Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus and hit government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying that Israel aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority that also has members in Lebanon and Israel.

Syria's Islamist-led government said its internal security forces began deploying in Sweida on Saturday as the presidency called on all parties to

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal on Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east.

The U.N. has called the conflict in eastern Congo “one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.”

The official proclamation showing that July 18 is now known as "Ceasefire Indy Day" in honor of activist Ron Gee. Frieson said, "My dad was seen, that his voice was heard, and I hope to be like him someday. She came up with a new campaign too using a catchphrase kids say all the time.

It is the first direct commitment by both Congo and the rebels since they seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major advance.

Hamas' armed wing spokesperson said on Friday that while the group favours reaching an interim truce in the Gaza war, if such an agreement is not reached in current negotiations it could revert to insisting on a full package deal to end the conflict.

Abu Obeida says there will be no guarantee of a return to partial deals if Israel leaves the negotiating table again.