Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire extended, while Egypt and Jordan reject ‘emptying’ of Gaza - Trending

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The ceasefire between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel will be extended until February 18 and monitored by the US, the White House said on Sunday.

The governments of Lebanon, Israel and the US will also begin negotiations “for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023”, it added in a statement.

Israel and Lebanon signed what was initially a 60-day ceasefire on November 27. It followed clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters that escalated into a full-scale war, killing thousands and driving hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Egypt on Sunday said it rejects the “emptying” of Palestinian territories of their inhabitants − regardless of whether this is done through forced or voluntary eviction.

The statement appeared to have been issued in response to US President Donald Trump’s comments this weekend that he would like to see Jordan and Egypt take more Palestinians from Gaza.

The statement did not directly mention the American leader or cite his remarks.

Separately, Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed Jordan’s policy.in a joint statement with the UN’s senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag.

“Our constants in the Kingdom are clear," he said. "Keeping the Palestinians on their land is a Jordanian constant that has not changed and will not change."

The UAE has sent 100 lorries carrying more than 1,440 tonnes of aid to Gaza since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire began earlier this month.

Food supplies, relief packages, shelter tents and other essential items were sent in five convoys, state news agency Wam reported on Saturday.

A humanitarian aid team from the UAE based in Al Arish, northern Egypt, has been supervising the loading of the convoys before they enter the Rafah border crossing.