Syrian opposition forces have taken control of much of the country’s second largest city Aleppo after a lightning advance that killed dozens of government soldiers in a major challenge to President Bashar al-Assad.

A rebel alliance launched a surprise attack this week, sweeping eastward through villages outside the city and reigniting a conflict that had been largely static for years. It is the first time Syrian rebels have set foot in Aleppo since government forces regained control during the civil war in 2016.

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A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah has taken effect hours after United States President Joe Biden said a proposal to end the “devastating” conflict had been reached, promising to halt nearly 14 months of cross-border fighting that has killed thousands of people.

The ceasefire began at 4am (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday amid concerns about whether it would hold and lead to the permanent end of fighting between Israel’s military and Hezbollah forces.

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Iran’s supreme leader has directed military commanders to prepare for an attack against Israel, senior Iranian officials told The New York Times.

Three Iranian officials, speaking to The New York Times on condition of anonymity, revealed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued the directive during a Supreme National Security Council meeting on Monday. The order came after he reviewed reports detailing damage to Iran’s missile production facilities, air defense systems, and critical infrastructure from recent Israeli strikes.

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Israel has launched air strikes against Iran, including targets in Tehran, in the latest salvo in an escalating conflict between the regional foes that has stoked fears of an all-out war in the Middle East.

The Israel Defense Forces said it struck military facilities such as missile manufacturing plants and air defences during the attack in the early hours of Saturday. The assault was in retaliation for the missile barrage Iran fired at Israel three weeks ago.

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Israel said on Thursday it had killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of last year’s October 7 attack which triggered the deadliest war in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sinwar’s death is a pivotal moment in the year of fighting, delivering a severe blow to the Palestinian militant group and a symbolic victory to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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