RAMALLAH -- Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday in the fifth prisoner-for-hostage swap under the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, said the released prisoners, transported by buses of the International Committee of the Red Cross, had arrived in Ramallah. TV footage showed the released Palestinians being greeted by a large crowd at a square in the city. (Israel-Palestine-Prisoner-Hostage Swap)

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BEIRUT -- The Lebanese Presidency announced Saturday the formation of a new 24-member government headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

According to local TV channel al-Jadeed, Salam told reporters at the presidential palace that the new government will be reform-driven, which is the only path to saving Lebanon. (Lebanon-New Gov't-Formation)

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed a delegation to depart for Doha, Qatar, on Saturday to resume negotiations with mediating countries regarding the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire-hostage agreement with Hamas, according to multiple Israeli media outlets.

The delegation is reportedly not authorized to discuss the details of the second phase of the deal, focusing instead on completing the release of 33 Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas. To date, 15 hostages have been released in five exchanges. (Israel-Truce Talk-PM)

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BEIRUT -- The Lebanese army said on Saturday it had ordered troops deployed along the Syrian border to retaliate against fire originating from Syrian territory.

The army, in a statement, said it had acted on directives from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, ordering military units along the northern and eastern borders to respond to sources of fire coming from Syrian territory and targeting Lebanese areas. (Syria-Lebanon-Border Clashes) Enditem

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