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Release of abductees delayed

Israel has delayed the release of Palestinian abductees, violating an exchange deal with the resistance movement Hamas. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office reported that Israeli forces assaulted some of the abductees inside Ofer prison, where their release was scheduled to take place. The office also said the regime is attempting to manipulate the list of abductees ahead of their release. Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to lead a meeting with his cabinet regarding the release. 620 Palestinian abductees had been scheduled to be released on Saturday. The failure to release the Palestinian abductees follows Hamas's release of six Israeli captives as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. This exchange on Saturday marks the final stage of the first phase of the deal which was signed between the two sides in January of this year.

Lebanon funeral preparation

Lebanon is preparing for the funeral ceremony of the martyred Secretary General of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and his deputy Sayyed Hashem Safieddine. The streets of the capital are now filled with banners endorsing the movement. The funeral on Sunday will be broadcasted live from five key locations, including the martyrdom site of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Beirut’s Olympic Stadium. The funeral procession for the late Hashem Safieddine will also be held on same day and he will be laid to rest a day later in his hometown. Hezbollah has called on Arabs, Muslims and free people worldwide to participate in honoring the men who championed the oppressed, and gave their lives for the people of Palestine and the liberation of Lebanon.

US military shake-up

President Donald Trump has dismissed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown, the highest-ranking officer in the United States, in a dramatic shake-up of the country's military’s leadership. The president offered no explanation and nominated retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine as Brown’s replacement. Brown, an Air Force veteran, was appointed by former President Joe Biden and was the second black officer in US history to hold the post. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced plans to replace Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the US Navy. Hegseth previously criticized military leadership for supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The move comes amid sweeping federal layoffs and efforts to reshape government institutions just a month into Trump’s second term.

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