Witkoff to send new deal proposal, Netanyahu announces death of Mohammed Sinwar

The IDF said on Wednesday that it is drawing down some of its height of wartime forces on the Lebanese border, moving Division 146 further inland for other missions, while leaving Division 91 on the border.

Hamas said that it agreed to a framework for a permanent Gaza ceasefire with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in a statement on Wednesday.

The agreement includes the release of "ten Israeli captives and a number of bodies, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, under the guarantee of the mediators."

The terrorist organization said the framework would achieve "a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, the flow of humanitarian aid, and the formation of a professional committee to manage the affairs of Gaza upon the announcement of the agreement."

This is a developing story.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday gave final confirmation that Hamas chief Mohammed Sinwar was killed by an IDF airstrike on May 13.

IDF soldiers, alongside the Border Police, arrested 18 wanted suspects during counter-terrorism operations in the West Bank overnight on Tuesday, the military stated. 

Soldiers seized a firearm with a magazine, pipe bombs, and other weapons. 

The suspects and seized weapons were transferred for further investigation by security forces, the IDF noted. 

IDF soldiers on Wednesday destroyed a missile launcher that was used to fire rockets towards Kibbutz Kissufim, along with sniper posts and anti-missile posts in the Gaza Strip, the military said. 

Additionally, the Israeli air force struck dozens of targets throughout Gaza in the past 48 hours, including terrorists, terrorist sites, anti-tank missile posts, weapon storage facilities, and other terrorist infrastructure, the IDF noted. 

Pope Leo appealed on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza, and called on Israel and Hamas terrorists to "completely respect" international humanitarian law.

"In the Gaza Strip, the intense cries are reaching Heaven more and more from mothers and fathers who hold tightly to the bodies of their dead children," the pontiff said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.

"To those responsible, I renew my appeal: stop the fighting," said the pope. "Liberate all the hostages. Completely respect humanitarian law."

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, is willing to recognize and open diplomatic relations with Israel if an independent Palestinian state is recognized by Israel, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday.

Standing alongside visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, Prabowo said Israel's security needs to be guaranteed, and that France would also continue to support steps towards independence for a Palestinian state.

Indonesia does not recognise or share any diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Houthi media arm Al-Masirah posted a video on May 27 showing what it described as a “scout show and closing events for summer schools.” The hashtag for the event on Telegram was “science and jihad” and “summer courses.”

The scenes appear to be part of the larger Houthi indoctrination campaign aimed at children. These types of “summer camps” have taken place for years. However, the role of the Houthis is increasingly in the spotlight because of the increasing threat they pose to the region.

In the video report posted by Al-Masirah young children who appear to be between age 9 and 12, are seen marching in formation and holding images of the Houthi leader. In another part of the video, a room full of armed men is seen apparently celebrating the children “completing” their courses.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini on Wednesday said the organization's financial situation is "desperate," adding that it urgently needs support to continue operations past June.

Iran might allow the UN nuclear watchdog to send US inspectors to visit Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran's nuclear talks with Washington succeed, Iran's nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said on Wednesday.

"It is normal that inspectors from hostile countries are not allowed, but if a nuclear deal is reached, we might allow American inspectors working for the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit our nuclear sites," Eslami said.