Algeria to Host New Palestinian Reconciliation Meeting at End of December

Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune hosted a meeting between Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Algiers after years of rivalry. (AFP) 
Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune hosted a meeting between Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Algiers after years of rivalry. (AFP) 
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Algeria to Host New Palestinian Reconciliation Meeting at End of December

Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune hosted a meeting between Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Algiers after years of rivalry. (AFP) 
Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune hosted a meeting between Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Algiers after years of rivalry. (AFP) 

Hamas announced on Saturday that Palestinian factions will hold a new round of talks in Algeria at the end of December to discuss the Palestinian reconciliation process.  

Khalil Al-Hayya, deputy chief of the movement in the Gaza Strip, said Algeria will invite Palestinian factions for a new session of the national dialogue that is aimed at achieving reconciliation and ending internal division.  

The Fatah movement also spoke of a possibility of a new meeting being held. 

Fatah spokesperson Hussein Hamayel told the Anadolu Agency said factions may hold a meeting to build on the agreements reached during the first round of meetings held in Algeria in October.  

Hamayel reiterated his movement’s commitment to all items of the “Algiers Declaration” that was signed by the factions in October. 

The declaration stressed the importance of national unity and confronting and resisting the Israeli occupation.

It called for achieving the legitimate goals of the Palestinian people, and for adopting dialogue and consultations to resolve differences. 

It stressed the need to hold presidential and National Council elections.  

An Algerian-Arab team would supervise and follow up the implementation of the terms of the agreement in cooperation with the Palestinians.  



Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
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Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

The death toll from a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus on Sunday has risen to 25, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing the country's health ministry.

It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by opposition factions in December.

On Sunday, a suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying, killing and wounding many.

The attack took place in Dweila on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.