Hamas claims ‘intransigent’ proposal from Israel doesn’t meet any Palestinian demands

In an early morning statement, Hamas says Israel’s proposal for a truce and hostage release deal that it received from Qatari and Egyptian mediators does not meet any of the demands of Palestinian factions.

However, the terror group adds that it will study the proposal, which it describes as “intransigent,” and deliver its response to the mediators.

The statement comes intensive US efforts to achieve a deal for the release of over 100 hostages held by terror groups in the Gaza Strip since October 7 in exchange for a truce in the ongoing war.

The deal currently under discussion would provide for the release of some 40 Israeli captives held in Gaza in return for a temporary truce and the release of hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners, including some convicted of deadly attacks.

US military says it destroyed Houthi air defense, drone systems in Red Sea area

The US military says it has destroyed air defense and drone systems of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi forces in the area of the Red Sea, with no injuries or damage reported to commercial, US and coalition ships.

The Houthis, a US-designated terror group, have vowed to target Israeli, British, and American ships, as well as vessels heading to Israeli ports, disrupting traffic along the vital trade route amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

The US, which leads an international coalition meant to protect Red Sea shipping, has been hitting Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-January.