Middle East: Israel intercepts missile from Yemen

Hamas said in a statement that it would like to reach a ceasefire "as soon as possible" to secure the return of Palestinian residents to their homes across the Gaza Strip.

"We emphasize, as we always did, our seriousness, positivity and commitment to reaching an agreement as soon as possible," the organization said.

According to the statement, a future ceasefire agreement should serve to "stop the aggression against our people" and to secure the Israeli army's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

A new round of indirect talksover a ceasefire deal and the return of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas resumed in Doha, Qatar on Friday.

The Israeli authorities should make the whereabouts of detained Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya known, human rights group Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) said.

In a series of posts on social media network X, the group said that the Israeli army had emailed them, saying the Gaza-based Kamal Adwan Hospital director was not being held by them. 

"On that same day, the army spokesperson confirmed that he was arrested and transferred for questioning, but since then, his whereabouts have entirely vanished," PHRI said.

Witnesses told US outlet CNN that Abu Safiya had been seen at the Sde Teiman military detention center, which became notorious for the extreme abuse previous detainees said they had endured there.

At least 30 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to staff at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The health ministry later said that 77 people had been killed.

Rescuers said that "several children" were among the dead.

The Israeli military said in a statement that its air force had "struck approximately 40 Hamas terrorist gathering points"  throughout Gaza.

Some of the targets "were embedded in areas that previously served as schools," it said, a claim that was rejected by Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza's civil defense.

Three rockets were also fired toward southern Israel from the Gaza Strip during the day, but no injuries were reported.

Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are set to meet in Qatar on Friday for renewed ceasefire and hostage exchange discussions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he had authorized a delegation to attend the talks.

Israeli media said the delegation, comprising of members of the Mossad intelligence agency, the Shin Bet internal security agency and the military, would depart on Friday.

Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist organization by the US, the EU and Israel, among others, has also confirmed its participation.

"The chances are good that the negotiations will be successful this time," senior Hamas official Mussa Abu Marsuk told Qatari media.

Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, are mediating a truce, with no direct communication between the two parties.

Among the major obstacles is Israel's demands a list of living hostages, while Hamas seeks a pause in fighting to assess their conditions.

Hamas also insists on ending the war in Gaza, something Israel has rejected, especially with hostages still in captivity.

During the October 7 terror attacks on Israel, Hamas took 251 hostages. Nine-six hostages still remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military having said 34 of them are dead.   

Israeli warplanes struck defense and research facilities near Aleppo in Syria late Thursday, a monitor group said on Friday.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, massive explosions were reported in the al-Safira town south of Aleppo. There was no immediate information on casualties.

The observatory said that "at least seven massive explosions were heard, resulting from an Israeli airstrike on defense factories...south of Aleppo."

Local residents said the powerful strikes shook the ground and "turned the night into day," according to news agency AFP.

This appears to  have been among some 498 airstrikes by carried out by Israel since the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad on December 8, according to the observatory.

While Israel has not commented on the latest strike, its previous targets have included airports, radar systems, weapons depots, and scientific research centers across Syria, meant to keep advanced weaponry from falling into hostile hands.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Damascus on Friday for discussions with Syria's newly formed rebel-led government.

Baerbock said in a statement before her departure that her visit is a message to the Syrians that "a new political chapter between Europe and Syria, and between Germany and Syria, is within reach."

Last month, rebel factions, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forced former President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia, triggering a dramatic shift in Syria's political landscape.

HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa now heads Syria's transitional government. 

A missile launched from Yemen crossed into Israeli territory early Friday where it was intercepted, Israel's military said.

The military announced the successful interception in a statement on Telegram.

Missile shrapnel fell in Modi'in in central Israel, although there were no immediate injuries or damage reported, the military said.

The attack triggered air raid sirens in central and southern regions, including Jerusalem.

Emergency services treated several people for panic attacks as residents rushed to shelters following the 4:30 a.m. attack.

Some hours later, Israel also said it had intercepted a drone that came from Yemen. 

Claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have intensified missile and drone strikes on Israel, as well as attacks on vessels in the Red Sea shipping corridor.

The latest escalation comes amid Israeli airstrikes targeting Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport.

ss/wd (AP, AFP)