Israel, Eurovision Song Contest and Spain
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Officials said Israel helped arm and back Yasser Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces, part of a strategy against Hamas, before a local clan killed him this week.
The bodies of two deceased hostages are still thought to be in Gaza. Israeli authorities have been releasing Palestinian prisoners and the bodies of deceased Palestinians detainees in exchange for the return of hostage remains.
The changes come as pressure mounts for Israel and Hamas to move into the second phase of the ceasefire plan that U.S. President Donald Trump brokered in October. Under the terms of the ceasefire, all living and dead hostages would be released before a second phase focused on Gaza’s postwar governance would be negotiated.
Israel received a body on Wednesday that Hamas said was one of the last two deceased hostages in the Gaza Strip. It comes as Israel said it would allow Gaza's gateway to Egypt to open once all hostages were returned.
Once returned to Israel, the remains will be examined by forensics experts to determine whether they belong to either of the 2 last hostages in Gaza.
BEIRUT, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Friday criticised the Lebanese government's decision to send a civilian delegate to the ceasefire committee, calling it a "free concession" to Israel and a clear violation of previous government positions.
Israel says the crucial Rafah crossing with Egypt will open in the coming days, but only for Palestinians to exit Gaza.
Gaza's Popular Forces said in a statement that its leader died of a gunshot wound as he intervened in a family quarrel, and dismissed as "misleading" reports that Hamas was behind his killing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in June that Israel had armed anti-Hamas clans,
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