GAZA -- Hamas on Wednesday officially confirmed that Mohammed Odeh, the newly-appointed commander-in-chief of the group's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening.
In a press statement, Hamas mourned Odeh, who it said had been involved in the group's military activities for more than 30 years and considered among the early founders of its armed operations. (Gaza-Hamas military chief-Death confirmation)
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TEHRAN -- Iran has a draft of an initial, unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States, which demands U.S. military withdrawal and naval blockade lift, several media outlets reported Wednesday, citing Iran's state-run IRIB TV.
In return, Iran has committed to restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within one month and managing ship traffic through the strait with Oman, the reports said, adding military vessels are not included in the agreement. (Iran-US-MoU)
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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday urged all armed groups in the country to operate under the umbrella of the state, according to al-Zaidi's media office.
Al-Zaidi's call came in response to a statement issued by the office of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Shiite National Movement, who announced the separation of its armed wing Saraya al-Salam from the movement and ordered its personnel to integrate into the state. (Iraq-Armed group-Integration)
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BEIRUT/JERUSALEM -- A senior Hezbollah official said Wednesday that "nobody should dream" of disarming the group, following deadly Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon Tuesday night.
Speaking at a memorial in Beirut's southern suburbs, Mahmoud Qomati, a member of the political council of Hezbollah, said the group will "never" hand over its weapons, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. (Lebanon-Israel-Hezbollah-Conflict) Enditem
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