777 runny West Asia Crisis: Syrian Rebels Continue Invading Central & Southern Towns; 29 Palestinians Killed In Israeli Strikes | Latest
Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza StripPhoto: AP Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza StripPhoto: AP 
The situation in Syria is getting more volatile by the day, with the Syrian rebels entering the central towns of Rastan and Talbiseh and southern city of Daraa.
The fresh assault , just north of the central city of Homs. brings the rebelscloser to Syria's third largest city. On Friday, the opposition fighters captured the central city of Hama, Syria's fourth largest and on Saturday the rebels seized control of the southern city of Daraa.
Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 29 people including four medical staff in one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza.
Lebanon on Friday said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with the Syrian capital, Damascus. This came hours after an Israeli airstrike damaged a border crossing in northern Lebanon just days after it was reopened. Jordan also closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side.
Israel's war with Hamas has devastated Gaza, displacing 90 per cent of its 2.3 million residents, many multiple times. The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages.
In retaliation, Israel's offensive has killed at least 44,600 Palestinians, more than half of whom were women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The number of militants killed remains unverified, though Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters.
The war has also sparked additional conflicts throughout the West Asia.
Syrian CrisisIn a significant escalation of the Syrian conflict, opposition rebels seized control of the southern city of Daraa on Saturday, marking the fourth city to fall into their hands in just days.
This advance is a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad, as rebel forces, primarily led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as reported by India Today, have been rapidly expanding their control since launching a surprise offensive on November 27.
The rebels have seized several regions across northern and central Syria, capturing key cities such as Aleppo, Hama, and Deir Ezzor. Now, they are reportedly closing in on Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, a crucial crossroads that connects Damascus with coastal regions loyal to Assad.
Homs is also strategically important due to its oil refinery.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the escalating rebellion could destabilize the broader Middle East, potentially paving the way for the return of ISIS and other terrorist groups. In response, Iran has pledged to bolster its support for Assad by sending missiles, drones, and additional military advisers.
The fall of key cities, including those on the Iraq border and Deir el-Zor in eastern Syria, is exacerbating tensions in the region and increasing the threat to Assad’s regime.
Israeli Strikes Kill 29 In One Of The Remaining Gaza HospitalsAt least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummelled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said.
The situation in and around the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The dead included five children and five women, according to the hospital casualty list, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the Gaza's northernmost province, where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months.
Israel's military denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The army said that in the past few weeks, “coordinated efforts with international organizations have been underway in order to transfer patients, companions, and medical staff to other hospitals.”
Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim.
Saudi Arabia Calls For And End To Gaza War And Attacks Israel's ActionsSaudi Arabia's foreign minister has reiterated the kingdom's call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as acting with “impunity and is getting away without punishment” in its war on Hamas there.
The prince said that any permanent solution requires a two-state solution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital.
After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a prominent royal in the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the US and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel's conduct in the wars.
“Israel has become an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki said. “It is about time for the world to address that issue and take the necessary steps to bring those who are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.”
Israeli officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Prince Turki's remarks.
The Saudis spoke at the International Institute for Security Studies' Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
(With AP inputs)777 runny