Carter had ‘significant role in’ historic 1978 Camp David Accords
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hails former US president Jimmy Carter as “a symbol of humanitarian efforts” for his role in brokering the historic 1978 Camp David Accords, which established peace between Egypt and Israel.
“His significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel will remain etched in the annals of history, and his humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood,” the Egyptian leader says in a post on social media platform X.
Following the 1978 agreements, Carter witnessed the signing of the Egypt–Israel peace treaty by then Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin at the White House on March 26, 1979.
Carter died today, aged 100.
IDF: Rocket sirens in Gaza border towns were false alarms
The IDF says rocket alert sirens activated in towns near the border with Gaza a short while ago were false alarms.
Incoming rocket sirens sounding in communities near Gaza border
Sirens are blaring in several communities near the border with the Gaza Strip, warning of incoming rocket fire.
The alerts in Yad Mordechai, Netiv HaAssara and Erez come hours after terrorists in Gaza fired rockets at the southern city of Sderot. The IDF said two of the rockets were intercepted, while the other three apparently struck open areas.
The IDF says it is looking into the fresh sirens.
???? Rocket Alert [01:00:34] – 3 Alerts:
• Gaza Envelope — Yad Mordechai, Netiv HaAssara, Erez
Population: 2,200 pic.twitter.com/2slcnE623u
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) December 29, 2024
‘An extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian’: US presidents past and present remember Carter
US leaders past and present react to news that former US president Jimmy Carter, who as president brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, has died at age 100.
“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian,” US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden say in a statement.
“Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.”
US President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump likewise eulogize Carter, urging people to keep the Carter family and their loved ones “in their hearts and prayers.”
“The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude,” the Trump statement reads.
Former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton remember Carter’s humanitarian work.
“From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-Presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity—he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world.”
Gal Gadot reveals she had emergency surgery for ‘massive blood clot’ in brain
Israeli actress Gal Gadot reveals on Instagram that she underwent emergency surgery after a “massive blood clot” was found in her brain 10 months ago, while in the 8th month of pregnancy.
“For weeks, I had endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth,” the “Wonder Woman” actress writes on the social media site. “In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be.”
Gadot writes that she underwent emergency surgery after rushing to Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where she is a top Hollywood draw. She has since fully healed.
“My daughter, Ori, was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear,” she adds, alongside a picture of her in a hospital gown breastfeeding her daughter.
The starlet notes that she was unsure whether she should share her story after a year of “profound challenges and deep reflections,” but hoped to raise awareness with the post to her 108 million followers.
According to Johns Hopkins University a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in the brain’s venous sinuses that prevents blood in the brain from draining.
“This can lead to swelling and bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain,” it says.