Hamas Says Israeli Troops Kill Fighter in Gaza

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a protest calling for lifting the blockade on Gaza | Mohammed Salem/Reuters
A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a protest calling for lifting the blockade on Gaza | Mohammed Salem/Reuters
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Hamas Says Israeli Troops Kill Fighter in Gaza

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a protest calling for lifting the blockade on Gaza | Mohammed Salem/Reuters
A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a protest calling for lifting the blockade on Gaza | Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Israel's military said soldiers opened fire on Thursday after spotting two Palestinian gunmen near the Gaza border fence, and the Hamas militant group said one of its fighters was killed.

The last round of violence in the Gaza Strip and neighboring southern Israel was in May, with hundreds of Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes over three days.

The health ministry in Gaza, an enclave run by Hamas militants, said 28-year-old Palestinian Mahmoud al-Adham was shot and killed in Thursday's incident near Beit Hanoun in the northern part of the territory.

The Israeli military says it noticed two "armed suspects" near the Israel-Gaza perimeter fence and "fired in order to drive them away".

Gaza's Health Ministry said al-Adham was wounded in his leg and died later at the hospital.

In a statement, Hamas's armed wing said Israeli forces deliberately targeted a fighter "on duty" near the border. It vowed to retaliate.

"The occupation bears responsibility for the consequences of such a criminal act," it said, referring to Israel.

After May's fighting, there was a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations.

But tensions have remained high, with Hamas accusing Israel of failing to abide by the terms - never publicly confirmed by Israeli leaders - of a truce deal to ease a blockade of Gaza.



Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
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Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, in a phone call on Friday with Syria's de facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussed relations between the two countries, according to a statement from Mikati's office posted on X, and said that he received an invitation from Sharaa to visit Syria to discuss common files.

Sharaa also affirmed that Syrian authorities took the necessary measures to restore calm on the border between the two countries, the post on X said.

Lebanon's army said Friday that gunbattles erupted on the Lebanese-Syrian border when Syrians attempted to reopen an illegal border crossing using a bulldozer, wounding at least five Lebanese soldiers.
The Lebanese army said its personnel fired warning shots, prompting the Syrians to open fire, wounding one soldier. After the shooting, army units in the area implemented strict security measures and the episode was under investigation, the army said.
Later Friday, the Lebanese army said there were renewed exchanges of fire and four more army personnel were injured.
Meanwhile, Syria’s de facto leadership under the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announced new entry regulations for Lebanese citizens. Lebanese travelers must secure a residence permit or a Syrian sponsor and provide proof of funds worth $2,000 and a hotel booking. Previously, Lebanese citizens were allowed to enter with just a Lebanese ID card.