February 1, 2025

Daily News Brief

* Israel to release 183 Palestinians in fourth prisoner exchange Israel is set to release 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal, more than doubling the previously reported figure. Palestinian Prisoners' Club spokeswoman Amani Sarahneh confirmed the updated number on Friday, revising an earlier announcement of 90 prisoners to be freed. Meanwhile, Hamas has named three Israeli hostages who will be released * Syrian authorities nab Assad's cousin Najib over crimes against civilians Syrian security forces have arrested Atef Najib, a cousin of ousted Bashar al Assad and former political security chief in Daraa, over crimes against civilians, including children. The arrest was confirmed by Lt. Col. Mustafa Knefati, director of the Public Security Directorate in Latakia, northwest Syria. Najib is accused of being among the first to commit human rights violations at the start of the 2011 uprising and is also blamed for the arrest and torture of children in Daraa. * Intense fighting in DRC's Goma kills 700 people in five days: UN At least 700 people have been killed since Sunday in intense fighting in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a UN spokesman confirmed. M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has seized Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, and is advancing south as volunteers and the struggling Congolese army attempt to push them back. M23 fighters, who took Goma earlier this week, have vowed to march to the capital, Kinshasa, raising fears of further escalation. * Venezuela frees US prisoners as Maduro calls for 'new start' with America Venezuela has freed six Americans after talks between President Nicolas Maduro and a Trump administration official, during which Maduro sought a "new beginning" with Washington. US President Donald Trump and envoy Richard Grenell announced the release on Friday on social media. Grenell’s visit surprised many Venezuelans, who had expected Trump to continue his "maximum pressure" campaign against Maduro from his first term. * Israeli spyware targeted scores of WhatsApp users: Meta A WhatsApp official said Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions had targeted scores of users, including journalists and civil society members. On Friday, WhatsApp sent Paragon a cease-and-desist letter following the hack. Paragon declined to comment.