International

Hamas confirms the maintenance of the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of more hostages this Saturday

The Islamist group Hamas confirmed on Thursday its willingness to continue complying with the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip “in accordance with what was signed”, including the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners scheduled for this Saturday.

“The talks were characterized by a positive spirit and the mediator brothers of Egypt and Qatar confirmed that they will do everything possible to remove the obstacles and close the gaps. Consequently, Hamas confirms its position of continuing to comply with the agreement in accordance with what was signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified calendar,” the group said in a statement after holding talks yesterday in Cairo.

In the same way and as Egyptian security sources confirmed today to EFE, Hamas will continue with the implementation of the ceasefire it maintains with Israel and will release three hostages this Saturday in exchange for Palestinian detainees and prisoners, as agreed.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet made any public statement, after a few days ago it demanded that the hostages be released on Saturday before noon.

This included an ambiguous statement by US President Donald Trump, in which it was not clear whether he was referring to the nine still alive in the first phase or to the total of 76.

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On Wednesday, a Hamas delegation, headed by Jalil Al Haya, head of the Hamas movement in Gaza and the negotiating legation, held talks with the guarantors of the pact in Cairo and addressed the “secessive Israeli violations”, especially in relation to the entry of humanitarian aid, tents and heavy machinery into the Strip.

“The delegation of the movement held meetings and established contacts with those responsible for the negotiations in Egypt and Qatar, as well as with the technical work teams of the mediator brothers who are monitoring the implementation of the agreement in all its aspects,” Hamas said today.

All meetings dealt with the obligation to comply with all the terms of the agreement – according to the Islamist movement – especially with regard to the provision of prefabricated houses, containers, tents and medical supplies as stipulated in the agreement.

According to Palestinian sources, some 150 trucks loaded with tents entered the northern area of the Gaza Strip last night through the Zikim border crossing.

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International

White House says Cuba policy unchanged despite sanctioned fuel shipment

The White House said Monday that it has not changed its policy toward Cuba, despite allowing a sanctioned Russian oil tanker to deliver fuel to the island on humanitarian grounds.

U.S. officials emphasized that the decision was made as an exception and does not signal a broader shift in policy.

The administration added that similar decisions would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on humanitarian considerations.

The clarification comes amid ongoing restrictions related to U.S. sanctions policy, which continue to limit trade and financial flows involving Cuba.

International

Spain to grant citizenship to Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López

The Spanish government is expected to grant citizenship this Tuesday to Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lópezthrough an extraordinary procedure known as “carta de naturaleza.”

The decision will be approved by royal decree, an exceptional legal mechanism used in special cases that require expedited resolution due to specific circumstances.

López has been living in Madrid since 2020, after leaving Venezuela following a prolonged political and legal conflict with the government of Nicolás Maduro.

According to government sources, López currently does not have a valid Venezuelan passport and faces difficulties in having his nationality fully recognized in his home country.

As a result, he applied for Spanish citizenship via a fast-track process at the end of 2025, after previously attempting to obtain it through regular procedures.

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The Spanish government justified the move based on López’s international relevance and foreign policy considerations.

López is the leader of the Voluntad Popular party and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress, an initiative launched in 2022 alongside figures such as Garry Kasparov and Masih Alinejad.

International

ICE to remain at airports amid DHS shutdown, Homan says

The U.S. “border czar,” Tom Homan, said Sunday that agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will remain deployed at airports until operations return to “100% normal,” as the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues.

“We will maintain ICE presence until airports feel they are fully back to normal operations,” Homan said during an interview on Face the Nation on CBS.

Homan justified the deployment on security grounds, noting that the measure was ordered by President Donald Trumpamid widespread absenteeism among agents of the Transportation Security Administration, who have gone without pay for over six weeks due to the DHS shutdown.

According to acting TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, at least 460 TSA agents have resigned during the shutdown, while daily absenteeism has averaged 11%, exceeding 50% at some airports.

Homan warned that if TSA staffing levels do not recover after the shutdown, ICE agents will continue filling the gap. “ICE is there to support our TSA brothers and sisters. We will remain as long as needed to ensure airport security,” he said.

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The DHS shutdown reached 44 days on Sunday, making it the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The impasse stems from disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over ICE funding.

A recent bipartisan Senate proposal to fund DHS without including ICE failed after being blocked by House Republicans, who insist on full funding for the agency.

Amid the deadlock, Trump signed an executive order directing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately pay TSA agents to address what he called an “emergency situation” and restore order at airports, with payments expected to begin Monday.