Trump Says Turkiye 'Did An Unfriendly Takeover' In Syria; Gaza Ceasefire Talks Continue | West Asia

Israeli forces continued to pound Gaza on Tuesday, killing at least 10 people in Gaza City, even as reports suggested that ceasefire talks were inching closer to an agreement. Among the victims of Israel바카라�s bombings the previous day was Khaled Nabhan, a grandfather in Gaza who gained global attention after being filmed mourning his slain granddaughter, calling her the 바카라�soul of my soul.바카라�

Meanwhile, in apparent praise of Turkiye, United States President-elect Donald Trump described the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as an 바카라�unfriendly takeover바카라� by Ankara.

Also Read | Bashar Al-Assad's Regime Falls In Syria

Israel바카라�s war on Gaza has killed at least 45,028 Palestinians and wounded 106,962 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day.

Here are the latest updates:

• Trump Lauds Turkiye바카라�s 'Unfriendly Takeover'

Donald Trump has described the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as an 바카라�unfriendly takeover바카라� by Turkiye, which aligned itself with several opposition groups leading the offensive on Damascus.

바카라�I think Turkey is very smart바카라� Turkey did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost. I can say that Assad was a butcher, what he did to children,바카라� Trump said in a press conference.  He was referring to Assad바카라�s December 8 ousting, which came after a surprise offensive led by Syrian rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had long opposed Assad바카라�s rule and supported the Syrian National Army (SNA) opposition group, based in northwestern Syria. Trump had previously stated that the conflict was "not our fight."

• Assad바카라�s First Statement Since He Fled Syria

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, currently in Russia, has denied planning to flee Syria following the rebel takeover, in what is reported to be his first statement since Damascus fell eight days ago.

"With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8th December," the statement reads.

"This took place a day after the fall of Damascus, following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions." READ FULL STORY HERE

• Gaza Ceasefire Talks 바카라�Close To A Deal바카라�?

Israeli negotiators are holding talks with mediators in Qatar to discuss a ceasefire with Hamas and the release of hostages from Gaza. Diplomats are reportedly pushing for an agreement before Donald Trump takes office in January.

Israel바카라�s Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday that negotiators had never been closer to an agreement since the November 2023 ceasefire deal. However, Hamas insists on a complete and permanent cessation of the war, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced people, and a prisoner exchange deal.

Disagreements in previous rounds, particularly over Israel바카라�s demands about its future military presence in Gaza, obstructed progress. Hamas had accepted a version of the proposal introduced by Biden in May, but talks in mid-October ended without a deal.

• Israel's Minister Rules Out Pre-October 7 Status

Israel바카라�s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Israel will maintain 바카라�security control over Gaza with full freedom of action바카라� after Hamas바카라�s defeat, similar to the situation in the occupied West Bank.

He added in a post on X that Israel will not allow any armed group in Gaza to act against its communities and citizens.

바카라�We will not allow a return to the reality before October 7,바카라� Israel Katz said.

• UK Diplomats Meet Syrian Rebel Leader 

British diplomats have held talks with the leader of Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Photos posted on social media by HTS바카라�s military operations department showed its leader Ahmad al-Sharaa바카라�formerly known as Mohammed al-Golani바카라�meeting senior officials in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Among those photographed was Ann Snow, the UK바카라�s special representative for Syria.

HTS stated that the discussions focused on 바카라�the latest developments바카라� in Syria. The meeting followed comments by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who confirmed that the UK had established 바카라�diplomatic contact바카라� with HTS, even though the group remains designated as a terrorist organisation by the British government.